Now we all know that pasta, on its own, is about exciting as trying to complete a thousand piece jigsaw in candlelight when it’s raining outside. But us humans have spent many years around a pot (not ‘that’ pot that makes ‘everything’ taste good though), to improve the horrendously bland taste of pasta, no matter what form it comes in. And without doubt we’ve succeeded because the famous flour and water amalgamation adorns many menus in restaurants and at the home table too, covered in a multitude of interesting sauces to improve its boring state, and this is the case with this bike I have here- well sort of…
You see this gorgeous motorcycle is the base model of the MV Agusta four-cylinder superbike called the F4R and even though it’s very attractive in its basic form this painted version is now as tasty as the entire South African ladies hockey team wearing fancy lingerie. Can you imagine that? Anyway, let’s get back to the bike before my ‘pot’ boils over, if you know what I mean?
There’s no denying that MV’s 998cc superbike is, er, an MV. This distinctive shape has basically been around since 1998 when MV unveiled their 750 version with four pipes sticking out its bum and everyone wanted one for that reason alone, and that particular design feature is thankfully still with us today.
Obviously the F4R produces considerably more power than the early 750 and for 2015 this motor has received some significant modifications, like, ride by wire Mikuni throttle assembly, specially coated pistons, and one valve spring instead of two to reduce mass and improve maximum rpm limits. The end result is 195hp@ 13,400rpm and a hefty 110Nm@ 9,600rpm that will easily push the F4R past 300km/h aided by its thin frontal area and slippery bodywork, painstakingly designed in a posh wind tunnel. And with a dry weight of 191kg that works out, if you’re a closet mathematician, to just over one horsepower per kilo, enough for yer?
But why is this bike painted in race colours and why does it have Mercedes AMG logos all over it you ask? Well I’ll tell you if you give me chance. This stunning paint job was done here in SA to replicate Leon Camier’s world Superbike race machine paint scheme and more importantly it’s the same colours found on the forthcoming R400,000+ F4RC model. The F4RC will be lighter and more powerful than any previous F4 with a claimed 215hp and lots of tarty parts to go with it. Also, if you didn’t already know, Mercedes AMG own around 25% of MV Agusta now, obviously to piss off Audi who own most of Ducati, hence the cool AMG logos. Interestingly as we speak AMG are building, in conjunction with a MV, a four-cylinder motorcycle engine to go into a future F4, which will certainly get your heart racing as much as seeing the entire South African ladies hockey team wearing fancy lingerie, have I already said that somewhere, ah well?
Anyway there’s no doubt the end result is dramatic and no other superbike I’ve ever ridden attracts more attention and photos than this, understandably so. But the most amazing thing about this bike is the price, not only is MV the most exclusive motorcycle brand in the world, or so they say, they tend to be very expensive. Well this model with the paint is only R179,000 from www.cayenne.co.za the South African importers for MV Agusta. Yes, yes I know the Yamaha R1, Kawasaki ZX-10 and BMW S1000RR are more specialized track bikes and therefore better, slightly, in that area, but if you’re after a superbike for the road then track, which one would you have in your garage for looks alone, answers on a post card to – I’m a complete dick if I chose the others, PO Box - wrong choice 2157. And it’s far cheaper than the R1 and BMW as well.
Now let’s be honest here the full-race crouch position on a superbike is never going to win the Oscar for Comfort, and the F4R is of no exception, then again I’m not a ‘youth’ anymore and the younger generation is far more flexible. But the F4R does have one thing in its favour and that is the combination of the Marzocchi forks and Sachs rear shock which are surprisingly plush on the road and not some mobile ‘plank’ like others I don’t want to mention, so top points on that MV. And the revised gearbox, with no quickshifter on this model, is as good as a Honda Fireblade, which is credit indeed. Nissin master-cylinders make light work of clutch and front brake operations and the front brake is, well, just look at those Brembo calipers! One thing I did notice that stands out compared to its competition is the uncanny stability at any speed of the F4R, no horrible ‘twitchiness’ from the front end here that might make it turn a bit slower around a track, but for the road that trait is a pleasure.
Straight-line performance, to go with the stability attribute, is, as you’d expect from a 200hp motorcycle. I defy anyone to want more because the F4R will get you in trouble more than a night with the South African ladies, etc, etc, blah, blah… The power is relentless as you snick through those six gears and the noise from those four tail pipes and accompanying air-box induction noise is a pure MV race bred sound track – sweeet!
So if you desire to own a MV superbike and thought you could never afford one this F4R is the answer and at R179,000, which includes this paint scheme, which has to be a bargain in these times, don’t ya think? One hell of a saucy bike this…
