Sex on Wheels

There are some who believe that beauty is more than skin deep, that what's on the inside is most important.

After looking at the new MV Agusta F4, that's a load of rubbish.

MV subtly restyled the F4 for 2011, giving the bike a leaner, more aggressive look.  The nose is pointier and the fairing has a more chopped and sloped look to it.  The fairing also has a few more holes cut into it, looking like someone took an axe to it.  F4s of old looked a bit slabbed-sided, as the fairing sides were flat areas with nothing really going on to break them up.  Taking up residence under the new pointy nose are larger split ducts that make the bike look like a hungry cyclops ready to tear your head off.  And I mean that in a good way.

A few things remain from the previous F4, too.  The single diamond-shaped headlight remains, though it's subtly restyled enough for the new nose.  Also remaining are the gorgeous five-spoke wheels and single-sided swing arm, though this swing arm is all-new and weighs a scant 11 lbs.  The F4's trademark quad exhaust is also back and restyled with square exhaust tips.  Apparently MV didn't get the memo saying under seat is exhaust is passe on new superbikes.  The silencer housing the quad tips is literally right under your butt, guaranteeing to warm it faster than a jalapeno and habanero sandwich.

Under all the gorgeous styling is some serious superbike power.  One hundred ninety-five horsepower finds its way to the Earth through a six-speed gearbox and a rear wheel modulated with advanced traction control.  Two injectors per cylinder work through MV's new Torque Shift System, a variable intake system.  Titanium valves reside in a new cylinder head. 

The chassis has all the trappings of a modern superbike: big Monoblock Brembos, steep steering angle and as many lightweight parts as possible.  Even the front axle was redesigned to be as light as possible.

But enough about what you can't see, let's talk about what you can.

Man, this bike is just gorgeous.  I didn't think MV would be able to top the F4 312RR Edizione Finale but they've topped it in spades.  The new aggressive look works, making the bike look fierce and ready for high-speed combat on racetracks everywhere.  The F4 is a piece of rolling art, not looking out of place at Road America, at a high-class restaurant or at the Guggenheim.

When describing the new F4, calling it sex on wheels would be an understatement.  I think it's the best-looking motorcycle you can buy today.  Sure you can get the same features, speed and specs for cheaper but you don't get the exclusivity and gorgeous styling of the MV.  When you have that combination, there are no substitutes.

I thought it would be hard, almost impossible, to improve on a classic like the previous F4 but MV did it.  They've improved on the Mona Lisa.

If motorcycles were rated like adult films, the F4 would be X to the 10th power.  Only the Italians would be able to combine the pure sex of the F4 with serious power and cutting-edge tech.