#F3

Apple CarPlay and the return of the Spyder F3-S

MV Agusta has undergone a lot of big changes the last few years, first with Russian Timur Sardarov gaining control of the brand from Giovanni Castiglioni, and more recently with KTM AG acquiring a 25.1% stake.

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released provisional regulations for the revamped World Supersport championship, including new motorcycles being added to the series as “Supersport Next Generation” models.

MV Agusta announced a new F3 Rosso model, an entry-level sportsbike with an inertial measurement unit and a Euro 5-compliant version of the company’s 798cc three-cylinder engine. Internationally, the F3 Rosso is considered a 2021 model, but we suspect it’ll come to the U.S. as a 2022 model as MV Agusta has only just recently relaunched in North America.

Bombardier Recreational Products has filed for patent designs for what appears to be a new Can-Am Spyder. The patents, at least five in all, show various aspects of the vehicle’s bodywork. They were filed on March 20 with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, but only published and fully registered today.

MV Agusta has unveiled many limited edition collaborative models recently of all kinds. It has produced the LH44 edition F4 designed in collaboration with F1 Champion, Lewis Hamilton as well as the Brutale 800RR Pirelli, a tip of the hat to the tire manufacturer following MV’s decision to use Pirelli as its sole tire supplier. MV Agusta has now released its 2018 F3 RC editions. 

I have to admit, I approached the MV Agusta F3 800 with a bit of trepidation. Despite reading our European correspondent, Tor Sagen’s, mostly glowing review of the bike from its overseas debut at Misano, I’d just finished riding MV’s Brutale 800, featuring the same basic engine, last week with a less than enthusiastic opinion. Quite frankly, I was expecting the fully-clothed F3 800 would exhibit the same issues that turned me off on the Brutale. Unpredictable throttle response, two-stroke-like power delivery, and an attitude that demands the rider’s full attention 100% of the time were big turn-offs for me.

It’s no secret, when it comes to low-RPM fueling MV Agusta’s been literally stumbling over itself. The company’s premiere F4 and F4 RR models have also been berated for throttle lag and intrusive traction control. All unacceptable characteristics of an ill-programmed ECU on an exotic motorcycle commanding a lavish ownership fee.