Cw First Ride 2014 Mv Agusta F3 800

CW FIRST RIDE 2014 MV AGUSTA F3 800

IGNITION

FIRST RIDE

Maxi-middleweight hot-rod stroker

Bruno dePrato

INSPIRED BY MV Agusta’s legendary 500CC and 350CC Grand Prix bikes, the new F3 800 Triple is the brainchild of the late Claudio Castiglioni and former designer Massimo Tamburini.

A modular concept allows the F3 family to share a significant number of components. The compact engine has a cylinder head identical to the 675’s, but the crankshaft has been stroked from 45.9 to 54.3mm, increasing displacement to 798cc. Both engines share the same camshafts and 50mm throttle bodies, but the 8oo’s injectors flow 15 percent more fuel, helping it produce a claimed 148 horsepower and 65 foot-pounds of peak torque. By using the 675’s chassis, the 800 maintains a feathery 381-pound claimed dry weight.

Riding the F3 800 at Italy’s Misano circuit, I was impressed by the MV’s precise steering and stable chassis. And the bike felt like a slingshot out of comers, the Triple powering the bike to 130 mph by the end of the short main straight.

Complaints are few, but I have to mention a lack of fuel-mapping refinement at small throttle openings, especially when feeding in more mixture mid-corner. Additionally, a touch more engine vibration is noticeable than with its 675 kin.

Despite this, the new F3 800 is one of the most potent middleweight sportbikes. With a little refinement, it could be a real contender. ETMM

2014 MV AGUSTA

F3 800

ENGINE TYPE dohc inline-Triple

DISPLACEMENT 798cc

SEAT HEIGHT 31.7 in.

FUEL CAPACITY 4.4 gal.

CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 481 lb.

PRICE na