I’ve heard a rumor from my dealer that the F5 wont go on within ten years. But in replace, there will be an F4 mile in 2004, same looks they said, and will be joining the litre class in the SBK. Plus, he told me that the SPR model will only come in “NERD Black” colour scheme. Damn! I I’m expecting 5 new exciting colours for the SPR. Is this a sign that MV will turn into a small time bike fabricator? Will they make it into the MotoGP? www.mvagusta.it is still down. I can see the signs.

-- dza (dzaprojects@yahoo.co.uk), January 17, 2003

Answers

Some people call the rumored 1000 cc bike F4, others call it an F5. But for sure the factory has a prototype 1000 ready.If they will be joining world SBK all depends on an investor( Harley,TPG) who's willing to pump money in MV,and then ofcourse sell alot of MV's. Moto GP is so far away but you never know what happens in the future. The SPR is only availeble in "stealth black",nice color,but I like the red/silver color the most.Only 300 SPR's will be produced,and 500 AGO's, these bikes are painted red/silver.

-- Frans Tuin (fransjulie@zonnet.nl), January 17, 2003.

I'll try to answer what I can:

1) My local dealer did say he believes the 1000cc MV Agusta will probably be introduced in 2004. For 2003, MV is concentrating on producing the Brutales and SPRs, as well as cleaning up some financial and flood related messes.

2) In a recent articles...somewhere, it said the 1000cc MV Agusta will be referred to as the F4 Mille. That would make sense if the 1000cc version will be very similar to the 750 version. Perhaps due to their financial situation, MV may have just decided to increase engine size rather than product a whole new motorcycle (as rumors oringinaly mentioned). So, I think the F5 will actually be the next generation of the F4 and F4 Mille. Given the lifespan of the Ducati 916, it could probably be a few years. I'm not sure about 10 years...maybe 6 or 7 more years, since the F4 has been out since 1999/2000. But I guess it ultimately depends on the market and how MV's are regarded and sell in the next couple of years.

3) I did e-mail Cagiva USA about color options on the SPR (thread is a few months below), and they did respond saying the SPR will be available in Nero black only. However, remember there were some pictures of red and silver SPS in 2001/2002? Also, the all silver colors were also suppose to be for the bi-posto only. However, some red/silver bi-postos and all silver mono where running around in 2002. I think we may see a few (maybe very few) red/silver SPRs.

4) In regards, to MV being a small time bike fabricator, did you mean that MV would only be in business for a short time, or MV only makes a few bikes?

I think MV will be around for some time....the $18,000 (USD) questions is, who will own them? As for producing a small amount of motorcycles, MV has always been and hopefully always be a small volume producer. Less bikes = higher resale value. The small amount of MVs produced really helped me when my 2000 model was in an accident. Since MV's depreciation was so small, I basically got back everything I put into the bike. Less production also helps when you try to sell the bike too. My biggest concern about MV being bought out by someone like Aprilla, Piaggio, or Ducati is that they would flood the market with MVs like Texas Pacific Group flooded the market with Ducatis.

5) As for racing, considering racing costs, I don't think MV will be racing anytime soon...unless it's bought out by someone with deep pockets and a desire to see MV racing

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (agibbs996@aol.com), January 17, 2003.

Allan, agree with what you say on production numbers, I wouldn't want MV to ever produce high numbers of machines, better they stay small. I'd rather suffer a bit in relation to getting spares, than suffer when it comes to resale values.

Boy would I love to get my hands on a Red/Silver SPR!

You can keep all the other colour variations and Bipostos, to me longing for an MV was all about its racing pedigree in years gone (single seat), particularly in those traditional Red/Silver colours. Despite the problems I suffered with it, its the best feeling of ownership I've ever had with any vehicle by far. If they were on every corner that woudln't be the case.

-- dave penhale (dapper@dpenhale.freeserve.co.uk), January 21, 2003.

Is there anyone out there that would like to see MV back on the race track? YES I all hear you shout. Well ma and my partner were trying to get a team sorted last year but as normal it all fell through! But this time now there is a 1000cc machine the prospects look better and we have been asked to try again! Is there anyone out there that would like to help us? We are planning on going to British SBK 1st the take on the world boys and knock Ducati off that top slot!!! So please contact me at dnm_racing@yahoo.co.uk or call 07769-711353. I hope to hear from you all very soon. Doug

-- Douglas McLaren (dnm_racing@yahoo.co.uk), September 12, 2003.

Try to get in contact with dwight mitchel www.dm8.com or steven www.stevencasaer.com they have raced with mv's

-- hb (not@vailable.com), September 13, 2003.