Fast Bikes Magazine August issue

ULTIMATE ‘USED’

MV AGUSTA F4 RR

SPORTSBIKE 2022 ROAD AND TRACK TESTING THREE AFFORDABLE LEGENDS THAT YOU’LL WANT IN YOUR GARAGE

DUCATI 1198S CORSE SE

AU G ISS UST UE 20 394 22

BMW HP4 CARBON

NG I K MOUNTAIN

THE RIDER MICHAEL RUTTER AGE 50 (… AND 74 TT STARTS 7 WINS 18 PODIUMS

of the

HOW WE CLOCKED THE FASTEST EVER NAKED LAP AROUND THE ICONIC TT COURSE THE BIKE KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO 1301CC 178BHP 191KG

BUYER’S GUIDE

YAMAHA MT-10 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING ONE

PLUS

TRACK SPEC KAWASAKI ZX-6R

SUZUKI GSX-S1000 TERMER

A BIT)

ISSUE 394 AUGUST 2022

18

THE KNOWLEDGE

Used Bike Guide.............................. 54 If you like your bikes big, ballistic and bare… check out our guide to Yamaha’s MT-10.

YOUR LIFE ON BIKES

You and Yours ................................. 88 All of your adventures

Chatter ............................................ 90 A page dedicated to the best readers in the world…

TESTS

Ultimate ‘Used’ Sportsbike ............ 18 We go to town on three used legends that’ll set you back less than the price of a contemporary, base-model litre bike.

King of the Mountain...................... 60 Just what speed can a supernaked clock around the iconic TT course? There was only one way to find out…

BUY

COLUMNISTS Tom Neave ...................................... 94 Tom takes a trek to Scotland for his annual Knockhill pilgrimage.

Christian Iddon ............................... 96 Iddon’s been seeing the world. Well, the pits at least.

Steve Parrish................................... 98 Steve’s been out and about in his usual manner, meeting and greeting. And eating!

FEATURES

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Termer .............. 78 Andy’s been tackling the track on his scantily clad Suzuki.

Track Spec....................................... 80 We love 600s on track, so this month we shine a light on a Superstock ZX-6R that’s caught our attention.

GEAR

FASTBIKESMAG.COM

54

60

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WELCOME

Talking TT...

I

t was towards the back end of last year when Johnny came up with his cracking idea: to see how fast a supernaked could cut it around the TT. Of course, back then, with Covid still rife, there was little guarantee the TT would even go ahead. And then there was the question of finding a manufacturer with the right tool and enthusiasm for the test, before attention turned to sourcing tyres that’d do the job proud and, last but not least, the pretty significant hurdle of gaining permission from the event’s organisers to make the gig happen in the first place. I’m not saying inviting ourselves round to the Queen’s house for afternoon tea would have been easier, but it would’ve probably ranked on a par. It was a massively tall order, with the only assured factor being that if it were to happen, seven-times TT winner Michael Rutter would be up for the craic… and what a cracking job he did. Both he and Johnny, who steered the gig all the way and literally made it happen, navigated more plot twists than you’d find in a game of Cluedo. If you’re wondering why he’s now got a few less hairs than he had at the start of June, that question will be answered in just a few pages’ time, along with how KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R Evo cut it around the world’s most gruelling assault course. But let me say, it was an epic undertaking and an exclusive like no other, categorically defining just how closely a modern day, super-trick naked compares with the likes of a fully fledged sportsbike. You might be surprised by the findings, and I guess to an extent we were too. What I wasn’t surprised about was the sheer brilliance of being back at the TT. I was lucky enough to get out there myself and spend some time with 100-times TT racer John McGuinness, who, like Rutter, showed that age is no handicap as he powered to a memorable fifth place in the opening Superbike race.

That guy is something else, both on and off the track, and you could say the same for everyone that takes on the TT, whether they finish first or last. In all the years I’ve been going, I’ve seen the highs and the many tragic lows, but what’s also been consistent during that time is the draw to the Island from racers and fans alike, to partake in what is arguably the most exciting spectacle known to two wheels.

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Christian Iddon

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Jack Fairman

ROAD RACING LEGEND Peter Hickman ...and BSB winner

RACING PUNDIT

Steve Parrish

Carl Stevens

Tom Neave

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LEGAL LORE

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...and hardcore off-roader

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, NE WS & REV IEW S PLA NE T FAST BIKES – NE W ME TAL

50TH

ANNIVERSARY M1000 RR

UP until the early 2000s, there was a real conundrum about BMW motorbikes. The German firm had been cranking out mega-powered nutter cars for years – including legendary 1500bhp turbocharged Formula One engines, Le Mans racers, and the mighty M-series of road cars (M standing for ‘Motorsport’).

