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MV Agusta F3 800 – Initial Thoughts

A-Force — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:15 +0000

In a world where pigeonholing is rife, it’s refreshing to welcome some leftfield activity to the fray. Say hello to the sexy new MV Agusta F3 800. When MotoGP went to 800cc, some thought it was the future, the floodgates would open, and showroom floors would be brimming with race replicas. It didn’t happen.

Simply stunning

The middleweight Supersport class has been simmering along rather than boiling over with talent. Ducati’s 848 and the aging GSX-R750 are the only tangible pretenders in the class but that’s changed for the summer of 2013. The F3 800 is five years in the making. The tre-pistone project started out as a 675cc married to an all-new chassis, yet MV, apparently, always knew they were going to create an 800cc lump.

Keeping the same bore (79mm) but increasing the stroke to 54.3mm has crafted the 798cc motor. New internals have also been introduced to cope with the extra power, and there’s an all-new slipper clutch to compliment fresh Brembo Monoblocs. And of course, there’s the gorgeous F3 chassis complete with tweaks and updates to suspension.

300km/h anyone?

The latest crop of MVs, even by their own admission, have been crippled by poor fuelling and iffy throttle response, all linked to ride-by-wire electronic strategies. The launch presentation was dominated by the work done to remedy the electronics. MV Agusta is a miniscule company in comparison with other manufacturers. There was a real sense of personal pride and intrigue as we rolled back into the pits at Misano, fervently awaiting initial reactions of the new 800. What was the verdict?

After riding the Brutale B3 recently, we were anticipating a hysterical banshee. With the new electronic updates taming the ride-by-wire, and the inherent chassis talent and balance of the F3, the fully-faired 800 is a more sedate ride filled with far more aptitude. The throttle is smoother, crisper and more predictable, and there isn’t the surge-fest of previous MVs. The extensive work really has worked, although it wasn’t as savagely fast as I was expecting. MV claim 20bhp at peak and 30bhp in other areas.

This stuff is easy on the F3

Misano’s combination of 150mph sweepers and 40mph tighter sections weren’t proving much of a challenge to the F3. Lap after lap, I was increasing corner speed and the F3 responded beautifully, belittling its claimed 173kg dry weight figure. And the cleaner throttle tidied up the rear end, although we’re not entirely convinced by the traction control.

Want to know more? Check out the summer issue of Fast Bikes for an extensive review, on sale 26/05/13. We’ve got some banging video from Misano, too!

Little bike, big boy…

MV Agusta F3 800 – The Modern Day GSX-R 750?

Father’s Day Subscription Offer!

Rootsy — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:53:58 +0000

Yup, to celebrate Father’s Day – and to give him a treat for being a great Dad all year – we are giving you the opportunity to give him a subscription to Fast Bikes with a great £5 off deal.

To see the offer, you need to be heading here, where you’ll see all the options available. If you stick in this voucher code FD13 you will be able to claim your £5 off on all orders over £20. The offer ends 19/06/13 – and make sure you give your Dad a great day!

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F3 versus F3

A-Force — Wed, 29 May 2013 09:00:23 +0000

At Donington on Sunday, Robby Rolfo bagged MV Agusta’s first world championship podium for 37 years onboard his ParkinGo F3. Last year, also at Donny, we raced a bog-stock, road-going MV F3 against a British F3 race car worth half a million pounds. Why? Because we can!

The choice of a boy band member and Phil Mitchell went down well

The MV weighs in at 173kg. No, that’s not a kerb figure. That’s harry boners, and gives away at least 10kg over some of its 600cc rivals. The good news is the F3 is the most powerful ‘600’ ever produced, churning out a whopping 115bhp. The F3 car tips in at 550kg, including the driver and any ballast. The Mercedes Benz motor produces around 210bhp. These figures give us 381bhp per ton for the car. The MV busts the charts with almost double that – 664bhp per ton – but we didn’t have much of that cheating substance: downforce.

Here’s a corner-by-corner insight into how and where Alex Lynn (future F1 driver) and his Fortec Motorsport thingy gained an advantage over Al and the bike, apart from not falling for the burger van trick. Fatty managed a 1:42.61 lap of Donny, while Alex clocked an impressive 1:23.08s…

A clear state of wheel envy

Redgate
The bike gives away nearly 20mph to the car at Redgate. Braking at the pit lane exit, I physically couldn’t have hit the anchors any later, running wide on several occasions before the hot lap. The MV’s stability was good and the engine braking control was working with me here. The Brembos are mega. Meanwhile, Alex and the car dab the brakes at the end of the start/finish straight, drop a gear, and drop the frickin’ hammer.

Bike – 65mph/2nd gear
Car – 83mph/5th gear

Craner Curves
The car is flat-out all the way down the hill. I’m already a member of the Craner Club and didn’t want another badge. Some road bikes prove tricky in change of direction, with a total inability to handle the G-forces. The MV was sweet, although a lingering doubt as to whether the shift lever would touchdown and knock it down the ‘box was always there.

Bellas rodas…

Old Hairpin
Still in top cog, Alex stamps on the brakes to assist with steering around the cambered-on-entry, off-cambered-on-exit Old Hairpin. Carrying an insane 40mph more, the car gains massively as the bike’s front-end is truly tested. It’s on the exit where the MV’s shock wasn’t behaving as well as it should be. Luckily, the TC was tidying up the squat and lack of feel. Up the hill towards Mcleans, the MV’s triple pulls hard and gains a little time, until another corner. An iffy constant throttle response definitely lost time here, too.

