All-new short-stroke engine with claimed 201 horsepower
Although much of the fanfare has surrounded the firm’s upcoming F3 middleweight sportbike, MV Agusta hasn’t been ignoring ongoing development of its flagship F4 model. Proof of this is the early 2012 release of the new F4 RR, a significantly upgraded version of the company’s iconic F4.
The majority of the upgrades center on the engine, which now sports a much more oversquare bore and stroke of 79.0 x 50.9mm (versus the previous 76.0 x 55.0mm measurements). The crankshaft is lighter partially as a result of the shorter stroke, with the all-new cylinder head still featuring a radial-valve combustion chamber arrangement, but now utilizing titanium for all four valves (only the intakes were titanium before). The valves are also larger in diameter (the intakes grow 1.8mm to 31.8mm, while the exhaust poppets enlarge 1mm to 26mm) and new intake/exhaust ports go with those larger valves. The TSS variable-length intake tract system returns, with the 4-into-2-into-1-into-4 exhaust system now features large-diameter tapered headers.
The TC Mk II traction control system now features new operating modes and two maps for the engine, and the maddeningly non-intuitive dash button control has thankfully been transferred to new controls on the left handlebar.
In a change for MV, the previous Marzocchi suspension has been replaced by Öhlins pieces, with the 43mm NIX inverted fork featuring rebound damping controlled by one fork leg and compression damping handled by the other.
Out back, an Öhlins TTX shock offers low/high-speed compression damping adjustment in addition to rebound damping, spring preload, and ride height adjustment. Forged aluminum wheels drop 2.2 pounds of weight compared to the previous hoops, and Brembo monobloc calipers offer supreme braking capabilities.
American MSRP for the new F4 RR has not been set at press time.
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