SHOOTOUT
P70
7 TH
2013 MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTBIKE SHOOTOUT
A
fter years of hype MV
Agusta finally enters the
middleweight fray with its
2013 F3 ($13,999). The freshfaced MV follows Triumph's successful middleweight formula
with its own version of a 675cc
inline three engineered to offer
the best of both worlds: The midrange torque of a Twin and the
hard-hitting top-end of a four cylinder. The F3 also incorporates
advanced electronics inside an
exceptionally compact package.
Rolling the F3 onto the scale
proves it's one of the more hefty
bikes in this group. With a full tank
of fuel it weighs 427 pounds—12
more than the class-leading
CBR600RR but six less than the
porky EVO-spec Ducati. Out on
track, however, the MV impresses with its above average maneuverability. It steers into corners
easily and offers pin-point line
selection accuracy. The MV's ergonomics, highlighted by its slim
seating position, well-shaped fuel
tank, wide handlebar and high
mounted foot pegs were also well
received with Wooldridge thinking that the MV's ergos were the
best of the bunch:
"The ergonomics and seating
position is awesome… by far, the
best in the test for me."