Yet its bikes were, frankly, a bit pants when it came to going fast. Indeed, for the first decade of Fast Bikes’ existence, BMW’s bikes only really appeared on these pages to be mocked for their lardy, underpowered shaft-drive nature.

Of course, the K1200S and R put an end to all that in 2004, and the 2009 launch of the S1000 RR further established new BMW as a proper performance motorbike builder.

The S1000 R, S1000 XR and even the latest Boxer range are all sweet wheels. And last year we finally got an M-series bike, the M1000 RR – a race homologation version of the S1000 RR with even sharper performance. And it was on an M1000 RR that Peter Hickman won three of his four TT races this year, taking the Superbike, Superstock and the Senior wins on the Gas Monkey FHO Racing BMW. So, it’s great to see this special edition M1000 RR 50 Years M model launched to celebrate 50 years since the first M-series car.

The BMW 3.0CSL was a race car built by the newly-formed BMW Motorsport GmbH subsidiary in 1972. It went on to compete in the European Touring Car series, making the firm’s red, white and blue colour scheme famous.

The bike itself is based on the production M1000 RR, with the M Competition package already fitted. That means you get the 212bhp M race-ready engine, with its two-ring pistons, titanium Pankl conrods and titanium Akrapovic,

fitted into the M chassis: Carbon wheels, adjustable frame geometry, special M brakes and uprated electronics. But you also get all the sweet kit from the Competition package: A 220g lighter swingarm, carbon body panels, milled control levers, pillion delete parts, M Endurance final drive chain and GPS lap trigger activation.

The M1000 RR 50 Years also gets a unique paint job – it’s finished in Sao Paulo yellow, which is borrowed from the firm’s latest M4 Competition coupe, a 510bhp £80k compact supercar. There’s a special badge and 50th anniversary graphics, and the total cost is £35,200. You’ll need to be quick to get hold of one: Production is limited, and the bike is only available to order until November this year.

We’ll be riding it next issue – watch this space for more…

BMW’S ROOKIE TO RIDER PROGRAMME If you, or someone you know, is looking to start their biking journey, it’ll probably pay to know about BMW’s pimped ‘Rookie to Rider’ programme. In principle, it’s their to take people from complete beginners to full-licence holders, with the added bonus of saving money on kit, training and a motorcycle. There are two options on the table, with the first being a financed scenario, requiring a £650 deposit, plus (from) £119 per month payments, to cover your training, test fees, kit and a brand new BMW. Alternatively, you can ‘earn’ a ‘Rookie to Rider’ voucher by booking and completing your Direct Access training at an authorized BWM Rider Training Centre. With that in your hand, you’ll be able knock off up to a grand from the retail price of a new machine, and you’ll be able to save an additional 20% on clothing and accessories. Whichever option you choose, the gains, and savings, are significant. For information, head to www.bmw-motrrad.co.uk 10 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

Keep an eye on our online channels – Facebook, Twitter, and the Fast Bikes website (www. fastbikesmag.com) – for live updates on news as it happens.

KAWASAKI CELEBRATES

50 YEARS OF Z BIKES BMW isn’t the only one celebrating half a century of awesomeness: 1972 also saw the launch of Kawasaki’s mighty Z1 900 superbike.

And the Akashi firm has been marking the anniversary with a series of global events, special bikes, and previously-unseen archive material from the time.

Our man Dowds went to Switzerland with the big K last month for a special presentation on the Z anniversary. Hosted by Kawasaki’s European marketing boss – and total Z geek – Martin Lambert, the gig was packed with history and facts about the firm’s Z1, and all the follow-up models that dominated the 1970s and 80s.

Why Switzerland? Well, the Swiss Kawasaki importer, FIBAG, has a huge museum packed with Kwaks from the 1960s through to the present day. From early Samurai twins, through the legendary two-stroke 750 triples to the later GPz range, as well as current models, they’re all on show in pristine condition. Most have never been run: The only miles on the clocks are from pushing them around, and they don’t even have oil in the engines or brake fluid inside the calipers: they’re all stored completely dry.

