New information has been revealed, including details and timing of MV Agusta’s inaugural entry into the adventure bike market, via an exclusive interview with MV CEO Timur Sardarov, published by the UK’s MCN.
It was back in November 2021 when we first reported on the storied Italian brand’s intention to bring both 550cc and 950cc adventure models to market after it showed off two promising prototypes at the EICMA show in Milan.
The two bikes, part of the company’s “Lucky Explorer Project,” are dubbed simply the 9.5 and 5.5, and wear livery that harkens back to parent company Cagiva’s glory days of racing when its Lucky Explorer branded Paris-Dakar Elefant bikes raced across the African desert, twice winning the famous rally.
Now, according to Sardarov, the two models are well on their way to production — and represent just a sampling of future Lucky Explorer adventure bikes, including six prototypes currently undergoing extensive testing.
The Lucky Explorer 5.5, which will debut in production form at the 2022 EICMA show in Milan, is powered by a liquid-cooled parallel twin developed in partnership with the Chinese brand QJMotor. It’s said to deliver 47.6 hp and 37.62 ft-lbs of torque after undergoing refinements by MV’s engineers to enrich its torque curve and smoothen delivery at all revs, as well as give it more of a “V-twin” sound. “We want to be best in class in terms of torque,” R&D Director, Brian Gillen, is quoted as saying, explaining that a 270° crankshaft firing order will not only offer a distinct sound, it will also reduce vibration.
Although MV Agusta mentioned that the specs could change before these bikes go to production, the 5.5 in its current form is a more road-focused adventure bike riding on 19”/17” wheels and using a KYB inverted hydraulic fork with 5.3-inches (135mm) of suspension travel. This new player is projected to weigh a not-so-light 484 lbs dry, and seems targeted toward bikes like Honda’s CB500X.
The 5.5 is expected to feature a TFT dash, but won’t have some of the sophisticated electronics MV’s CEO says will be available on future versions of the larger model, which contributes to its projected price point of €7000 – €8000.
Sardarov says the first 9.5 adventure bike will be a base model, a new strategy for MV Agusta, which typically presents the highest spec version — often a limited edition — of a new bike first, then follows up with a median version. “We wanted to avoid that when launching this because it’s an adventure product and we wanted to work like other companies – where you produce a simplified version first and then you grow into a more advanced bike.”
Meaning we might have to wait for goodies like lean-sensitive ABS and the Tiptronic gearbox Sardarov insinuated is being considered, which lets you switch between manual to automatic shifting, a feature that could make MV’s 9.5 competitive with Honda’s Africa Twin, with its optional DCT setup.
It’s this larger machine that MV is pointing at for off-road adventuring, equipping it with longer travel suspension (8.7” front/8.3” rear) and dirt-friendly 21”/18” spoked wheels. “[It] is very much going to be a Lucky Explorer working machine that focuses more on off-road, rather than on-road,” added Sardarov. The powerplant will be an all-new 930cc triple, developed by MV Agusta specifically for this model, delivering 123 hp and 75.2 ft lbs of torque.
The 9.5’s suite of electronics will be accessed via a 7” TFT panel, featuring Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Radar controlled cruise control has also been teased, but in reference to a future street-biased version of the 9.5. “The on-road version will come later in the year,” Sardarov told MCN. “It will have more options, have a bit more luxury and will be a bit more expensive.”
The 9.5 will also mark another milestone for MV Agusta, becoming the first “from scratch” motorcycle — including an all-new engine — to be developed by the Italian maker in 12 years.
Both Lucky Explorer adventure bikes take inspiration from its parent company’s rally-winning Cagiva Elefant. And yes, you might have noticed the styling on Ducati’s DesertX also plays on Cagiva’s Lucky Explorer heritage, a move that seems to irk the current boss at MV. “Back in the day, Ducati was a part of the Cagiva Group and Lucky Explorer was using Ducati engines,” he explains, adding that Ducati should “choose their own path – not try and blend into something that does not belong to them.”
The first models are expected to launch as soon as next year. According to MV’s CEO, the 5.5 will hit the market first, with availability in early 2023, while production of the 9.5 will begin next April.
As an owner of four of the original Elefants, I have to say that the Ducati Desert X looks to be a more faithful resurrection of the model line than the M/V. As Ducati was part of Cagiva when the Elefants were produced, I would say both companies have a fair claim to the history.
That said, these look like great bikes in their own right. It’s awesome to have such choices.
A 1 pound difference in weight! 47 horsepower versus 125 horsepower. The price difference between these two better be quite substantial.
The weight of the 550 is way over the top
Both bikes are too heavy for their advertised mission.
I wonder if some of these specs are off. As other have already commented, a one pond weight difference for a much smaller engine having 38% of the power of the 9.5 is hard to comprehend. The cast wheels of the 5.5 alone should bring more weight savings than that, even before the difference in size. Also, the seat height is listed as virtually identical even though the 5.5 has the smaller wheel set.
Hey Wolfgang, We share your surprise regarding the specs. In fact, before we posted the numbers we reached out to MV to double-check, and they confirmed they are correct. MV Agusta has also published the specs on their website. However, as we mention in the article, they also told us that the specs could change before these bikes go to production.
Arguably the weight similarity might likely be use of heavier steel components on the “smaller” and presumably cheaper 5.5 versus lighter and more expensive alloys on the 9.5 as other performance European manufacturers tend to do. That said, 484 lbs dry is a lot for that little power so it will be good for the road stability but not likely what riders venturing further off road, would be looking for.
BMW has announced a host of what the manufacturer...
Well, another Erzbergrodeo is officially in t...
Photo by Ely Woody. After a few decades of tra...
KTM and Husqvarna are recalling certain dual spor...
Get ADV Pulse delivered by email
It's All About Overland Adventure. Whether you're a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice hungry for...
At the main summer Overland Event, enjoy food, drink and music from around the world, and hundreds of riders with...
In the heat of summer, experience the cooler temps (6800' elevation) and epic big bike riding in the High Sierra....
Keeping up with trials champ Pol Tarres and all the crazy things he does with...
What begins in a field in South Dakota and ends in a cave in Southern Californi...
Has there ever been a bike that better embodies its name than the Volcon Grun...