2004 30 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS JUNE 2, 2004 ROAD TEST THE SECOND COMING The MV had looks, but does it now have the power to take on the best?

BY MICHAEL NEEVES PICTURES HOWARD BOYLAN

HE original MV F4 – pitch the first full production F4 1000 out arguably the most beautiful of the factory head to head with the best. ever seen – looked In the world’s first comparison test, it will like it was designed by angels, take on the all-conquering Yamaha R1, and bolted together by God MCN’s 2004 superbike shoot-out winner, himself. But its four-cylinder and the RSV1000R Factory, our T750cc motor lacked the punch of its 1000cc V-twin group test winner. superbike rivals – especially in a world of There’s only one place fitting to test new breed, super-powerful race replicas like something as stunning as the F4 1000 – we the Yamaha R1 and Kawasaki’s ZX-10R. took all three bikes down to the sun and But the Italian firm has had a second bite piloted them through the beautiful twisty % MV AGUSTA of the cherry with its new F4 1000. Instead roads of the Northern Italian countryside, of being powered by that quarter-litre near the MV’s factory in . F4 1000 97% screamer, you’ll find, hidden behind its To find out how they perform at the Price: £14,000 (As tested) elegant – and thankfully unchanged – absolute limit, we also put them through Power: fairing panels a 998cc version of the F4’s their paces on Pirelli’s top-secret test track 166bhp (claimed) four-cylinder engine shoe-horned into its in deepest in . Torque: gorgeous steel trellis frame. That’s when we could get the chance to 80.4 ftlb (claimed) So is the MV’s new motor good enough to actually ride these spectacular bikes. Don’t Weight: propel the F4 1000 into the big league, to expect to ride anywhere without having to 192kg (claimed) challenge the best performance bikes? fight off crowds of admirers first. Those of a To find out if it’s got what it takes, we nervous disposition should look away now. MV AGUSTA F4 1000 E’VE already established the Yamaha R1 and Aprilia RSV1000R Factory are Wbrilliantly capable ; after all, they’ve both beaten off tough competition to become MCN group test winners. So where does the new F4 1000 figure against these two stunning machines? Well, put it this way you simply have to have one. Re-mortgage the house, sell the dog, or just pawn off the wife’s prized jewels – your life isn’t complete without this bike in your garage. At £14,000 the MV is ridiculously pricey, but at least it should keep the riff-raff from owning one – it would be an crime to ever see one of these with red anodised engine bolts, tinted headlight covers or flashing valve caps. Not only is the F4 1000 one of the most achingly gorgeous pieces of two-wheeled art on the planet, thanks to that new motor, it’s now one of the most capable too. Forgetting the looks for a moment (not as easy as it sounds) it’s the new engine which makes all the difference to the F4 1000. As on the F4 750 it sounds sublime, emitting a high-pitched scream through those quad underseat pipes – just like an F1 car at Monaco – as you blip the throttle when sauntering though cobbled Italian streets. At full charge the acceleration is fierce, and the scream through the pipes is joined by the angry PERFECT growl of air being sucked in unmercifully through handling is its airbox. It’s Pavarotti and Barry White arguing MV’s strength over who’s going to have the last piece of pizza. Power delivery from the engine (MV claim JUNE 2, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 31

% YAMAHA % APRILIA F4’S LIGHTER ENGINE YZF-R1 96% RSV1000R THE new engine Price: FACTORY 93% has been £9399 Price: slimmed down Power: £10,829 147.9bhp Power: Torque: 117.8bhp 70.47 ftlb Torque: Weight: 68.1 ftlb 172kg (claimed) Weight: 185kg (claimed)

THE F4 1000’s new engine is fitted with new, lighter camshafts, basically the firm’s 750cc engine which operate the F4’s Formula (still used in the Brutale and the 1-style radial inlet and exhaust special SPR version of the F4 valves. 750) with a longer piston stroke. The whole engine has gone on So while the crankcases are a diet, almost every moving part identical to those used on the has been lightened, including the 750, the F4 1000 engine uses a crankshaft, which is a whopping taller cylinder block and different 1kg lighter – even the size of the pistons (actually 62 grams lighter starter motor has been pared than the 750s – this explains right down. The entire engine is the motor’s eagerness to rev 3.5kg lighter than before. despite the new enlarged The F4 1000 uses the same capacity). fuel injection, engine The cylinder head is re-worked management system and to suit the new pistons and is gearbox as the 750.

