MV Agusta F5 to be most powerful on the road

The 1000cc MV Agusta F5 due for launch at September’s bike shows is expected to be the most powerful production bike in the world with more than 160bhp at the rear wheel, according to insiders.

The engine has already been tested in endurance racing without anyone knowing… which may explain why the ” F4 ” s racing with the Belgium Maxim Endurance Experience team have been very nearly as fast as the quickest GSX-R1000s in the series…

Our source also confirms the final version will be an all-new bike rather than simply a bigger engine bolted into the current 750cc F4’s chassis.

The team is, on the face of it, an independent outfit. But MV development engineer Andrea Goggi was spotted with the team at Spa this year and the MV is known to supply it with specially-made parts.

It has been a closely-guarded secret that the Maxim team’s engine was the basis of the new F5, until now.

Maxim team owner and rider Steven Casaer has refused to comment but confirms he has a close relationship with the factory.

A source close to the MV factory told MCN: ” We have been trying all sorts of engines this year. Even the factory doesn’t know exactly what the final specification will be.

And he added: ” It will be more powerful than any other road bike – even the ZX-12R. ”

The F5’s performance in world endurance proves it isn’t lacking in top-speed, but factory engineers know extra torque will be the key to making the bike feel truly fast.

The Maxim bike was up to 35kg heavier than its lightest Japanese-built rival on the world endurance grid in 2001, and MV is hoping further development of the new motor will help cut that disadvantage, both on the road and the track.

The bike was originally expected to be ready last September, but a protracted buy-out by scooter giant Piaggio has left MV in a state of limbo, unable to spend the cash to keep the development on schedule.

That buy-out is now on the verge of being finalised. MUCH MORE ON THIS IN MCN ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2002.

This story was broken to MCN2U subscribers on Thursday (January 31, 2002) at 5.30pm. Were you among the first to know? To find out how you could be, follow the link, right.