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MV Agusta F4 1078 - one of the most beautifully designed bikes ever built
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MV Agusta F4 RR 312 1078 (2008-current)

View all Mv-Agusta F4 1000RR 312s for sale (6)

Detail Value
New price £16,799
Engine size 1078cc
Power 190bhp
Top speed 190mph
Insurance group 17
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 3 rating is 5
Engine rating is 4 rating is 5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 5
Equipment rating is 3 rating is 5
Quality & Reliability rating is 3 rating is 4
Value rating is 3 rating is 4.5

MCN overall verdict rating is 3

This is the ultimate evolution of MV Agusta’s famous F4 model, which has been with us in one form or another since 1999. The in-line-four-cylinder MV Agusta 1078cc F4 1078 RR 312 replaces last year’s 998cc F4 R 312. The ‘312’ bit of the name refers to the top speed achieved by the bike on MV’s test track: 312km/h (193mph).
The beautiful RR 312 comes with a fearsome reputation for hyper acceleration, which only relents when it hits the rev-limiter in top gear. Thanks to its killer engine the MV Agusta is blisteringly fast wherever you ride it; it’s as happy to demolish track tarmac as it is Autobahn concrete, but its age is starting to show now and is relatively clumsy and heavy to muscle around compared to more modern stuff like a Blade. But thanks to a new slipper clutch, Brembo Mononbloc brakes and top-level Marzocchi suspension it’s still able to hold its own. Stick this engine in a modern day chassis and it would be phenomenal. Reliability can be iffy, though.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 5

Enlarged for 2008, the MV Agusta’s 1078cc radial valve four-cylinder engine is a rabid powerhouse of a thing. Its basic architecture was designed by Ferrari back in the late 90s (hence the ‘F’ in F4) when it started life as a 750. Now it comes with monstrous power and torque splilling from every bit of the rev range. The motor has a very hard edge and transmits lots of its vibes to the rider. The throttle response at low rpm is very snatchy, which makes tackling slow corners and town riding tricky. That’s why we’ve only given it a four out of five. Although the new slipper clutch makes entering corners much smoother, this still is no super-smooth Honda FireBlade. But it has a howling engine note to die for and 190 thoroughbred horses to play with, if you’re brave enough.  

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 5

If you’re jumping on to the MV Agusta from a Japanese sportsbike you’ll get a shock to the system. The F4 is cramped, tall and has super stiff suspension, so it takes some getting used to, compared to a soft, plush Japanese bike. As the miles or laps pass by, it’s something you get used to and at flat out speeds the extreme riding position does make sense. Ride at normal speeds, or any distance, and the MV will punish your body, especially wrists and knees, if you’re tall. On a smooth surface the MV flies, but on the bumps it struggles slightly. It’s not necessarily down to hard suspension, which can be adjusted to suit conditions, it’s more like the chassis is super-stiff and unforgiving until you push hard. The F4’s forte is high speed three-figure speed sweepers, rather than tight twisty B-roads.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 5

For your money you get one of the most beautifully designed motorcycles ever built, right up there with the Ducati 916. It’s no coincidence that both machines were designed by the same person: Massimo Tamburini. Build quality is exquisite and you get a slipper clutch, Brembo Monobloc calipers, 50mm Marzocchi fully adjustable forks and a Sachs rear shock as standard. Now, though, compared to the latest competition from Ducati, Aprilia and the Japanese, the MV doesn’t come with the latest bells and whistles. Compare and buy products for the MV Agusta in the MCN Shop.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4

The MV Agusta is a class act and made to the highest standard, but reliability can be hit and miss. Over the past few years we’ve had F4 test bikes come with niggling problems from minor electrical problems, to full-on engine and gearbox faults. Now that Harley Davidson owns MV Agusta, things like this will hopefully change in the future.

Value

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

You can a lot of power, handling and beauty for your money, but things have moved on a lot in the world of superbikes lately, making the MV seem like less value for money than it once was. For ten grand you can have a Yamaha R1 with a MotoGP derived engine, a Ducati 1198S with traction control for under £15,000 or even the beautiful new Aprilia RSV4, which should be cheaper than the MV when prices are announced.

Insurance

Insurance group: 17

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Model History

2008 – Model launched

Other Versions

Specifications

Top speed 190mph
1/4-mile acceleration 10.08 secs
Power 190bhp
Torque 91.5ftlb
Weight 197kg
Seat height 810mm
Fuel capacity 21 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group 17
Engine size 1078cc
Engine specification 16-valve, in-line-four
Frame Steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 320mm discs
Rear brake 210mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 17 in
Rear tyre size 190/55 17 in

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

classified image

Mv Agusta
F4 1000RR 312

0 miles

£13,499

classified image

Mv Agusta
F4 1000RR 312

6100 miles

£9,950

classified image

Mv Agusta
F4 1000RR 312

1 miles

£11,999

classified image

Mv Agusta
F4 1000RR 312

1 miles

£11,999

classified image

Mv Agusta
F4 1000RR 312

1 miles

£13,799

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Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(3 reviews)

  • Test Ride

    randyangell

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I was fortunate enough to be invited to a test ride of the 1078RR and was blown away by the bike. I'm 6'2" and although intially found the riding position a bit awkward, once on the move it made a helluva lot of sense. Engine is brilliant, matched by brakes, ride and handling. The induction noise is tremendous and once you get high up in the rev range the hard edge snarl is amazing. I also agree that MCN reviews seem very much biased to the big 4 manufacturers, with anything else being overly criticised. "bout time MCN broadened its horizons and accepted that there are exciting alternatives to the run-of-the-mill japanese manufacturers offerings. If I had 15 grand to spend I'd go for the MV over the Ducati anyday!

    21 April 2009

  • riden a few

    brutale r

    brisbane qld , AU

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    MCN i have riden the 1078 312 o a good few times and from your report im not to sure you were im 6.2 and didnt feel any more cramped up than if on an R1 or blade . as for dated no way it makes most other bikes look cheep and chucked together. as for equipment at 312kph what do you want its a race bike ffs begining to find your reports a bit biased if it aint one of the big 4 or dont have a bit of a cult following it never gets a good revue

    03 April 2009

  • MV 312 Corse

    bterhunec

    Average rating rating is 5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I own a 312 Corse and it is scary fast. I love the bike and when there is a Euro Sunday and I park beside any other bike, it makes everything else look cheap. Performance Bike tested the standard 312 at the N-ring and it beat everything else. I don't know how they can say it's not up to the Jap standards. In the real world it will eat their lunch if your man enough to pull the trigger (which I'm not). I'm not ashamed to say that it is so fast that I've never had the nerve to hold it WFO. It is a thing of beauty that I never get tierd of.

    07 March 2009

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