Sharp around the Edges

It is probably one of the finest we have ridden supersports recently, but Agusta F3 does the MV 800 justify its hefty price tag?

IT’S THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, but the sun is smouldering in the clear sky. I’m kitted out in my riding gear with my helmet on, but don’t seem to mind the unusually hot weather. We (a few of my colleagues and I) are staring at the MV Agusta F3 800 in awe. Exchanging glances and shaking our heads in amazement, as if to say — how do the Italians manage to craft such stunning designs? Just like a perfect hour-glass figure the chiselled fuel-tank narrows down till it meets the seat and again flares out towards the rear. The sharp nose and trademark exhaust with its three short pipes on the right side scream out MV Agusta’s rich lineage.

The temptation is irresistible. I sling my leg over, caressing the bike’s narrow waist with my thighs. It’s as comfortable as you’d expect a sports bike to be. In spite of the focused riding position, however, the bike’s fairly low saddle height, clip-on handlebar position and short petrol tank help make it friendlier than most others. There’s not as much pressure on the rider’s lower back or on the wrist.

This makes the MV Agusta F3 800 pass the first test. There are a bunch of others to follow, which may impose a hurdle for people thinking of buying or riding big bikes like this one in India. Things like choppy low-speed rideability, sudden burst of power, firm ride quality and even engine heat at city speeds could be a deterrent. Let’s see if the F3 can manage to manoeuvre through these obstacles.

I crank up the engine and the F3 comes to life with a familiar three-pot sound from the short, curved pipes behind my right boot. To get acquainted with the bike, I start by riding deliberately at a slow pace on the empty track. Feeding just a little gas and holding it steadily... then I wring the throttle to slow down again to check the power delivery and throttle response. It’s as close to perfect as can be.

And in no time it became clear that the MV’s mid-range delivery is as strong in real life as it looked on paper. The 88 Nm of torque ensures that you can cruise at 80 km/h even in the top gear. Power flows in such a linear fashion, but is brisk enough never to let you realise that it’s an 800 and not a litre-class bike. And no matter what revs you open the throttle at, the 800 leaps forward without the least hesitation.

Staying in Normal mode, which is more forgiving than Sport and less intrusive than Rain, the MV Agusta feels predictable and composed, without being erratic at low revs. There’s also the Custom mode wherein you can fine-tune the engine map to your liking, but Normal felt more than adequate for most of my ride.

Once a got accustomed to the bike, I increased the speed. MV’s light, ride-by-wire throttle action requires a delicate right wrist to show you what it’s got. The usual three-cylinder vibration starts to iron out as it crosses 8,000 rpm, with the thrilling exhaust signalling to you when to shift up. Slotting gears through the standard quick-shifter, the 798-cc triple is quick to show off its 148 PS (read: blisteringly fast) and keeps climbing rapidly till 13,000 rpm. Thankfully, it’s never as demanding and doesn’t require a manic riding style as some other sport bikes do.

The F3 is quick and flexible which is so easy to adapt to, be it city roads or a track. The Marzocchi front and Sachs rear suspension are well damped, precise and soaks up pretty much every road undulation. Although the setup is on the firm side,

the MV doesn’t have the usual harshness of many supersports that can rattle your spine. It takes on city roads with as much poise as it would a racetrack.

The front 43-mm forks have been perfectly tuned to deal with the fierce power of the Brembo front brakes. At the end of a fast straight, a light tap on the brake lever makes the MV bury its nose in the tarmac, shedding speed quickly and still being composed for the corner. Stability was never a concern during my short stint astride this bike. It’s always reassuring that the bike would stick to the chosen line and can be swept back and flipped into the following corner. And the fabulous grip offered by the Super Corsa tyres has a crucial part to play in generating this confidence.

However, always bear in mind that this is a racy, sharp tool which doesn’t reciprocate well with clumsy moves. It’s a bike honed to perfection for speed; so you had better know what you’re doing else you might end up in a tricky situation before you know it. And that’s the reason the F3 comes with eight-level traction control system and ABS.

It’s a bike you start to like right from the word go. However, at Rs 19.93 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) the MV Agusta F3 800 won’t appeal to the practical mind and number crunchers might consider the much more affordable Triumph Daytona 675 or the exotic Ducati Panigale 959 which is also a couple of lakhs cheaper. The MV Agusta makes you feel special and it has to be an emotional decision and an impulsive purchase.