Having neglected the 250 class for the best part of a decade, MV Agusta returned to this popular category, launching the Raid (long-distance) touring model in late 1956. Obviously from the same mould as the MV's successful 125cc and 175cc roadsters, the Raid was powered by a single-cylinder overhead-valve engine producing 14bhp, which was good enough for a top speed of 72mph. Clearly, the Raid was not aimed at the sporting motorcyclist, but according to the late Mick Walker, writing in his book, MV Agusta: "against these seemingly unimpressive figures there was a level of comfort, flexibility and reliability which was almost unsurpassed at the time. Not only that, but the standards of roadholding and braking were equally good". Equipped with deeply valanced mudguards and a capacious fuel tank, the functional-looking Raid had obviously been designed with practicality in mind rather than outright speed. Cycle parts largely followed the pattern of MV's 175cc models. The Raid remained in production, latterly alongside a 300cc version, until 1962. An older restoration that would respond well to detailing, this 250 Raid was in its present condition when purchased from a collector in Pesaro. The machine is offered with ACI paperwork and an old Italian registration document issued in 1968.