- Smaller 5.5 is made in association with QJMotor
- 9.5 is developed in-house by MV Agusta
- 5.5 shares a few aspects with Benelli TRK 502
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer, MV Agusta has finally hopped on the highly lucrative and ever-growing adventure tourer bandwagon with two offerings – Lucky Explorer 5.5 and Lucky Explorer 9.5. Both bikes broke covers at the ongoing Milan Motorcycle Show in Italy and here we tell you what these newcomers are all about.
The smaller Lucky Explorer 5.5 has been developed in association with China-based QJMotor which is set to venture into the Indian market soon. Look closely at this bike’s design and you’ll find a resemblance with the TRK 502 from Benelli which is another brand that falls under QJMotor’s umbrella. The rear, in particular, looks identical to the TRK. However, the front looks unique and imposing with an aggressive-looking dual-pod LED headlamp and an angular side fairing with air scoops.
Strapping onto the Lucky Explorer 5.5’s tubular steel frame is a 554cc, parallel-twin motor that churns out 47bhp at 7,500rpm and 51Nm at 5,500rpm. As for the hardware package, it is quite premium with KYB suspension offering rebound and preload adjustability up front and full adjustability at the rear. Brembo brakes bring it to a halt along with dual-channel ABS from Bosch. On the feature front, the most notable bit is the 5.5-inch colour TFT console that offers smartphone pairing to facilitate navigation and mobile notifications.
Moving on to the Lucky Explorer 9.5, this motorcycle has been developed in-house by MV Agusta. Although the design is a tad similar to the 5.5, this one appears taller and more muscular, and the front end looks more ferocious. It’s also more adventure-oriented with a larger 21-inch wheel up front and an 18-inch unit at the rear. Typical of MV Agustas, the cycle parts are quite premium including fully-adjustable Sachs suspension and brakes with Stylema calipers.
Powering the Lucky Explorer 9.5 is a 931cc, triple-cylinder engine that pumps out 123bhp at 10,000rpm and 102Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. Transmission duties are handled by a six-speed gearbox accompanied by a Rekluse Smart Clutch System. Another noteworthy aspect of the 9.5 is that its seat, handlebar, and footpegs can be adjusted in two steps to suit the rider’s stature and comfort. Furthermore, it incorporates a host of electronic aids like traction control, launch control, cruise control, multiple riding modes, and a Bluetooth-enabled seven-inch colour TFT console.
