Magni Filorosso
MAGNI FILOROSSO
WORLD'S COOLEST BIKES.
NEW MV AGUSTA 800 IN ITS GRANDFATHER’S RACING FRAME
BRUNO DEPRATO
Okay, I'm biased by nostalgic memories of red threecylinder MV Agusta 350/500 racers thundering down the Monza main straight, but I really love this new Magni Filorosso.
In Italian, the name “Filorosso” refers to the thin, red line that the company uses to “link” the experience of Giovanni Magni’s father Arturo (the legendary MV Agusta team manager of the golden years) to the sequence of Magni models powered by BMW, Moto Guzzi, and Suzuki engines and leading up to the latest specials using MV Agusta F4S.
Magni now has access to MV Agusta's F3 8oocc three-cylinder that puts out a claimed 125 hp. Around this compact, flexible engine, Magni crafted a classic steel-tube frame that shares the doubleloop design typical of those legendary MV Agusta GP racers.
The F3 800 engine is perfect in this role, and the Filorosso beautifully duplicates the look of the MV Agusta GP
Racers. It all sounds so simple, but nobody has done this before.
The Filorosso prototype shown here is assembled from vintage components, such as the Ceriani fork, old Brembo disc brakes, and the six-spoke 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels. Giovanni must have reached into his father’s memorabilia trunk and scooped up all those special parts.
Thanks to lean construction and the use of lightweight components (a handmade aluminum fuel tank among them), the bike weighs only a claimed 320 pounds. This number alon makes the Filorosso attractive. The step up from prototype to production is a big move, and Magni will have to compromise the look of some of the components that are no longer availabl But there is no doubt that quality will not be compromised for this beautiful replica of one of the most legendary racing bikes ever.
Bravo, Giovanni!
THE "OTHER~ Mi~GL'1I TRIPLE
There might be a few classically styled modern MV-triplepowered Magnis rolling off the assembly lines soon, but this Magni R3-powered by a 1970s BSA Rocket 3-will likely remain a one-off. Owner Brent Lenehan commissioned Triple Tecs to build a 90-horse stroker 930cc triple to power a replica MV 500 chromemoly race frame that weighs only 24 pounds. An alloy tank and period magnesium wheels continue the lightweight theme, while the signature MV-style exhaust completes the race-inspired build. This bike was the winner of the Cycle World Tour award at the 2014 Quail Motorcycle Gathering for making magnificent sounds and being ridden with the highest style by its owner.
