In what was possibly on the cards, the Italians could take back their beloved MV Agusta brand, after Harley Davidson announced the sale of MV Agusta and the production end of Buell. According to reports, MV Agusta is still preparing for an important EICMA show with some exciting new models, in an interview with Claudio Castiglioni from MV.

Castiglioni has revealed the strength of the MV Agusta brand, how well loved it its, but also its appeal beyond just the emotional. Saying that MV makes creative and wonderful bikes, Castiglioni has said: “It would be logical for an intiative to be set up, for an Italian entrepreneurial interest for the reacquisition of MV [to take place]. I need to think about it. I have to be sincere, I have suffered a lot for “my” bikes and I’m tired of suffering. I need to reflect.”

There will be many Italians out there hoping that one of their beloved brands will once again be “made in Italy” to all intents and purposes. It will only be revealed whether practical issues can support the nostalgia associated with a patriotic buy-back of MV Agusta.

Source | Motoblog.it

Continue reading: MV Agusta to return to Italy?

The reborn Cagiva brand looks like it will update its range with the “Schiranna”: the possible future name of the 1125 V2 superbike (the name comes from the town in which Claudio Castiglioni’s company was first founded).

Thanks to Harley Davidson ownership, Cagiva looks set to make a promising comeback in the motorcycle market, with MV-Agusta placed to be the more upmarket offering, and the “elefantino” or “little elefant” aimed at a more general clientele.

Future Cagivas shouldn’t feature more than two cylinder engines, although this doesn’t mean we’ll be seeing less power. The most eclectic motor is the V2 BRP-Rotax, on the Buell 1125, accredited with some super power at 140hp.

Continue reading: Cagiva 1125 V2 Schiranna by Oberdan Bezzi

Harley Davidson could be considering the acquisition of MV Agusta, Claudio Castiglioni’s historical Italian brand. Negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage and are involving the credit banks of the Varese company - at the head is the Gruppo Intesa San Paolo at around 95 million euro.

The MV Agusta business amounts to about 200 million euro divided between banks (130 million) and suppliers (70 millions). According to newspaper Il Messagero, the agreement would see the Milwaukee company acquire the credit that the banks and suppliers pass to MV Agusta.

Harley-Davidson would acquire about 80-85 percent of MV Agusta capital, leaving Castiglioni the remaining 15-20 percent. Today Castiglioni holds 29.6 percent of MV Agusta while 65.4 percent is held by the financial group Gevi.

It seems that Castiglioni is coming the full circle, as owner of the previous Cagiva group, which in its heyday also included Ducati, Motomorini and Husqvarna, established that business in the former AMF-Harley Davidson Schiranna facilities.

Via | Thekneeslider.com

Continue reading: Harley Davidson to buy MV Agusta

After reporting on Italy’s 2008 Bike of the Year Award from Motociclismo magazine, the Brutale 1078RR took out top honours for overall best bike of 2008.

The splendid model also took the prize in the naked category for the eighth time, in front of Ducati’s Monster 696 and the BMW R 1200 R. The company also won second place in the 125 category with the Cagiva Mito SP525 (go here for a photo gallery).

Continue reading: Brutale 1078RR voted "Bike of the Year 2008"