I am trying to deside which bike to get. My options are:

1. Mv Agusta F4 2. Ducati 996 3. Aprilia Mille

I have searched high and low for information that compares those bikes together.

I want a Mv Agusta F4 but is it really worth it.. I hear alot of critism about it being a 750 suzuki with a ducati body...

Please send me your thoughts about the bike as well as the others... Thanks!!!!!!!!!

-- Will (struggglin@yahoo.com), August 07, 2001

Answers

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Click above and check the articles section for magazine comparos of the 2000 F4s vs the rest.

-- mod (mvf4s@excite.com), August 08, 2001.

Here's my take as an owner of a 2001 MV Agusta F4:

The Ducati is a fine bike, but the MV is more refined, and definately more modern looking. The Duck looks good, but is a bit dated. Also, Ducati's require more maintenance when it comes to things like valves.

The Aprilia is a very good bike, performance wise. I just didn't care for the "cosmetic redesign" it got for 2001. I like a simple paint scheme, like a Ducati or an MV. Plus, I really didn't want that big of a bike (yeah, go ahead and call me crazy!)

Whoever says the MV is just a 750 Suzuki with a Ducati body is just jealous they don't own one. That's a totally bogus statement! I'll admit, in the hands of an expert racer, the 750 GSXR might be a better choice (it's lighter with a bit more power). But NOTHING beats the look of the MV, plus it's still a hell of a bike for those of us who don't race for a living. It handles better than the 996 in my opinion. I've had no problems whatsoever, and my only complaint has been the fake carbon fiber look of the front fender and keyguard. But those will soon be replaced by the real thing on mine in the next few months!

-- Brad Cowell (bcowell@cswnet.com), August 08, 2001.

I now own an MV, previous bike an RSV. RSV is a really nice bike, comfortable and stable, very fast too. I too don't like the new cosmetices but it remains a very capable machine, I guess the best buy is an RSVR. I would have no porblem with owning another. It was totally reliable and I had zero problems.

The MV looks the business. It is smoother and handles better than the RSV, the engine is a peach and I find it just as fast as the RSV. It is a lot smaller. It is much more uncomfortable at least as far as wrist ache is concerned.Mine has also been 100% reliable and so far I have had not one problem.

Which would I choose now?? Actually a hard question. I love the MV, but I oved the RSV. The MV is so wonderfully designed with all those small design touches that make it a joy to look at. On the track, or for fast riding it can't be beat. For long distance riding, it would be the RSV. In fact as more of an all rounder the Aprilia is the one to go for as it can be used for day to day riding, touring and fast track work. But for those Sunday morning blasts around your favorite roads, the MV would be the one.

So I am not much help am I. I guess the Ducati is the worst of both worlds!!!!

-- willy (ginnyoneuk@yahoo.co.uk), August 08, 2001.

Dear Will,

The question presented is akin to asking a carnivore what’s tastier: a filet mignon, a chateau briand, or sirloin tips. Furthermore, posting this question on each of the other respective discussion boards probably yielded predictable results: Duc’ers suggest the 996, Aprilla owners suggest a Mille, and MV owners suggest a moped (just kidding). With all due respect, I think in your heart you already know the answer.

In regards to performance, if you are one of the abnormally talented riders fully capable of extracting the top performance capability out of each of these machines, you are despicable, as I am terminally jealous. Aside from that, I suggest the Duc, as modifications are much more readily available to satisfy your appetite. However, if you are like the rest of us corporeal units who are jazzed just by reducing the thickness of a set of pucks on track day, I suggest you choose the bike that has the highest garage factor, the one that puts the wind in your sails every time you look at it, the one that makes you lose half your IQ every time you ride it. Again, I think you have already chosen…

If comfort is a critical quality attribute guiding your decision, I recommend a late 80’s Cadillac with spongy shocks, velour seats and a Brittany Spears cutout air freshener. Sportbikes are, as comfy as a dry two-hour proctology exam, as relayed to me by Marshall through his personal experience. (‘Sorry, Marshall, just messin’ around...). Sportbikes and comfort do not belong in the same sentence, so please disregard this one.

I too have faced the same quandary that now presents its’ face to you... I have climbed the mountain, crossed the river, spoken to the wise one, and returned fully convinced that the deity dearly known to us as Phil Read is a gift, and has been put on our dear blue planet for a greater purpose: to refine the Force (F4S).

