MV Agusta Agostini Tribute
- Paul
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
MV Agustas’ motorcycles are the stuff of legend, but their bikes are rarely seen here in Ireland. All that is about to change.
There are now seven bikes in the MV Agusta range. The naked powerhorses of which the Brutale is the best known is now joined by the Rush and the Dragstar. The tall tourers are the LXP and the Tourismo Veloce. Then there are the sports bikes; The F3 and the Superveloce. Both machines are legends in the sportsbike world. While all of the range is special, there’s one that is significantly more special than the rest. The Superveloce is also available in a very limited edition Giacomo Agostini tribute, The Ago 1000.
Agostini, or ‘Ago’ is a legend in the world of motorcycle racing. He has had a stunning racing career, winning no fewer than 15 World titles, 123 Grand Prix victories and 10 TT wins in the ‘60s and ’70s. He has, rightly, become a living legend. Now the MV Agusta Agostini Tribute machine is a tribute to the man and not only bears his name it even wares his signature.
Everything about the ‘Ago’ is bespoke. To celebrate the great man’s 83rd birthday there will only be 83 of these machines made for the entire global market. Even if these weren’t so rare they’d still be a very special bike to own.
It starts with something as utilitarian as an ignition key. While all manufacturers have their keys branded, MV are no exception, this is definitly one that you don’t want to leave behind on a cafe table. That’s because the red billet aluminium casing actually holds a brass coin, a coin that has been forged from one of Agos’ winning trophies. This is definitely a first.
But it gets better. Once again there are only 83 of these being made so as per all limited editions there's a numbered top yolk. The difference here is that the number is embossed onto an 18 karat gold plate. Then there’s the autograph. Each of these has been signed by Ago. It’s not a print, a decal or paint. He actually signed all 83 bikes. This is one very special machine and that's before that key has even been turned.
Like the standard bike, the Ago is powered by a one litre straight four engine. It’s got some very impressive numbers including 116.5 Nm of torque and a very healthy 208 HP. Titanium rods and valves and DLC-coated cams allow it to rev out at 14,000rpm. That ‘organ pipe’ exhaust has been made by Akrapovic and has a carbon fibre heatshield. Having heard one of these on the standard bike I can confirm that the noise is exquisite.
The delivery of all this power is electronically managed by the rider via the bikes TFT screen. The traction control has eight different settings. This includes one that the rider can set for themselves. There’s wheelie control, after all lobbing one of these over your head as you exit turn one doesn’t bare thinking about! You can also dial in the engine torque setting as well as the intensity of the brakes and the suspension. There is, of course, a quickshifter. The electric package even has a GPS system. When this one is connected to the riders phone via the companies app it allows the rider to log and share routes.
As anyone who’s raced or ridden trackdays will tell you, anyone can go fast, it’s stopping where the real talent lies. On a bike of this standard the braking system needs to be perfect. And this one is built by Brembo. It comprises of radial Stylema calipers with 30mm pistons, which, in turn, are operated via the companies radial master cylinder. Down the back there’s a Brembo 2-piston caliper. Both are powerful enough to provide balanced stopping power. Also included is a very clever ABS system. The tech on this includes the cornering option as well as well as (anti stoppie) “Rear Lift up Mitigation”. The intensity of the brakes can be set to either Sport or Race mode.
Its’ wheels deserve a special mention. Rather than standard cast wheels the Ago features dedicated spoke wheels which are shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4 tyres which even have red detailing.
All of this sits in a beautiful trellis frame. It’s made of high-strength steel tubes and aluminium plates that hold the aluminium single-sided swingarm. The suspension system is electronic and fully adjustable. As only the best will do both front and rear are made by Öhlins. The steering damper is also electronically adjustable and is also made by the same company.
Then there’s that finish. This one of a kind bike is wrapped in the most exquisite body work. The number one on the fairing sits on a yellow background and subtly shows off the carbon fibre construction. The Red and Silver tips its' hat to Agostini’s racing colours. I really like that headlamp. The CNC-machined crown and its’ shape set it apart from everything else in the market.
The leather strap running over the tank is a wonderful nod to the bikes’ heritage, while its' seat is made with leather and alcantara.
The bike has no fewer than 41 carbon fibre components, they make for stronger pieces which, along with titanium components, make for a bike that’s kilos lighter than it would be if made with conventional bodywork.
If that wasn’t enough the Superveloce 1000 Ago also comes with an exclusive welcome kit. This includes a certificate of authenticity that matches the bikes serial number. There are also CNC machined brake and clutch levers. If you really had to you could even use the enclosed passenger footpegs with their carbon fibre heel plates. Although I’d really prefer if you didn’t.
Along with the rest of the range the Ago comes with a 5-year factory warranty and is available exclusively, along with the rest of the range, from Franklin Motorcycles in Dublin. Give Keith a call on (01)5385005. And remember, if you need to ask the price then you can’t afford it!
