MV Agusta: An Italian Invasion

An illustrious bike brand is on its way back to North America, thanks to a new collaborative effort between two historic motorcycle manufacturers. MV Agusta has thrown its lot in with KTM to distribute the iconic Schiranna motorcycles in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The deal, spanning several years, will see KTM set up a new US-based operation to handle the distribution, promotion, and customer service for MV Agusta’s machines. These exclusive motorcycles will be sold through KTM dealers and new and existing MV Agusta stores at multiple locations coast to coast.

MV Agusta enjoys a legendary reputation among riders. The manufacturer, founded in 1945, initially functioned much like early Ferrari, manufacturing and selling motorcycles to finance its racing team. The funds went to good use, as MV Agusta won multiple MotoGP world titles in the ‘50s and ‘70s. In fact, between 1958 and 1960, the manufacturer dominated the world championships, taking the highest position on the podium in every class.

But the brand isn’t just about racing. It also pushed the envelope of production motorcycles, introducing multiple innovations and building a reputation for daring experimentation with what motorcycles and other two-wheelers could be. For instance, the company produced the MV Agusta 600—the world’s first production motorcycle with a transverse four-cylinder engine.

MV Agusta slipped from the spotlight with the 1971 passing of its founder and guiding light, Count Domenico Agusta. But the company never stopped and—fortunately for fans of sleek Italian stallions—it bounced back in the mid-2000s. Many will remember MV Agusta’s brief stint under Harley-Davidson. With this new distribution partnership with KTM, North American riders can more easily find out for themselves what exactly gives MV Agusta its reputation.