Jon Urry will get caught in…
The issue with a fanfare is that when the trumpeters have run out of puff, you’re left with a bunch of red-faced folks holding a protracted brass tube of their fingers in silence and never so much else. Which is precisely what MV Agusta discovered when the thrill that heralded the 1999 launch of their F4 750 had abated, and riders found that it was really a little bit of a slug. An ideal trying one, however a slug none the much less. So, what did MV do? Easy. In 2004 they gave it some balls! Huge ones, just like the cojones you discover on a wild bull…
The F4 1000 arrived 5 years after the F4 750 in late 2004, which was bang on time to catch the wave of pleasure that the most recent technology of litre bikes from Japan had created. Having had an opportunity to see what the Japanese had been claiming by way of energy and weight, MV made sure that this time their new sportsbike was greater than a match.
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Agency foundations
Boasting a vastly spectacular claimed 164bhp with 109Nm of torque, the F4 1000 was most actually on a par with the Japanese, who had been all claiming (vastly optimistic) energy figures within the 170bhp space. And never solely that, however in response to MV it tipped the scales at 192kg, which though 20kg heavier than Yamaha claimed for the YZF-R1, was a contact extra correct when it got here to actuality. How had a comparatively small firm like MV managed to match the cutting-edge Japanese factories? The key lay within the F4 750’s foundations, which had been really far stronger than most had imagined.
As gradual because the F4 750 was, the actual fact of the matter was that its engine had been half designed by Ferrari and know-how equivalent to its radial valve association was really fairly intelligent. It wasn’t MV’s fault they backed the mistaken horse when it got here to capability, that was simply right down to unhealthy timing. So, by rising the bore and stroke the brand new F5, which was the brand new motor’s improvement title, was born. However in typical Italian type, it wasn’t all plain crusing from the beginning.
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Regardless of having developed their very own gasoline injection system for the F4 750, MV managed to utterly balls it up on the early F4 1000 fashions. To be honest it was by no means that good on the 750, however with fewer ponies to cope with its failings weren’t too obvious. Nevertheless, the F4 1000 was one other challenge – it’s all very nicely and good making a 164bhp motor, however with out a component of finesse within the throttle motion it may well all go very wayward in a short time. Which is what occurred to the early F4 1000s.
New bike, new flaws
Those that had been left upset by the 750 noticed the 1000’s spec sheet and, believing that MV had obtained it proper this time, handed over £14,000 for the brand new F4. They actually obtained what they needed by way of energy, nevertheless it lacked practically all resemblance of management.
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It wasn’t lengthy till tales of on/off swap throttles and the bike’s lack of ability to carry a relentless pace once more put a dent in MV’s gross sales. Sure, the F4 regarded superb and when on the pipe was an absolute rocket, however its fuelling was so poor it was virtually unrideable at something aside from flat-out. On the town or site visitors, it was a ache, and when you needed a straightforward life but nonetheless had large quantities of energy on faucet, the brand new breed of great-looking Japanese inline fours had been the most effective guess. The F4 fell out of favour, and it wasn’t till the vastly improved ‘square-pipe’ technology that their status actually recovered. So why must you contemplate proudly owning an early F4 1000 these days?
The F4 1000 is an ideal case of MV creating the naked bones of an amazing bike after which counting on different folks to iron out the creases. The F4 is jaw-droppingly beautiful to take a look at and comes with a superb chassis and top-spec elements, it’s simply that in improvement MV didn’t fairly get their stability right. So now it’s right down to you.
You’ll be able to choose up a fantastic thing about an early F4 for within the area of £6000, which if you concentrate on it’s the similar worth as a brand new Yamaha MT-07! What would you fairly have, a parallel twin commuter or an Italian superbike? Spend within the area of £1500 getting the harshness taken out of the suspension and the jerk faraway from the fuel-injection system by way of a little bit of dyno time by somebody who is aware of their stuff, and you’ll be left with one thing very particular certainly. And for lower than half the worth of a brand new litre bike, which is the important thing to excited about proudly owning an MV F4 1000.
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There isn’t a denying this can be a flawed motorbike, however it’s one that’s moderately simple to type out and as soon as carried out is an unbelievable machine to journey. In addition to trying unbelievable, that inline 4 snarls like a cornered wild cat when up its rev vary and the MV’s chassis is high drawer. If you’re ready to disregard the doubters and put some effort in your self, this can be a fantastic used purchase that can repay your religion (and cash) invested in it by sheer, unadulterated, enjoyment.
Value information: £6000-£9000
Least expensive personal: £6400
6950 miles, black, gorgeous 2007 bike, some small scratches
Our alternative personal: £8999
2009 bike with 2462 miles and a FSH with some extras
Least expensive vendor: £6990
10,760 miles, wonderful 2006 bike in silver with a couple of extras
Our alternative vendor: £8000
Simply 265 miles, immaculate 2006 bike in silver and blue.
