Just a quick comparison between my current bike (Mv Senna) and previous bike (2000 R1).

History: R1 with Steel Braids, EBC pads and full floating disks, over rear-sets, yoshi pipe, technics dampener, and a few cosmetic changes.

Current: Senna, running RG3 pipes and chip, with 39 tooth rear sprocket and with engine properly tuned (a must if you have the RG3 pipes fitted and don't let anyone tell you different... I also suggest other Senna owners have the TPS looked at.)

Performance: From standing start...R1 will leave the senna behind, until the senna gets above 8k, when the true power of the SPR motor kicks in. Acceleration on this thing is incredible, all the way to 14.1K when the rev limited kicks in. Change gear at this level and you just keep on going, with no noticeable drop in revs or acceleration. Not quite the same with the R1.

As a side note on the Senna/SPR motor: According to MV, the motor in the Senna is as close to what the final production SPR motor will be, and can even be considered identical. Differences between the SPR and Senna will be mainly cosmetic, as well as finish, production numbers (1000 for SPR, 300 for Senna) and some suspension/carbon and minor weight mods. All in all, the motors are approximately identical. Anyone hear any different?

Top Speed: R1 wins. :-(

Cool Factor: The R1 is cool for wheelies, whereby the Senna tends to squat and hug the road (desireable as far as I am concerned). Mv owners needing wheelie power, look to the 41 tooth rear sprocket and a new chain. Not recommended on the Senna however, due to the close-ratio gearbox.

Handling: Senna is far superior, by a long shot. What more can I say!

Brakes: Mildly superior on the R1 with above mention modifications, but nevertherless, I can see the need for pads with more bit on the Senna.

Day to Day Maintenance: More on the Senna, if you want to keep it looking clean and shiny. Gloss Black looks fantastic, but is a bitch to keep clean and scratch free. (Then again, when you pay 2.5 times the prices of an R1, you tend to look after it 2.5 time better.. true?)

Quality & Finish: Senna x 200% over R1. Age old story of mass production verses Hand Made.. ie Japanese versus Italian.

Looks: Well, Umm... if I need to elaborate...

My choice: Senna anyday!

Cheers Rob

-- Rob McCaskie (robert@flatmates.com.au), July 01, 2002

Answers

What is TPS? When you say tunned properly what exactly do you mean? MY Senna stalls a little below 2K (this sucks when stuck in traffic) and I don't have this problem with my Strada.

I agree with most of everything you said (I also have a 2000 R1) but I'm not going to compare them cause they're different if you know what I mean.

-- TP (tpoole@xnet.com), July 01, 2002.

TP, If your senna is stalling at low RPM I'm guessing you had the RG3's put on (they come in the crate) and the dealer may not have adjusted the CO level to match the new pipe. These are some very definite guidelines from MV on how this must be done and not doing it correctly causes problems like you describe.

Cheers,

-- Matt Thompson (matthewt@nitor.co.nz), July 01, 2002.

thanks I'll look into that. not to be stupid but what is CO and TPS? not very mechanical. I just ride em

-- TP (tpoole@xnet.com), July 01, 2002.

TPS = Throttle Position Setting.

I also was having stalling problem initially, and it was mainly on deceleration from high revs when pulling the clutch in. When the RG3 pipes and chip are fitted, the fuel mixture is enrichened, (more fuel to air ratio). This caused the bike to perfom well, but effected the ability of the bike to "recover" enough at low revs... hence the stalling. The problem was overcome with proper tuning, getting the Co2 levels correct, having the TPS looked at and a few others.

Remember, we are taking about an MV Agusta here, and in particular, the Senna. This is a finely crafted machine, with fine tolerances and a requirement for precise settings. 0.25 of a millimetre out on the chip adjustment and the bike may not perfom as well as it should.

My best advice... find a business that has a proven track record with servicing and seting up the MV Agusta. Stick with them, if you are not happy with your bikes setup and performance, take it back again and again if you need to. You have paid good money (and lots of it) for the privilage of owning one of the world most exclusive bikes. It should, (and it will) perform to meet your expectations.

Another tip for Senna owners: Have the water pump impella seals checked. Mine were weaping and I have had the replaced under warranty. I have heard of others with the same problem.

Good Luck

Rob

-- Robert McCaskie (robert@flatmates.com.au), July 01, 2002.

Still have my '99 R1. I don't really believe in doing all kinds of mods to the bike unless they serve a functional purpose, so the bike is mostly stock save for steel brake lines on the front, SBS race pads, Muzzy slip on (had to buy it, it was only $150), frame sliders and Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa SC2's.

The MV is totally stock save for RG3 pipes (got them free for an incident I still have not disclosed publicly, will do that when I'm ready), and sidestand conversion thingy.

I can't bag on the R1 too much. It's insanely fast. Those of you who haven't ridden an open class Japanese bike yet should do so just to say you've done it. I've ridden a GSX-R 1000 too, and while it's faster, it's not really noticeable until you compare them seat to seat. Both are stupid fast. The R1 is slightly nervous though, and I'm never 100% sure what the front end is doing until it slides a little in protest. Then you back off a little and call it good. Rebound damping tends to help to a certain point, but I've got the preload all the way up and it's at the ragged edge of damping I think. Don't have any complaints with the rear except I wish it didn't have the stepped preload collar. If I was going to make one change to this bike, it would be a rear shock, and fork springs and new, heavier oil. Well, that's 3 changes.

The MV is totally confidence inspiring. No question about what the bike is doing. You can leave the suspension settings plush for all but the fastest riding because while it will pitch forward and back a little, it will never move off line because the suspension is soft (well, not for me on the road anyway, track, maybe). I have increased rear ride height a bit and added a turn of preload and a click of rebound on the rear, and a few turns and a few clicks on the front. Perfect handling bike, I have no complaints. Not nearly as fast as the R1, but I don't need that kind of speed. Plenty fast enough otherwise though. I don't feel like I'd need to worry about 600's in a straight line, but a well ridden one would probably keep up.

Can't really compare the 2. They don't come from the same planet. Both serve their purpose well.

I say this time and again. The MV has to appeal to you in some way that is not based on function in order to get it, to understand it. You can compare it to other bikes all day and it will lose. Publications do this all the time. And I can't help but think they are idiots when I'm riding the MV... Some people just don't get it!

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), July 01, 2002.

i want to know the price of the R1 YAMAHA.

-- Samg-mouit Maurice (s_maurice1972@yahoo.fr), March 23, 2003.

Thank you Rob for let me share your great hobby: the search for the ultimate sports street bike! What a beauty your MV.... I only own one bike, a home made frame with a 99'er Fireblade engine. My brother rides a 2001 blue R1, so I can compare also! I'am completely happy with the handling of my bike, just need some extra "high rev horsepower". The R1 is a bit "shaky" in high speed corners (>160 kmh). If this is solved, we both are happy..... If you like I can mail you some fotos.

Many greetings, Leo

-- Leo Bes (leo_bes@yahoo.com), April 29, 2003.