MV Brutale 910 - New (to me) Bike
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Seeing as I've have already inadvertently chronicled my the last 6 months of 'what bike?'; starting from being a non-rider looking at a MV Brutale 675, right through to passing my DAS and looking at Monsters, MT-09s, Daytonas, Z1000s and finally coming full circle back to MV (albeit a 910) Link. I thought I might document my journey into MV ownership for others (and a record for myself).
So, I'm a new rider and the majority of my experience is purely gleamed from doing my DAS on a Honda CB650F. Exciting for a new rider, probably dull as dishwater for anyone who has ridden for more than 6 months. You'll need to bear this in mind when I say something about it, as my basis for comparison is almost non-existent.
After much deliberating over this bike (see worries from previous thread), I eventually decided to take a leap of faith and buy it. The dealership sorted most of the paperwork over the phone and Charlie (dealership owner) waxed lyrically about the bike all the way through. Paperwork sorted on the Tuesday, I was told I could pick the bike up on Saturday.
This caused a bit of panic, as the dealership is located in Bradford and I am in Bromsgrove (Birmingham). I hadn't touched a bike since my DAS and this had considerably more poke. My mind was made up for me when Charlie told me that having it delivered meant a 3 week wait and another £100ish; waiting is not my strong suit.
After convincing the GF that she needed to get up at 6am on a Saturday to come with me to Bradford (she is not a morning person), I then had to get some gear.
Picked up most of my gear online from a well known supplier, opted for a 2-piece RST leather set, gloves, boots and a snazzy Nolan N86 helmet. Delivery was booked in for Friday and I prayed that I had got my sizes right.
I did a pretty good job, everything turned up and fitted perfectly. I then spent Friday afternoon roaming around the house in full bike gear; I told the GF I needed to 'wear it in', but actually I just felt cool...
A two hour drive to Bradford flew by and when I arrived the MV was sat outside, going through some final checks. I grabbed a coffee, sat outside and looked over the bike.
Now I'm nervous; it's big and it's aggressive looking. I've read a lot about the Brutale in the last week and it has a reputation as being a bit of a handful. In the back of my head, I tried to work out what the statistical likelihood of me making it home was. I gauged 50/50.
So I sit down with Charlie, fill out the remaining paperwork and sort the tax. Charlie is really hyped about this bike. The words 'awesome', 'fast', 'purposeful' and 'brilliant' are thrown about. He shows me around the bike, points out the basics and then leaves me to it. His parting shot is to offer to buy the bike back if I ever decide to sell it.
Just me and the bike now. It's a 140 mile ride home and I am bricking it.
All suited up, I hop on and fire her up. I send the GF off ahead, so I can follow her back to the M1 and then I start pulling away.
Immediately the power difference between this and my DAS bike is obvious, this thing is mad. The throttle is very sensitive and a minute twist launches me forward. The bike is fitted with a Power Commander to iron out the notoriously twitchy MV fuel map, but this thing still feels like it is on a hair trigger.
The other thing that jumps out is that the riding position is much more 'sports bike' than the upright position on the CB650F, I'm leant over the fuel tank with a fair bit of weight on the wrists. After 10 minutes, I'm at the petrol station filling it up for the ride home.
After the quick slash, it's out of Bradford and onto the M1; with a pre-planned pit stop at Tibshelf services for a smoke and a coffee.
The original plan was to get onto the motorway, sit in the inside lane and cruise home. Yeah, that lasted about 5 minutes....
With the intoxicating noise ringing in my ears, I pulled into the outside lane and opened her up. Holy crap! I feel like the fastest thing in the world. The acceleration is staggering and I basically hold on for dear life. After 10 seconds I pluck up the courage to tear my eyes off the road and look at the speedo.
I'm doing 85mph
Settling in, I start to have a bit of a play. Moving in my seat to get a comfortable position, finding a decent cruising speed and occasionally opening it up. After an hour, my confidence had grown and I decided to open it up again. This time I did get it up to an interesting speed, before bottling it and winding it back down. Still only managed to get it up to 8,000 rpm; I've still got another 6,000 before hitting the rev limiter.
Average speed cameras outside of Nottingham slow everything down and I start to ache in the wrists. Quickly I learn that if I clench the tank with my thighs, it takes the weight off my wrists and feels much better.
Cruising along at 50mph, I'm suddenly joined by two guys on KTM RC8's. They pull up alongside, waving and checking out the bike. While they are riding one handed, legs stretched out, draped over the tank like they're lying on a beach; I'm holding on tightly with both hands, too scared to let go in case I swerve across the road and hit a tree. I must have stank of 'new rider'.
