2013 MV Agusta Brutale 1090 R & RR Review Photo Gallery

2012 MV Agusta Brutale RR in action. The high-performance Italian lives up to its billing.

See photos of the 2013 MV Agusta Brutale 1090 R & RR in the MV Agusta Brutale 1090 R & RR photo gallery. Read more in the 2012 MV Agusta Brutale 1090 R & RR Review.

The MV Agusta Brutale R riding position is intuitive with the handlebar placement ideal for our 6’1” frame.

The MV Agusta Brutale R's dash is easy to read, with an analog tach prominent.

Traction control is incorporated into both bikes. The 8-level MV system can range from meddlesome to encouraging hooligan antics, depending on the desired setting.

Peak torque production for the R is 74.42 lb-ft compared to 67.58 for the RR.

Both are light on their toes in tight, technical terrain, where the Brutale turns in quick with easy transitions.

Considering how similar the engines appear on paper, the performance disparity is dramatic.

Lots of torque equals easy this...

The 468-pound R tips the scales two pounds lighter than the RR

The bright red frame on the RR isn’t all show either, as its chromoly steel tubing is different than the alloy sourced by the R version.

Styling cues draw attention to the spec sheet variances of the two bikes. Gold two-piece calipers on the R contrast the silver monoblocs adorning the RR.

The R mill churns out a more street-friendly powerband, with a stark advantage on the low and mid range.

The Brutale R’s lower-spec Brembos are more than adequate too, with precise modulation.

The Brutale 1090 R rings in at $16,498.

The Brutale RR makes use of more aggressive higher-lift intake cams and shorter intake manifolds in its 1078cc Inline Four.

The RR sources 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels different from the R model.

The bright red frame on the RR isn’t all show either, as its chromoly steel tubing is different than the alloy sourced by the R version.

The Brutale RR gets up-spec monobloc versions of the Brembo radial-mount calipers.

The distinctive slash cut exhaust is a prominent styling cue on the Brutale.

The Brutale RR's rear Sach's shock, with the piggyback unit offering additional adjustability with high & low-speed compression damping.

The handlebar and instrumentation on the RR is identical in function to the R model.

The RR further ups the styling ante on its sibling with cleaner integrated turn signals and LED running light.

The racetrack is where the higher-spec Brutale will truly earn that extra R.

The Brutale RR chassis felt somewhat tauter, but the steering damper was deemed overkill for regular street duty.

The Brutale proves comfortable enough for an extended day in the saddle, with our lower back minimally fatigued after a 200-mile day.

Both bikes are eager to run at an elevated pace, with the RR’s advantages increasing with the mph.

Power production isn’t the only difference between the two engines. The more tightly wound RR emits shrieking engine tones.

Integrated turn signals differentiate the RR stylistically from the R version.

The high-strung RR features a top-end bias and only presses its advantage when the tach screams up into five-figure territory.

Our MCUSA testing cadre has long deemed the Brutale one of the most fetching bikes on the road, and these 2012 models do nothing to change that opinion.

The MV Agusta Bruale RR and R exhibit quite different power deliveries, with the latter a more street-friendly bottom end and mid-range.

A play bike pure and simple... The Brutale delivers more than ample street performance in a sleek package.