After a series of teasers and speculations abound, the exotic Italian has finally been unveiled. Say hello to the new MV Agusta F3 800, stated to combine “the exhilaration of a 1000cc Superbike with the handling of a 600cc Supersport; the torque of a V-twin with the rev limit of a four-cylinder…” Now that sounds like a certain delight…read on!
The new three cylinder motor sees an increased stroke from 45.9mm on the 675 to 54.3mm (the bore remaining the same) concluding an increased cubic capacity of 798cc. Weighing nearly the same as the MV Agusta F3 675 at 173 kgs dry due to common sharing of parts, the F3 800 cranks out a meaty 148 bhp of power @ 13000 rpm and 88 nm of torque @ 10,600 rpm. Thanks to an improved low and mid range grunt, MV Agusta has chosen taller final gear that aids the F3 800 to hit a claimed speed of 269 kph (167 mph).
The engine uses a counter-rotating shaft to keep vibes at bay and weighs only 52kgs. The F3 800 gets new set of fuel injectors contributing to the bump in horsepower. Traction control and full ride by wire technology form part of the electronics package. MV says “There are in fact no mechanical constraints between throttle and butterfly: the injection mapping and ignition are what defines the optimum fuel-air mix to give the best performance at all times and under all load conditions.”
The rider can choose and customize from four different set of engine response maps (three preset and one customizable), eight levels of traction control available for choice at the flick of a switch. Also of offer are four torque control settings and Electronically Assisted Shift (EAS) system that aids quick gearshifts without going off the throttle or using the clutch. And yes, it comes with a slipper clutch too.
The F3 800 rides on a fully adjustable (preload, compression, rebound) 43mm Marzocchi forks with a fully adjustable Sach’s nitrogen piggyback monoshock at the rear. The 17″ cast aluminium wheels flaunt a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa radials (120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear). Stopping power is provided by new set of twin 320mm Brembo M4.34 Monobloc brakes at the front and a single 220mm at the rear.
Available in three-color combinations- matt metallic black, Pearl white/black and red/silver, the new MV Agusta F3 800 would be retailing at €13,990 ($18,280). Not necessarily cheap, but the power to weight ratio of litre class superbikes (almost) and that revered “Made in Italy” tag- it’s definitely worth it.