Further down the road, the traffic builds up and suddenly we're caught in stop/start traffic.
My first M.V. 'character' flaw rears it's head.
Slowing to a stop in first gear, the engine suddenly cuts out. My initial thought is 'oh cool, it has stop/start technology'; but I quickly realise that is not the case. It starts again, no problems; but 20 metres ahead and the same thing happens again. Clutch in, rpm below 2,500 and the engine cuts out. I'm glad the GF was behind me in the car, as the fourth time it happened I was in 2nd gear and I locked the back wheel. Thankfully I got it under control, but as a new rider, it shook me up.
Eventually got through the traffic to Tibshelf services and had a chance to look over the bike again. Finally, some pictures:
A coffee and 20 cigarettes later and off we go again. No stalling issues as I'm moving through the car park, so I'm starting to think it's something that happens when it's at operating temperature. Once on the motorway, I open her back up and head for home.
I found the ride quite hard on the ass and the seat is a bit slippery; so acceleration or braking causes me to shift about in the seat. No idea if that is normal or I should consider changing the seat in the future. Once I've gotten comfortable, the riding position is good. There isn't a massive amount of wind on the ride back and I didn't find it too 'blowy'. Well, not as bad as I had been told anyway.
The noise; holy crap the noise! Above 4,000 rpm, this thing just howls. It screams in your ear to go faster and the more you open it up, the more it screams. It's almost sadistic.
Handling is always a big thing on bikes, but as I have nothing to really compare it against, I'm a bit lost for what to say. It just does it. It feels very light and a delicate touch on the bars gives instant and knife edge response. I haven't had a chance to take it down any B roads yet, but I get the impression it will carve them up.
The bike came with bar-end mirrors, which I've never been a huge fan of, but these really work. Reviews I read on the build up to riding the bike said the stock mirrors were useless unless you were born without shoulders and elbows. These things are really good though and there was minimal vibration.
Bad points? Aside from the stalling; the heat. It gets very hot and, whilst this was okay on the motorway, I can imagine it being quite bad if you're around town. The thermostat read a decent 80-95 degrees depending on speed, but it was certainly warming my legs up.
By the time I got home (3 1/2 hours all in), I was exhausted; but grinning like a loon. I even took a few more pics:
and managed to squeeze it into the garage!
So, I'm really happy with the bike. I researched the stalling issue once I got home (MV have a fantastic forum) and it appears the issue is well known and, sadly, not that uncommon.
I've been told that the list of things that cause it is longer than the list of things that don't cause it. Some helpful people on there have given me a list of obvious things to check before I start looking at the expensive items. I'm hopeful that it is something simple.
In summary, I'm really happy with it. It's exciting, quick and looks amazing. Disappointed about the stalling issue, but I'm hoping to sort that quickly.
So there you go, a wall of text that sums up my experience with proper riding and my new toy
Seeing as I've have already inadvertently chronicled my the last 6 months of 'what bike?'; starting from being a non-rider looking at a MV Brutale 675, right through to passing my DAS and looking at Monsters, MT-09s, Daytonas, Z1000s and finally coming full circle back to MV (albeit a 910) Link. I thought I might document my journey into MV ownership for others (and a record for myself).
So, I'm a new rider and the majority of my experience is purely gleamed from doing my DAS on a Honda CB650F. Exciting for a new rider, probably dull as dishwater for anyone who has ridden for more than 6 months. You'll need to bear this in mind when I say something about it, as my basis for comparison is almost non-existent.
After much deliberating over this bike (see worries from previous thread), I eventually decided to take a leap of faith and buy it. The dealership sorted most of the paperwork over the phone and Charlie (dealership owner) waxed lyrically about the bike all the way through. Paperwork sorted on the Tuesday, I was told I could pick the bike up on Saturday.
This caused a bit of panic, as the dealership is located in Bradford and I am in Bromsgrove (Birmingham). I hadn't touched a bike since my DAS and this had considerably more poke. My mind was made up for me when Charlie told me that having it delivered meant a 3 week wait and another £100ish; waiting is not my strong suit.
After convincing the GF that she needed to get up at 6am on a Saturday to come with me to Bradford (she is not a morning person), I then had to get some gear.
Picked up most of my gear online from a well known supplier, opted for a 2-piece RST leather set, gloves, boots and a snazzy Nolan N86 helmet. Delivery was booked in for Friday and I prayed that I had got my sizes right.
I did a pretty good job, everything turned up and fitted perfectly. I then spent Friday afternoon roaming around the house in full bike gear; I told the GF I needed to 'wear it in', but actually I just felt cool...
A two hour drive to Bradford flew by and when I arrived the MV was sat outside, going through some final checks. I grabbed a coffee, sat outside and looked over the bike.