Surrounded by absolutely immaculate GPz1100s, 750 Turbos, Z1300s, Z1Rs and the

like, Lambert took us through the history of the Z brand. We kicked off with the original 750cc design, which was tossed in the bin when Honda launched its CB750 in 1969 and replaced by a mighty 903cc revamp. Then we heard about Paul Smart riding a preproduction Z1 – disguised as a CB750 – across America, even entering it into a club race incognito. The Japanese riding launch attended by four American magazine editors, and the huge success of the Z1, which spawned the Z650, Z750, Z550 and grew into the mighty GPz1100, before the air-cooled era was usurped by the firm’s own GPZ900R superbike.

The event was rounded off by a test day on a series of special edition bikes: The modern Z650 and Z900 models, in base and RS form, which have been released for 2022 in anniversary and SE variants. The SE bikes boast Öhlins suspension and Brembo brake upgrades, and offer a much higher chassis spec, with the same engine performance and sharp styling. The 50th anniversary bikes are just cosmetic makeovers: The RS models get gold wheels and a ‘fireball’ paintscheme from the original Z1, while the standard Z650 and Z900 models use a firecracker red colourway, borrowed from the GPz range of the early 1980s.

Last call for the Fast Bikes track day 2022!

FAST BIKES has teamed up with MICHELIN TYRES and NO LIMITS to bring you a massive ‘Track Day with Benefits’ on Tuesday, July 19 at Donington Park. And you probably just about have time to try and get a place!

The whole team will be present, giving some of Michelin’s finest rubber a proper spanking and you’re invited to come along and do the same.

There will be plenty of rubber advice on offer from Michelin technicians, and everyone will get a top-notch goodie bag. There will be other top prizes on the day too: Michelin will be rewarding anyone riding on their tyres that day with a special free gift, one of which will have a famed Golden Ticket. There will even be a few surprise celebrity guest stars – we’ve got some riders from Michelin’s race programme booked up for the day already, and they’ll be out on circuit, showing us all the way round.

Donington is a proper, world-class venue, with nigh on 2.5 miles of asphalt, that has been home to legendary races and battles between the most iconic riders of our time. Craner Curves remains arguably the most rewarding sections on a UK race track, and the mix of fast corners, slow bends and long smooth stretches of Tarmac makes it one of the most exhilarating tracks in the UK. It’s going to be an awesome day so keep an eye on Fast Bikes magazine and fastbikesmag.com for additional information. Bookings are via the No Limits trackday organisers – and remember, Donington track spaces sell out fast under normal circumstances, so they’ll not be available for long.

Book NOW at www.nolimitstrackdays.com selecting Tuesday, July 19 at Donington Park. As always there are Advanced, Middle and Lower groups on the Standard Track Day, and please be advised that we will only be there during the day, not for the evening sessions.

AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 11

, NEWS & REVIEW S PLANE T FAST BIKES – NEW METAL

YAMAHA OFFROAD SCHOOL GOES BIG Yamaha has expanded and upgraded its (already excellent) Off-road Experience in Wales.

Run by the Jones family of enduro wizards – Geraint, Dylan and Rowan – the school has been teaching folk how to go fast off-road on Yamahas since 1994, and is one of the best dirt training centres around. Based in Llanidloes, in the middle of Wales, it’s right at the heart of some of

the greatest off-road riding around (but not too far from civilisation…).

We’ve had a few sessions there, and it’s got something for every level of dirt rider: From total novice to high-end enduro aces, the Jones folk can improve your skills and expand your knowledge.

The Off-road Experience suffered from a major fire back in 2017, and the Covid-19 pandemic obviously affected operations in

2020 and 2021. But the school has come back bigger and better, with a totally revamped welcome centre, new changing area with upgraded showers and dry room.

There’s also a massive fleet of Yamaha off-road machinery, including the WR250F and WR450F, as well as the new 2022 Ténéré 700 World Raid. Bookings are open now for the rest of 2022 at www. yamaha-offroad-experience.co.uk

European bike transportation

RACHAEL CLEGG TT BOOK

Remember when this very organ used to run pics of scantily-clad ladies in a vaguely-motorcycling setting?

Well this might be up your alley. It’s the latest release from Rachael Clegg, also known as the naked TT lady.

She has been producing her photoshoots from the Island for a decade, and they definitely have a certain charm. Basically, she features in the (tasteful) monochrome nude pics, at iconic locations, with a dash of humour.

