MV Agusta F4 RR 2019 — Specifications

The years slip by over the F4’s fairing without even scratching it. While waiting for a highly demanding successor, one of Varese’s divas can continue to inspire dreams. Top of the range from MV-Agusta (excluding the RC, closer to a Superbike than the series), the F4 1000 RR is equipped with what it needs to shine at the top of the hyper-sports clan. Among the most important modifications are these superb Brembo M50 brake calipers and now electronically adjustable Öhlins suspension. The Swedish-made steering damper is assisted by electronics or is manually adjusted, as desired. As for the fork and shock, only the rear spring preload requires manual intervention. All adjustments are made from the dashboard. The electronic control unit determines the optimum damping (set by the factory) according to the selected map. But the rider can also choose their own settings completely autonomously.

For all F4 models, 2013 was synonymous with a multitude of small details, more or less important. From daytime LED lights on the leading edge of the air intake to lightweight wheels, a rebalanced crankshaft, titanium connecting rods, a variable intake system, an oil circuit and redesigned exhaust systems, a quickshifter, valves recalled by a single spring (two previously) and an update of the onboard electronics. 2014 concluded braking with the series adoption of the Bosch 9MP ABSrace. But how will the F4 RR continue its career when no Euro4 update is planned? MV-Agusta cannot provide a serene future for its sportbike at the moment.

Among Varese’s sportbikes, the RR sings a melody raised an octave. It was no longer enough to be the most desirable; it also wanted to be the most powerful, the most noticed, and to be able to give a dose of dream in a category that is battered but still full of excellence. Although the RC dethroned it, it remains a machine close to the sublime. And then, there’s this ambiguous designation: CORSA CORTA. Short stroke in Italian. Explaining in two words that a new engine had taken its place in this MV sportbike. An engine that, as you may have guessed, benefits from a shorter piston stroke in its cylinders. But to make it a powerhouse exceeding 200 horsepower, Meccania Verghera did not skimp on the transformations of the 4-cylinder engine.

In 2010, the F4’s engine had already evolved considerably, already producing more than 185 horsepower. The manufacturer wanted to offer it more than 200 horsepower, and had already done so on the 1080cc models, by increasing the displacement (and significantly the price). But to be able to compete, exceeding the liter capacity was out of the question. So, to find power, the engine specialists changed the internal dimensions, various parts, and started looking for watts in the RPM range. This short stroke is 50.6 mm, against 56 previously. The bore takes the opportunity to climb from 76 to 79 mm. With its new values, the linear piston stroke is 22.9 m/s. A speed not only reasonable for mechanical reliability, but also lower than the engine of the F4 1000 standard (24.7). These very square dimensions are well in line with an engine speed now approaching 14,000 rpm. The F4 1000 RR spits out its 201 horsepower at 13,600 rpm, and pushes its redline to 14,000 rpm. Larger combustion chambers allow for larger valves to be accommodated. On the intake side, their diameters increase from 30 to 31.6 mm, and from 25 to 26 mm on the exhaust. Once you’re changing the valves, you might as well make them titanium. With the new exhaust line with larger collectors, a 49 mm injection and variable height intake, the engine breathes strongly, very strongly. To channel it, the ECU offers you a choice of two maps and an 8-position anti-wheelie system. Still on the agenda, the gearbox is of the cassette type and is supported by an anti-dribble clutch. Briefly, it smells like a Superbike.

A lot of horsepower allows you to weld and at heart. But an MV with two R’s must be riveted to the floor. The base does not change, the RR taking the chassis of the F4... but optimizes it as desired. Already, you can modify the height of the rear axle and the swingarm via a set of calibrated parts. For the ground connections, the best don’t ask themselves and will equip themselves from Sweden. Under the chin, it shines, and it’s Öhlins. A NIX 43 mm fork adjustable everywhere, with a particularity: compression is adjusted on the left fork tube and rebound on the right. This ensures more precision during adjustments because one does not influence the other. The rear shock is a TTX36, adjustable in compression, rebound, preload, and length to vary the machine's ride height. The braking? All radial, from the master cylinder to the calipers, Brembo and monoblocks because you can only conceive of the best for this superb F4. By the way, let’s change the wheels and put forged aluminum rims. It will save 1 kilo and improve agility. But even with that, you’re still going to have to hold this RR CorsaCorta. With a nuclear reactor engine and a surgical and rigid chassis, the F4 1000 demands that you take care of it, that you force it to stick to the trajectory. Quite the opposite of a Japanese bike that accompanies you to work. However, in terms of precision, it’s like the entire machine: haute couture.

Its suspensions are tools... Its engine is the most powerful... Its line is sublime... Upon arrival, the F4 1000 RR can already deal blows to the sides of the formidable ZX-10RR, S 1000 RR, R1M, 1100 Panigale V4 S, CBR 1000 SP and RSV4 RF. Demanding, uncomfortable, it exudes competition leaning towards an artwork. Its place is more in a circuit or a showroom than on the open road.

M.B - Photos constructeur