First Look: MV Agusta F4 RC and F3 RC

Behold! The MV Agusta F4 RC and F3 RC—standing for Reparto Corse, which suggests these bikes are straight from MV's race shop. There will only be 250 of the F4 version produced, and 350 of the F3, making them even more exclusive than they are Italian (and that's a lot). Decked out with World Superbike and World SuperSport liveries, respectively, the RCs definitely look the part.

The F4 RC wears the number 37, proudly displaying the number of world championship titles MV Agusta has earned. Cynics might point out that it’s been a decade or three since MV hoisted a world title, but hey, 37 is 37. More to the point, the F4 RC comes fitted with top-spec Öhlins suspension—the familiar combo of a TTX36 shock and NIX30 fork. Upon delivery you’ll also receive a “classic wooden box” full of track-only goodies like an SC-Project titanium exhaust and accompanying ECU, single seat, machined aluminum mirror plates and fuel cap, and a carbon-fiber exhaust shroud to keep the race pipe from sterilizing the rider with heat. The F4 RC in road trim will produce 205 horsepower at the crank, says MV Agusta, and with the race kit installed will stomp out 212 ponies: a spicy claim.

The F3 RC will come in two sizes, 675 or 800, mimicking the road lineup. In addition to the race graphics (modelled after the bikes ridden by Jules Cluzel and Lorenzo Zanetti in WSS) the F3 RCs will also come with a special batch of accessories: A license-plate holder and single seat, as well as a rear stand, and a cover which, “protects the elegance of this three-cylinder masterpiece.” Indeed!

How much for these ultra-exclusive Italian steeds? To quote J.P. Morgan, “if you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.” Expect around $40,000 for the F4, a little less for the F3 675 and 800.