The book has 260 pages of arty pics, as well as a load of archive images dating back 115 years courtesy of the Mortons Archive.

She began her series thanks to her background as the daughter and granddaughter of TT racers Noel and Tom Clegg. Visit rachaelclegg.com 12 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

Last month, it looked like transport problems for European track day fans were about to be sorted.

The Federation of European Motorcycle Associations and the UK National Motorcyclists Council had been pushing hard with the EU and UK government to solve problems with people taking bikes in vans across the English Channel. Customs officials were treating the bikes as commercial freight items which needed a stack of paperwork after the UK left the European Union, the Single Market and the Customs Union. An expensive carnet was being requested to take bikes into the EU when they weren’t being ridden. And if your bike was being transported by a third party – maybe a trackday company or a friend – the situation became even more complex.

In May this year, FEMA announced that it had received a letter from the European Commission, which promised to clear matter up. It stated that “Means of transport entering the EU temporarily and leaving back to the United Kingdom after a few weeks can be placed under temporary admission and declared to customs by the sole act of crossing the frontier.”

Seems clear, yes? Well, no. Turns out that ‘means of transport’ might not strictly apply to a bike in a van, especially a track bike that’s not road legal, or a non-running display bike heading to a bike show.

And as before, a strict customs agent might slap taxes or other charges onto anyone bringing a bike from the UK into the EU in a truck. So, we’re heading back to stage one.

The NMC’s executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “The work done jointly by FEMA, FIVA and the NMC has ‘shifted the dial’ on this issue and led to the reopening of talks between the UK and individual EU member states which had stalled. The NMC has proposed a potential solution which the UK Government will consider internally and also discuss with counterparts within the EU, but we fear that it could be some months before this is finally resolved. In the meantime, we urge riders to check the rules carefully before transporting their bikes to and from the EU in a van or on a trailer.”

AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 13

ES T PERF ORMA NC E PRODUC TS ALL THE LATEST, CO OL ES T & TRICK

WEMOTO FORK SEAL DRIVER A fork seal driver is one of those tools that most of us will only use every now and again – but it’s a lifesaver when you do. It’s a simple enough piece of kit: fit it around the fork leg and you can tap the seal into place without causing damage to anything. This Sealey tool is adjustable to suit fork seals from 35-55mm, and the sort of thing you only really need to buy once in your lifetime... until you lend it out to a mate and never see it again.

£56.53

www.wemoto.com

ALPINESTARS CHARGER PRO BACKPACK The Charger Pro is a subtle black rucksack, with a few slick design cues, from Alpinestars. It has a semi-rigid outer shell for better aerodynamic shape, and uses a neat magnetic fastener system on the harness.

There’s a removable waist belt, buckle lower strap fastening, and a fold-out helmet carrying bag for off the bike. You also get a pocket for an Alpinestars Nucleon back protector in the harness, so you can incorporate some extra armour into the backpack – a clever touch. There’s a padded laptop pocket, removable pockets on the waist belt, and various other small organising pockets in the backpack, plus a rain cover is included for extra wet weather protection.

£1 30

MG BIKETEC TAIL TIDY Austrian firm MG Biketec has launched a smart new range of tail tidies, including this fitment for the Kawasaki ZX-10R/RR. CNC machined from black anodised aluminium, it lets you dump the gargantuan stock mudguard and replace it with a much neater set-up. The plate angle is adjustable for the perfect rear end stance, and it comes with an LED numberplate light built in and an optional rear reflector for the MOT pedants. Works with standard or aftermarket indicators, too. Comes with a 161x85mm (146x70mm bolt pattern) plate mount to suit a range of numberplate sizes, with a larger mount available on request. It’s also available for a range of other machines.

£1 20

www.performanceparts-ltd.com

14 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

www.alpinestars.com

FURYGAN VOLT GLOVES OP TIMATE 7 SELECT GOLD SERIES BATTERY CHARGER We love an Optimate battery charger round here. It’s maybe not the most rock ‘n’ roll item of gear, but then there’s nothing rock ‘n’ roll about having a flat battery when you’re raring to get out for a sunny Sunday blast. This Gold 7 Select unit is one of the firm’s top-of-the-range designs, giving professional grade charging, maintenance and repair of AGM, gel and standard 12V lead-acid batteries, with 10 amp maximum current. That makes it grunty enough to use on cars, vans, and trucks, as well as the biggest bikes. The 7 Select has a smart automatic charging programme that can de-sulphate plates on old batteries, and even recover totally dead units. It also has a clever ‘power supply’ mode, that provides 13.6 volts to let you power up a bike or car without the engine running, for troubleshooting, or to retain system memory when disconnecting the battery.

