The 998cc radial valve inline-four-cylinder F4 motor produces a claimed 186.3bhp@12,900rpm. It has lighter crankcases and a redesigned crankshaft which is 2kg heavier and has 47% more inertia (developed during the 2008 Italian superbike championship). The heavier crank, which has lighter conrods, allows MV to do away with a separate balance shaft. Detail changes include shorter inlet tracts, new titanium inlet valves, a new oil pump, deeper sump, cooling system and generator. There’s also a mechanical slipper clutch, new cassette-type gearbox and exhaust with square, instead of circular-section quad end cans.
Electronics include variable length inlet trumpets, a new Magnetti Marelli 7BM ECU, traction control and two power maps. New 49mm Mikuni throttle bodies with eight injectors are fed by a bigger airbox.
Rideabiltiy is much improved thanks to the new crank, smoother throttle response and increased low and mid-range power. As you’d expect from the F4, high rpm power is still savage.