2012 MV Agusta F3 675 | First Look

The Most Sophisticated Middleweight Ever

By Aaron Frank | Photography by MV Agusta

Perhaps the only bike that could take the shine off Ducati's stunning 1199 Panigale is MV Agusta's equally desirable F3 675, also revealed in full production detail at the 2011 Milan Show. Like the 1199, the F3 breaks new technological ground with the first comprehensive traction-control system fitted to a middleweight supersport. MV Agusta's electronics package combines ride-by-wire throttle control, four preset power modes and eight-level-adjustable traction control-plus optional launch and wheelie control-to bring an unprecedented level of safety and sophistication to this category.

It'll need it, too. The 675cc inline-triple, with its counter-rotating crankshaft, reportedly makes 126 bhp at a stratospheric 15,000 rpm-imagine how good that will sound exiting that tri-tip exhaust! The chassis-MV's usual combination of cast-aluminum and steel-trellis components-is functionally and stylistically on par with the rest of the bike. It was Claudio Castiglioni's last wish before his death late last year that the F3 reach production. It's wonderful to see the company make his dream a reality. This bike looks too good to die on the vine.