Two years after announcing plans for a range of “Lucky Explorer” branded adventure bikes, MV Agusta has revealed its first dual-purpose machine in its full, final, finished form.
But things have changed since 2021. The Lucky Explorer moniker has now largely vanished, MV logos are back on the bodywork, and the bike originally called ‘9.5’ now bears a more evocative name: LXP Orioli. That’s a tribute to granite-tough Italian Edi Orioli, whose four Dakar Rally wins include two aboard Cagiva’s Elefant (1990 & 1994).
The LXP Orioli will be made in a limited run of just 500 bikes, each individually numbered and signed by Edi. Despite adventure bikes being more popular than ever, MV Agusta have rejected the stack-em-high approach, instead charging a premium for exclusivity. Exactly how premium is yet to be confirmed, but MV say the LXP Orioli will be “around €30,000” in Italy and Germany. It’s enough to make you gasp on your Lucky Strike…
The LXP Orioli is powered by a re-engineered version of MV’s existing 800cc triple. Capacity has grown to 931cc thanks to a bigger bore and a longer stroke, with peak power up to 122bhp. Maximum torque is 75lb ft, with a curve so fat and flat that 85 per cent of it (64lb ft by our sums) is available from just 3000rpm. As with MV’s current triples, the crank spins backwards to improve agility.
MV Agusta’s Director of R&D Brian Gillen describes the motor as, “The lightest, most compact engine in its class. It’s a mid-class engine with maxi-level performance. This engine is the culmination of all the experience that we’ve developed over the past 15 years. Everything is brand new – the engine block casting, cylinder head casting, covers, internals, crankshaft, connecting rods, balance shaft, it’s all new. Only the valves, output shaft and oil pump are common with the 800.” Expect sportier tunes of this 931cc motor to spread across MV’s range in the coming years.
The LXP Orioli’s motor also serves as a stressed member of the chassis. It’s held in place by a new steel beam frame, with a bolt-on double cradle and detachable rear trellis subframe. The swingarm is cast aluminium and, unusually for MV, is twin-sided. Suspension is by Sachs, features a leggy 210mm of travel at both ends and is fully adjustable – although only manually, as there’s no electronic or semi-active cleverness. Seat height can be set to either 850mm or 870mm.
Spoked wheels are proper adventure sizes (21in front, 18in rear) and tubeless, while the LXP Orioli is homologated to run either Bridgestone’s road-focused A41 or knobbly AX41 tyres. Front brakes use Brembo Stylema radial calipers, with pads specific to the LXP Orioli. MV claims a dry weight of 224kg, so brimming the 20-litre tank will take that up towards the 240kg mark.
Electronics are described by Gillen as, “the most advanced MV Agusta has ever put on a production motorcycle.” They include a seven-inch TFT dash with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, keyless ignition, cruise control, a two-way quickshifter, four riding modes, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, adjustable engine braking, front lift control, and even launch control.
The LXP Orioli also comes with a pair of aluminium panniers, LED fog lights, an engine skid plate and crash bars, plus a Termignoni titanium silencer in a Dakar-style kit box.
The MV Agusta LXP Orioli is expected to be delivered to owners by the end of March 2024. Exact UK prices aren’t confirmed but its €30,000 ballpark European price tag converts to roughly £26,000.
