MV Agusta Rivale won The 'Most Beautiful Bike' Award at EICMA 2012

The Italian bike manufacturer MV Agusta has won many hearts at ongoing 2012 Milan motorcycle show. The Milan based company has again won the prestigious “Most Beautiful Bike” Award at the EICMA 2012 with its latest concept, the Rivale 800. The Italian motorcycling publication, 'Motocyclismo' awarded the MV Agusta Rivale 800 as the most beautiful bike, leaving behind other serious contenders like the Ducati HyperMotard SP and the BMW R 1200 GS. MV Agusta won the same coveted award with the F3 675 back in 2010.

The president and CEO of MV Agusta, Giovanni Castiglioni said of winning the title, ““For us, it is a further recognition and confirmation of how much energy and resources MV Agusta is dedicating to the constant development of new products.” The award was presented after a poll was conducted of over 15,000 visitors to the show in Milan, Italy. Last year, this award was won by the Ducati 1198 Panigale. Mr. Castiglioni also added that “After winning in 2010 with the unique jewel created by my father, the F3 675, it is an incredible satisfaction to win yet again with a completely new machine. This victory is the greatest gift we could give to our President.”

The Rivale 800 is the first supermoto concept from the MV Agusta. The bike’s styling is very radical and aggressive, that is why, the bike has won this coveted award. The Rivale 800 is meant to rival its closest competitor Ducati Hypermotard. The styling attributes of the Rivale 800 also has been kept similar to the Hypermotorad; especially the front appears identical. But what's also interesting is the rear tail section - it takes styling cues from Ducati's Diavel. The Rivale 800 builds on MVA's line of inline three motorcycles, joining the F3 675, the Bruatle 675 and the all-new Brutale 800. These bikes are all younger siblings of MV's F4 and the new Brutale 1090.

The new 800's engine is basically a bored-out version of the 675. The 800 pushes 125 horsepower at 11,600rpm, which is 12 ponies more than the 675, and 60 ft. lbs. of torque at 8600rpm. The engine features the counter-rotating crankshaft, something once only used in MotoGP. The design reduces inertia while changing direction, helping the bike's overall balance. The Rivale 800, which weighs 170 kg., also features MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) technology, which "allows for performance, smoothness of power delivery, ease of riding and extreme personalization, with three engine maps and a custom default." The bike also features Ride-By-Wire throttle control. The bike will be available for selling by third quarter of 2013 and most likely to be launched in India as well.