MV Agusta F4 RR 312 (2008)
- Price: £15,299 (single seat); £15,499 (twin seat)
- Engine: l/c, 16v, transverse four, 1,078cc
- Bore & stroke: 79 x 55mm
- Compression ratio: 13:1
- Carburation: Marelli EFI
- Transmission: six-speed, chain
- Power: 190bhp@12,200rpm (claimed)
- Frame: steel tube and aluminium plate
- Suspension: (F) 50mm USD Marzocchi forks, fully adjustable (R) Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable
- Brakes: (F) twin 320mm discs, four-piston Brembo Monobloc calipers (R) 210mm disc, twin-piston Brembo caliper
- Wheels/tyres: Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier (F) 120/70 - 17, (R) 190/50 - 17
- Fuel capacity: 21 litres (4.6 gal)
- Dry weight: 192kg (422lbs)
- Contact: Moto GB Ltd. (0844 412 8450, www.motogb.co.uk)
At some point, you'll probably have dreamed about owning an MV Agusta F4? Come on, be honest; admit that it's irresistible. The F4 is without argument one of the best-looking motorcycles ever made. OK, so the early models were a bit of a let-down on the performance front. The 750cc F4 was simply not powerful enough, and the model needed to be revved to within an inch of its life just to keep up with a Japanese supersports bike. Then, in 2005, along came the 1,000cc version – with much, much more grunt, and the F4 became a whole new wet dream! Power has been boosted even further since, with the 'R' model and then, last year, the '312' – so called because it can allegedly top 312kph (194mph). As if that wasn't fast enough, we now have yet another incarnation, the F4RR 312.
That 'RR' insignia basically represents a tweaked engine. The new motor has 80 more cubes, up from 998 to 1,078cc. Torque is up by a claimed 9Nm, and you get a claimed 190bhp at the crank. The actual power figures probably aren't quite that high, but this bike is still scary-fast. Having said that, it's not quite as intimidating as the old 312. The new motor has more midrange and, as a consequence, it's more useable.
“What my road ride showed,” reports Roland Brown, “was that its midrange performance is stunningly strong, combining superbly precise throttle response with even more low-rev heft than I'd expected.”
It could just be that MV have created a bike whose ride-quality lives up to its gorgeous looks. Even though the RR is comparatively heavy at 192kg (heavy, that is, compared to the Japanese competition), its chassis somehow copes with all that power.
“This latest version is still bloody fast,” reflects our intrepid tester, “but also more sophisticated – almost polite.”
As well as the bored-out motor, the RR gets a new slipper clutch, which will come in handy on track, and new Brembo Monobloc calipers. According to Roland, these upgraded stoppers are 'ferociously' strong and “will stop the bike on a one-euro coin”.
OK, so this bike isn't really designed for the 'real world'; who would bother wasting its potential by pottering around the M25? It's a seriously fast bike for riders who are seriously addicted to power – and considerably rich too! Even so, this is the first F4 that really makes sense as a fast road bike, and not just a track weapon or pub car-park showpiece. So, if you've got £15,000 stuffed under your mattress – and can't find a bank secure enough to invest in – this is surely the ultimate solution to your savings dilemma.
First Ride: SuperBike October 2008
You may also be interested in this related test: Ducati 1198S
That 'RR' insignia basically represents a tweaked engine. The new motor has 80 more cubes, up from 998 to 1,078cc. Torque is up by a claimed 9Nm, and you get a claimed 190bhp at the crank. The actual power figures probably aren't quite that high, but this bike is still scary-fast. Having said that, it's not quite as intimidating as the old 312. The new motor has more midrange and, as a consequence, it's more useable.
“What my road ride showed,” reports Roland Brown, “was that its midrange performance is stunningly strong, combining superbly precise throttle response with even more low-rev heft than I'd expected.”
It could just be that MV have created a bike whose ride-quality lives up to its gorgeous looks. Even though the RR is comparatively heavy at 192kg (heavy, that is, compared to the Japanese competition), its chassis somehow copes with all that power.
“This latest version is still bloody fast,” reflects our intrepid tester, “but also more sophisticated – almost polite.”
As well as the bored-out motor, the RR gets a new slipper clutch, which will come in handy on track, and new Brembo Monobloc calipers. According to Roland, these upgraded stoppers are 'ferociously' strong and “will stop the bike on a one-euro coin”.
OK, so this bike isn't really designed for the 'real world'; who would bother wasting its potential by pottering around the M25? It's a seriously fast bike for riders who are seriously addicted to power – and considerably rich too! Even so, this is the first F4 that really makes sense as a fast road bike, and not just a track weapon or pub car-park showpiece. So, if you've got £15,000 stuffed under your mattress – and can't find a bank secure enough to invest in – this is surely the ultimate solution to your savings dilemma.
First Ride: SuperBike October 2008
You may also be interested in this related test: Ducati 1198S
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