MV AUGUSTA F4


With its new short-stroke engine, ride-by-wire throttle, frame and a host of clever electronic upgrades, this the F4’s biggest overhaul since MV turned their flagship superbike back from a 1078cc, into a 1000 in 2010. Like a well set-up race bike it carves through corners with minimal effort, making it the best-handling F4 ever. It’s also the first production bike to be fitted with an ‘auto-blipper, which lets you change down through the gears without having to use the clutch. But while it handles superbly and dishes up searing acceleration and mind-jangling top speed, the power delivery has too many flat spots and the throttle connection isn’t as predictable as its rivals. It’s an electrifying experience, but a handful to ride very fast. 
The base-model F4 now has the short-stroke motor from the old F4R and F4RR and produces 195bhp at 13,600rpm. It now has a lighter crankshaft, forged titanium conrods, revised cylinder head porting and the valves use a single spring instead of two. All this ensures that the MV is seriously rapid, but it’s hard to meter out precise amounts of throttle when you’re riding fast. Weak power at the bottom end is followed by a muscular midrange, then a flat spot around 10,000rpm where the inlet trumpets lift clear of the throttle bodies. After that it’s a turbocharged surge to the redline. On the road, at lower revs, this slightly unpredictable power delivery shouldn’t be as much of a problem, plus the fantastic engine note always makes up for any of the F4’s quirks. New electronics include a ride-by-wire system and new 50mm Mikuni throttle bodies, anti-wheelie, eight stage traction control, four riding modes, electronic engine braking control, a quickshifter and auto-blipper.
The F4 steers and grips like a racer - it’s a piece of cake to place wherever you want on a track, regardless of your speed. Ride quality is superb (and even plusher on the Ohlins-suspended RR version), Brembos powerful and full of feel and the bars are nicely spaced out (but too narrow on the RR). But the riding position is very cramped and you can really feel the MV’s slightly porky 191kg dry weight when you’re braking for tight corners from high speed. If the power delivery was as good as the handling, the F4 would be a class-leader.
With its bigger ride-by-wire throttle bodies, the steel trellis frame had to be made wider and the new cast aluminium wheels (forged ali on the F4R and F4RR) are shod with Pirelli’s latest 200-section Diablo Super Corsa SP.
As you’d expect, you get lots of toys for your money. They include a full electronic rider aid package (see above), as well as fully-adjustable Marzocchi and Sachs suspension, Brembo monobloc brakes, a multi-function dash and steering damper. The F4 R and F4 RR (see below) has even more goodies fitted as standard.
Build quality and attention to detail is second to none. New underseat tailpipes are now sculpted to form a beautiful undertray section, there are little aerofoils underneath the belly pan for high speed stability and new LED running lights are fitted front and rear. Styling is to die for and the paint finish deep and luscious. MV’s have had some reliability issues in the past and spares have been hard to get hold of, but these problems are becoming less and less nowadays
MV Agustas used to be at the top end of the price scale, but that’s no longer the case. It’s not what you’d call cheap and it’s more expensive than its Japanese superbike rivals, but the F4 is costs less than the BMW S1000RR Sport, Aprilia RSV4R and Ducati Panigale. The top spec RR is cheaper than the Ducati Panigale S and BMW HP4 Carbon.
F4 R – As F4, fitted with an Ohlins TTX rear shock, lightweight forged aluminium wheels and bodywork featuring ‘R’ logo.
F4RR – Flagship F4 with 201bhp and a raised 14,000rpm rev-limit. Ohlins electronic 43mm NIX forks and TTX rear shock, Ohlins electronic steering damper, lightweight forged aluminium wheels, carbon fibre panels, racing clip-ons, Brembo radial monobloc M50 front brake calipers, raised swingarm pivot, adjustable steering angle and bodywork featuring the ‘RR’ logo

Top speed	185 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Max power	195 bhp
Max torque	81 ft-lb
Weight	191 kg
Seat height	830 mm
Fuel capacity	17 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	17 of 17

Engine size	998 cc
Engine specification	16v, inline four-cylinder
Frame	Steel trellis/cast ali mix frame and ali single-sided swingarm
Front suspension adjustment	Fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks
Rear suspension adjustment	Fully-adjustable single rear Sachs shock
Front brakes	2 x 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo monobloc calipers
Rear brake	210mm single disc with single-piston Nissin caliper
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	200/55 x 17