MV Agusta F3 800 ridden!

Updated: 20 November 2014

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MV Agusta’s brand new £11,499 F3 800 is currently being put through its paces at Misano in Italy by MCN Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves. Here are his first impressions:

“The new machine is basically the same as the F3 675, but has a longer stroke engine, a claimed145bhp at the crank and tweaked suspension damping and spring rates.

“I’ve done a few sessions now and the F3 800 keeps all the good bits of the F3 675. The handling is superb and the steering super-sharp. We’re on race compound Super Corsa SC1s so it’s possible to push really hard in the turns and carry lots of corner speed. The brakes, slipper clutch and traction control all work superbly well, too

“The extra capacity fills the hole in the 675’s midrange, so it’s easy to carry momentum and it’ll make for a better road bike, too.

“The ride by wire throttle response is improved, but the throttle tube itself is too light and has almost no resistance, so you feel a bit remote from what’s going on. But if this was your bike you’d soon get used to it.

“The harder you ride this bike, the further you realise you are from its limit. It’s a serious bit of kit, huge fun, fast, easy to ride and could quite easily be the spiritual successor to the legendary Suzuki GSX-R750, which is praise indeed.”

Read the full review and see the video soon in MCN.

By Michael Neeves

MCN Chief Road Tester - Neevesy’s been an MCN Road Tester since 2002. He’s reviewed everything from mopeds to Rossi’s Yamaha M1, and plenty in between He covers tens of thousands of miles a year on the world’s roads and racetracks in his role with MCN, and when he’s not working he’s still on two wheels, racing both modern and classic superbikes for a variety of teams. To cement his position as one of the most influential motorcycling journalists on the planet, Neevesy spent many years as an Elite Instructor at the Ron Haslam Race School, based at the famous Donington Park race circuit. He regularly presents videos on riding tips and road safety, working alongside the likes of Highways England to deliver a strong and consistent message.