£158

£69.99

www.furygan.com

www.optimate1.com

HÜNERSDORFF FUEL CANS The price of petrol now is beyond a joke – but you still don’t want to be running out of the stuff on the road. Slipping a small emergency reserve under your seat or in a pannier makes a lot of sense on a long run – and could help you avoid paying even more for motorway service station fuel. BMW accessory specialist Nippy Normans has just started importing this range of fuel and oil cans from German firm Hünersdorff. The ‘Fuel Friend’ cans hold one or 1.5 litres of fuel, have useful built-in strapping points, and are DIN-approved for safety. The firm also produces a handy oil-draining can that makes oil changing and recycling easier and cleaner.

From £15

Summer’s here and it’s time to break out the lightweight-yetprotective gloves.

You’ll obviously be wanting a full-cuffed race glove over your leathers for hardcore track riding, but for urban riding and everyday use, a short-cuffed glove is easier to live with.

These Furygan Volt gloves use protection elements from the firm’s full-on competition designs, but in a shorter urban design. You get a goatskin/textile outer construction with a metacarpal protector, knuckle plates, and leather palm reinforcements for extra safety.

They also have stretch panels and vented mesh inserts for comfort and cooling air flow, as well as touchscreen-compatible fingertip inserts for phone and sat nav use on the move. Available in black, black/white, and black/red, in sizes S-3XL.

www.nippynormans.com

DAINESE ZAURAX JACKET The Zaurax is a classic leather riding jacket from Dainese, with subtle styling and premium construction. It’s got all the good stuff: a removable thermal liner, Dainese’s Pro-Shape 2.0 armour in elbows and shoulders, and a pocket for a back protector. There’s a stretch leather hem at the back and a trouser connecting loop to keep the back of the jacket in place while riding. In dealers now, in sizes UK 34-50.

£495.95

www.dainese.com

ULTIMATE ADDONS UNIVERSAL GRIP&GO PHONE HOLDER Here’s the latest universal phone mount from Scottish firm Ultimate Addons, featuring a tough aluminium construction, a fully adjustable phone clamping system, and a rubber security band for extra peace of mind.

It fits phones from 120-190mm in height and 60-90mm wide, and comes with a clever quick-release mounting claw that fits handlebars, mirrors, or other attachment points.

£39.99

www.ultimateaddons.com

AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 15

ED AND REV IEW ED THE VERY BES T KIT – US ED, ABUS

GB RACING UNDERLAYER TESTED BY: Max Silvester TIME: 3 years RRP: from £ 28.22 WEB: www.gbracing.eu

A good base layer has become an absolute essential for me when riding bikes; predominantly on track, but also for any riding occasion.

I’ve always found it a struggle to find good clothing to wear under riding gear, something that is as practical as it is comfortable, never mind the pure convenience of being able to slide a set of leathers off by yourself.

I will start off with that point though; anyone who has ever been in the situation of riding in leathers – whether that be one-piece or two, with only a short sleeve shirt, or dare I say no shirt at all – may have found themselves jumping up and down trying to yank their arms out of the suit as it has somehow bonded to their skin, before asking a friend for a quick tug… erm, on their leathers that is. Having a long-sleeved base layer to absorb any sweat just so you can slide off your leathers is one of the many benefits. It dramatically improves rider comfort, especially if you get one like GB Racing’s that boasts both a ‘Hot’ and ‘Cool’ option to either keep you warm in the winter or cool in the summer.

Admittedly, the average road rider may not need a base layer like this so much in the summer, though there still is the option, but any winter rider will definitely benefit

from the extra heat being kept in by the winter base layer as they are blasted by freezing air.

The main struggle I've had with base layers like these is how the seams for the arms are sewn; it has been common for some to irritate around the armpit and the shoulder, though these base layers have flat locked seams, as well as perfectly placed seams to increase comfort.

It means I no longer have to worry about irritation from so called ‘breathable’ material placed under the armpit that grabs at your hairs.

Although you’ll be wearing them under your

16 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

riding gear, they do come in two colours, black and white. I went for the black layers, only because after a fair period of use the nice pearly white base layer tends to get dirty, and not look so great… at least if I spill some ketchup on the black base layer people won't think I have been shot.

