As reported by Pascal Bastien

The small yet legendary manufacturer from Cascina Costa is finally coming to our shores with its gorgeous race-bred machine, the F4. Moto123.com got the chance to take it for a spin on the Calabogie track. Here, then, are the first impressions of our tester, an ex-supersport racer now turned chief instructor at Turn2 Sportbike School, Éric Moffette.

The F4 is impressive from every angle. (Photo:Éric Mofette/Moto123.com)

The Italian firm’s bikes shine by their original and exemplary design, and the F4 is no exception. It’s simply impressive from every angle. Under the seductive lines slumbers a true racing machine, 100% Italian superbike. The unique product also stands out by its historic red and grey livery, its steel trellis frame, its exotic looking single-sided swingarm and its four exhaust tips peaking out from beneath the seat.

Riding aids
MV Agusta’s latest masterpiece is motivated by an in-house, 998-cc, 4-cylinder mill punching out three extra ponies this year for a total of 186 hp at 12,900 rpm. A couple of electronic and mechanical guardian angels are also on duty, i.e. electronic riding aids: 8-way adjustable traction control, unidirectional clutch and steering damper. While the unidirectional clutch does a good job, we can’t say as much about the timid steering damper, which has trouble dealing with the frame’s weaving under hard acceleration on bumpy surfaces.

Subtle yet efficient
On the straightaway, the bike surges forward at the slightest flick of the wrist, thanks to the healthy dollop of torque between 6,000 and 9,000 rpm, and the four-cylinder mill responds smoothly under the 6,000 mark by catapulting you into the stratosphere. Power is delivered smoothly but surely. This is a user-friendly engine that proves very efficient both on the road and at the track.

The variable intake creates intriguing and entrancing sound effects and contributes to the subtle ballet. At around 8,000 rpm, the second series of injectors kicks in and at 10,000 rpm, the variable length intake tracts lift up to improve air flow. Thanks to this technology, the engine revs fluidly to the red line without ever running out of steam.

MV Agusta’s latest masterpiece is motivated by an in-house, 998-cc, 4-cylinder mill punching out three extra ponies this year for a total of 186 hp at 12,900 rpm. (Photo:Éric Mofette/Moto123.com)