MV Agusta F3 gets traction control

When Italian manufacturer MV Agusta releases its F3 model this year, the 675cc three-cylinder F3 will be the first middle weight sportsbike with ride-by-wire engine controls including four pre-set maps and one map with traction control that can be selected between eight different levels.

The F3 675 will be available in three different colour schemes (red/silver, pearl white with red frame and black/metallic with red frame), for $17,990 ride away. It is scheduled for production in January with Australian delivery in May.

A limited edition F3 675 Serie Oro arrives in March for $33,800 ride away. The Oro (gold in Italian) will be limited to 200 bikes worldwide and features gold finish in the frame plates, single-sided swingarm, forged aluminium wheels, air intakes, cooling vents, DID gold chain and gold individually numbered plate on the upper triple clamp.

It also has an abundance of lightweight carbonfibre in the mudguards, dashboard cover, airbox and intake covers, fairing inserts, chain guards, swingarm protector, sprocket cover, fairing lower, and exhaust outlets.

Attention to detail includes machine-polished clutch cover and frame plates, and solid-billet alternator cover and footpeg mounting brackets allowing full adjustability, while the seat covers are hand-made from leather and suede-effect alcantara.

Oro comes with Ohlins upside-down forks, and TTX shock and steering damper plus Brmebo brakes, while the standard model has adjustable Marzocchi 43mm forks, Sachs piggy-back rear shock and Nissin/Brembo brakes.

The Varese-based manufacturer claims the three-cylinder engine has a counter-rotating crankshaft previously only available on MotoGP motorcycles to improve balance and nimble handling. It has a high-revving, oversquare triple capable of 94kW of power at 14,500rpm and 71Nm of torque at 10,600rpm, with a 15,000rpm limit. The 260km/h F3 also features launch control for quick starts and electronically assisted shift for fast gear changes without having to close the throttle or use the clutch.

As with all previous MVs, the frame is a mix of steel tubing and aluminium side plates. Mv Agusta claims it is the most compact mid-sized sportsbike, the lightest at 173kg with the shortest wheelbase of 1380mm.

Prices of all MV models have come down since new importer, MV Agusta Imports, took over in 2010. Manager Kevin Beale says they have been able to negotiate better prices than the previous importer. "MV Agusta is very keen to get back into Australia having lost the previous distributor," he says.

"We told them what would need to be done to get a worthwhile market share and they made the decision to go ahead with our proposal. The bikes will be cheaper, but we have promised them more volume as a trade-off. There's been an excellent response to the cheaper prices. We were expecting some reluctance with the change in distributor but people seem to be able to cope with that."
Beale says they will honour warranties on existing models after the previous importer the Paul Feeney Group relinquished MV Agusta and Cagiva in July 2010.

MV Agusta F3

Prices: $17,990 (F3), $33,800 (Oro)
Engine: 675cc, 12-valve 3-cylinder, 94kW/71Nm
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh
Dimensions: 2060mm (L), 725mm (W), 805 (Seat), 1380mm (WB), 125mm (Clearance)
Dry weight: 173kg
Fuel tank: 16 litres
Brakes: 320mm discs (front), 220mm disc (rear)
Tyres: 120/70 - ZR17 (front), 180/55 - ZR17.