Bike – 80mph/3rd gear
Car – 122mph/6th gear

Clear track, MV F3, lovely

Coppice
The blind entry, again, favours the car, which has an apex speed of an extra 25mph. Despite the soft set-up, the MV was very stable over the rise and I was able to turn-in exactly when needed – crucial for good drive onto the back straight. Acceleration was sacrificed through lack of feel. For the first time since exiting Redgate, the car leaves top gear. Alex and his cheating four-wheeled combo just sneaks the top speed before dabbing the brakes and downshifting one gear for The Esses. The MV loses a mass of time here, braking from 141mph to a sedate second gear parade through the chicane.

Bike – 73mph/3rd gear
Car – 97mph/5th gear

Melbourne Loop was the closest it got

Melbourne Loop

The slowest section of the circuit is fairly even when you look at apex speeds – the difference being the car is at minimum speed for a minuscule amount of time, braking much later and gassing much earlier.

Bike – 37mph/2nd gear
Car – 41mph/1st gear

Click on the photo to see the onboard lap

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FREE Tyre Test Download – Pirelli Supercorsa SC2

A-Force — Sun, 26 May 2013 09:30:31 +0000

That’s a wrap! After our massive three day tyre test last year, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download. Here is our verdict on the Pirelli Supercorsa SC2, the final tyre in the test. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Pirelli’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstand where you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49!

FREE Tyre Test Download – Michelin Power Cup

A-Force — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:34:40 +0000

Today it’s the turn of endurance specialists, Michelin. After our massive three day tyre test last year, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download. Here is our verdict on the Michelin Power Cup. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Michelin’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstand where you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49! Tune in tomorrow when you can read all about the Pirelli Supercorsa

Fast Bikes Magazine Issue 276 – July 2013 – Out NOW!

Rootsy — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:40:56 +0000

Roll up, roll up, the latest issue of Fast Bikes has hit the shelves, and we’re surprised said shelves haven’t buckled under the weight of so much two-wheeled goodness contained within! Yup, the July 2013 issue of Fast Bikes is a beauty, so head to your newsagents, supermarket, garage or wherever else you go NOW! Or if you’ve got one of those new fangled devices you can head to the appropriate store for your Apple, Android, Nook or Kindle Fire device and download Fast Bikes Magazine there – it’ll be up on the 28th May!

You like the Isle of Man TT Races? So do we, that’s why we’ve packed this issue full of brilliant interviews, features and racers. It takes a special breed of men and machine to race at the TT, and there are no more interesting people than those involved in this most special and spectacular of races. John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, Josh Brookes, Neil Tuxworth, Paul Phillips, the Isle of Man law system, the best commute in the world, the 10 best vantage points – we told you it was rammed, didn’t we. If you don’t love it we won’t give you your money back!

Then there’s the rest of the month’s world on two wheels. Out big test is all about the new standard – stock models who impossibly have a better brother. So we’re talking about the BMW S 1000 RR, the bog stock Ducati Panigale and the Aprilia RSV4. Three amazing bikes take on the stunning Newtown road in the middle of Wales – probably the best road in the land.

Then we’ve got our Addiction pages with one of the most interesting bikes we’ve had in a while – and a lovely lady. Our masterclasses are packed with interesting facts that can make a real difference to you, we chart some cracking rides and routes, round up the month’s race news, check out the best products and review our crashed kit, take a MV Agusta Brutale 800 for a spin and chat to Micheal Laverty, Chaz Davies and Steve Parrish.

Download Fast Bikes for Apple iOS devices

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Fast Bikes is also available on Amazon’s Kindle Fire – search for it on your device.

It’s another stacked issue absolutely rammed with goodness. We loved making it and hope that you’re going to love reading it!

FREE Tyre Test Download – Metzeler Racetec K2

A-Force — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:19:18 +0000

The Racetec has been the choice of race rubber in the majority of race paddocks worldwide. After our massive three day tyre test last year, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download and here is our verdict on the Metzeler Racetec K2. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Metzeler’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstand where you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49! Tune in tomorrow when you can read all about the Michelin Power Cup

FREE Tyre Test Download – Dunlop GP Racer D211

A-Force — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:58 +0000

Yep, the D211 has been replaced by the awesome new D212, but the older GP Racer is still available in shops with some tasty deals floating about. After our massive three day tyre test last year at the home of Dunlop, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download. Here is our verdict on the Dunlop GP Racer D211. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Dunlop’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstand where you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49! Tune in tomorrow when you can read all about the Metzeler Racetec K2

FREE Tyre Test Download – Continental Raceattack

A-Force — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:55 +0000

After our massive three day tyre test last year, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download. Here is our verdict on the Continental Raceattack. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Continental’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstand where you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49! Tune in tomorrow when you can read all about the Dunlop D211.

FREE Tyre Test Download – Bridgestone R10

A-Force — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:03:11 +0000

Last week, Jezza McWilliams won the Supertwins race at the NW200 on this rubber! After our massive three day tyre test last year, we’re offering you every tyre in a neat little download. Here is our verdict on the Bridgestone R10 tyre. Check the website for more of our fine offerings! Click the image to see the Bridgestone’s details in PDF form, and save to read at your leisure! If you want this in one lump then head over to Apple Newsstandwhere you can download the lot for a not unreasonable £1.49! Tune in tomorrow when you can read all about the Continental Sport Attack.