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There’s no motorcycling competition quite like the Dakar Rally, which has produced some fascinating machines and riders. But what does that have to do with MV Agusta?
MV Agusta's two new adventure motorcycles launched at EICMA may seem to be an unexpected move from a brand historically focused on sport performance and more often tied to grand prix victories of the past than off-road racing. But here we have the Lucky Explorer 9.5 and 5.5. Although key figures like price, weight, and power have yet to be released, there’s plenty to talk about here.
A little history is needed for context. These new MVs are styled after the striking Ducati-powered Cagiva racers of the early 1990s. Cagiva, Ducati, and MV Agusta were co-owned around that time, so there is something of a connection, or at least enough of one that MV Agusta named and designed their new motorcycles with references to that era. As for the Lucky Explorer name, it’s a nod to the iconic Lucky Strike cigarette sponsorship decals that plastered the sides of Cagiva’s mighty Elefants in the heyday of the rally, which started out as a run from Paris to Dakar.
Nostalgia for the rally racers runs deep. Ducati developed a Dakar-styled racer of their own for release this year, but it won’t be released until December 9, so it might appear that MV Agusta beat them to the punch. However, these motorcycles are significantly different under the skin.
MV Agusta says their new 5.5 and 9.5 “offer a concrete yet suggestive perspective in an increasingly crowded competitive arena, focused on riding efficiency and stylistic charm, as well as on advanced technical solutions.” The heart of the 9.5 is a punched-out version of MV’s 800 triple, while the 5.5 gets a parallel twin co-developed with Chinese manufacturer QJ Motors. (In fact, much of the 5.5 is based on QJ and Benelli models.)
Both variants are wrapped in steel frames with aluminum swingarms. The 9.5’s subframe, also steel, features retractable pannier mounts. The bikes are sprinkled with protective guards and skid plates in typical ADV style. MV Agusta didn’t release much information on the bikes’ tech packages or features, but we do know that the upspec 9.5 can be ordered with options like an electric gearbox (as on the Turismo Veloce RC SCS) and a Rekluse clutch kit.
The 5.5’s performance will probably stay close to existing QJ/Benelli motorcycles, with styling and pricing to set it apart. The 9.5, on the other hand, is less of a known quantity. No word from MV (yet) on availability for the U.S. market.
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