I recently rode over 100 miles on an MV Augusta Brutale. Fantastic machine! It has an upright seating position but was too cramped (small) for me to ride long distance, but the engine was just fantastic. It's a 750cc 4-cyl. designed by Ferrari and has the most unbelievable sound! NOTHING like any other 4 cyl. I've ever heard. 120+ HP at 13,100 rpm (13,900 redline) but also quite a bit of torque for such a high revving engine. The handling/suspension was almost telepathic. I can still remember how it sounded though, 80mph on the highway was at almost 8,000 rpm. The gear ratios were also very close, much like a racer.
Sorry to hear about your friend on the Mille, but glad he lived to ride again! The thing that impressed me most about that bike was the torque. It can really catch you out if your not careful. You could never tap into it's awesome potential on roads around here, but I found myself spinning the rear tire almost at will at low speed even at partial throttle. That thing will eat rear tires for lunch if you don't restrain, and it will bite you!
I like many bikes and although I certainly have nothing against the Japanese bikes (performance/dollar is unbelievable) I have a weakness for bikes that possess a unique character. The Triumph twin has a distinct exhaust note, as do the Ducati's. I love the deep percussive sound of a Duc with good pipes! I like the Buell's too. You see a sport bike coming on and expect the usual high pitched snarl and then a deep rumble catches your ear as the Buell rolls by - very cool!
That Augusta though - anyone ever hear a Formula One Ferrari?