THE F4 1000 takes on its rivals head-on F4 1000 cyclinder barrels (left) are taller than 750cc items

1000 1 2 166bhp at the crank) is exceptionally smooth. overall stability at high speed, but these only There’s a slight hesitation at around 1500rpm polish the otherwise well-sorted balanced when the throttle cable is stretched tight, but chassis. After all, when a Mr Tamburini (the man then you’re rewarded with a neck-straining torrent who gave us the ) designs your bike, of power all the way to 9,000rpm, at which point you can be sure it’ll go around corners perfectly. the F4 surges forward in a way the 750 could There are lots of nice touches all over the bike, only dream of, scorching its way to the like beautifully crafted adjustable footrests, a new 12,500rpm rev- limiter. race-style rear shock with high and low-speed Revs build exceptionally quickly, feeling like a compression damping, a quick-release front race engine, and indeed in the first two cogs you spindle and a double-bubble screen. On full would be advised to keep some weight over the steering lock the new F4 1000 won’t even trap front wheel to keep your shiny MV from looping you fingers between the airbox and clip-ons like over itself and landing upside down on top of you. the old F4 750 – thanks to a new handlebar Handling is the same blissful experience as the design. old F4 750, since the new bike’s chassis is mostly Yes, this new MV is amazing. If the F4 750 unchanged (although 70 per cent of the F4 made you feel special, the F4 1000 is like having 3 4 1000 is new). a 25 per cent bigger packet down the front of There are a few tweaks like 1mm beefier your pants. Marzocchi forks to reduce flex under hard braking Turn the page to see how the F4 1000 and an increased wheelbase and trail for extra compared to the R1 and RSV1000R Factory…

MV AGUSTA F4 1000 S £14,000 -14,200 otr Available: June (limited SPECIFICATION: supplies) Engine: 996cc, 16-valve, and rebound Colours: Red/silver, silver/blue, water-cooled, in-line four. Rear suspension: Monoshock, silver/yellow Fuel-injected. Six gears adjustable high and low speed Insurance group: (estimated) Power:166bhp @ 12,600rpm compression, rebound and pre-load 17 (of 17) Torque: 80ftlb @ 10,200rpm Tyres:190/50 x 17 rear; 120/70 x 17 Info: Three Cross 01202- Weight:192kg front 823344 Chassis: Steel trellis Brakes: 2 x front discs with six-piston Front suspension: Upside-down forks, calipers, single rear disc with four- adjustable for pre-load, compression piston caliper G QUITE simply gorgeous, with power and performance to match its stunning good looks. The price may look 1 REMOTE adjuster makes setting spring pre-load a doddle 2 QUICK-RELEASE rear sprocket can be removed with the scary, but it’s definitely money well spent. Amazing. 97% wheel still in position 3 FOOTPEGS are fully adjustable 4 F4 1000 logo reminds you what you are riding 32 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS JUNE 2, 2004 ROAD TEST F4 VS RSV-R FACTORY S YOU’D expect from two wildly different to separate the two Italian bikes. But whether it’s balance of either machine, and they are both engine configurations – but identical a dash between turns or a flat-out straight, the able to flatter anyone’s riding ability, although the A998cc capacities – the four-cylinder MV F4 1000 always has the slight edge. Aprilia is slightly harder to flick from side to side and the V-twin Aprilia couldn’t feel more different