It appears the truth is far less exciting than fiction, certainly when it comes to the strange motorcycle ‘love-in’ between Harley-Davidson and MV Agusta.

If the brief encounter could be considered a corporate marriage then Friday’s news that Harley-Davidson had sold MV Agusta back to its former Italian owners would have to be called an annulment.

Regardless what it can be compared to, the relationship had neighbors talking. For nearly two years, in fact from the moment the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer bought the Italian brand, criticism and rumors have plagued Harley-Davidson. First on the purchase and then on the announced decision to sell the acquisition, across the board concerns came regarding; the price paid, reasons behind the purchase as well as fears of what a company known for a line of iconic cruisers would do to a loved Italian sportbike to the reasons Harley-Davidson had decided to sell.

And those critics weren’t necessarily found in the biker bars or at rallies, but in the press and on Wall Street. As a whole the mainstream motorcycle press remained optimistic about the MV Agusta acquisition, but bloggers weren’t so kind.

While many wondered what Harley Davidson was up too others were curious to see what the engineering and marketing talent from the legendary Harley-Davidson could do for an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that never quite reached the popularity enjoyed by similar makers from the same country.

But more than anything else, the press and bloggers loved to print the rumors. Regardless of merit, possible buyouts were reported with supposedly everyone from the well-known German motorcycle manufacturer BMW making moves for MV Agusta to lesser known (at least in the United States) Italian scooter makers looking to snare the performance brand. In the continuing age of ‘Greed is Good’ even a private equity fund was thrown into the reporting for good measure.

After promising (again) after the last financial reporting quarter Harley-Davidson announced it had found an acceptable buyer for its MV Agusta brand on Friday afternoon. But where the rumors of the past would generate coverage from thousands of websites within hours, the same press release was published practically word for word by a handful of news organizations. Very little insight or commentary given, not even the rampant speculation so easily found in the more scintillating rumors of past.

And Wall Street appeared equally as dismissive.

Or did they?

Earlier in the year when the possibility of private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Company buying MV Agusta was reported, Harley’s stock enjoyed a rally reaching heights it hadn’t seen in some time. When the actually sale was announced on Friday the stock made some moves, but nothing spectacular and actually finished the day slightly lower than it started.

While the financial experts may point to other trading pressures such as the disappointing news over jobless claims in the United States, Wall Street’s Italian counterparts may have a better answer.

It was reported in several online Italian publications that Claudio and Giovanni Castiglioni may have bought back the brand for one symbolic euro with the understanding that MV Agusta would enjoy ongoing and additional financial support from Harley-Davidson. As reported yesterday in Clutch and Chrome, Harley-Davidson actually paid $109 million dollars for MV Agusta in 2008 and made further investments in the company once it was theirs, leaving many to wonder where the upside is for the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer in this latest move.

As for the slow pace in reporting the transaction, admittedly several hundred thousand Harley-Davidson riders and a small contingent of motorcycle press are in transit to the Sturgis motorcycle rally officially starting Monday August 9^th. However, at some point those riders and writers will get off their motorcycles, away from the rock music and wet t-shirt contests and put some thought to Friday’s news.

When that happens, they’ll find MV Agusta is officially owned by the Castiglioni family holding company. Along with Giovanni Castiglioni, the company will be headed by Mr. Massimo Bordi, a well-known Italian manager.

The 62-year-old engineer, Bordi took Ducati to success during the years when that company was owned by the Castiglionis and continued to manage it successfully under the ownership of Texas Pacific Group.

"MV Agusta has full capacity to once again become a major player in the high luxury brand motor bikes, this brand is one of the most recognized worldwide,” Massimo Bordi said, “We will implement a number of reorganization and managerial actions in the near future. Both the current and new models under development have a very strong character, great innovative features and a very unique design, I have no doubts about their future success."

Claudio Castiglioni, called the historic soul of MV Agusta will continue as chairman, and will concentrate on the development of the new products.

"MV Agusta is the crown jewel of Italian motorcycles, I am thrilled to have completed this transaction,”  Castiglioni said after signing the agreement with Harley-Davidson, “I have already won once together with Massimo Bordi, we made the most beautiful bikes in the world and we will continue with this tradition."