Now I'm nervous; it's big and it's aggressive looking. I've read a lot about the Brutale in the last week and it has a reputation as being a bit of a handful. In the back of my head, I tried to work out what the statistical likelihood of me making it home was. I gauged 50/50.
So I sit down with Charlie, fill out the remaining paperwork and sort the tax. Charlie is really hyped about this bike. The words 'awesome', 'fast', 'purposeful' and 'brilliant' are thrown about. He shows me around the bike, points out the basics and then leaves me to it. His parting shot is to offer to buy the bike back if I ever decide to sell it.
Just me and the bike now. It's a 140 mile ride home and I am bricking it.
All suited up, I hop on and fire her up. I send the GF off ahead, so I can follow her back to the M1 and then I start pulling away.
Immediately the power difference between this and my DAS bike is obvious, this thing is mad. The throttle is very sensitive and a minute twist launches me forward. The bike is fitted with a Power Commander to iron out the notoriously twitchy MV fuel map, but this thing still feels like it is on a hair trigger.
The other thing that jumps out is that the riding position is much more 'sports bike' than the upright position on the CB650F, I'm leant over the fuel tank with a fair bit of weight on the wrists. After 10 minutes, I'm at the petrol station filling it up for the ride home.
After the quick slash, it's out of Bradford and onto the M1; with a pre-planned pit stop at Tibshelf services for a smoke and a coffee.
The original plan was to get onto the motorway, sit in the inside lane and cruise home. Yeah, that lasted about 5 minutes....
With the intoxicating noise ringing in my ears, I pulled into the outside lane and opened her up. Holy crap! I feel like the fastest thing in the world. The acceleration is staggering and I basically hold on for dear life. After 10 seconds I pluck up the courage to tear my eyes off the road and look at the speedo.
I'm doing 85mph
Settling in, I start to have a bit of a play. Moving in my seat to get a comfortable position, finding a decent cruising speed and occasionally opening it up. After an hour, my confidence had grown and I decided to open it up again. This time I did get it up to an interesting speed, before bottling it and winding it back down. Still only managed to get it up to 8,000 rpm; I've still got another 6,000 before hitting the rev limiter.
Average speed cameras outside of Nottingham slow everything down and I start to ache in the wrists. Quickly I learn that if I clench the tank with my thighs, it takes the weight off my wrists and feels much better.
Cruising along at 50mph, I'm suddenly joined by two guys on KTM RC8's. They pull up alongside, waving and checking out the bike. While they are riding one handed, legs stretched out, draped over the tank like they're lying on a beach; I'm holding on tightly with both hands, too scared to let go in case I swerve across the road and hit a tree. I must have stank of 'new rider'.
Further down the road, the traffic builds up and suddenly we're caught in stop/start traffic.
My first M.V. 'character' flaw rears it's head.
Slowing to a stop in first gear, the engine suddenly cuts out. My initial thought is 'oh cool, it has stop/start technology'; but I quickly realise that is not the case. It starts again, no problems; but 20 metres ahead and the same thing happens again. Clutch in, rpm below 2,500 and the engine cuts out. I'm glad the GF was behind me in the car, as the fourth time it happened I was in 2nd gear and I locked the back wheel. Thankfully I got it under control, but as a new rider, it shook me up.
Eventually got through the traffic to Tibshelf services and had a chance to look over the bike again. Finally, some pictures:
A coffee and 20 cigarettes later and off we go again. No stalling issues as I'm moving through the car park, so I'm starting to think it's something that happens when it's at operating temperature. Once on the motorway, I open her back up and head for home.
I found the ride quite hard on the ass and the seat is a bit slippery; so acceleration or braking causes me to shift about in the seat. No idea if that is normal or I should consider changing the seat in the future. Once I've gotten comfortable, the riding position is good. There isn't a massive amount of wind on the ride back and I didn't find it too 'blowy'. Well, not as bad as I had been told anyway.
The noise; holy crap the noise! Above 4,000 rpm, this thing just howls. It screams in your ear to go faster and the more you open it up, the more it screams. It's almost sadistic.
Handling is always a big thing on bikes, but as I have nothing to really compare it against, I'm a bit lost for what to say. It just does it. It feels very light and a delicate touch on the bars gives instant and knife edge response. I haven't had a chance to take it down any B roads yet, but I get the impression it will carve them up.
The bike came with bar-end mirrors, which I've never been a huge fan of, but these really work. Reviews I read on the build up to riding the bike said the stock mirrors were useless unless you were born without shoulders and elbows. These things are really good though and there was minimal vibration.
