There are interesting times ahead for exotic Italian bike maker MV Agusta. It’s recently had a big injection of investment cash from the Pierer Mobility company, which owns KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas. And it’s using that cash to expand its R&D facilities, and boost production facilities at the factory in Varese.
But there’s no point in all that if it can’t also expand its retail offering globally, especially in wealthy and growing markets like Europe, India, China – and the US. Which brings us to this – the latest in a long line of American themed special bikes from MV Agusta. Indeed, the tradition of a red/white/blue custom paintjob, with some stars and stripes motifs, some tasty add-on parts and a premium price tag goes back fifty years, to the original MV Agusta America – a variant of the firm’s 750 S inline-four cylinder superbike.
Launched in 1973, that was well ahead of its time, and though it faded away in the face of increased competition from Japan, it had left its mark. When Agusta was revived in the late 1990s, it first focused on getting up and running, with a next generation 750cc four, the F4 superbike.
But by 2004 there was a new America, based on the Brutale 750. Next up came the 2012 Brutale 1090 RR America, then the Brutale 800 and 800 RR America models, sold from 2017-2019.
And now we have the latest: the 2023 Dragster RR SCS America. It’s a thing of beauty for sure, with special aerodynamic carbon fibre rear wheel cover, deep glossy paint, embroidered seat, special tank logos and a numbered plaque on the top yoke. Just 200 will be made, and they come with a cover, certificate of authenticity and an optional titanium Akrapovic race pipe with accompanying race ECU to suit.
The 2023 America is based on the firm’s latest Dragster RR SCS super naked, with SCS meaning Smart Clutch System – the Rekluse firm’s automatic centrifugal clutch which makes the bike a twist-and-go semi-automatic (you still have to change gears with the pedal). The 798cc triple cylinder 12-valve DOHC water-cooled engine makes 140bhp or 148bhp with the Akrapovic pipe, and overall dry weight is 175kg, or 167kg with the pipe.
There’s a clear engine casing cover to show off the SCS clutch unit, and the chassis uses a steel tube/aluminium casting hybrid frame, Marzocchi USD forks, and Sachs monoshock operated by a single-sided rear swingarm, with full adjustment on the suspension at both ends. Brembo brakes, advanced cornering ABS and traction control, plus full colour LCD dashboard, Bluetooth link, wheelie control, launch control, GPS immobiliser/tracker – it’s all present and correct, and makes for a super-trick exotic special.
It’s not completely clear whether the bike will be available in the US only, or if red/white/blue fans outside American will be able to buy one. Price is around $28,000 on the Agusta website, so if you feel lucky, get down to your dealer now.