Will this limit the amount of parts available for the bikes? Would it be considered dangerous to buy a MV right now?

I am considering buying a MV F4 1+1, or a 998, or a R1 if I cant find the bike I want. Ive already owned an R1 though, and Im a bit tired of the unisversal japanese machines as thats all Ive ridden in the past 6 years.

-- Doug Chism (dougchism@hotmail.com), November 21, 2002

Answers

You know, I prepared myself for almost everything that could happen, but not really this. I'm kind of bummed. Will these things become unrideable relics? I'm going to do a track day in a few weeks, and I wonder how this will affect my decision making on the track. "Well gee, if I go down, there's no way it's ever going to get fixed...."

Bummer. I know the Italians do business in a much different way though, so maybe this isn't such a bad thing? Maybe some investor will come in and pick it up? Speaking of MV Agusta, is this just another Castiglioni game? How is Cagiva doing?

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), November 21, 2002.

I wouldn't panic or put off any purchases just yet.

Andy, if you crash your MV and parts aren't available, I guess the insurance company will just have to total it, and you'll have to get a new 2002 or 2003 MV.

Remember than accident with my old 2000? The insurance co. and Cyclemoto had a heck of a time getting part prices. I'm sure that and the MV Agusta's exclusiveness had something to do with their decision to just total the bike. The moral of the story, if you crash you MV, make sure it total. :)

Doug, if it make you feel better, you may want to hold off on a MV purchase until January. However, I don't think a bankruptcy will hurt the MV Agusta model in the long run.

As for choosing between the R1, 998 and MV, I think it also comes down to, due you want a 4 or a twin. The 998 is a nice looking bike with good low end torque, however, I'm feeling it's just a bit dated....even thought the 999 is ugly.

I'll address what I feel may be the bankruptcy implications for MV in the other thread.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), November 22, 2002.

I am led to belive that under Italian law to protect MV the government put MV into cotton wool so to speak so to protect them from crediters i understand that a number of Italian banks will be putting money into MV but who Knows. As to value in the Uk I BELIVE the value of the bikes will increase

-- steve woods (steven.woods@service-sfujitsu.co.uk), November 22, 2002.

I hear talk about what will happen to the value, but I don't care much about that. I just want to ride and know that if something breaks I can still fix it. I've been riding the MV more than my R1 lately, I just really like to ride it. And I just got the brakes bled out again yesterday for my upcoming track day. But I don't know if I want to bring it now.

Speaking of universal japanese machines, they are quite effective at what they do. You may not feel "special" or whatever on one, but they work. I'm buying one again here at some point. I say long live the Japanese 4 cylinder. On racetracks in premier classes they are becoming increasingly scarce...

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), November 22, 2002.

Thanks for the input guys, sounds like its not a completely dangerous purchase.

I hear ya on how well the japs make their bikes, I still own a R6 that I race and do trackdays with - a really awsome machine, cheap for how good it is. I just cant get exited about the current models as a street bike. The R1 is the only one that isnt an eyesore, and Ive already had one.

-- Doug Chism (dougchism@hotmail.com), November 22, 2002.

Doug,

If it makes you feel better (or bad for me :)), I just purchased an Agusta -- she may very well need to be a "garage queen" until I figure out what the heck is up with MV. My concern is not that I will wreck the bike, but about the availability of parts, should something go wrong. If MV is going out of business (and I'm not saying that they are, but declaring chapter 11 isn't usually a good sign for the consumers who are somewhat dependent on the business), that pretty much make the warranty worthless doesn't it? Do insurance companies cover that kind of stuff? Not last time I heard..but I could be wrong.

- A very excited, but nervous MV "newbie".

-- Steve Gonzales (steven_gonzales@intuit.com), November 22, 2002.

I live in Australia and own a 2001 Cagiva V-Raptor 1000.

I June this year, a friend crashed the bike whilst being a complete idiot.

I ordered parts to begin the repairs 11 weeks ago and have only received four parts so far.

To give you an idea of the damage, every single piece of plastic on the bike was smashed, as were the cans and seat.

There is around $7,500AUD damage.

I got so sick of waiting for parts critical to the commencement of repairs, such as straightening the rear sub-frame, that I have had to start sourcing after market parts and 2nd hand parts.

The Australian importer said that they have had 5 sets of the horns for the V-Raptor on back order for 12 months!

I sent a letter to MV Agusta in Italy last week telling them how disgusted I was with the after sales service and support, but also makde it clear that the service from the Australian dealer has been exceptional and are in no way responsible for my degree of anger.

I told them that they can rave all they like about how great and exclusive their bikes, but that it means nothing when they don't have the after sales support and spare parts supply to back them.

It really pisses me off when you pay that sort of money for a bike and then have to live in fear of riding because you won't be able to fix it.

The guy that works for Cagiva USA, in response to whether or not you should ride at a track day, seems like a bit of a cop-out. Let the insurance write it off and get a new newer model?!?! This does not negate the fact of poor parts availability.

I don't know how insurance works in the USA, but in Australia, you are not covered for screaming around a race track. You crash it on a track, you pay for it out of your own pocket.

My advice it to hold of purchasing any MV Agusta/Cagiva bike until they get there sh!t together in Italy. They are great bikes and I love them to death, but I never thought an issue like this would arrive when I bought the bike and it has come back to bite me in the ass.

To add insult to injury, the MV Agusta factory was flooded last night after the Lake of Varese broke it's banks.

Ben.

-- Ben Cox (cagiva_vraptor1000@yahoo.com.au), November 27, 2002.

Dont worry!

Every time you open the garage door for a day out this bike looks special.

When you ride it you feel special!

People will always want to look and feel special so its not a problem.

I brought my MV as an investment for my son, but still enjoy riding it.

And lets face it if you buy one know your not short of 11 grand, so go-on you only live once.

-- mark bingham (m.bingham@yescomputers.co.uk), January 18, 2003.

Does anyone know where I can buy an authentic MV cover for my F4? The dealer has none. Thanks

-- Dan (asinbkr@hotmail.com), January 20, 2003.

Buy it!!! since its bankrupt, and not bought over by other companies. it simply implied tha already rare bike had became rarer. well... in years to come, it will be a money earning commodity. hum... plus must take good care of the bike though.

-- Jen (j_fellow@msn.com), April 18, 2003.