Just when I'm convinced to pull the trigger on a Brutale I flip through the latest "What Bike" magazine out of the UK. It was bad enough that they thought my pride and joy was underpowered and only looked good from certain angles. That's simply a matter of opinion. What bothered me is they were unimpressed with the reliability of MV Agusta. Apparantly, their F4 suffered from a host of problems, including a rear wheel that would not come off, warped front brake discs, leaky oil filter and a couple others I can not recall.

Their final comment concerning the F4 was to the effect that yeah, it looks great but if the Japanese can make a reliable bike, why can't MV Agusta.

Did the magazine just get a lemon or does MV suffer from reliability and build quality problems? My closest dealer is 90 miles away so I don't want a bike that's gonna be visiting the shop frequently.

-- Tom Solimine (tsolimine@amph.com), June 22, 2004

Answers

Tom, keep in mind that Japanese sportbikes that every 20 year old kid has that never breaks down no matter how they abuse them are, well, boring to own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Brian Ogle (brian928s@cs.com), June 22, 2004.

Dear Tom, I,ve had my F4S for 3 years now and have had very few problems. The only componant failure was a indicator relay, hardly terminal and a slight leak from the Oil filter, the updated filter cures this.11,000 miles and a few track days and all is well, Don,t beleive the hype! Guy Vickers

-- Guy Vickers (guy@coolcreations.co.uk), June 22, 2004.

To be honest, the MVs have had some reliability problems. I don't believe they're terribly unreliable and will fall apart. But they do (or at least have) had a few more bugs that other bikes.

You may want to scroll down Greenspun and Yahoo*'s message list. You have over 4 years of MV history in both places.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/MV-Agusta/

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Az) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 22, 2004.

Yo! A dishearted believer you are...... Every bikes has their ups and downs, everyone has their views on their own as well. This may work with you, but might fail from the others. If I can recall it right, there are far more recall for japanese bikes than these lovely itallian stallions. It is just a matter of handling it, TLC (tender lovin' care), and not your whole undivided attention. The threads here explains some good reasons on how to handle the bikes little problems, nothing really super serious. That is why these bikes never change it's face for years to come and keeps it's heritage and pedigree, compared to japanese bikes whom constantly changes almost every year instead of a decade long of history. Also, why complain in changing parts from year to year, and not complain for losing money year in and year out when changing from one jap bikes to another? Isn't it will cost you more if you keep using the jap bikes. You get a shit load of funny remarks and faces if you don't keep up with the trend, unlike owning one of this itallian stallions. They envy us! And owning an MV will only make these jap owners envy us more and feel lesser of themselves. Besides, why own a Lexus when you can finally own a Ferrari. Hope this keeps up yur spirits! BE A BELIEVER ! ! ! ! ! !

-- AJ (adiviso@hotmail.com), June 22, 2004.

Bear in mind that if the bikes been doing the rounds as a roadtest bike then it will have been abused beyond anything an owner would dream of doing. Jounos have no respect for the machines they ride and certainly no level of mechanical sympathy.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), June 23, 2004.

TOM, I did 36,000k's on my 2001 F4 and I've done another 4,000k on my 04 Brutale. Neither have given me any problems other than usual wear and tear.

-- Matthew Thompson (matthewt@nitor.co.nz), June 23, 2004.

The Japanese have the great advantage when it comes to developing new motorcycles of having enormous engineering facilities, which allow them to do a very thorough job of designing every component to be reliable, light, and cheap to manufacture, their products are very good, and these days reliable, light and fast, everything anybody could want. Thus they have always sold large numbers of bikes, so large profits so they can afford great engineering facilities. So it goes round....

Italian bikes are manufactured in relativly small numbers, by relativly small manufacturers. The engineering teams which design the Bikes are small and cohesive, it is probably not possible for them to design every component to within an inch of its life as the Japanes do. There is probably an element of suck it and see with Italian bike engineering.

But we Italian bike enthusiasts benefit from this same small engineering group in that our bikes have a far more cohesive design, being a small team of designers, usually with a leader who has the clear vision of what the end product should be. We call the result of this process CHARACTER. The Japanese bikes often seem to lack charater because of the design process... so many individuals involved, so many committees and compromises.

I for one have long been prepared to trade off the sensible reliability of UJM's for the sometimes flawed but always characterful Italian bikes.

That said, my Ducati Monster was perfectly reliable for 10,000 km till I traded it for a Brutale which has been trouble free for 2500 km.

Back in the 80,s the 74 Ducati 750 sport I had required resetting the ignition, rebalancing the carbs after every ride,if I wanted it to start next for the ride. It needed constant attention but I loved it, best bike I ever had, till I got my Brutale. They both share the one great attribute...CHARACTER..

-- Ian Sylvester (sylvesterian@hotmail.com), June 23, 2004.

Ian,

Thanks in large part to your responses in this thread and in one I started last week, I have made the plunge and purchased a Brutale. I got a great deal on a bike on eBay with only 1,000 miles on it. I talked to the owner several times as well as the mechanic who did the 600 mile checkup on the bike and was convinced the bike is mint. In three weeks I hope to be the guy with the goofy smile on his face as he winds through the twisties of Central Texas. Too bad you're an ocean away as I'd love to ride with you. Would be great fun to talk Italian art as well.

Take care and I'll report my experiences as they come.

Tom

-- Tom Solimine (Tsolimine@austin.rr.com), June 23, 2004.

You were warned!! Is that a bell I hear tolling? ;)

Seriously, I believe MV's realiability has improved over the years (and I had a 2000 and now a 2002).

And the funny thing is, if I had to tow my Japanese bike even 30 miles to a dealer, I'd probably get rid of it. But with the MV, I don't feel at ease, until it's back to 100%.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (Agibbs996@aol.com), June 24, 2004.