my MV Augusta rant - April '10

[On2wheels]

I was excited (as usual) when I saw the April issue in my mailbox, and especially because the rear end of the MV on the front cover. Adding to my pleasure were the words "Italian Beauty...most beautiful bike on the planet".

So when I got around to reading it, I made sure I read the editorial and letters first before skipping right to the MV article. When I finally did get there I was happy because I knew I'd see some nice photos, the first page of it had a semi-revealing shot of it rounding a corner, not bad but I knew there was more to the story and more pics no doubt. Honestly, I was dissapointed, and I'd like to know if anyone else feels this way. There were no full on side views, or any that really showed why it's 'world's most beautiful'. Am I being too picky here?

[Infinite Horizons]

I'd like to know if anyone else feels this way.

Actually, after about 20 kms on one, I didn't feel a thing and was more than happy to get off and back onto my own bike.

Three-dimensional art fit to display in the living room during the winter months...absolutely. Comfortable...no.

Here is a pic of the 750 F4 that I got to ride...yummy!
http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Other-Stuff/Odds-n-Ends/MV-Agusta-F4/187853971_gCYiM-M.jpg

And another pic (http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Other-Stuff/Odds-n-Ends/Topless-MV/187852838_LYAjj-L.jpg) not fit to display in our uptight society.

[Ivor biggin]

Am I being too picky here?

Yes, but I understand. Why don`t you do as I do and just have a cheap shot at Neil every time that you fell like it. It will make you feel better and he can take it. Lets be fair here someone would have to get one hell of shellacking before before quitting his job.
I really enjoyed the report on the F4 and found that the history of the company along with Neils impressions of the bike to be more fitting than just a load of technical data. I doubt if many will buy an M.V. because of the numbers.
Oh, and I suppose that everyone here has heard of two time world champion Gary Hocking.:rolleyes:
I.B.

[Battleax]

snip

There were no full on side views, or any that really showed why it's 'world's most beautiful'. Am I being too picky here?

That's the first thing I noticed

[yzf1000jon]

They showed some minimal changes made to the bike, most notably the new square pipe ends. Otherwise it's very similar to the previous model.

[Rocking Couple]

"And another pic not fit to display in our uptight society."

I was never so glad to have clicked on a link in my life! Those are the most perfect sized breasts I have ever seen. Perfect in every single way. And the forward stance has them looking just so.
Yum.
Thanks for posting it.

[Infinite Horizons]

"And another pic not fit to display in our uptight society."

I was never so glad to have clicked on a link in my life! Those are the most perfect sized breasts I have ever seen. Perfect in every single way. And the forward stance has them looking just so.
Yum.
Thanks for posting it.

Nice artwork photography! Amazingly, some would see that type of photography as porn...and I feel for those sorry people.

In Germany I passed a giant billboard alongside a city street. It was an advertisement for yogurt. It showed a naked lady in fine physical shape lying on her side spooning away at her yogurt. Eat well and you'll be fit was the message.

Over here, that would probably be banned, not to mention cause pile-ups in our hidden behind closed door society.

How effed we are here.

[Rocking Couple]

Yup .

[Battleax]

"And another pic not fit to display in our uptight society."

I was never so glad to have clicked on a link in my life! Those are the most perfect sized breasts I have ever seen. Perfect in every single way. And the forward stance has them looking just so.
Yum.
Thanks for posting it.

Is there any particular thread where this link may be found.:confused:

[Battleax]

Actually I think Ducati's 1198, 848, and any of their sportbikes going back several years out does any MV in the beautiful department.

Speaking of beautiful, how about the Yamaha add on the back cover. The woefully undersized vest with the chains holding it together is most disturbing.

[YellowDuck]

Is there any particular thread where this link may be found.:confused:

Link is at bottom of second post in this thread.

