SHOOTOUT
P82
2013 MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTBIKE SHOOTOUT PART II
ping power from the non-monobloc Brembo calipers," agrees
Adey. "The levers provide a progressive feel which won't alarm
your senses if grabbed too hard.
Handling proves less consistent on the F3. A slender and
compact ride, compared to the
wider Japanese Fours, the MV
turns quick and is agile enough.
At times it feels akin to the refined
Triumph, but its suspension calibration is unbalanced by comparison. The bike faced similar
complaints during track testing,
but the see-saw effect is more
pronounced on the street.
The Marzocchi fork offers
three-way adjustment, while a
Sachs shock in the rear affords
four-way setup with high- and low-
speed compression. Given the
wide range of test rider heights
and weights (6'3" to 5'6" and 145
to 205 pounds) and limited ride
time, our crew didn't fuss with
the clickers – and fine-tuning the
setup will be required.
Our tallest rider, Adey, found
the ergos of the compact F3 surprisingly comfy. A fact made more
impressive considering he's still
tender from a recent knee injury.
Adam (6') agreed, somewhat, saying: "I actually like the ergonomics
on the bike a lot but the suspension beats you up a lot making it
not a very comfortable bike to ride
for extended periods."
Massimo (5'6") recorded the
most miles aboard the MV at the
end of the test ride, and offers a
more comprehensive assessment
of the F3's ergonomic package:
"It feels comfortable at first and
when you ride canyons or track,
where you move a lot. I rode back
on the freeway for an hour or so
and couldn't wait to take my ass
off of her. My wrists were gone
and I had a sharp pain on my
lower neck, something that did
not happen on our way to Palomar
with the Kawi and Yamaha."
There is no disagreement in
the looks department, where all
test riders rate the F3 the most
fetching bike of the Supersport
brood by far. The F3 manages to
showcase all-new traits, like the
staggered three-pipe exhaust,
while carrying over Tamburini's
legacy lines from the F4. It is,
