2017 MV Agusta F3 800

2017 MV Agusta F3 800

More power, more torque, more adrenaline. The outcome? A motorcycle with exceptional handling, an advanced electronics package and a new 800 cc engine that punches out 148 hp and 88 Nm of torque. Coupled with a super-low weight of 173 kg, the resulting power-to-weight ratio puts it in a position to do battle with litre-class Sportbikes.

The MV Agusta F3 675 redefined the mid-weight Supersport concept by offering up a perfect engine-chassis balance, a power unit packed with quintessential Italian technology and a chassis with class-leading performance on both road and track. The MV Agusta F3 800 goes even further, pushing the mid-range Supersport boundaries all the way up to Superbike replica level thanks to a segment-revolutionising design that is nothing less than a technological and performance milestone.

• Engine

Bore diameter remains unaltered at 79.0 mm, while the stroke has been increased from 45.9 mm to 54.3 mm, boosting displacement from 675 cc to 798 cc. Power output reaches a stunning 148 hp at 13,000 rpm, with the peak torque of 88 Nm arriving at 10,600 rpm. The rev limiter has been set to kick in at 13,500 rpm. A double overhead cam timing system with four titanium valves per cylinder gives awesome performance, especially at high revs. Improvements have also been made to the fuel injectors, which ensure higher flow rates than those on the F3 675.

• Electronics

The 3-cylinder MV Agusta project features the most advanced electronics package ever seen in the mid-weight category, with the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) platform combining fully electronic control of throttle and throttle body with traction control.

At the technological heart of the MVICS platform lies the Full Ride By Wire system: moment by moment, this defines the ideal throttle body aperture independently of the angular rotation of the twist grip. There is, in fact, no rigid mechanical linkage between throttle and butterfly: the optimum fuel-air mix is, instead, defined by injection-ignition mapping, giving best-ever performance at all times and under all load conditions.

• Chassis

The same excellence that made its smaller sister bike so successful is, of course, an essential part of the MV Agusta F3 800. For a start, the wheelbase is a mere 1,380 mm, a record-breaking measurement that forms the foundation of this three-cylinder bike’s exceptional handling. The frame is the result of a clever combination of a main ALS tubular steel structure, a mid-section consisting of cast aluminium side plates and an extended swingarm (576.5 mm) designed to maximise traction.

A sophisticated 43 mm Marzocchi front fork - with 125 mm of travel, adjustable spring preload and compression and rebound adjustment – features dedicated settings that let the rider wring every last drop of excitement from the higher-performance 800 cc engine.

The Sachs monoshock provides 123 mm of travel, has a separate piggyback nitrogen reservoir and is fully adjustable in spring preload, compression and rebound. The braking system has been upgraded as well and mounts Brembo monobloc (M4.34a) front calipers to ensure incomparable stopping power even under the most demanding track conditions.

The diameter of the two front discs remains unaltered (320 mm) and the rear brake system retains the two-piston caliper mated to a single 220 mm diameter disc. The F3 800 mounts Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres as standard; 120/70-ZR17 at the front and 180/55-ZR17 at the rear.