MV-AGUSTA F4 1000RC (2015 - 2020) Review

Built as the basis for MV’s factory WSB racer, only 250 ‘homologation special’ F4 RCs have been built. Based on the Italian firm’s top-spec F4 RR, the F4 RC (Italian for racing department) costs £11,000 more, makes an extra 11bhp and weighs 15kg less with the supplied track-only race kit fitted. 

It’s the best F4 MV have ever produced, but not as easy to manage as best European and Japanese superbikes. But it rewards the more experienced and there’s no denying it’s one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made. 

As you’d expect, the F4 RC comes with fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension, but it’s not electronically-adjustable like the F4 RR’s (electronic suspension isn’t as good for dedicated track work) It also comes with top-spec Brembos and lightweight, forged aluminium wheels.

Liberal use of magnesium alloy for parts like the engine and cylinder head covers, bucket-loads of titanium bolts and a titanium race exhaust all help the F4 RC shed 15kg. Claimed dry weight is 175kg. 

It might look pretty, but the F4 RC is an angry little so-and-so on the track. You’re perched precariously on top it and to begin with the riding position, and everything else, is a shock to the system. It doesn’t glide serenely through corners like some of its rivals - it’s more like a fist-fight on the MV. But learn to relax and ride it with your finger tips and you unlock the key to the RC’s performance and soon discover it’s beautifully stable at full lean, changes direction with the best of them and has fearsome brakes.  

With a lighter, stronger crankshaft, pistons, springs and valves and a ported cylinder head, MV has managed to squeeze a claimed 212bhp from the F4’s blueprinted, inline four-cylinder 998cc motor (205bhp without the supplied race kit exhaust and ECU). There’s no question the RC is powerful and its acceleration brutal. It also has excellent engine braking control, anti-wheelie, traction control, quickshifter and auto-blipper. But the throttle is too light and sensitive, so it’s hard to be smooth, especially through bumpy corners where it’s hard to keep a constant throttle. 

Build quality is faultless and this is a work of art as much as a functioning motorcycle. MV reliability is improving all the time. It’s no Honda, but you shouldn't experience major problems. 

It’s twice as expensive as the best of its rivals, like the RSV4, R1 and S1000RR, but exclusivity is guaranteed and it’s equipped with the best of the best components. 

A race kit is included in the price, which boosts power from 205bhp to 212bhp and brings weight down from 183kg to 175kg. It includes a full titanium Termignoni exhaust system (responsible for most of the power gain and weight loss), a race ECU, carbon fibre rear seat cowl, quick-release fuel cap, mirror infil caps, bike cover and a certificate. It’s dripping in titanium, magnesium, aluminium and comes with Ohlins, Brembos, Pirelli Super Corsas and electronic rider aids.