Bad points? Aside from the stalling; the heat. It gets very hot and, whilst this was okay on the motorway, I can imagine it being quite bad if you're around town. The thermostat read a decent 80-95 degrees depending on speed, but it was certainly warming my legs up.
By the time I got home (3 1/2 hours all in), I was exhausted; but grinning like a loon. I even took a few more pics:
and managed to squeeze it into the garage!
So, I'm really happy with the bike. I researched the stalling issue once I got home (MV have a fantastic forum) and it appears the issue is well known and, sadly, not that uncommon.
I've been told that the list of things that cause it is longer than the list of things that don't cause it. Some helpful people on there have given me a list of obvious things to check before I start looking at the expensive items. I'm hopeful that it is something simple.
In summary, I'm really happy with it. It's exciting, quick and looks amazing. Disappointed about the stalling issue, but I'm hoping to sort that quickly.
So there you go, a wall of text that sums up my experience with proper riding and my new toy
shielsy said:
Nice write up and nice bike, congrats!
In regards to the stalling issue; have you not contacted the dealer to get it fixed?
Thanks In regards to the stalling issue; have you not contacted the dealer to get it fixed?
The dealer is not an MV specialist and I would be hesitant to have him fix it, this was the first MV to pass through his shop.
To be honest, it is really an MV issue and is well outside of it's warranty. I'd much rather get the work sorted myself and know it has been done right, even if it costs me a couple of quid.
bogie said:
Congrats, im sure it will only get better now, a thousand miles on the bike and it will feel like home. The slippy seat is an easy fix, with optional neoprene ones available or a new cover
I have a 1090 and have been researching the exhaust options myself. Most owners report the heat is better when you lose the cat and change the headers, basically put a full system on it and map the power commander to suit. MV bits are expensive, but there are a few good aftermarket options out there. Evolution bike ship quick to the UK, just got a few bits, you can window shop for £££ of bling bits on there
http://www.evolutionbike.it/mvagustastore/index.ph...
Have fun
Thanks for that! I'm not sure my other half will be quite so pleased though I have a 1090 and have been researching the exhaust options myself. Most owners report the heat is better when you lose the cat and change the headers, basically put a full system on it and map the power commander to suit. MV bits are expensive, but there are a few good aftermarket options out there. Evolution bike ship quick to the UK, just got a few bits, you can window shop for £££ of bling bits on there
http://www.evolutionbike.it/mvagustastore/index.ph...
Have fun
Funny you should mention the exhaust; I found out last night that I actually don't have a cat or middle box...
Looks like the previous owner had them remove and an arrow midsection welded in. This could explain the insane noise and PC3.
bogie said:
Good news re the exhaust, thats about £1k saved on future mods then
Maybe your bike just need the idle adjusting and maybe some tweaks to the map. Do you have a local dynojet place you can go to ?
Oh yes, I also got some nice bits form www.designcorse.com
UK based supplier of lots of tasty parts
That seems to be the general consensus; my idle needs a tweak. I'm gonna have a look online and see about booking it in.Maybe your bike just need the idle adjusting and maybe some tweaks to the map. Do you have a local dynojet place you can go to ?
Oh yes, I also got some nice bits form www.designcorse.com
UK based supplier of lots of tasty parts
I actually went for a ride last night and it didn't stall once. I filled it up using super unleaded this time, so I'm wondering whether the bike is set up to run high octane.
Stop it
I might leave it a month or two before I start throwing more money at it
Wildfire said:
Great stuff! Another TVR/MV owner! Get yourself on the MVOCUK Facebook group.
Done and done The TVR/MV combo screams automotive sadist! Character in spades though.
Took her for another run last night (300 miles covered so far) and the stalling issue appears to have vanished.
Convinced it's the fuel now; looks like Super Unleaded going forward although I'll test it with a batch of normal in a few weeks to confirm.
Friday will be the teller; I'm taking it to work and the Birmingham rush hour traffic is legendarily bad. If it is ever going to stall, that will be the time.
Other than that; I BLOODY LOVE IT!
It might not be a 'beginners bike', but it is quite forgiving if you don't take the piss. I'm still taking it very easy, hard accelerating is limited to straight lines only and corners are nice and slow.
Thought I'd provide an update, given it has been a few weeks now.
So I've managed to put 500 miles on the bike. I'm a lot more comfortable on it now and finally able to ride with a decent level of confidence. I'm still miles away from actually pushing the bike hard, but we've reached a mutual understanding.
No really issues so far, other than my air duct almost falling off. I went out for a ride on Sunday for a few hours and when I got back I realised my air duct had come loose and was hanging off. Turns out it is supposed to have 3 screws holding it on, but I only had two (and eventually one...).
