MV Agusta starts Rush 1000 production
Following its unveiling at last year’s EICMA show, production of MV Agusta’s Rush 1000 dragstrip-inspired naked is underway.
“With the production of the Rush 1000, we are right on track with respect to our 5-year industrial plan (and) breaking new ground in our expansion journey into new segments and new markets,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motors S.p.A.
“MV Agusta will continue to produce amazing works of exclusive motorcycle art, remaining true to its heritage of performance, elegance and state-of-the art technology. I am sure this incredibly attractive model will meet the enthusiasm of the proud new owners.”
Brutale Base
The Rush 1000 is based heavily on the Brutale 1000 RR naked and uses the same engine in the same state of tune, the same cassette-style six-speed gearbox, as well as most of the same cycle parts.
That 998cc four-cylinder engine produces 153kW at 13,000rpm, with an optional racing kit increasing that maximum to 156kW at 13,600rpm. Maximum torque is 116.5Nm at 11,000rpm.
The racing kit comes with a dedicated ECU, titanium exhaust system and carbon fibre pillion seat cowl, along with some cosmetic additions. As well as offering more power, this kit drops overall weight from 186kg to 184kg.
With a 79mm x 50.9mm bore x stroke, the DOHC 16-valve oil/air-cooled engine features MVICS engine management, Mikuni lower and Magneti-Marelli upper fuel injectors, an Eidor EM2.1 ECU and Mikuni ride-by-wire throttle. The main difference is the counter-shaft sprocket, which the Brutale 1000 RR does not have.
An electronic up-and-down quickshifter is standard, as is a back torque limiter on the clutch. Gearing is unchanged from the Brutale 1000 RR, meaning the 300+km/h top speed is unaltered, too.
The chromoly steel trellis frame is matched to an aluminium swingarm, with an Öhlins Nix EC 43mm USD fork and an Öhlins TTX EC rear shock. There’s full preload, compression and rebound adjustability, as well as 120mm of travel, at each end.
Brembo brakes (320mm dual disc front, 220mm disc rear) are complemented by Bosch ABS with Race Mode and Rear Wheel Lift-up Mitigation.
At 17 inches, wheel sizes are the same, but the Rush 1000 uses a different design to the Brutale 1000 RR, with a distinctive carbon fibre cover added to the rear wheel.
Other features shared with the Brutale include a 5-inch TFT display, cruise control, Bluetooth, GPS with ‘App MVride’ for navigation mirroring, app-control for the engine, suspension and rider aids. There’s also launch control and wheelie control.
The main differences over the Brutale are cosmetic.
Rush Style
Aside from the wheels and carbon fibre rear wheel cover, the key styling differences on the Rush 1000 are at the front and back end. There’s a round headlight instead of the Brutale’s oval design, with a similar round tail light. The more substantial makeover of the tail includes deletion of the “wings” on the Brutale and compaction of the tail unit itself, so it looks almost like a pod atop the new tail light.
Deleting the pillion accommodation gives a cleaner look overall to the back end, while the stubbier, blunter SC Project exhaust tips (instead of the slash-cut pipes of the Brutale 1000 RR) increase the aggressive, dragstrip-ready look.
Rush identification features throughout, from the exhaust to the tail unit, side covers and top of the fuel tank, where you’ll also find a decal for MV Agusta’s 75th Anniversary that’s applied to all models this year.
The fuel tank and plastics are unchanged from the Brutale 1000 RR, but clever colour treatments make these carryover items look quite different. Colour options on the Rush 1000 are dark metallic matt grey and mamba red, or matt carbon and metallic bronze.
Premium Offering
While Australian delivery of the Rush 1000 is confirmed, exactly how many of the 300-unit total are coming to Australia is unknown, as is an exact delivery date. Given demand for past MV Agusta specials and limited editions, expect only a handful to reach our shores, with delivery likely before the end of 2020. Priced from $62,490 (+ ORCs) and backed by a 3-year, unlimited km warranty, the Rush 1000 is available to order now from MV Agusta dealers. Go to: https://mvagusta.com.au/ for more details.
