By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked
MV Agusta Brutale 910 R (MY2006) vs Brutale 1078 RR (MY2008)
MV Agusta Brutale 910 R vs Brutale 1078 RR: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll notice the throttle first: the MV Agusta Brutale 910 R saves its hard pull for the midrange and a wailing run to redline. On the MV Agusta Brutale 1078 RR, there's a heavy shove from low revs as soon as you open it. Its linear response keeps that surge easy to meter.
What makes each one tick
Brutale 910 R
Stiff from fork to shock, the Brutale 910 R sends every ripple of broken pavement straight up through the seat. Low-rpm fueling snatches and jerks. Up top, the four screams like a racer.
Brutale 1078 RR
The Brutale 1078 RR's four-into-two exhaust rasps low and deep, then turns to an angry snarl as the tach climbs. A sharp bump doesn't unsettle the chassis, because the fork and shock soak up the hit. There's a short wheelbase and steep rake under the tank, and the chassis flips from lean to lean in a blink. The front tire reports every seam.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Brutale 1078 RR makes more peak power: 154 hp (113 kW) vs 136 hp (100 kW).
- The Brutale 1078 RR makes more peak torque: 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) vs 71 lb-ft (96 Nm).
- The Brutale 1078 RR has the larger engine: 1078 cc vs 909 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Neither of these is a mile-muncher. If big days are the plan, keep looking.
On track days, character, commuting, and twisty roads, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Brutale 910 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Ferocious top-end power and intoxicating soundtrack
- Immediate, responsive handling
- High-spec chassis components
Trade-offs
- Firm, unforgiving ride
- Cramped, aggressive ergonomics
- High maintenance costs and short service intervals
- Temperamental low-speed fueling
Brutale 1078 RR
What owners say
Strengths
- Exotic Italian design and high-quality components
- Explosive power delivery
- Intoxicating exhaust soundtrack
- Supple suspension for real-world comfort
Known problems to check before you buy
Brutale 910 R
- Throttle hesitation and lean stumble Hesitation or a stumble when opening the throttle from closed, particularly at low rpm. Can be caused by dirty throttle bodies, degraded injectors, or sensor issues.
Brutale 1078 RR
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.0 US gal (19 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Brutale 910 R | Brutale 1078 RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| Brutale 910 R | Brutale 1078 RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 909 cc | 1078 cc |
| Power | 136 hp (100 kW) | 154 hp (113 kW) |
| Peak power at | 11,000 rpm | 10,700 rpm |
| Torque | 71 lb-ft (96 Nm) | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,900 rpm | 8,100 rpm |
| Top speed | 157 mph (253 km/h) | 166 mph (267 km/h) |
| Brutale 910 R | Brutale 1078 RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.1 L/100 km | 22 mpg (US) / 10.86 L/100 km |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Brutale 910 R | Brutale 1078 RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
