2005–2006 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Italian Fire, Featherweight Chassis
The 2005–2006 Brutale 750 S is a naked bike built from superbike parts and superbike thinking. Its 749 cc inline-four comes from the F4 family and makes 127 hp and 57 lb-ft. Those numbers only tell half the story, because this engine lives in the upper half of the tach. It sits in a trellis frame with a single-sided swingarm and a fully adjustable 2.0 in (50 mm) upside-down fork, and the rear is adjustable as well. There are no rider aids at all: no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. What you get is a 408 lb (185 kg) sculpture that feels as special as it looks.
On the road it asks for commitment. The engine feels thin low in the rev range, so you work the six-speed gearbox and keep it spinning. Do that and the Brutale comes alive, with sharp, honest feedback and huge lean clearance. It suits experienced riders who love a twisty road and value character over easy torque. The caveat is ownership. The SPU can fail and cut the engine, more often on early bikes. Stalling on deceleration is a known trait. The rear hub bearing in that single-sided swingarm wears early if it isn't torqued correctly after chain adjustment. Buy one with documented history and a specialist nearby.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 127 hp (93 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 57 lb-ft (77 Nm) |
| Displacement | 749 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 120/65-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 |
| Seat height | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 31 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Over the years I have gathered what Brutale 750 S owners say about their bikes: in the paddock, at club nights, over coffee after a ride, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners are proud of the design and the chassis, and just as frank about the engine, the fit, and the fuel stops.
The design comes up first and most often. Plenty of owners rank it among the most beautiful naked bikes ever made. Right behind it is the chassis. Riders praise the fully adjustable fork and rear suspension for keeping the bike composed, and the front brakes get steady credit for their power.
The most common complaint is the engine. Riders coming from larger bikes call it lethargic by comparison. Some also describe a snatchy throttle off idle that makes town riding and slow corners jerky. Riders over about 5 ft 8 in find the layout cramped, with a short reach to the bars and tight footpegs that limit comfort on long days. Others mention heavy fuel use and short range, and a few still bring up fragile electrics.
Engine stalling on deceleration
The engine may cut out during downshifts or when closing the throttle, sometimes related to fueling or SPU issues.
SPU (Service Power Unit) failures
The SPU, responsible for ignition and injection control, can fail intermittently, leading to engine cut-outs. More likely on early models; no preventive measure.
Premature rear hub bearing wear
The single-sided swingarm's eccentric hub bearings, particularly the main bearing, can wear prematurely, especially if not torqued correctly after chain adjustment.
Where this MV Agusta Brutale 750 S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Brutale 750 S is actually built for.
This is your kind of bike for the Crest: big lean clearance, clear feedback and an engine that wants revs. Just know it has no ABS or traction control, so all the skill has to come from you.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
It makes the Twisted Sisters feel special and draws a crowd at every BBQ stop. On long road-trip days, the thin low end and the constant wind will ask more of you than a softer bike would.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
For repeat runs on the Dragon and Cherohala, the Brutale pays back clean technique with honest feedback and plenty of lean. Keep it spinning in the powerband and it feels razor sharp.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