I have spoken. (And as usual, like a tree falling in the woods / like a posting on an obscure discussion board such as this, no one has listened.)

Yours, making the sound of one hand clapping,

Mike

-- mike Meyer (mikemeyer_@hotmail.com), August 08, 2001.

The bikes I owned and drove the last years were : Suzuki RG500, Yamaha 1000 (2) Honda RC30, Ducati 888, Ducati 916. I changed my 916 for an MV F4 (1+1). And before the change I drove the Suzuki 750 of a friend for a few weeks.

For his money, the Suzuki is the best buy, but.. it has not at all the exclusivity of an MV. I have now 15 000 km on my MV and the feeling you experience driving it, seeing the other people admiring your bike is fa

-- Patrick Maes (patrick.maes@electrabel.com), August 09, 2001.

Bike Magazine (UK) August 2000 Issue has a comparo between the MV, the Ducati 996 Biposto and the Aprilia RSV Mille. They ranked the Ducati first, the MV second and the Aprilia last. However, I've read other comparisons which ranked the Mille and Mille R ahead of the Ducati. You should test ride them all if at all possible though I don't know of any dealership that will let you test ride an MV. If nothing else at least sit on the bikes and see how they fit you.

I love my MV Agusta F4S. In fact, I will be putting a deposit down on a MV Agusta F4 SPR in matte black soon. However, one thing to keep in mind if you are in the United States is MV Agusta and Aprilia have not yet fully established their network of dealerships yet so service and support are harder to find than for the Ducatis.

-- Tom (threeroundburst@hotmail.com), August 09, 2001.

Some of the bikes I owned and drove the last years were : Suzuki RG500, Yamaha 1000 (2) Honda RC30, Ducati 888, Ducati 916. I changed my 916 for an MV F4 (1+1). And before the decision I drove the Suzuki 750 of a friend for a few weeks.

For his money, the Suzuki is the best buy, but.. it has not at all the exclusivity of an MV. I have now 15 000 km on my MV and the feeling you experience driving it, seeing the other people admiring your bike, is far stronger than with the Suz or even the Duc. For exemple, I just made a tour in France for my holidays, at each stop, one or more guys come to you to admire the bike and to talk to you about MV, Agostini,etc. Also the finish of the MV is even better than the best Japanese. Conclusion : for me the MV is by far the extra money worth above any Japanese competing bike on the market to day. As to my opinion on the Duc, I agree with the statement of Brad above, When I switched from the perfect RC30 (the best Japanese bike evere built, even to day) to the Duc, It took me some time to get used to it, but once you start to know te bike, it is great driving it. I used it on track and for my every day home-work trips. Last year I had the intention to change the 916 because I had 70 000 km on the counter. I can tell you that the mainenance, even without major break downs of the Duc is incredible expensive and it was each time with a bleeding Duc heart that I paid the 10 00 km overhaul bills. I had the opportunity to ride the MV in october last year on a test day at my local dealer. I was rather disappointed as to the power of the bike and the quality of the brakes but very enthousiastic about the general feeling driving it. After a discussion with my dealer and some extra km of testing I found that the handling of the MV was by far better than the Duc. Indeed as Brad said the MV is a further evolution of the Duc. The front brakes are great if you know how to use them (the rear break is worth nothing). As to the motor, on track the engine has enough power to compete with any other bike, but you have to keep it in the revs. On the road on the other hand, I prefer the character of the Duc twin. I had a lot of difficulties to ged rid of my Duc 916, considering the amount of km and the reputation of the nam Ducati. I think that MV will sell better second hand also.

The camparison between a Suz and the MV is possible because they havae a similar character, on the other hand, comparing a Duc with a 750 Suz is comparing apples with pears. You like them or you don't but they are very different. So you should ride them before you take your decision.

you can find a lot of info on : www.casoli.co.uk/mvagusta/

Have a lot of fun by the analysis of the market and let us know what your final decision is.

Patrick Maes

-- Patrick Maes (patrick.maes@electrabel.com), August 09, 2001.

I have 2001 Ducati 996 and a 2000 MV Agusta. They're both wonderful bike but both have a different perspective on what is riding pleasure. Obviously, the 996 has great torque but a heavier feel. It also feels as it's built sturdier than the MV. The MV has exquisite details, very agile handling, and once above 6,000 is very responsive. Ultimately, it depends on which riding style you prefer and what you're looking for in a bike.

