The First MV Agusta

The MV Agusta 98 Turismo was the first motorcycle produced by Meccanica Verghera Agusta.

Approximately 1,700 units of the lightweight single-cylinder motorcycle were produced between 1945 and 1948.

It was a post-war motorcycle design and was a utility vehicle with an intended low selling price and maintenance costs. The MSRP was only 130,000 Lire (or $89.56 USD).

The simplicity of the components insured good reliability, as was required of a post-war motorcycle. A Lusso (Luxury) version with a telescopic fork was also produced.

The 98 was initially presented with the name Vespa but was abandoned as Vespa had already been registered by another company.

MV Agusta 98 motorcycle had a tiny air-cooled two-stroke engine a 98cc displacement.

The 48mm bore and a 54mm stroke (49 x 52 on the second version) had a compression ratio of 6:1 helping put out a 3.5hp at 4800rpm.

The original version's piston had a deflector but was quickly replaced by a slightly convex type motorcycle piston.

Feed by a 16 mm carburetor, the gas (90%) and oil (10%) mixture was fired by a MV Agusta kick-starter and flywheel magneto ignition.

The 98 clutch was a familiar wet multiple plate unit that was attached to a two-speeds gearbox and a final chain drive that was later updated with a three-speed version in 1946.

The Turismo 98 had a closed tubular steel cradle frame and a gas tank that held a full 9 liters (2.37 gallons).

Front suspension was comprised of girder forks (telescopic fork on Lusso model and the rear suspension was a plunger-box.

The braking system used a lateral 125mm drum in the front and a similar lateral 125 mm drum in the rear.

Classic spoked wheels with 2.50x19 front tire and a 3.00x19 rear tire proved the rolling hardware of the day.

The MV Agusta 98 Turismo weighted in at 70 kg (154 lbs.) allowing a lofty top speed 65 Km/h (40.4mph) while going the distance at a very "green" 40kml (94mpg).