Ex-demo: n/a
+ Engine, seems, exclusivity
– Fuelling, reliability, service prices
Different issues to know…
Mannequin updates
The unique F4 1000 was changed in 2010 by the ‘sq. exhaust’ technology. Recognized by its sq. as a substitute of spherical exhaust tail pipes, the entire bike was revised to clean out the previous machine’s tough edges in addition to increase efficiency and cut back weight. Eight-stage traction management was added, weight trimmed by 10kg, and the facility elevated by a totally reworked motor. It’s a much more refined bike to journey, in addition to significantly extra dependable, however lacks a few of the unique machine’s wild character. In 2013 the ‘short-stroke’ engine was launched with the R, RR and RC, the one F4 fashions remaining in MV’s vary.
Gasoline injection
Early MV fashions undergo terribly from poor fuel-injection techniques, resulting in horrific throttle response. You’ll be able to both get a Energy Commander fitted and the fuelling remapped or go for a complete new ECU from Microtec, which is the choice most riders go for as it’s delivers a large transformation in addition to additional digital options. MV consultants X-Bikes (www.xbikes.cc) are unbelievable at finding out the F4’s fuelling. Give them a bell if you would like your MV to run sweetly.
Fireplace!
The F4 1000 (and 750) have warmth shielding within the right-hand fairing lowers and stomach pan to guard the fairing from the exhaust pipe’s warmth. When the glue begins to age this will grow to be dislodged, resulting in a melted fairing and doubtlessly a fireplace. At all times examine this space for any indicators of plastic harm or the paint turning into overheated.
Swingarm
As with all single-sided swingarm bikes, the pinch bolts on the swingarm may be over-tightened, inflicting harm to the hub. It’s a uncommon fault as most MVs are professionally serviced, however have a look and likewise make sure the eccentric adjusters transfer freely by altering the chain’s rigidity. There are additionally a couple of circumstances of the bearing collapsing, so give it an excellent wiggle and really feel for motion.
Bear in mind the 750
The F4 750 was launched in 1999 and ran till 2005. There are three generations of 750 with the ultimate EVO 3 fashions probably the most dependable and highly effective. They’re usually cheaper than the 1000 because of their lack of recognition, but the SPR and SR fashions are surprisingly quick in addition to unbelievable dealing with. The unique F4 750 can be beginning to be considered as a possible future traditional, so get in there now earlier than the costs actually flip!
Service historical past
A very good service historical past by a good MV specialist is important on an F4 as like all older Italian equipment, there are little methods that may be the distinction between an unreliable and irritating hound and a candy Italian plaything. It’s not an affordable bike to take care of, however when you pay knowledgeable it’s well worth the funding to make sure hassle-free possession. Nicely, comparatively hassle-free….
Exhaust
The F4’s exhaust is stuffed filled with annoying emission’s-pleasing blockages, however these can fairly simply be eliminated. A couple of specialists supply a service of eradicating the junk after which rewelding up the OE exhaust system, which is a significantly cheaper possibility than forking out for an aftermarket system.
Specials
MV like to make limited-edition fashions and the early F4s had been no exception. In 2004 an ‘In the past’ mannequin was launched, full with a number one on the fairing and light-weight wheels with upgraded brakes. The ‘Tamburini’ was additionally restricted in its manufacturing and featured variable size consumption funnels, whereas 2006 noticed a ‘Senna’ mannequin in addition to the ‘CC’ (Claudio Castiglioni) to have fun the boss of MV. All value a substantial premium over the inventory F4, which got here in inventory, 1 + 1 (with a pillion seat) and S variations.
Gremlins…
It’s Italian, so you need to anticipate a couple of gremlins… The F4 1000’s sidestand swap can fail; the fasteners don’t rise up very nicely to a scarcity of care and corrosion is frequent; badly adjusted suspension shortly ruins its dealing with; and reg/recs wish to cease working. However that’s simply character, isn’t it?…
Specs:
Engine:
Kind: 998cc, liquid-cooled, 16v, inline 4
Bore x Stroke: 76mm x 55mm
Compression: 13:1
Fuelling: Digital gasoline injection
Examined Energy: 153bhp @ 10,750rpm
Examined Torque: 103Nm @ 9800rpm
Chassis
Body: Metal trellis and aluminum solid sections
F Suspension: 50mm inverted Marzocchi forks, totally adjustable
R suspension: Sachs monoshock, totally adjustable
Entrance brakes: Six-piston Nissin calipers, 310mm discs
Rear brake: Two-piston Nissin caliper, 210mm disc
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1408mm
Seat Top: 810mm
Dry Weight: 192kg
Gasoline Capability: 21 litres
Pace:
0-60: 3.51 sec
0-100: 9.91 sec
0-140: 12.39
Stg ¼ mile: 11.22sec @ 134.68mph
Standing mile: n/a
Prime pace: 173.05mph
Boxout> Working prices:
Service interval:
Minor: 3800
Main: 7500
Valve clearances: 7500
Service prices:
Minor: £300
Main: £500
Valve clearances: £500
Proper fairing: £600
RH Engine casing: £65
Brake lever: £85
