Both Brembo and Ohlins unquestionably represent the ultimate in brakes and suspension. So why does MV use Nissin and Marzocchi on their F4's? I don't see Benelli throwing Tokico and Showa on their Tornados. I'm thinking it has to do with some corporate politics. Can anyone please shed some light on this?

-- Ross (ti4787@aol.com), May 14, 2003

Answers

I know what you feel Ross, imnot sure why they're not using Ohlins/ Brembo. But according to my assumption, CRC chose Nissin for the brakes because they won the bid for CRC by letting them share technology. even though, the nissin system on F4 is totally CRC and Patented by Tamburini. Picture this on a F4-brembo -- i dont think brembo wouldnt make custom brakes for MV.

Just as well as Showa/Marzocci, they are the only 2 companies who agreed to build special drop forx for MV. But i dont think MV got bad brands. Marzocchi is still Italian, Magneti Marelli fuel system on the engine,and Ohlins still has the special steering damper on the F4.

I really think this is a plus for MV. because all the components are CRC made. Unlike ducati and benelli whom are companies who just pick their components from the internet and make it their standard components.

Im really puzzled about CRC choosing Michelins as standard. Why not Pirelli? isnt it the EVO Dragon was also CRC collaborated?

MV is still the best.

dza

-- darwin zialcita (dzaprojects@yahoo.co.uk), May 14, 2003.

The whole deal has to do with politics. The same Nissing calipers that are on the MV are available in the market for other bikes. The only things that are truly proprietary on the bike are the 49/50 mm forks and the master cylinders in that respect.

Now why not just install Brembo Goldline and Ohlins components. Pure politics. One of the MV's I own has Brembo Brakes and Ohlins forks and shock. There is not even a comparison that can be made from those components to the OEM ones.

I should also mention that while Benelli does use Ohlins on their LE model, that is not the case on their standard bike. Now if you would like to spend 35K for one of those be my guest. While the Sagem fuel injection is in place that bike will just not run properly. Benelli needs to switch their fuel injection to a Marelli unit.

-- (mvracer@kcplazasportbikes.com), May 15, 2003.

We asked the Brembo rep about it a few weeks ago when they stopped by our shop before the AMA race. The reason was strictly financial.

-- martin wong (martin@motowheels.com), May 16, 2003.

What does that mean - "The reason was strictly financial."? Since it probably costs more to put Ohlins and Brembo instead of Marzocchi and Nissin, they can just increase the price of the bike to offset their costs. It's not like an extra thousand or so would matter to a buyer who can shell out $25K in the first place.

-- Ross (ti4787@aol.com), May 18, 2003.

Does it really matter? What's in a name anyway.

In the UK, the December 2002 issue of Superbike magazine had a 3-way test of 'Italian Exotica', namely an MV Senna (Marzocchi front, Sachs rear), a Ducati 998R (Ohlins front and rear), and a Benelli Tornado (Ohlins front and rear).

The verdict on the handling? To quote from the article - 'The MV Senna isn't only the best handling bike in this test by a wide margin, it's also the best handling road bike ever.........These are the ultimate and the MV F4 Senna is the new benchmark'. There was more than one rider doing the test, and they all agreed on this.

As for the brakes - both the Ducati and Benelli rated 98% for the brakes (both Brembos)and the MV rated 99% (Nissin). Here's what they had to say about the MV brakes after discussing the big retardation of the Benelli's Brembos - 'It would be a total retard, however, that tried to outbrake the MV.......The first tug (on the warm up lap) is somewhat ineffectual but the second pull may as well be on the ripcord of a parachute. The forks squat but there's none of the Benelli's Wall St stockbroker fourth floor diving or the 998R's reluctance to turn in under braking'.

Some other quotes from a lap of Brands Hatch - 'Seconds later it delivers you at Druids in complete composure despite the Nissins hauling your speed down so hard you can hear the revs fluctuate as the back wheel leaves the floor. The apex was never so easily hit...', and ...'Waiting at the bottom is Graham Hill bend with its tricky late and off-camber entry. But the MV sticks like a limpet, generating grip where other bikes scrub it away. You grin not only from the speed buzz but also from the deep elation of riding something that feels so damn right'.

In the conclusion, it goes on to say - 'All of which leaves the MV F4 Senna at the pinnacle of modern superbiking.........To ride a Senna is to experience a euphoria unobtainable to riders of common machines'.

Incidentally, in the June 2001 issue of the same magazine, another (4 bike) comparison test included a version of a standard F4S, that had been modified by a well known dealer who were selling it as their own expensive special edition. Most of the modifications were cosmetic, but it had been given Ohlins front and rear. One of the comments from that test went as follows - 'Sadly six extra big ones get you a lot more shiny bits and bu**er all else. Roasted dragons didn't help the track performance and, unusually, nor did the Ohlins suspension. The standard Showa kit is superb and developed with the bike by Tamburini, arguably the world's best designer. You can't top that by slapping on ready-to-wear trick bits, even Ohlins........Such a shame because a standard F4S is utterly brilliant'.

So who needs Brembo's and Ohlins anyway?

-- John Billett (john.billett@totalise.co.uk), May 21, 2003.