MV Agusta F4S
 

Was driving back from a meeting in Dorset yesterday when I spotted a sign for Three Cross so called in at 3X motorcycles and got talking to Jez. They have a very nice F4 1+1 and I've always lusted after one. Anyway, taking it for a test ride tomorrow ... could be I've found a mate for the FE :frog:

Anyone got any experience of owning one?

Looks like you've been sucked in again - you are a salesman's dream!!!


Could give Dave Whattam a call - I can U2U his mobby number if you're interested.

Tim:frog:

Thanks Tim - I've spoken to Dave in the past and he's got the Senna or SP (the highly tuned F4). I'm looking for feedback on the 'cooking' model.

Ah - but that's the model you want - or the Ago or even the Tamburini - go on, get your cheque book out!!!

Its only £30K!!!

Tim:barfy:

Henners,

Paul James has a standard one I believe, you should give him a shout for his feedback.

Cheers!

Scott

Thanks Scottch - Paul and I have spoken.

Can I have a cutting from that tree in the garden please Henners.






The one you shake and money falls from it.





That will be two bikes in the garage waiting for a sunny day then !

Yes I am getting bitchy !

Hi Henners

I'm considering buying an MV too, but after four Ducatis in succession, I'm concerned I'd find it too 'revvy' for my liking. I'd be very interested in what you think of it though. Could you post your impressions (comparisons) after test riding?

Cheers.
Steve

Kev - it comes with being a Saga rep :frog: And that'll be 3 bikes including the RD400E which seems to want to stay ...

No worries Steve - will do.

there is one for sale in southampton area if any ones interested, iwas trying to buy it myself but the guy rejected my offer. its reasonable though

w reg 12kmiles very clean he wants £6k

not sure if its still there

tel paul 07733174990

Sounds a bargain at £6k, go Henners go !!!!!!!!!.

It is a much revvier bike than the Dook but a great riding experience offering excellent handling in a typical Tamburini micro package. How many of the oriental in line fours are so tiny and beautifully styled ??. Said it before and stick by it "Japs may make some very competent bikes but in every case form follows function, you need an Italian to have the passion for it ". When you start reading a bit about Jap stuff and even working on some of the bikes they ain't all they are cracked up to be anyway. Been repairing GF's 600 Bandit, what a pile of dung that is !!.

Just my two pennyworth and I'm still looking for tyres for this darned 750 Sport, its sitting there looking very neglected next to the ST2, MV and 996R but by next summer should be all fixed up and ready to roll (tyres permitting).

....according to Pete at Pro Twins they're a complete bitch to work on, taking the wheels off alone is a total nightmare....just what I heard...do like 'em though.:D

I test-rode a 750cc F4 once.

It has a very nice handling indeed, no problem turning the bike in, you feel like you gonna drop it compared to a Duke actually. Does not feel as planted as a Duke in high speed turns but still very good.

The downside was really the engine. I am not sure that there is anymore poke than on my 600cc Bandit below 5000rpm. You really have to be at it all the time and rev it like mad to get anything out of it. Apparently the 1000cc engine is more like it but the 750cc is just not worth it IMO.

As for pretty, I must be the only guys out there that the MV doesn't turn on. Yes it is a pretty design piece, like a MHR900 is, but it doesn't have that mean, strip down look of a race machine. It is just purpose built to be pretty but has no pedigree or history of racing.

Dukes wins every time over it IMO.

If you're gonna get an MV you might as well get the 1000 - it kicks out more power than a ZX10R :o

So Henners you expecting lots of dry days soon then:lol:

Only when you're not having a BBQ mate :P

Dave W rode the tho MV, and was less than impressed. The throttle responce was rubbish, bit like the old SP1, very snatchie. And quite a big flat spot. Oh, and it don't handle as well as the 999. He's walked away, a dream shattered.


He would of course posted this himself, but his pooter is rather sick.

The Test Ride
 

Set out for 3X near Wimborne this morning with the rain coming down in sheets but having been told that the sun was out there and sure enough as I drove past Southampton you could see this great expanse of blue sky right ahead. Arrived at the shop and the bike (a 2000 F4 750) was ready to roll so I was taken out by one of the salesman John who was on a Multistrada and we headed off into the countryside.

First impressions of the riding position was it felt just like my 998 but a little more snug (I’m 5’10) – the tank cut outs are deeper that the Duc but the overall dimensions feel very alike and you have the customary weight on your wrists. The engine pulls nicely off idle and the clutch is much lighter. Unfortunately John decided on a stately pace so I became accustomed to riding the MV at mostly 30 – 50 around the local country lanes. The bike took this in its stride and apart for sheer boredom I don’t think I remember much of the ride, finally getting back to the store after about 15 minutes. I was left wondering what the bike was about and spoke to Jez the salesman I was dealing with and said if I was going to form any impression of the true nature of the bike at all I needed a more spirited chaperone. He got his gear on and jumped on a Benelli Tre RS and off we went, this time onto some superb sweeping B roads where I was able to let the MV fly.

The handling is quicker and lighted than the 998, far less of a push required on the bar to get her over and the suspension was certainly softer initially in the stroke but then firmed up noticeably. Banked over the Ducati type stability is very much there, hardly surprising in view of the same type of frame and heritage. We were really charging on and I found I was leaving the MV in 4th and winding on between 6000 and 12000 rpm. Man that exhaust note is pure magic! The sound of the engine and induction roar as I swept up and down the rev range is the most beautiful engine note I have ever heard, wailing and screaming in an almost MotoGP type howl with plenty of engine braking and spot on injection fuelling. The brakes were a match for the 4 pad Brembos on my 998 and the rear brake is just as bad.

