Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128397
of the quite hard suspension settings the Gallina team had chosen both at the front and especially the rear. Here, the WP-Andreani shock Immediately felt oversprung, even with my weight aboard - but, having said that, the only place it chattered the back wheel under acceleration was exiting that Arrabiata chicane, and backing off the preload for my second session only made it worse, plus then it started to undenteer. Everywhere else, it laid the power down hard and early through the rear 190/65 Pirelli, even without any traction control for the MY - yet! Stability under acceleration was pretty good, even after the tire got overtaxed in the J7-degree temperature (that's hot!) and started spinning up, still very controllably. And the Gallina MV absolutely did not understeer on the power, holding a line really well, presumably thanks to that stiff rear spring, an I 1.5 kg. coil whereas other Superbikes run a 10.0 or 10.5 kg. one, says Roberto Gallina. "We had a lot of trouble making the bike ridable at first, until we discovered it needs a 20-percent stiffer rear suspension than other four-cylinder machines, which is a lot'" he said. The team also spent a lot of time finding the right setting for the adjustable pivot on the Single-sided, cast-magnesium swingarm, permitting adjustment over a range of 6mm up and down. However, the best part of the Gallina MV's handling at Mugello was the way it sped almost effortlessly through the quartet of chicanes at the Tuscan circuit, flicking from side to side practically as fast as an even more low-slung and much lighter Ducati Supermono. I found I could turn inside slower traffic and power out of a bend past them really easily; this would be a good bike for the tight, noquarters action World Superbike has now become. The MV now only feels low and balanced, but no bigger than the LX-lOR I'd been riding the month previously, which is generally accepted as the most minuscule current four-cylinder J-Superbike. Even with the quartet of Tamburini organs under the seat masquerading as an exhaust silencer (thiS one is a titanium one, made in Japan by Moto Corse), you don't feel as if you're seated so high, in tum contributing to the sense of control. Nice. Honestly, this is a really confidence-inspiring bike to ride hard, reflecting the fact that the MY Agosta's chassis package already feels like a very capable one, thanks to Roberto Gallina's setup skills, which have been so carefully honed over a quarter-century of winning World titles. Still, it'll be a different matter when the works F4 engine !las that 20 bhp extra to make it competitive on top-end power, but the basics are all there, and the bike's looking promising. Teaming Gallina's chassis experience with the MV Agusta factory race shop's engine R&D presents a sound basis for future development. "I want to run a full World Superbike season in 2006," says Roberto, "not just the four or five wild-card races the MV factory wants to tackle, but all the rounds. I'm looking for a sponsor to run a two-man team with Miki as the second rider, using his development skills to bring the bike forward, alongside a young, hungry lead rider who can go for the podium. I believe this motorcycle has the basis to be competitive using the twin-injector motor, and we can give the factory valuable development mileage at the sharp end of competition, where it really matters - just as Ten Kate did for Honda in World Superbike one year ago, or PSG-I are for Kawasaki this season. I hope we can get the sponsorship we need to make this a reality." eN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st 8am-3pm ~OJD~ Helmets From: $120 Angle Paddle Tires on Aluminum Wheels 8-9-10 Front and Rear From:$ 95 - \II~ , 1l05WE - ClOG We apofoglze for any dtSOepat'ICIeS In typographtcal eHOl'S and re5el"'o'e the nght to Com!Ct them We are ; not obhgatfd to seliltems at mlSlllarked piKes. We apologize and make f!Yefy effort to avold these errors Photos for all products are for reference only, and mctY not be ldenttcal to sale Items. CHAPARRAL MOTORSPORTS Bars / 555 SOUTH H STREET. SAN BERNARDINO. CA From:$25 I 909.B89.2761 Costa Mesa Speedway and Perris Flat Track presents: 2005 Golden State Flat Track Series Come join us for Southern California'S best Flat Track Series at the famous Costa Mesa Speedway //8 mile oval and Perris Flat Track's brand new 1/5 mile dirt track. Classes andfunfor everyone! Entries are limited so enter TODAY! Dates October 1 - Perris Raceway October 15 - Costa Mesa Speedway October 29 - Perris Raceway For entry, membership application, or more infonnation contact: Costa Mesa Speedway (949) 492-9933 or www.cmspeedway.com Perris Raceway (714) 642-3156 or www.perrisflattrack.com CYCLE NEWS • SEPTEMBER 28. 2005 31