Description
Update 12/4: A keen eyed member of the Iconic community pointed out that the wheels are forged aluminum and not magnesium as stated previously. The seller has confirmed this.
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
The MV Agusta Company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo, Mario and Corrado. Count Vincenzo Agusta together with his brother Domenico formed MV Agusta at the end of the Second World War as a means of saving the jobs of employees of the Agusta firm and also to fill the post-war need for cheap, efficient transportation. The brothers had a passion for mechanical workings and for motorcycle racing. Much like Enzo Ferrari, they produced and sold motorcycles almost exclusively to fund their racing efforts.
It’s one of the grand old nameplates in motorcycling, MV Agusta, steeped in racing tradition. From its inception to 1976, the company would win some 270 Grand Prix roadraces and take home 37 world titles. Some of the greatest talent ever to race on two wheels: John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read all rode Count Domenico Agusta’s wailing race-bikes.
Unfortunately, the company didn’t survive to the 1980s. But saving it from complete extinction came the Castiglioni brothers, owners of Cagiva, who had already saved Ducati from the throes of bankruptcy, and now they turned their attention to bringing MV back to life. And what a resurrection! Designed by Massimo Tamburini, father of the seminal Ducati 916, the 1999 MV Agusta F4 was a high-revving 750cc four-cylinder, painted red and silver just like the Count’s old racer winners, and with a trademark quad array of high-mounted exhaust tips. In 2005 an engineering redesign ushered in the F4 1000, giving the company an ultra-competitive player in the liter-class sport-bike wars.
While the F4 is special, this is the F4 RC (Reparto Corse), an upgraded version intended to be used as a basis for World Superbike competition. Just 100 of the WSBK Homologation version were produced; they were significantly changed from the standard F4 and the F4 RR in order to reduce weight by more than 15 pounds. All the engine covers are manufactured from magnesium, and titanium hardware is used throughout. The pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft have all been redesigned for lighter weight and this is the basis for what MV Agusta competed with in WSBK in 2018.
The radial-valve engine is hand-assembled, and features new intake and exhaust ports. Maximum power in stock trim is 205 horsepower at 13,450 rpm. The RC’s electronics package features MV’s MVICS 2.0 system and an Eldor ECU with ride-by-wire throttle. Throttle sensitivity, maximum torque, engine braking, engine response and the rev limiter can all be adjusted. The 8-level traction control system takes its cue from an inertial platform that has a lean angle sensor, three gyroscopes and three accelerometers, and also takes data from the bike’s ABS rings.
On the chassis side, dimensions are similar to the RR model, but the chromoly section of the RC’s frame is tig welded by hand and the swing-arm pivot is now adjustable. Suspension components include a TiN-coated Ohlins NIX 30 fork and an Ohlins TTX 36 shock (without the RR’s electronic adjustability), and the wheels are forged aluminium. Brembo M50 monoblock calipers work on 320mm discs, and ABS is provided by a Bosch 9-plus Race unit with rear wheel lift-up mitigation.
Carbon fiber is used for the side panels, lower fairing, fenders, chain guards, airbox lid and intake covers. All this, and more, swathed in the seductive streamlined carbon fiber fairing is one of the most powerful, fastest and hardest-hitting F4s ever. Built to race and weave around Superbike racetracks, igniting the dreams of even the most demanding enthusiasts.
This example is VIN: ZGTMCFTW5KV007791. The seller purchased the bike three years ago and states, “When I was CEO of MV Agusta USA this bike was in the warehouse and I realized it was the last ever F4 imported to the USA. As a long time track day enthusiast, WorldSBK and MotoGP racing fan, I knew I had to have this bike. It is an absolutely amazing bike on and off track. I worked out a deal with the owners of MV Agusta to complete the purchase. I pretended to be Leon Camier at a few track days but now I don’t have much time to ride and have 2 other track bikes that need to be retooled.” The seller notes that six of these were imported to the US and five complete bikes are known to remain.
It is number 56 of 100.
The odometer shows 652 miles. “The race kit was previously installed and about 400 of the miles were on-track, primarily used for marketing purposes at dealer sponsored track days at various tracks across the USA.”
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “The bike is currently in Saint Anthony, ID, at Ken Pieschke’s garage where it has undergone its first service by the former Technical Director of MV USA. Faulty fuel pump replaced with a brand new OEM unit. New lithium ion battery has been installed.”
Ken has provided the following detailed service report of work performed:
Modifications:
The seller states, “It is 100% stock as received from MV Agusta SpA. The carbon rear seat cover and racing fuel cap have been installed from the factory supplied racing kit.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop slicks with date codes of 0619 and 4919.
The sale includes two keys, the factory race kit, user documents, the factory provided accessory kit, and an aluminum MV Agusta Reparto Corse rear wheel stand.
11/30 Update: The seller is also including a display carpet and a set of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3s from 2020.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Saint Anthony, Idaho, this MV Agusta is offered on a MSO only (with the signature of the CEO and current owner certifying the import of the never registered bike). Have any F4 RC stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
