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2015 MV Agusta Stradale 800

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As promised, here is the second part of our trip down to Fontana, California to meet with MV Agusta USA, go over the company’s new business plan for not only America, but also worldwide, and to ride the current crop of their 2015 machinery.

I should preface right out of the gate that this is not a review in regards as to what you’ve come to expect from Asphalt & Rubber. I am not-so-cleverly calling this a “not-a-review” assessment of MV Agusta’s 2015 models. I say this because we had a very limited amount of time on each bike, as there was roughly 10 machines to divide our attention amongst.

Our course was the infield section of AutoClub Speedway, which is very tight and short. And to add to the mix, we had intermittent light rain, which made half of the course fairly slippery.

Think of this article as not far from someone test riding a bunch of motorcycles at a dealership, with similar duration and limits put in place…except that this someone rides motorcycles for a living.

We sort of spoiled the fun with the MV Agusta Stradale 800, thanks to our Bothan spies. Nevertheless, here is a comprehensive gallery of the latest “new model” from Varese. Essentially a detuned MV Agusta Rivale 800 with touring bags and a windscreen, the Italian company says we can expect to actually see this model available in a timely fashion.

Making 115hp (down 10hp from the Rivale) and adding 7lbs in bulk, the Stradale shares a new larger fuel tank with its Rivale sibling. The Stradale also sits lower to the ground, giving up .7? in minimum ground clearance, for a total of 4.92? in ground clearance.

Interestingly enough, the Stradale has the same front suspension travel as the Rivale, and gains .8? in rear suspension travel over the Rivale, to 5.91? of rear suspension travel. Suspension is done by Marzocchi up front, and Sachs in back, same as on the Rivale.