MV Agusta F4 review, test ride

But, as we chanced upon an open stretch and as the rev needle got past 4,000rpm, things started to get properly smile-inducing. A hard twist on the go-faster bar resulted in a hardening of the exhaust note and worryingly fast acceleration. But, the highlight was the sound. Never has a connection between a motorcycle’s character and an Italian V10 or V12 been so direct. Suddenly, you could see the theatricality of the MV, the fine mechanical buzz through the 'bars, the intake snarl, the burble from the exhaust chamber under you every time you rolled off, and the God-awesome roar from the engine every time you really opened the gas was an Italian flavour that I had only experienced on four wheels till now. Some of this character can probably be attributed to the radial valve setup adopted from Ferrari’s F1 engine. Maybe. Grinning madly, I rolled off the gas, as I tried to piece together the way the electronics worked. Clearly, the electronics cap engine response for low-speed trundling but opens the taps as you get more adventurous. The traction control though remained active in its most aggressive state. Thankfully.

Once properly out of the city, it was time to change to the Normal mode. A few quick stabs at the engine starter button got the required mode even while riding around. Nice! At, the next opportunity, it was time to gas it. And, whoops. Within a few metres of rocketing ahead, the front wheel decides to get airborne on a sopping wet road! Being wheelie nervous, I chopped power immediately! Clearly, there was a lot more to learn. And, as we got to our shoot location, we had plenty more rain to contend with. But, as I rode up and down, it became clear that the electronics were on top of the torrid conditions. On the less soaked roads, the opportunity to use full gas, however briefly, was jumped at. Small patches of standing water would send the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa’s slithering helplessly every now and then, but the electronics would chop power quickly to keep things safe.

Gassing the F4 suggests a certain rawness of the power delivery. The power doesn’t just come on, it erupts. And, it seems to come in torrents. While the first step at 4,000rpm is easy to adapt to, but there are crests that tickle you, until power delivery softens slightly as you head to 10,000rpm. But, from there on as the variable intake trumpets readjust to let the engine breathe better, the run to 14,000rpm is searingly quick. And with electronically assisted upshifts, the temptation to make gear changes without rolling off the gas was too much to pass up. When asked, the smooth six-speed gearbox would shift up with only the slightest pause in the howl form the exhaust. Notably, the F4 also offers clutchless downshifts! And, these aspects are sure to make the F4 quite a hoot on the track. But, even ridden at a pace far below nine-tenths, the MV Agusta F4 felt absolutely enjoyable. The promise of angry power, accompanied by a guttural roar and a haunting howl make it a motorcycle that is thoroughly entertaining off the track too.