I have used these items of clothing for years, and will continue to use them both on and off-road. I can’t help but highly recommend them to any other rider that doesn’t currently have one.

USB

ULTIMA

SPORTS BIKE 20

BMW HP4 CARBON Average prices: £ 14-16,000

I

t’s funny how some tests come about: The kind of tests that are borne out of necessity but turn out to be amongst the best you’ve ever done.

That’s how we’d bracket this year’s Ulitmate Used Sportbike shootout. While it’s fair to say we’re an optimistic bunch here at Fast Bikes, even we came to accept with the arrival of spring 2022 the idea of any fresh, contemporary machinery being uncovered was as likely as Tim winning a beauty pageant… it just wasn’t going to happen.

And despite a few tweaks to Honda’s new Fireblade, and the arrival of a shiny new Ducati V4S, we’d have largely had a repeat

18 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

MV AGUSTA F4 RR Average prices: £ 13 -16,000

performance of last year’s USB. Don’t get me wrong, that would have made for a belter of a time for us, but it wouldn’t have told you guys anything you didn’t already know.

With our track, dyno, dragstrip and road antics last year, we categorically defined the good, bad and the ‘do not touch’ among the current crop of sporty propositions… so going over the same ground made little sense.

We also took note of a few folks’ thoughts on the cost of motorcycles. If you want the best, you usually have to pay for it... which meant last year we had a few models priced at over £30k in our line-up. But it did leave

us questioning just how much bike you can actually get for your money? Was there a way to own the best of the best, but pay a price that doesn’t leave your wallet dry and your eyes flowing like a river for the next 12 years of PCP payments?

The answer is yes, and you’re looking at three such steeds right now: Bikes that were built to be better than their brethren and priced accordingly in their day.

Whether you call them used exotica or homologation specials, the three things in common between our tasty trio is they each

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ATE

022

DUCATI 119 8S CORSE SE Average prices: £ 14-16,000

had us drooling over the thought of owning one, they’re all about 10 years old, and each of them now costs less than the most affordable litre sportsbike on the market – Kawasaki’s ZX-10R (weighing in at £16,469).

The big question was whether the appeal in these bikes was largely fuelled by nostalgia.

Back then, these were the cream of the crop, but times change and things move on.

In fact, considering the arsenal of awesomeness readily available down the local dealerships, a part of us did wonder whether the scene had moved on too much for these icons, and whether reuniting with them would be akin to meeting up with your first gorgeous girlfriend – some things are best left in the past.

Of course, there was only one way to find out, and to make sure we had a speed date

that was undeniably worthy and memorable, we set aside three days of road riding – and a trip to Cadwell for good measure – topped off with a visit to the chippy on a local bike night (…nothing cheap about us).

Would there be lust or loathing? Without further ado, here’s how it went…

AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM 19

USB W O R D S > JO H N N Y M A C

MV AGUSTA F4 RR T

he MV F4 has been around for a long time, in fact it feels like it’s been around for ever.

Originally a 750cc that came out in 1999, it was penned by Massimo Tamburini – the same bloke who designed the Ducati 916 – so it’s no wonder that there are more than a few striking resemblances between the two.

The F4 signified the rebirth of MV Agusta as we know it today and stayed as a 750cc bike until the rules changed for Superbike racing and allowed 1000cc bikes. This prompted MV to start experimenting with different engine sizes and various projects

Think again if you’re over six feet tall...

Caption 1

20 AUGUST 2022 WWW.FASTBIKESMAG.COM

until it settled on a 1000cc configuration that was entered into the Italian Superbike championship under the model name F5. It was that engine that later was used to upgrade the road bike to a 1000cc F4.

As with the original 750, a lot of pointless ‘Special edition’ models followed that make the F4 blood line seem bigger than it actually is. Set aside those specials – that more often than not were little more than a paintjob and plaque on the top yoke – and the F4’s first upgrade came in 2007 with a heavily updated engine. It was a big enough upgrade to warrant a new name – the F4 1000R. Soon after, a longer stroke 1078cc engine found its way into the F4, which earned it another new name – the F4 312. Finally in 2010, the F4 got a brand new engine that had a shorter stroke which brought it back down to 999cc.

There were no fewer than seven ‘special’ versions of the updated F4, but the one we have here is the RR version, which to be fair