MV Agusta F3

Remembering that Rome was not built in one day, the development of the highly anticipated MV Agusta F3 three-cylinder sportsport motorcycle is making progress, according to the Varese Italy superbike manufacturer.

MV has been busy logging many product development miles on the track and on the road with the goal of creating the reference point by which other middle-weight superbikes will be judged.

In a recent press release, MV Agusta stated that the F3 has also exceeded expectations of the development team with regards to both power and handling.

The MV representative told Ultimate MotorCycing, "the engine has proven to be extremely reliable on the engine test bench during durability test cycles and has exceeded the power target at this level of development.

"The engine has already surpassed 135 cv (133 hp) and rev's over 15,000 rpm. The dynamic performance of the engine has had a direct positive impact on the motorcycle as it combines the perfect combination of over-rev typically found on four cylinder engines with the increased torque offered by a three cylinder engine configuration.

"The secret of the outstanding performance is the perfect synthesis between the engine and chassis. The counter-rotating crankshaft, a defining feature that separates the F3 from the competition, guarantees superior handling that cannot be matched by motorcycles with a conventional engine architecture.

"The counter-rotating crankshaft not only offers an advantage during fast direction changes, there is also a massive benefit with regards to weight transfer during acceleration offering an increase in rear wheel traction."

Ultimate Motorcycling was also told that the F3 will offer an advanced electronics and engine control system that incorporates a full Ride-By-Wire throttle body that helps optimize the engine power and torque characteristics based on rider feedback.

The design goal of the engineering team has been the harmony of electronics and vehicle chassis dynamics. The vision is to create an F3 that is agile and extremely easy to change rapidly the direction as well as giving the maximum amount of feedback to the rider while at maximum lean angles.

After Harley-Davidson sold the MV company, the new Italian owners claim that the financial stability of the motorcycle manufacturer has exceeded the business plan. We except that MV will be been able to bring the delicious new F3 to market within the next four months.

The current production motorcycles are planned to begin shipping by mid-September, 2011 and the F3 should be available for sale in MV Agusta motorcycle dealerships by late fall.