Premiere: MV Agusta F 1000 R

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Premiere: MV Agusta F 1000 R
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Premiere: MV Agusta

The new MV Agusta F 4 1000 R

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In 1999, motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini delivered another millennium design after the Ducati 916 with the MV Agusta F4. Since then, various engines of various cubic capacities have been built into the chassis, and in 2010 it was finally time for the exterior.

Extraordinary motorcycles like the MV Agusta F4 are strokes of genius and true milestones in motorcycle design. Revising these after a period of time in the market is an extremely difficult task. Former Tamburini student and current MV chief designer Adrian Morton and his team fell into this delicate matter – and instead of desperate, they blossomed. They consistently emphasized the details that make an MV unique and revised those parts of the diva that have gone out of fashion.

GFor example, the choke lever on the throttle grip has remained the same. Although it still raises the idle speed a little, it is superfluous because the latest injection software from Magneti Marelli manages to bring the cold engine to life and keep it running at a constant speed without the driver having to do anything. Rough and robust, but not quite as snotty as it used to be, the four-cylinder roars with now again superbike-regulation-compliant 998 cubic meters, cheekily inviting you to first contact the total work of art.

So let’s swing our legs over the, from today’s perspective, rather opulent rear with the four individual tailpipes protruding below. The popometer is housed in a wide seat recess, but now offers enough space for gymnastics – the pegged sitting position of the predecessor is a thing of the past, as is the long tank. The new fuel depot is two liters smaller, significantly shorter, lower and 1.2 kilograms lighter than the old 19-liter bladder, which is clearly ergonomic. The handlebar stubs are still low, the very short rests high above the asphalt, which makes the pilot more sporty, but a little more uncomfortable than on a Japanese woman.

The first gear in the cassette gear of the F4 1000 R engages almost noiselessly, the clutch engages easily controllable with little operating force, the dancing couple go to the ballroom in Almeria, Spain, for the freestyle.

The four-cylinder with the bore-stroke ratio of a Kawasaki ZX-10R pushes off evenly and without holes, gets down to business in the middle and turns around at the top, accompanied by the hoarse intake noise, until the rev limiter engages hard at 13500 rpm. The good responsiveness of the MV is unanimously noticeable on country roads and racetracks. The Magneti-Marelli software in connection with the 49 mm diameter Keihin throttle bodies are fully on par with the competition and put an end to the MV era of uncouth throttle response. The transmission can also be operated smoothly, but only when the gear change to a higher gear is pending. When downshifting, on the other hand, it becomes bony and sometimes imprecise, and every now and then an unwanted intermediate idle tarnishes the propulsion.

This can be controlled not only via the throttle, but also via the electronics. The strong thousand has a rain and a dry mapping ready, traction control is available as standard. This is not a full-fledged system with a lean angle sensor like on the BMW, but rather an algorithm, like the retrofittable traction control from Bazzaz, which detects disproportionate acceleration of the rear wheel based on gear, speed and throttle position. Eight rule intensities are available, of which level 1 is the "professional"-Mode corresponds to during level 8 from the MV technician as "Housewives"-Mode is titled. The level 4 used in Almeria was absolutely suitable for lap times at hobby racer level, regulated here and there too early, but very gently.

According to the first impression, the earlier immorality of the engine are a thing of the past. Not so the driving experience of the F4 1000 R. Despite the improved ergonomics and ten kilograms less on the ribs, it is still a real MV Agusta. That means that it is not super manageable to tilt, subjectively it moves on the level of a Suzuki GSX-R 1000, but it runs incredibly stable and neutral in curves. With it you can choose the line almost freely even in the eternally long left curve of the infield, and corrections can be made at any time with a little effort. Even when accelerating at the exit of a curve, it stays on the desired track; you can put a lot of pressure on the rear tire via the 20 millimeter longer and 1.2 kilogram lighter swingarm. However, the otherwise stoic F4 1000 R becomes a bit unstable at the end of the long back straight. When anchoring hard, the anti-hopping clutch reliably prevents annoying stamping until the F4 flirtatiously lifts its bottom. Certainly a problem caused by the high rear of the presentation motorcycles.

What remains after the dance with the MV is a mischievous grin. As if the F4 had whispered little messes in its pilot’s ear during the freestyle.

Conclusion: Technically improving a bike after eleven years is easy, modernizing a design icon is hell. Nevertheless it worked, the MV is not only better, but also prettier than ever.

Technical specifications


MV Agusta

In terms of color, the MV is now also available in gray, so it is not a gray mouse.

Drive:
Four-cylinder in-line engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 137 kW (186 HP) at 12900 / min, 114 Nm at 9500 / min, 998 cm3, bore / stroke: 76.0 / 55.0 mm, compression: 13.1: 1 , Ignition / injection system, 49 mm throttle valves, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath anti-hopping clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain, G-Kat

Landing gear:
Steel tubular space frame, steering head angle: 66.5 degrees (adjustable), caster: 100 mm, wheelbase: 1430 mm, inner fork tube Ø: 50 mm, spring travel v / h: 120/120 mm

Wheels and brakes:
Light alloy cast wheels, 3.50 x 17"/6.00 x 17", Front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 190/55 ZR 17, 320 mm double disc brakes with radially attached four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 210 mm four-piston fixed caliper brakes at the rear

Weight (dry):
192 kg *, tank capacity: 17 liters super (of which reserve: n / a)

Base price:
18,500 euros (plus ancillary costs)

* Factory specification

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