The ride took us through almost empty sweeping country lanes and we ended up stopping after a while and riding back along the same road. The engine pulled best between 6 and 12,000 and I found no difficulty getting used to using higher revs - I think this is because the rev counter needle sweeps to an almost identical arc as I use on the 998. I like the engine - very impressive and quite smooth with more than enough power for quick road riding, sufficient engine braking to let you roll the power on and off. There was perhaps a little too much throttle movement required and it was a tad heavier than the Duc but that is nit picking. Back to the 30s and 40s and the MV is easier to manage at this enforced pace, low down fuelling being excellent however there is a pronounced ‘flat spot’ between 4 and 5000 rpm which apparently needs a power commander to overcome. Where I would find 1st too low and 2nd too high in these circumstances on the 998 there was no such problem with the MV, I guess due to the more even firing of a 4 cylinder engine compared with a twin. Back to the store for a second time and no more doubts about the dynamic qualities of the MV F4 – I loved it!

Had a good long chat with Jez and there will be a new F4S Evo 03 in the garage on 1st September.

Gee you don't much around do you Henners!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, about those tree cuttings ...

Nice report Henners - congrats on the new purchase.

Tim:frog:

Thanks for the info Henners. The MV sounds a good smooth ride, and should make a nice contrast to the more 'raw feeling' Ducati on those days when you fancy a change.
I've heard that the evo3 has a little more mid range grunt than the earlier models, so it's probably the one to go for. The silver wheels are a big improvement over the earlier models too IMO (attachment - thanks to Sportsbikerider). I'm soon to move home (again!) and have temporarily lost my garage (again!) but as soon as I'm settled in I think I'll be following your lead. (I'll be gutted to sell my Strada tho. It's a real stunner. Damn..!!)

Steve

Steve

That's a stunning photo - if you've got broadband would you email me a copy?

Cheers, Henners

Welcome to the multi make club Henners. Guess it's all down to personal choice at the end of the day. Tend to like the buzziness of the 4 cylinder engine and if I'm out for a giggle try to keep it between 8 and 12 grand, really makes a difference !!.

Take your point about form and function Weeksy but as you say it depends what you want from a bike, ain't keeping a licence for long if you ride even a modern 600 flat out on the road.

Henners - The bike belongs to a chap called Ron King, and you can see the full sized picture and one or two more photos of his bike here http://www.sportsbikerider.com/pictu...sta&makepage=0

Take a look at the attachment too - it's a photo of my own SP4 enlarged to A1 size (33" x 24") and framed. I could do you a similar enlargement of your new MV if you'd like - just get back to me with a 'GOOD' photo some time.

ATB
Steve

ps. Forgot to say - no charge!

[Edited on 20-8-2004 by weeveetwin]

Your a gentleman Steve - I'll be in touch.

Cheers Henners

really pleased for you Henners, you sounded well impressed when we spoke on the phone, can't wait to see it, or will we have to wait for the next day with a no rain guaranteeeee?? Now if we find a willing mod-elle I could do a photo-session for the next years DSC calender?

Nice one Henners two of my mates have them and both are very pleased so far,

:D:D

Hi Guys and Gals - long time no speak etc - its been a tad busy at work and I haven't had chance to scratch my wotsits let alone log on and see how you all are!

Henners, the 750 F4 to go for is the Evo 3, or the limited SR4, which is basically an SPR without the trimings, the EVO3 has virtually the same engine as the Senna - about 3 - 5 bhp down if you put the RG3's on.

Don't bother with the 2000 model, its flat and gutless, can't believe I said that !:lol:, anyway, it sound slike you've made your mind up alreayd, but feel free to call me on my mobile for a chat, I can give you all of the latest info from MV etc - especially about the new 1000 - some new eproms are due to smooth out the slight flat spot. I rode one in Switzerland the other week, they are frightening - way too quick, makes an R1 seem like its standing still - just awesome!

Also, you might be interested to know that the Mv F4 Senna as voted the best ever 750 made in this months Fast Bike Magazine - it was put against an R7, the 2004 GSXR 750 and the Ducati 749R !! - sorry guys, but the best bike won (Mine) !! :frog::frog::frog::frog::sing::sing::sing:

BTW - hoping to come back to the fold at some point, just get this pesky mortgage paid off, buy the wife a new car and then I can have another Ducati!!

BTW - if you fancy a Senna I know where there is one going for sale for approx £11K

Mutts....

Hopefully will make it to the Mega Meet, but will be with Wife and kids if I get back from York in time!

For the MV owners/fans

http://www.buzzwordenabled.com/mv/

I was down at 3X in Dorset for their recent Italian Day. Took out a Monster 1000, MV Brutale and the F4 1000. Loved the grunt of the Monster but compared to the others it felt really old. The Brutale was an absolute hoot! Loved every moment on it especially the gorgeous sound from the stacked pipes. Power from the 750 engine was poor low down but fantastic in the mid range. The F4 1000 has so much power it is amazing and frightening. It goes like a rocket and will show a clean pair of heels to near anything I reckon.
If I had the cash a Brutale would be parked up next to my bed right now, gorgeous and so much fun!