2004 Mv Agusta F4 1000S Front Left View

MV Agusta F4 1000 S Motorcycle Exclusive Ride

Front Left View
Claudio Castiglioni on Tamburini's Trophy BikeCastiglioni poses with Tamburini's latest lust object, the F4 1000 S. We had a couple of questions.

With the F4 1000 S almost unchanged aesthetically from its now defunct 750 S predecessor, wasn't it time to freshen its styling?
"We always intended the styling of the MV F4 to remain essentially unchanged even in 1000cc form because we believe this is a timeless work of art [that] will be as desirable 10 years from now as the day it was launched—just like the previous model Tamburini created for me, the Ducati 916. When you have a beautiful bike like either of these, you need to understand that you must evolve it, not throw it away and try to do something better, because you won't succeed.
"Look at Porsche. After years of manufacturing the legendary 911, it came up with the 928, which it intended to replace the 911, simply [because] it was 'different' and 'modern.' Eventually it had to pull the 911 out again, then develop it into the best-selling form it's in today, 30 years after its birth. We have no intention of making the mistake Ducati has by creating the 999 instead of evolving the 916, which is a landmark design in motorcycle history. It's a big mistake. We're the ones who will benefit, so I suppose I should thank them! But look why they've done it: The 999 has been built the way it is primarily with the intention of saving costs. But for this kind of motorcycle, which represents the dream of so many enthusiasts to own, small savings should not come into it. We're producing two-wheeled works of art at a price [that] allows customers to buy them in significant numbers, and enjoy their performance. That permits us enough profit to stay in business and continue developing them. So that's why the F4 Mille has the same styling as the F4, but with subtle changes representing an 'evoluzione' of the existing model. It's the only proper route."

Will the new F4 become a volume production model, or a handbuilt limited-edition luxury bike?
"We'll produce a maximum of 7000 MV Agustas in any one year, split between F4 and Brutale models, depending on demand. I know the market is hungry for more, but there's a physical limit to how many we can produce. We also don't want to produce more. Look, Ferrari understands it must never increase production beyond a certain point, must never entirely satisfy demand. If any motorcycle company can claim to be the Ferrari of the motorcycle world, rather than the Alfa Romeo or the Maserati, then it could only be MV Agusta. But I won't make that claim yet. Manufacturing only a limited number of bikes each year, as we are now doing, is what stimulates the high level of inherent quality and the sophisticated technology of our products. Variable induction, radial valves, let alone Tamburini's unique styling and leading-edge chassis design...all these differentiate our products from those made in Japan. By limiting production, we can deliver the finest quality as well as high technology. That is what makes our motorcycles so desirable." View Related Article