Despite being down on overall power compared due to its more top-heavy nature. to ride. to the MV, one of the Aprilia’s big strengths is Although the R1 is closer to the MV in terms of With its manic engine screaming for mercy at how easy it is to ride fast. Its V-twin power outright performance and handling, the Aprilia full throttle, the F4 1000 always makes it seem delivery has much to do with this. But this is comes closer in terms of sheer wow-factor. that you’re doing over a thousand miles per hour. down to how well sorted the chassis is. In a straight-up Top Trumps style shoot-out, it’s The lazier sounding Factory on the other hand This is especially true of the Factory version hard to separate them. does its best to disguise phenomenal speed, and tested here, which is given an extra helping hand Since each bike is equally well stocked with you always seem to be going 50mph faster than at tackling the turns thanks to some very sexy designer goodies and close in terms of you think. Attention to the Aprilia’s speedo is bolt-ons fitted as standard, like fully-adjustable performance, which of these Italian recommended to keep your licence from front and rear Ohlins suspension, lightweight OZ thoroughbreds you decide to go for will becoming a permanent resident of Swansea. wheels and radially mounted brakes. probably depend on whether you prefer the We performed the same top gear-roll on tests Like the MV, the Aprilia’s handling is faultless. engine characteristics of a twin or a four. Or with the grunt-laden V-twin Aprilia as on the R1, On the road you’d need to be of a psychopathic the decider may be simpler: price. The Aprilia is below. The F4 1000 surprised us again by pulling disposition to get any where near upsetting the just over three grand cheaper than the MV. away into the distance. The MV’s strong midrange pull gives it the edge over the Factory, whose two APRILIA RSV-R FACTORY £10,829 otr massive pistons just seem to shudder for a moment until they pick up momentum allowing Available: Now. Two year SPECIFICATION: warranty, one year roadside Engine: Liquid-cooled 997.6cc (97 x compression and rebound damping the bike to accelerate after the MV. recovery 67.5mm) 8v dohc four-stroke 60° V- Rear suspension: Ohlins; single shock, It’s the same story in a standing-start drag race Colours: Grey, black, red/grey twin. Fuel injection. Six gears adjustable for pre-load, compression and too. With so much low-down power it’s difficult to New for 2004: New model Power: 117.8bhp @ 9900rpm rebound damping Insurance group: 17 (of 17) Torque: 68.1ftlb @ 8230rpm Tyres: Pirelli Supercorsa; 120/70 x 17 get the Aprilia hard off the line without pulling Info: Aprilia UK, monumental wheelies. Good fun, but while your Weight:185kg front, 180/55 x 17 rear 0161-475-1800 Brakes: Brembo; 2 x 320mm front front wheel is pointing skywards, the F4 has Chassis: Aluminium twin spar Front suspension: Ohlins; 43mm discs, four-piston radial calipers, pulled out a significant gap, which it gradually inverted forks, adjustable for pre-load, 220mm rear disc, twin-piston caliper increases as the speeds catapult into the three- APRILIA isn’t figure threshold. G WILDLY different to ride compared to the MV. Left standing by the F4, but on its own it’s incredibly easy to bad through Out on the open road though, there’s very little clock up monster speeds without even realising it. Oh, and it costs you a lot less too. 93% turns either