I've never ridden a Mille but I've heard it packs great torque, hp, comfort, and agility. My only turn off to the Mille is that it's not as attractive as the 996 or the MV......and for comfort, agility, and performance, I'd probably choose for a GSXR1000 for less. Just my opinion but design/beauty (which results in an emotional draw) is a major element to the Italian bikes. If I were to relate them to cars, I'd say the MV would be a Ferrari Modena, the Ducati 996 a Porsche 996, and the Mille a BMW M5/M3. Just my opinion.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), August 09, 2001.

Thanks for the input.. It was greatly appreciated. I just put an Order in for a F4 1+1 ;o)

Will

-- Will (struggglin@yahoo.com), August 09, 2001.

Good choice. The 2001 models are different....and I'd say improved over the 2000 models.

At this point in the game, you may even get a 2002 model. On the Yahoo e-mail group, there was some speculation that the 2002 may get additional hp!

And if you're ever interested in a 2001 996 for $13,500...you know were to look! :D

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), August 10, 2001.

Will, Interesting decision you have to make, ref. MV-Ducati-Aprilia. I've owned a 916SPS from new, have ridden an F4 and have had an MV Senna on order for over a year, can't comment too much on the RSV only to say it was too tall and felt top heavy. The SPS is a lazy man's bike and can be likened to a John Deere tractor such is the spread of torque, fits and rides like a hand crafted made to measure pair of English Purdey shotguns, and was designed by engineers for engineers, the modern zenith of the motorcycle craft where functionality predominates over design as with the Vincent Black Shadow. I'm afraid Tamborini traded his engineering "hat" for that of designer when he penned the F4 and I consider this to be an over designed, over dressed, GSXR750 attached to that very exclusive tank badge with minimum heart and soul to match. When I finally take delivery of the MV Senna I will ride / pose with it on the odd occasion, keeping it in the window of the dining room as an icon otherwise, but it is to the SPS I will turn to ride and appreciate as an engineer and visit the garage every evening to say "goodnight-guttanacht mine lieben!!"

-- Francis Duguid (francis.duguid@bt.com), August 13, 2001.

Dude, don't be indecisive, buy all 3.

md

-- Michael D. 79 (michaeld79@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

That`s easy !. Take the Aprilia. Save a lot of money and get a more comfortable ridingposition.

Regards

-- Henrik S. Topp (topp1@mail.tele.dk), April 06, 2002.

Hmmm. It's been about 8 months since you've posted your questions so I imagine you must have made your decision. And although I've already used up my 1 post per thread rights, I'd like to supplement what I posted back in August 2001 (when I had both the 996 and the 2000 MV).

I sold the 996 in September and was involved in a motorcycle accident on 1/28/02 in which the MV was totaled. I spent a few month deciding if I wanted to ride again and what type of bike to ride.

I looked at the 2002 MV Agusta, 2002 998, 2001/2 Yamaha R1, GSXR1000, and the 2002 Honda VFR. I finally decided (and here's my point) that if I'm going to risk my life on a motorcycle, it would be for the motorcycle I wanted most. Or in other words, if I'm going to get a motorcycle, it better be worth my life. :) So, that only left the 2002 MV Agusta.

Get the bike your heart tells you that you want the most.

-- Allan Gibbs (Agibbs996@aol.com), April 06, 2002.

Hey I think you guys should give the Aprilia a little more credit. I had a 2001 Mille which I totaled and had the chance for a MV F4s. I ended up getting a Mille R. Once you ride a Mille it's kinda hard to not love the bike. I personally like how the bike feels.

I will credit MV for the best looks but would say for power and low end torque the Aprilia and Ducati is probably what you would want. I heard alot of complains about the MV having lack of low end torque that primarily turned me off from purchasing one. But that's because I came off of a torque monster prior to considering the MV. But if I was wanting to upgrad from a 600cc or a different 750cc I would definitely reconsider getting a MV. The only MV I would get over the Aprilia is the Senna. Now that is a beauty.

If I had a choice of getting a MV or a 996/998 I would probably be sitting there for days trying to figure out which to go with. I guess it's all preference. Which ever one you decided to get which you probably already have will be a fine choice since everyone bike you have selected is a awesome exotic head turner/ performer.

Justin 01 Aprilia RSV Mille R

-- NutBustinJustin (rsv_aprilia@msn.com), May 26, 2003.