Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 34 AUGUST 27, 2013 WHAT THEY SAID: P83 2013 MV AGUSTA F3 SPECS ADAM WAHEED, 34, Road Test Editor "One feature that I absolutely hate on this motorcycle, aside from its glitchy ride-by-wire, is the function of its clutch. It's so grabby that makes the F3 impossible to launch aggressively." ADEY BENNETT, 38, Test Rider "Initially the steering is light and quick. But the front and rear of the bike felt they were set up for two different people giving the MV a see-saw like effect into and out of corners." BRIAN STEEVES, 33, Test Rider "If you're looking for the bike with the most character than the MV wins hands down. It makes all the right sounds when you're on the pipe." JASON ABBOTT, 34 Test Rider "It's a great overall bike but it needs some serious refinement for it to compete in this group. Especially the throttle response because it's just plain sketchy." quite simply, a beautiful bike. MV Agusta F3 It is expensive too, at $13,999. That's $500 more than the superrefined Daytona, but a grand less •Sound of MV's Inline Triple than the long-in-the-tooth Ducati shames the Triumph ($14,995). Disparity to the Japa•Gorgeous styling stands apart in nese bikes is more pronounced, this class and comparable to the Inline •Glimpses of engine potential show Four liter bikes than the 600s. powerplant that could replace The F3 is like the Daytona's Daytona as best in class evil twin, more rambunctious and enticing – but also flawed and expensive. Where the Tri•Ride-by-wire fueling terrible compared to the bulletproof umph distinguishes itself as one smooth throttles in this class of the most refined Supersport •See-sawing suspension not dialed platforms, the MV is the polar •Needs refinement before it can opposite. However, the F3's upchallenge side is potentially class-leading, provided it sorts out its issues. It shocks the Triumph with its en- promise on both the track and gine character. And we caught street. As it stands, the F3 is a fleeting glimpses of the MV's gorgeous ride, but too tempera- HIGHS LOWS Engine: 675cc liquid-cooled inline three 12-valve Bore x Stroke: 79.0 x 45.9mm Compression Ratio: 13.0:1 Fueling: Fuel Injection w/ twin injectors per cylinder Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type with electronic quickshifter Clutch: Wet, multi-disc w/ cable actuation Final Drive: Chain; 16/43 gearing Frame: Steel tubular trellis and aluminum Front Suspension: 43mm Marzocchi fork with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.92 in. travel Rear Suspension: Gas-charged shock with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.84 in. travel Front Brakes: 320mm petal discs, radial-mount two-piece four-piston Brembo calipers Rear Brake: Single 220mm disc, double-piston Brembo caliper Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 120/70R17, 180/55R17 Curb Weight: 427 lbs. Wheelbase: 54.23 in. Rake: 23.6 deg. Trail: 3.89 in. Seat Height: 31.96 in. Fuel Tank: 4.22 gal. MSRP: $13,999 Colors: Pastel White; Red/Silver; Pastel Black/Metallic Anthracite Warranty: Two year, unlimited mileage mental – placing sixth in our 2013 Supersport Street Shootout. "The F3 just needs a little more refinement and this bike could be right atop the group," says Adam, reflecting the sentiment of many in our test. "If MV could sort out the ride-by-wire, suspension and grabby clutch I would buy one for the street-no question."

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