F4 VS YAMAHA R1

G Is an absolute bar THE R1’s softer compar gain ed to price set-up doesn’t G y MV Smooth power hinder it on G delivery Better top-end the track G power Beautiful steering PROS & CONS G F4 1000 handling over shadows even G the R1 MV’s strong midr slaughter ange s R1 during ev eryday road riding

1 2 3 4

1 RADIALLY-mounted calipers are devastatingly effective 2 BRACED swingarm mimics M1 MotoGP bike 3 BIG power from 998cc motor 4 YAMAHA’S take on MV-style underseat pipes are not in the same league JUNE 2, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 33

G Excellent value G Top quality 1 2 cycle part fitted s as standard G V ery smooth po deliv wer ery for a V-twin PROS & CON G Isn’t as S nimble as faster steering MV G Lac ks the F4 1000’ out s right power and – speed but only just

3 4

1 REAR shock is finest quality Ohlins 2 FEATHERWEIGHT OZ wheels are standard 3 OHLINS forks give a huge range of adjustability 4 RADIALLY-mounted Brembo calipers stop the Aprilia on a euro

VERDICT O THE question on everyone’s lips is, will higher at the top of the rev range. With only a FORGETTING its high price tag for a First of all there’s the goose-bump anywhere without people gathering the F4 1000 keep up with one of the leather-clad bum dyno to gauge the bhp from minute, MV have proved the F4 1000 inducing noise pumping out of those around, desperate to get an eyeful of Sfastest 1000cc sports in the world: the both bikes, you would have to say the R1 has is able to compete with the likes of four underseat pipes. It’s incredible. that striking shape. R1? Will it stay up the R1’s twin underseat tail the edge in outright maximum power. the R1 and RSV1000R Factory, which Then there’s the handling. On The only problem we had with the pipes in a head to head charge, or will it be Out on Pirelli’s test track we get the are among the best superbikes you standard factory suspension settings new F4 1000 was having to give it lucky to keep the Yamaha in sight along the opportunity to test both bikes head-to-head can buy. The MV finally has the it’s sharp, solid and unflappable – and back at the end of our test. Still, they same stretch of road? from a standing start. performance and power it should still has the adjustment available to say to have loved and lost is better Well, patiently following mid-morning traffic With a significantly weaker bottom end, the have had all along. compliment any rider or riding style, than never having loved at all. as we leave the MV’s factory gates in Varese, Yamaha is easy to launch off the line and gets But that extra chunk of dosh that making the MV handle even better in The F41000 will be available in the we are like excited kids, chomping at the bit to the holeshot over the MV, which loses time on you’ll need to fork out for the MV its owner’s lucky hands. UK in the beginning of June. Contact find a piece of clear road so we can let these initial acceleration while the rider struggles to compared to the R1 or the But what makes this bike worth ten Three Cross Motorcycles 01202- two superbikes off their leashes. stop it wheelying in the first three gears. exceptionally good value Aprilia gets times the asking price is its sheer 823344 Eventually we get the chance. On a piece of We didn’t have the room to record top speed you so much more than you’ll ever presence thanks to its Tamburini- G Thanks to Pirelli for the use of their deserted Autostrada, devoid of suicidal Lancia on Pirelli’s test track but the factory say that in see on a spec sheet. designed lines. You cannot go test track (01283–525252) drivers and 100 mph artics, we line up the R1 back-to-back tests, the F4 1000 has a and F4 1000 at 40mph, two-abreast, then pull fractionally faster top speed (just over 1mph) the pin and let rip. Amazingly, the MV blasts than the R1, hitting 180.6mph on the day of away, leaving the R1 in its wake. We try the their test. Judging by the MV’s pace, we’ve no same thing again at 50, 60, then 70mph and reason to doubt these claims. it’s the same result. Keeping the throttle pinned Both bikes handle superbly, although the as long as conditions will allow and the R1 Yamaha definitely has the more road bike feel never manages to catch up. of the two bikes. The R1’s suspension is set This is impressive stuff, but can be attributed softer than the more race-focused F4 1000, to the fact that the MV’s long stroke motor is the seat paddling is thicker and the riding stronger through the mid-range than the R1’s position is far more comfortable. power plant, which has all of its power packed Your joints would thank you for taking the R1 into the upper reaches of the rev-range. on a long trip than the F4 1000. But any pain If a graphic demonstration of the MV’s bulging the MV may administer is immediately midrange were needed, following a fellow MCN anaesthetised by the intense pleasure derived tester though a 120mph motorway curve, you from sound of that -designed engine and could see the MV’s rear Michelin Pilot Power pleasure from slicing your way from corner to painting black lines into the Italian tarmac – corner, never seeming to find the limits of that ZX-12R-style – under hard acceleration. excellent chassis. The F4’s engine isn’t anywhere as smooth as But you’re in a win-win situation whether it’s the R1’s super-refined power plant, but that you or one of your mates that are lucky enough raw, gravelly edge does make it much more to own any one of these two bikes. exciting. The Yamaha’s power seems to be If you don’t happen to possess the F4 1000, more elastic than the MV though. The don’t worry, because in the R1 you’ve got still F41000’s power comes at you hard and fast one of the fastest bikes in the world, plus you like a fist to the stomach, where the R1’s can still get a buzz just gawping at the MV as delivery is just relentless, revving harder and you ride along.

YAMAHA YZF-R1 £9399 otr Available: Now. Two years SPECIFICATION: ‘The MVfinally has unlimited mileage warranty Engine: Liquid-cooled, 998cc (77 x and compression damping One year RAC cover 53.6mm), 20v dohc, four-stroke in- Rear suspension: Single shock, Colours: Red, blue, silver line four. Fuel injection. Six gears adjustable for pre-load, rebound and the performance New for 2004: New model Power: 147.9bhp @ 12,600rpm compression damping Insurance group: 17 (of 17) Torque: 70.47ftlb @ 9900rpm Tyres: Dunlop D218; 120/70 x 17 Info: Yamaha UK, Weight:172kg front, 190/50 x 17 rear 01932-358000 and power it Chassis: Aluminium twin spar Brakes: 2 x 320mm front discs with Front suspension: 43mm inverted four-piston radial calipers, 220mm forks, adjustable for pre-load, rebound rear disc with single-piston caliper F4 1000 egdes should have had G EVEN the established R1 was left eating the dust of the F4 1000, but the Yamaha would be better on out strong your bones on a long trip. A bargain price in comparison, making it a very close second 96% competition all along’