MV Agusta might be suffering financial problems but the firm has still managed to create a new version of its range-topping F4 RC race-replica.
The latest version, which will be limited to just 250 examples, gets paintwork that copies Leon Camier’s WSBK machine, with the race number ‘37’ to remind us that while world titles have been scant in recent years the firm has won that many in its history.
But it’s the box that comes with the bike that makes it stand apart. A wooden crate, it contails an SC-Project titanium single-exit exhaust system and racing ECU. There are also caps to cover the mirror holes, machined from aluminium, and a single seat cover to replace the pillion pad. Finally the box contains carbon shrouds for the exhaust and a personalised bike cover.
In road trim the F4 RC makes 205hp, but with the kit parts added that rises to an astounding 212hp at 13,600rpm from the short-stroke ‘Corsa Corta’ engine.
Elsewhere, there’s a TIG welded trellis frame made from CrMo steel tubes, an adjustable swingarm pivot and race-spec suspension. Up front there are Ohlins NIX forks, with a TTX rear shock to match. Braking is courtesy of Brembo radial mount calipers and 320mm discs, with Bosch ABS 9 Plus. It incorporates a rear wheel lift mitigation system.
MV’s ‘MVICS 2.0’ (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) gives control over a host of parameters including throttle sensitivity, maximum torque, engine braking, engine response and rev limiter intervention. As with all the latest-gen superbikes, there’s an IMU that incorporates accelerometers and gyroscopes to aid the traction control. Speaking of which, there are eight levels of TC on offer, plus the option to switch it off entirely.
Also in line with rival offerings is the quick shifter, which comes as standard.
Given that the old version of the RC cost £30,999 in the UK, you can expect the latest homologation special from MV to come very close to the 40,000 Euro price limit for WSBK-homologated machines.