MV Agusta has finally released the second generation of the F4 superbike more than a decade after the original release and we came to find that the all-new machine remains faithful to the original Tamburini design. But probably the best part about the 2010 MV Agusta F4 is the fact that it now benefits of 186 hp (12 hp more than the 2009 model year), while weight is down with no less than 10 kg. So with an overall 192.5kg/424lbs (dry) and the aforementioned performance number, the MV Agusta F4 should remain the ultimate production superbike. Please read the full press release and check out the generous picture gallery after the break.
Updated 06/23/2010: The new MV Agusta F4 superbike is now available as US dealers at a price of $18,500. Also the company announced they have signed a partnership with MB Financial to offer a retail financing program in order to encourage riders to purchase both new and used MV Agusta motorcycles.
In the now traditional survey attained by the Italian magazine Motociclismo at this year’s edition of the EICMA show in Milan, the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 turned out to be the audience’s favorite in what regards aspect, with a decent percentage in front of the new MV Agusta F4 superbike.
Multistrada 1200 occupies first place with 48.9% of the votes, followed by the MV Agusta F4 with 19.8%, Aprilia RSV4 R with 15.8%, BMW S 1000 RR on place four with just 4.5% and Kawasaki Z1000 with 2.4%. Last year, the most beautiful motorcycle voted by the EICMA visitors was the Ducati Streetfighter.
Although we are still traversing the global economic crisis, EICMA 2009 was very successful, more than 450.000 people participating at the 67th edition of the show, which registered a 30% raise of international public.
Honda has taken the wraps off a new Shadow model that they call RS 750. The bike is addressed to beginners and, with its fuel-injected and liquid-cooled 745cc V-Twin engine producing 42bhp and 45ft lb of torque, goes straight against the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883.
Compared to the classic Shadow cruiser, the RS 750 offers higher bars and pegs as well as a low seat height of 737mm / 29in, meaning a more upright riding position as a result of Honda’s strategy to offer all-round riding enjoyment.
Obviously, it is all made possibly by the use of the double-cradle steel tube frame and 41mm forks, but beginning riders will surely appreciate the fat 150-section rear tire that makes the 2010 Honda Shadow RS 750 look like a mean machine after all.
Honda hasn’t yet released the specs sheet for this model, but we do know that the new Shadow RS 750 will have an MSRP of $7799 when it will be available in March 2010. This was also established with the 2009 Iron 883 ($7899) as benchmark. The only sad part about this new Japanese cruiser going against the popular American model is that it will be available only in Metallic Grey.
Expect more information on the Shadow RS as soon as we have it.
Ducati has finally made their much awaited move – go against the BMW R1200GS – and they did it in their own characteristic style. Not only the new Multistrada 1200 looks one-of-a-kind, but it is also backed up by a 150hp Italian engine.
During no less than two years, we’ve seen the new Ducati Multistrada being developed, rendered and tested until finally finding out that two versions will be available – a standard version with optional ABS and a high-spec S version (how does an Ohlins electronically adjustable suspension system sound to you?). This last ramifies into two editions – Sport and Touring.
The Sport Edition can be distinguished by the presence of carbon fiber parts such as the engine covers, front air intakes, rear mudguard and spoilers.
The Touring Edition’s distinguishing features are the panniers, heated grips and a center stand. More information as we have it.
Replacing the Diablo Corse III next year in the World Superbike Championship is Pirelli’s Diablo Rosso Corsa, which the Italian tire producer developed to offer more grip in both dry and wet conditions for more miles than its predecessor.
Pirelli promotes their new product with an ad that, to us, looks better than ones we’ve seen for motorcycles. Check it out for yourself.
We’re all familiar with the KTM 990 Adventure motorcycle, but how about this custom model that our friend Mike Werner from Motorbiker.org captured at EICMA? While the standard bike is adequate both for street and off-road riding, this Ice Special that KTM came up with for the motorcycle show in Milan looks perfectly able to take its rider to and from the North Pole. That is because it features studded tires, a crash cage and even microlights in the front, but, as surprised as you may be, this isn’t what caught our attention in the first place. The right rider side of the fairing has a map painted on it, showing that paintjobs aren’t just about looks, but usefulness as well.
The Swiss specialists from Suter Racing have teamed up with Italian builder Paton to launch on the market a MotoGP bike powered by a two-stroke V4 engine.
Suter Racing is highly experienced in building racing prototypes and they have even participated at the 2007 MotoGP World Championship with the Ilmor X3 prototype. Now, the Swiss are preparing their debut in the Moto2 championship with a new prototype. At the base of the company is Eskil Suter, an ex-Grand Prix pilot in the 250 and 500cc classes.
The Suter SRT 500 prototype was presented at Milano with the occasion of the 2009 EICMA show. The chassis is similar to that used on the Ilmor X3 and it is part of a real MotoGP bike that weighs 125 kg/ 275.5 lbs and benefits of precisely 200 hp developed by the two-stroke V4 of 500cc.
Suter says he went along with this project because "there was never really a proper 500cc V4 two-stroke people could buy," and they turned out with a prototype that “makes a MotoGP bike feel like a tractor."
Starting at $74,345, the SRT 500 V4 isn’t exactly for anyone, but it’s three times cheaper than any MotoGP bike. Still, customers are offered the possibility to add parts such as carbon rims, SBK forks and a titan exhaust system, raising the price to as much as $134,000.
At this year’s EICMA show in Milan, Moto Guzzi made one of the most inspired moves in the Italian brand’s recent history when taking the wraps off of an impressive triangle of concepts. This is formed from the Moto Guzzi V12 Le Mans, V12 X and V12 Strada and represents the work of Miguel Galluzzi and Pierre Terblanche.
The two designers thought at borrowing the 1,200cc V-twin from the Norge GT and mounting it on two roadsters (the LeMans and X) and a supermoto model (the Strada) in an attempt to give Moto Guzzi a new, more aggressive design based on innovation.
Miguel Galluzzi, head of Piaggio Group’s styling centre said: ‘There is an impalpable, yet very real force in the history of Moto Guzzi. It lies in the ideas and in the unrelenting research work that led Moto Guzzi to build its tradition on innovation.’
Galluzzi, who also signed the Aprilia RSV4, ended by saying: ‘Keep an eye on Moto Guzzi because this is just the first step. We are back to relying on ideas, and we have plenty of them. This is just the beginning.’
The Austrians from KTM have directed their innovative minds to creating two 125cc concept bikes that will meet the demands of riders who are just starting out and yet not benefit of more than 15 horsepower so that they can be ridden legally starting the age of 16. They named the two bikes KTM 125 Race concept and KTM 125 Stunt concept and we have to say that both look more than decent for the category. Press release is attached after the jump.
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For 2010, Ducati changed the 1098R model name into 1198R, but displacement remains the same – 1198.4cc – which makes the change obvious and things clearer. What is fizically new to the bike compared to the previous 1098R Troy Bayliss LE is an aluminium fuel tank, Termignoni exhaust system and a paddock stand, but you’ll only spot that if you’re willing to look beyond the gorgeous Corse paint job.
Apart from looks, the price – although not yet announced – will be the other factor making the 2010 Ducati 1198R Corse exclusive. Still, models such as the 1198S Corse and 848 Dark Edition have the same build quality and should cost less.
