By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked vs Naked Bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090 (MY2012) vs Brutale 800 (MY2016-RR)
MV Agusta Brutale 1090 vs Brutale 800: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll feel the MV Agusta Brutale 1090 tip into a bend the instant you think about it, and it doesn't wander once it's leaned over. The MV Agusta Brutale 800 carries its braking right into the turn-in. Its Brembos bite while the fork stays settled.
So which one do you buy?
The Brutale 800 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Brutale 800
Day to day, the Brutale 800 works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Brutale 800
The Brutale 800 edges it for the daily grind. That comes from friendlier manners and lower running costs. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The Brutale 1090 and Brutale 800 do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money. You're paying for the specific character each bike brings to the table.
What makes each one tick
Brutale 1090
Past the middle of the tach, the Brutale 1090's inline-four doesn't play nice and pulls hard right to the top. Down low, the throttle's first crack comes in with a jerk, and you'll keep your clutch hand busy in traffic. On the Angeles Crest Highway, the trellis frame reports every ripple in the asphalt while the short wheelbase flicks it from apex to apex. The intake snarls all the way up.
Brutale 800
There's a counter-rotating triple in the Brutale 800 that saves its surge for high revs and howls through the intake to the redline. A sharp bump gets soaked up at the front by the Marzocchi fork, and the chassis doesn't lose its line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Brutale 800 has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The Brutale 800 has the lower wet weight: 417 lb (189 kg) vs 463 lb (210 kg).
- The Brutale 1090 makes more peak torque: 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) vs 64 lb-ft (87 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Traveling with luggage
Neither one fits
Saddlebags and long trips don't suit these two. They're better at day rides.
Don't look for a gap on twisty roads: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Brutale 1090
What owners say
Strengths
- Exotic, head‑turning styling
- Ferocious, race‑bred inline‑four engine
- Telepathic handling and chassis feedback
Trade-offs
- Abrupt off‑idle throttle response
- High purchase price and expensive parts
Brutale 800
What owners say
Strengths
- Exhilarating triple with a race-bred top end
- Premium fully adjustable suspension and braking package
- Stunning Italian design with exotic details
Trade-offs
- Questionable long‑term reliability and parts availability
Known problems to check before you buy
Brutale 1090
- Snatchy throttle / erratic low‑rpm fuelling Many owners report a jerky, on‑off throttle response at small openings, particularly in Normal mode. Can cause surging in town and makes smooth U‑turns difficult. Fixed by ECU reflash on later examples.
Brutale 800
- Premature sprag clutch failure The starter sprag clutch can fail, especially on earlier models, causing a rattling noise during startup and potential starting issues. Replacement often requires parts with long wait times.
- Difficult access to spare parts and dealership support Long lead times for spare parts and limited dealer network can frustrate owners, especially outside Europe.
- Electronic gremlins and sensor faults Owners report intermittent warning lights, sensor failures, and electrical quirks that can be difficult to diagnose.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 11-year-old Brutale 1090 with an 11-year-old Brutale 800.
- Brutale 1090
- about $7,600
- Brutale 800
- about $8,000
At 11 years old, the MV Agusta Brutale 1090 sits around $7,600 while the MV Agusta Brutale 800 runs about $8,000. That's no meaningful gap between the two. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Brutale 1090 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 463 lb (210 kg) | 417 lb (189 kg) |
| Brutale 1090 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1078 cc | 798 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Inline-three |
| Power | 144 hp (106 kW) | 140 hp (103 kW) |
| Torque | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) | 64 lb-ft (87 Nm) |
| Brutale 1090 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.1 US gal (23 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.6 L) |
| Brutale 1090 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Brutale 1090 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
