MasterBike 2010: MV Agusta F4

During my four frantic fast laps on the MV Agusta F4, only the best and worst highlights of what made me fast or slow stand out. Rolling onto the track, I already felt a bit more over-the-front of the new F4 than on the previous 312 F4 I'd ridden a couple of years ago. I was a little distracted by the Agusta's beauty from the saddle until my rapidly escalating speed brought things back into focus. Sliding out to where the traction control (set on level 3 of 10) began to kick in made me think this MV must go to the same tailor as the Ducati; the system worked seamlessly as I felt it tempering traction of the Pirelli Supercorsa rear tire and keeping the F4 sliding along at an attack angle of about 10 degrees. This was an incredibly cool sensation, with that soft buffer of electro-magic keeping evil at bay. Tucked in, I had time to admire the levers and master cylinders before fanning the clutch on the F4—instead of shifting—between the right/left chicane leading to the back straight... I was in a hurry but I didn't worry: Monobloc Brembo brakes were there to take the heat for me.

This charge was over too soon but was good while it lasted at 2:04.329. I'll have to agree with a Frenchman on this one. Said Moto Journal's Mathieu Cayrol, "The MV has agility and stability, turns easily and is still stable at speed, even during hard braking." An incredible machine and in the top three of the final results.

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