[Kootenanny]

Here is a pic of the 750 F4 that I got to ride...yummy!
http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Other-Stuff/Odds-n-Ends/MV-Agusta-F4/187853971_gCYiM-M.jpg
Hah! According to Neil, that one is "dated" and a bit sloppy (the fairing is apparently "one shirt size too large.") No, I didn't think so either...

[Infinite Horizons]

Hah! According to Neil, that one is "dated"...

What would Neil know about motorcycles. :rolleyes:

Which is why I pretty well put zero weight in any reviews by any magazine; one person's opinion of how many on this planet. I never bought a bike based on any review or other person's opinion.

[jimo]

I agree. Most of the time I find the photos posted in magazines to be lacking. They always try to get a bizarre angle on the racetrack and you cant hardly see the bike. Also, they will use a photo on the cover or index page and then just use the same picture in the article, it's not like film today is expensive! I do like the shots from above though, looks like you could slid right into it.

[LAVERDA]

Here's a Good Side Shot:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4679598445_b6645cc41d.jpg
No Frame - Must have been out of Focus :o)

[yzf1000jon]

Technically superior and awe inspiring, can be interchangeable with beautiful. But not traditionally. Just imagine what he could have done with more time...

[LAVERDA]

I remember the 90's and saw him race on the Tube. Needless to say, it was awesome as he blew by everything on the course Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha Factory Racers. He was one individual against ALL ODD's. After that I found his work Online. It's so very Sad that someone with so much talent was lost so young. Not only was John Brettin a Brilliant Engineer, he was also a Builder and Racer.

PS: My intent is not to Hi-Jack but as yzfJON1000 points out I wanted to compare Traditional Beauty of the MV Augusta to Concept Design which can be Beauty in Pure Simplicity; as were the Laverda Twins, of the late 60`s.

After some 40 years on the Road, my 750SF is still competitive on HWY`s. Because of Beauty in Simplicity and built with Quality, the Laverda Twins will survive the Test of Time and be regarded as one the worlds most desired rides among bikers (Excuse me "MOTORCYCLISTS ;o).

[Rocking Couple]

Should I or shouldn't I?

Remind you that as sweet and genuine and mostly original as your 750 is, it also has the stock drum brakes front and rear, and while the fr bears double actuators, it is still very much an underbraked bike by standards set even 20 years ago.
Although to be fair, I am making an assumption formulated by having ridden other like-braked bikes. I still have not actually ridden your bike of course but I still feel pretty confident that even though it might have very impressive handling abilities in almost all other ways, and even no shortage of power, I still feel the brakes are what would keep it from competing realistically with any modern bike in a truly sporting mode.

No offense intended Laverda. Just my opinion.

[LAVERDA]

Should I or shouldn't I? You should have Posted this in my Thread here http://www.passionperformance.ca/community/forum/showthread.php?t=1079 ; but I'll answer you and add some Enticing Photo's to compare the MV Agusta F4 and keep my post inline with the topic of this Thread.

Rocking Couple: You state that you have never ridden a Laverda with the SF Brake System so I will say – Be careful what you assume ;o)

So as not to take my words sake, here's a Quote from Source Cycle 1973 on the 1000 3C that used the identical BREV Laverda SF (meaning, Super Freni, or 'Super Brakes) Dual Leading Shoe Drum Brake as the 72 SFC and SF which weigh considerably less then the 3C
The bike's brakes is that they work extremely well. A finer touch is needed to hold the front brake just short of lockup than for most disc brakes, but it's nothing the average rider can't handle, and if there's any danger it will be from behind: only a very few cars, or motorcycles, will stop as quickly as the Laverda.

In all fairness I will say a well set-up, 8-leading shoe, drum brake offer less outright stopping power than the BEST Disc brake system and tend to fade after repeated use but I've personally never had the SF Laverda BREV Drum Brake System indicate fade on my 750 during a race session taking KZ1000's with Disc Brakes passing them 3 at a time on the inside or outside in a corner. Both disc and pad materials have come a long way since the 70's; but believe it or not after 40 years, I'm still running the original shoes and the drum linings look as if they where new.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4685773013_3bc49bf2a0.jpg
The SF Drum Brakes have about 3 times the Contact Area compared to Disc Brakes.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4685772917_b58af02e35.jpg

I've about put myself over the Bars a few times on my SF. Another good aspect of Cable activated BIG Drum SF Brakes is they have a Progressive Feel and work excellent in the rain compared to Disc Brakes when you wonder if you have any Brakes at all.

