MV Agusta has given us plenty of interesting stories over the last year or so; they announced a full-scale redesign of the venerable F4, they updated the Brutale line, and they have announced that their F3 675 triple will be available even earlier than they planned.
As part of the news surrounding the F3, MV also announced the forthcoming Brutale version, to be known as the B3, and the potential for a road-based supermoto – something MV has been hinting at for at least six years. It stands to reason that they are likely to mirror this plan with the 998cc engine now contained in the F4 chassis – the present Brutale line is derived from it, after all – and take it to the same place. The giveaway here, though, is the recent discovery that MV Agusta has registered a trademark for the name “Elephant.”
If you are unfamiliar with the history of Italian motorcycle marques, this might not seem all thatCagiva/Ducati Elefant 900 important. However, if you know Italian bikes, then you will know the names of Cagiva and Ducati as well as MV Agusta.
At one time, Cagiva owned the other two (plus more) and even considered shuttering Ducati at one point; many are certainly glad that never came to pass. Starting around 1985, Cagiva began to produce a dual-sport called the Elefant.
It started life as 200cc two-stroke, but was eventually powered by a Ducati V-Twin which reached 900cc in displacement by the time the model was discontinued in 1998. When it arrived on U.S. shores, though, it wore a Ducati emblem and has been known here as the Ducati Elefant. But, it was a Cagiva creation, and the same person who owned that company, a certain Claudio Castiglioni, is now back in full control of MV Agusta. Does this start to make sense now?
Oberdan Bezzi's Cagiva Elefant ConceptsAs usual, this is all rumor and assumption at this point, but the facts do point to the distinct possibility that MV Agusta will revive the Elefant concept with their Elephant. With BMW’s GS line, Ducati’s Multistrada, Moto Guzzi’s Stelvio, Yamaha’s Ténéré, Honda’s Crosstourer, Triumph’s Tiger, and a few more already in the big dual-sport market, MV Agusta may be thinking to carve themselves a slice of that pie.
The machines are incredibly popular now and they sell well in most every market, though the U.S. lags a little behind the global numbers. Fact is, it is a money maker for the right product, and we all know that MV can produce a great motorcycle. But, can MV Agusta produce an adventure bike which will captivate the public the way their F4 and Brutale have? Don’t bet against them.
Comments
Get the Brutale 920 into the hands of many, get the Brutale 675 out at a decent prize, etc. Bank some real customers, and keep them, as opposed of having cult followers or "Captivated Public" that don´t pay the bills.
In other words, build the business and generate the cash flow that can keep the creative juices flowing...
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