Arturo Magni R.I.P.

 

Very sad news this morning to hear of the death of Arturo Magni, at the age of 90, and they were 90 years absolutely packed with energy, inspiration, passion and innovation.

Magni was a mechanic, engineer, race team head and incredible technical innovator for MV Agusta for decades. His loyalty to MV Agusta must have been one of the significant factors for the fact that what was really a small manufacturer managed to innovatte and buld startling machines for so long. Then with son Giovanni, Arturo Magni continued to work with MV Agusta engines, build his own frames, and employ his expertise in designing sublime motorcycles using a variety of engines up until he could no longer continue to work.

Our sympathies go to the Magni family, and to MV Agusta too.

Magni Filo Rosso

The Filo Rosso, or the Red Line, is the symbolic thread that has always run through Magni's work, starting with his learning from Piero Remor in the early 1950s, to being the all-round inspiration behind MV Agusta's multiple world championships, and then going on with son Giovanni to create hand-built machines with individuality, handling prowess and charisma.

This one is no different. Ok, so it looks like an MV race bike you may say. Yes, but that's not a bad thing, is it? And this one is powered by the MV Agusta Brutale's rev-happy 798cc triple cylinder motor that needs a 13.000rpm red line.

Not often we want to just jump on a bike we've been sent pics of and just ride the bollocks off it, but this is one of those occasions. Bravo, Magni!

Ever wondered how to say MAGNI?

Watch this film, listen and learn. I've been reading a lot about Arturo Magni this week while researching an article on MV fours - he has some stories he has to tell...