The Lucky Explorer Project has gone from concept status to a model that will land in dealerships early next year.
The Lucky Explorer concept brings two brand-new bikes inspired by the heritage of the Elefant, the 9.5 and the 5.5.
The 5.5 mid-sized adventure model is set to be launched in February 2023.
LUCKY EXPLORER 9.5
The Lucky Explorer Project has gone from concept status to a model that will land in dealerships early next year. It remains aesthetically faithful to the much-admired prototype, designed to represent the ideal evolution of the Elefant, which twice dominated the Paris-Dakar in 1990 and 1994.
The Lucky Explorer 9.5 stands out for its typical off-road stance, emphasised with its spoked wheels, 21” and 18” in diameter, as well as its 1580 mm wheelbase. Having made these decisions, the biggest challenge was to achieve handling combined with the necessary stability to travel safety at full load on the motorway. The dual personality of the three-cylinder is highlighted by the possibility to mount either road or knobby tyres, in that both are homologated and cited on the vehicle registration certificate.
With the 9.5, the three-cylinder engine was specifically developed, combining versatility and power with a weight of just 57 kg. Most of its components are new, starting with the crankcase and the lubrication and cooling systems. The packaging is almost identical to that of the 800 engine currently in production, while the crankshaft, starter and gearbox differ, as does the throttle control, now with counter rotation.
The Lucky Explorer four stroke in-line three-cylinder is liquid cooled and equipped with a double overhead camshaft and counter-rotating crankshaft to improve the riding dynamics and reduce inertia effects. Maximum power and torque values come in at 124 hp at 10,000 rpm and 102 Nm at 7000 rpm, with specific power equal to 132.25 hp/litre and a hydraulic wet clutch.
The electronics package includes urban, touring and off-road mappings, combined with Continental Cornering ABS with various functions. The ABS can be totally deactivated during off-road use or disabled at the rear wheel only.
The closed double cradle steel frame structure includes forged and extruded elements, with a swingarm in light chill-cast aluminium alloy so as to obtain the very best resistance/weight ratio. The Sachs suspension is externally fully adjustable.
The 7” colour TFT display features Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi in order to update and communicate with the MV Ride app, for route planning, data acquisition and geolocation anti-theft functions.
LUCKY EXPLORER 5.5
The first bike on the Lucky Explorer schedule to enter production is the 5.5, a mid-sized model that is designed to take on any kind of terrain with ease.
Development of the smaller 5.5 is now complete and the model is ready to arrive in dealerships starting in February 2023, positioning itself as the entry level in terms of its engine size and cost.
The 5.5 retains the spirit of the Elefant family and serves as the gateway model to the new Lucky Explorer family, just as the 350 paved a way to the world of twin-cylinders in the 1980s.
The 554cc engine, a liquid-cooled in-line twin with double overhead camshaft, has been revised to further increase performance. The electronics have also been optimised to ensure the best compromise between performance and safety.
The graphics white colour scheme with stylised Lucky Explorer logo, has been customised along with specially designed light clusters. It shares its style influence with the 9.5 and is clearly inspired by the legendary desert races, but the 5.5 still has many exclusive characteristics of its own.
Contact your local MV Agusta dealer for more information.