Even though its cash-strapped parent company Harley-Davidson is looking to sell it off (after it had just purchased the majority ownership rights late last year) in order to raise some needed capital, MV Agusta is moving full steam ahead with its plans to bring the venerated Italian brand’s latest designs into production. After introducing the redesigned Brutale naked bikes (the new 990R and 1090RR) to the motorcycle press at the Misano circuit a few weeks ago, MV Agusta plans to reveal the new 2010 F4 superbike to the public at the upcoming Milan Show that begins next week on November 10.
The latest info has the new 998cc F4 putting out a claimed 186 horsepower @ 12,900 rpm, which is actually down slightly from the 190 horsepower claimed for the '09 F4 RR 312 1078 model—but that engine was 80cc larger. Compared to the previous liter-size F4 powerplant used in the Tamburini model, it's a substantial 16-horsepower jump. The new engine gets the variable-length intake system from the F4 Tamburini model, plus the Mark II traction control found on the new Brutale models. The single-sided swingarm is longer and lighter than the previous version, with a xenon headlight now fitted to the projector beam setup up front.
From an MV Agusta press release:
“The launch of the new F4 builds upon the success that started with the new Brutale and will lead MV Agusta to write new pages full of tradition and victories” Enrico D’Onofrio, Managing Director of MV Agusta commented. “The F4 was born from a completely new project with the single-minded goal of improving upon perfection and increasing the synthesis between the art of design and supersport performance. We will continue to invest in the design and development of new models in the future in order to increase the product range of our extraordinary motorcycles.”
The new F4 is a project that follows in the footsteps of MV tradition and will keep alive the dream of having the most unique supersport motorcycle in the world: a motorcycle that is true in its origins, built to the highest levels of engineering excellence and offering incredible performance. Pure perfection.
The engine has been revolutionized: the ultra-compact in-line 4-cylinder 998cc engine is capable of reaching 186 horsepower at 12,900 rpm. The highest level of engineering technology have been coupled with the most advanced electronic controls including: twin fuel injectors per cylinder, variable length intake system, slipper clutch and the TC MK II traction control system which has 8 levels of adjustment. These advancements along with the uniqueness of the radial valve system attribute to the fact that this engine is the most sophisticated and evolved on the market.
The chassis has also been engineered to unheard of levels of compactness, the new single-sided rear swingarm has been lengthened while at the same time its weight has been reduced along with the fully adjustable suspension which are all factors that contribute to making the new F4 unique.
The bike that originally revolutionized the world of supersport motorcycles has become even more beautiful, sleeker and modern while maintaining the unmistakable design “Made in MV”. The new xenon headlight and the new super-light fairing are factors that contribute to the incredibly narrow cross-sectional area and the new pipe organ exhaust system with a restyled 4-in-1 silencer are all distinctive elements identifying F4 as the most exclusive motorcycle in the world.