1977 MV Agusta 850 SS Monza

1977 MV Agusta 850 SS Monza sits at the top of MV's road-going sport lineup, the last real expression of the Gallarate factory's four-cylinder street bikes before the marque wound down production. This is a bike built around a big, mechanically busy inline-four that wants to be revved, with handling that rewards a deliberate, committed riding style rather than casual commuting. Ownership means dealing with Italian electrics, a driveline that needs regular attention, and a chassis that feels dated next to contemporary Japanese fours, but the payoff is a sound and character no mass-produced bike from the era matches. The 1977 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 1976 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Collector interest in the 850 SS Monza runs high, and buyers tend to be experienced MV or vintage Italian bike owners rather than first-time classic buyers. Most are chasing matching numbers and documented history over rideability, and a well-sorted 1977 MV Agusta 850 SS Monza commands serious money precisely because clean, unmolested examples are scarce.