“Can perfection be improved upon?”
So asks the not-so-humble press release announcing the 2010 MV Agusta F4. Making its official debut at the 2009 EICMA Milan Bike Show, the new MV Agusta F4 boasts a complete redesign, with a new engine and chassis. The claimed results are a slimmer, 22-lb lighter, 186-hp superbike with production traction control, which MV hails as “a pure two-wheeled work of art.”
The 16 radial-valve DOHC Inline-Four sports a 76 x 55mm bore and stroke, with its 998cc displacement an 80cc drop from the 1078cc F4 312 sold here in the US. Beyond that the new engine boasts a hoard of performance upgrades. Intake and fueling have seen the most flux, with TSS (Torque Shift System) variable length intake tracts and eight fuel injectors (two per cylinder) controlled via the production debut of a Marelli 7BM ECU. The new ECU system also controls the MK II traction control system and its eight levels of adjustability, as well as the “double EFI Sport and Rain maps.”
A redesigned crankshaft makes up more internal upgrades, along with lighter, stronger con rods. The crankcase has also been lightened by 1.32 lbs. Other changes include a more efficient oil- and water-cooling system, as well as a 3.5 lb-lighter generator.
Styling changes include the new square-shaped caps to the four-pipe undertail exhaust,
as well as redesigned fairing. Meanwhile, top line Brembo monobloc calipers clamp down on dual 320mm front rotors.
The new engine claims 186 crank hp at 12,900 rpm, which is a slight drop from the 190 hp of the 2009 F4 312 but a 12-hp gain over the previous 998cc F4 model (last seen on US shores as a 2007 model). The MV F4 retains its slipper clutch. Also back is the four-pipe undertail exhaust cans, though they now sport a square shape.
The new F4 carves its most weight in the new rolling chassis and bodywork. First, the 20mm longer single-sided swingarm is 2.65-lbs lighter. The new cast wheels shave 2.64 lbs, with a new nylon fuel tank (2.64 lbs) and fairing (6.61 lbs) also bringing down the weight to its dry 424-lb claim.
Suspension comes in the form of a three-way adjustable inverted 50mm Marzocchi fork, with a Sachs shock also featuring adjustment for preload, compression and rebound. The rear shock linkage allows for raising or lowering the rear as well.
Braking duties are handled by radial-mount Brembo monobloc pinchers and 320mm rotors up front, with a rear Nissin four-piston 220mm rotor arrangement.
The overall styling cues don’t waver too far from the F4’s previous lines, which were almost uniformly regarded as lust worthy. No word yet on the MSRP, which stands to reason will eclipse the $24,995 mark of the 2009 F4 RR 312 1078 sold here in the states.
Then there is another spectacularly huge unknown. Who will actually profit or suffer from the new F4’s sales fate. Remember, Harley-Davidson is trying to pawn off the recently-acquired MV brand
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