Quick fix really; tank off and 3 new screws. It gave me a chance to learn how the bike comes apart so I wasn't too annoyed.
I also had my first 'Oh s
t! I'm coming off' moment this morning.
Took a ride into work, happily cruising down the M5 past West Brom. As I'm coming round the corner, in the outside lane, I spot something bouncing into the road. In the space of 2 seconds I decided that 1) I'm going to hit it no matter what and 2) It's a piece of 2x4" and it's going to hurt.
I must admit, I was pretty sure that was it. I was coming off.
So, I braced myself and waited.
Nothing. No impact, nothing. I went straight over it.
Turns out, it wasn't a bit of wood at all. It was a bit of stty foam that looked like wood. I have never been so happy and so angry in my life.
Still, fun and games
So I've managed to put 500 miles on the bike. I'm a lot more comfortable on it now and finally able to ride with a decent level of confidence. I'm still miles away from actually pushing the bike hard, but we've reached a mutual understanding.
No really issues so far, other than my air duct almost falling off. I went out for a ride on Sunday for a few hours and when I got back I realised my air duct had come loose and was hanging off. Turns out it is supposed to have 3 screws holding it on, but I only had two (and eventually one...).
Quick fix really; tank off and 3 new screws. It gave me a chance to learn how the bike comes apart so I wasn't too annoyed.
I also had my first 'Oh s
t! I'm coming off' moment this morning.Took a ride into work, happily cruising down the M5 past West Brom. As I'm coming round the corner, in the outside lane, I spot something bouncing into the road. In the space of 2 seconds I decided that 1) I'm going to hit it no matter what and 2) It's a piece of 2x4" and it's going to hurt.
I must admit, I was pretty sure that was it. I was coming off.
So, I braced myself and waited.
Nothing. No impact, nothing. I went straight over it.
Turns out, it wasn't a bit of wood at all. It was a bit of s
tty foam that looked like wood. I have never been so happy and so angry in my life.Still, fun and games
Anybody able to advise on suspension. By that I mean anything at all 
Basically, since I've had the Brutale, the suspension has been stupidly hard. Being reasonably handy, I decided to adjust the suspension myself based on the medium settings in the manual.
Managed it easy enough and then took it out for a quick blast.
The bike soaks up the bumps a lot better now and my spine is exceptionally grateful. The problem is, the bike now leans over ridiculously easy. It's like the riding in the wet and it's making me nervous.
The stupid thing is, I'm not sure if this is normal or not as I have no basis for comparison.
Before I changed the suspension settings, the bike was wound up pretty hard. For example, the front preload settings were half of the recommended for a hard set up. So basically all set to hard, then cranked up a bit harder.
I've ridden the bike like this since I've had it, but cornering made me nervous as the slightest bump made it skip. Now I'm at the other end of the scale where the bike feels too 'loose'.
In summary, is it just me? Is the bike fine and I'm just too green and lacking in confidence to corner as I'm supposed to or should the bike inspire confidence in the corners if the suspension is right?
I literally have no idea if the bike is fine or I need the suspension set up properly....
Basically, since I've had the Brutale, the suspension has been stupidly hard. Being reasonably handy, I decided to adjust the suspension myself based on the medium settings in the manual.
Managed it easy enough and then took it out for a quick blast.
The bike soaks up the bumps a lot better now and my spine is exceptionally grateful. The problem is, the bike now leans over ridiculously easy. It's like the riding in the wet and it's making me nervous.
The stupid thing is, I'm not sure if this is normal or not as I have no basis for comparison.
Before I changed the suspension settings, the bike was wound up pretty hard. For example, the front preload settings were half of the recommended for a hard set up. So basically all set to hard, then cranked up a bit harder.
I've ridden the bike like this since I've had it, but cornering made me nervous as the slightest bump made it skip. Now I'm at the other end of the scale where the bike feels too 'loose'.
In summary, is it just me? Is the bike fine and I'm just too green and lacking in confidence to corner as I'm supposed to or should the bike inspire confidence in the corners if the suspension is right?
I literally have no idea if the bike is fine or I need the suspension set up properly....
gwm said:
Could always take it to a local track day and get the on site suspension guys to set it up for you. Don't need to be on the trackday to use them.
Get them to set up, go for a ride on the road, come back to adjust/confirm, repeat till happy. They normally charge about £50-60 for a day of fettling.
That is not the most insane thing I've ever heard. In fact, I was considering an amateur track day in the near future. Get them to set up, go for a ride on the road, come back to adjust/confirm, repeat till happy. They normally charge about £50-60 for a day of fettling.
Good shout. Thank you.
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