Here are 2 other interesting bikes to compare the MV Agusta F4 to: Infinite you LUCKY DOG to have ridden one ;o)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4686405146_3781978f0c.jpg
Another Australian work of engineering.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4685773277_6e82f2bd67.jpg
I don't know if this Laverda 1000SFC bike ever made it to production or if ZANE had anything to do with it. Sure looks like a Real Bike to me in this Photo.

[Ivor biggin]

..... I still feel the brakes are what would keep it from competing realistically with any modern bike in a truly sporting mode.

Firstly the brake issue RC. More than one finger on the brake lever of any modern sportbike shod with early 70`s rubber would have the front end washed out in a heartbeat. Those big TLS brakes stopped O.K. when well set up, that is untill they started to fade and fade was the big problem.
I would put my money on a Laverda SF in a race against any of the latest crop of the modern classics available in the showrooms right now.
I.B.

[Rocking Couple]

Ok...fair enough you two. I always enjoy gettin' educated.


I must say Laverda, I have enjoy your posts and presence here (even if I don't always agree with you). I like how you get right into some of the mechanical details and stuff. And your loyalty towards your (quite rare) bike is unwavering.

Fade a guy can live with on the street. As long as he has at least one good stop he can count on at speed. I am recalling more than a few old drummies tho that scared the daylights outta me. And old BMW 600 or 650? comes to mind, about a mid 60's or so? Was actually quite a sweet little bike at its topend of about 100 mph. Brakes? And shift quality? We don't need no stinkin' brakes..

IB usually has something cool to say too. Enjoyed the read of your Que trip...and you SHOULD have wheelied the big FJR outta there...the kid would have had even more to chat up his buddies to, about the old guy that came in for gas today, lol
You post pics yet?

[Ivor biggin]

..... We don't need no stinkin' brakes..


Who cares if it works or not if it looks like this.:cool:
I.B

[Rocking Couple]

Firstly the brake issue RC. More than one finger on the brake lever of any modern sportbike shod with early 70`s rubber would have the front end washed out in a heartbeat. Those big TLS brakes stopped O.K. when well set up, that is untill they started to fade and fade was the big problem.
I would put my money on a Laverda SF in a race against any of the latest crop of the modern classics available in the showrooms right now.
I.B.

1st bold - that's true slo, but no one is going to be doing that on old rubber so it's a gong argument. According to Laverda's recent posts he spends a fair amount of time with his butt up off seat in panic braking, so far be it from me now, to question the friction ability of his front brake it would seem. It also sounds like it too would wash on old rubber even back then.

2nd bold - I'll take that bet! All I need is an hour...maybe even two if I am feeling a bit off on that day, on a loaner modern classic (likely have to be a Ducati over a Triumph in order to have the power to keep up) to become familiar with it, and you're ON!!!

[Rocking Couple]

Who cares if it works or not if it looks like this.:cool:
I.B

Yes that is quite purdy.

[TimP]

Guys, just make sure Derreck get advanced notice so we can all watch the shenanigans on C.C.T.V.

[Rocking Couple]

Saw your offer of the VTR on the other thread, Tim. Thank you for your confidence, kind sir.
Since it's a VTR, I think I should be good to go with a 20 or 30 minute intro, haha So we should be able to get underway tout de suite.

Plus, that big torque helping urge me outta corners will help me make up pretty big time right there.

[TimP]

Just to keep everyone honest, I'll bring up the rear on one of my other '70's superbikes.

My red CT70 might clash with Laverda's rig, so I'll bring the blue one.