Heed 505

Tim B -No Thanks, MV January 5, 2010 12:12 AM
I know I'm one of the few, but I thought the F4 was awkward looking when it was released. Some of it's styling I like, but most of it isn't special nor good looking to me. These days it looks outdated ontop of being awkward. MV needs to come up with another design. It's well overdue. I don't know why people allow MV to rest on a design that is well over 10 years old. If any other company did this they'd be torn to shreds. This photo reminds me a lot of the F4, but hopefully they are running current bodywork instead of what's to come.

And an inline 3? No thanks. Triumph did it and it's probably the worst sounding motorcycle engine available. The F4 was known for it's exotic and heavenly exhaust note from its inline 4 so to screw that up would be a huge mistake.

Babnly -Superlight January 4, 2010 06:11 PM
Superlight I do get it. I never said MV was or should try to out value the Japanese. With a different engine the moto press and others won’t be able to pin a value on it based on its competition. Radial valves, so what. How does that feature enhance the pleasure of the ride and ownership, especially if the valve train still gets the same results in rwhp and powerband. Variable intakes, Yamaha and some others already have this technology. Some people will still buy this bike but not enough because otherwise MV wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now.

I think it is great that there is a high end sportbike maker; heaven knows there are enough high end cruisers. But motorcycle companies don’t stay in business based on the beauty and detail of their bikes or engineering features that don’t provide a clear, tangible and satisfying benefit, especially sportbikes. What would be wrong with an inline 5 or inline 6? If MV is going to go through the trouble in designing a new bike and engine why not make it original or at least different. If I had to guess MV settled upon the inline 3 because of the huge success Triumph had with their triple. But Triumph had two major factors in their corner value and uniqueness. MV does not and should not compete for value but a distinctive engine design is imperative if they want to survive and grow.

The point I’m making isn’t really all my opinion; it’s based on observation of motor companies that had or have success. The big four are the only ones who can really copy each other with relative success for obvious reasons. All the other makes have unique engine designs that differentiate themselves form their competitors. The Japanese have copied some of these designs with mixed results but the big four can afford to do this MV can not. It would serve MV best to have designed something different. There will always be customers who will pay more for bikes like the MV but even more customers will pay more for a bike like an MV with a unique trademark like engine design.

JJ -MV & HD January 4, 2010 02:44 PM
It’s hard to think that in some convoluted way Harley’s poor business decisions may negatively impact the possibility of a new high end middleweight Italian sportbike. It’s hard to accept now just imagine thinking up this scenario 18 months ago. Why couldn’t Harley have just bought Indian instead.

Babnly -Superlight January 4, 2010 12:04 PM
The MV in the photo isn’t, IMO, beautiful or unique looking. Perhaps it’s because it is a pre-production test mule. Either way the current T675 is really good looking and even if MV uses the same styling as the F4 that styling, as beautiful as it is, is outdated and no longer has the visual “snap” it had 11 yrs. ago. MV provides a high-end inline four liter bike but the market has shown that buyers shop for value. The middle weight market is even more value orientated. I think it is a good idea MV is moving into a different market but as Triumph learned the hard way being original in this segment is the way to go. With this approach your bike will only be judged based on its merits and not its short comings compared to the competition. The 675 is a really good bike so every thing the MV does will have to be better than the 675 and there will always be the price factor. Other than putting name brand components (Brembo, Ohlines, Marchesini) and some engineering subtleties, what real differences will there be? The MV F41000 does not out perform any of the current liter bikes. Granted the attention to detail is much greater with the MV but so is the price so you aren’t really getting more you are just paying more. With a unique design MV could bypass people like me and my arguments, establish a strong selling point other than superior fit and finish, and be judged on all its strong points and innovation. This approach was a grand slam for Triumph and has served Ducati well also.

Babnly -MV January 4, 2010 09:37 AM
“but rumor has it that the bike will be powered by a 675cc Inline-Three engine just like the Triumph Daytona 675”.Well that sounds original. The T675 is a success because it is a good bike and because it is unique and somewhat original or different from what other OEMs are offering. Coping this design or concept won’t be as successful especially so when considering MV will charge 3x as much $cashiesh$. Aprilia went the right way with the V-4, Yamaha with the Cross plane and Triumph with the 675. Maybe an inline 5 with 525cc or a V-3 would create more interest for MV.