| Author | Message | ||
     2000m2 |
I know this is a Buell site, but I have been tempted by Italian bikes for a while now and came across an MV Agusta for sale locally. Does anyone know what kind of maintenance these bikes require? I'd rather not take out a loan to get the thing serviced. Thanks! | ||
| Rocketman |
I try to keep this quite on the BadWeB as I'm hankering after a 910 Brutale myself and wish not to be laughed at. So, this post will self destruct in 3 hours! Meanwhile keep this information to yourself for fear of a never ending MV slandering the likes of which Ducati takes the brunt of usually around here  The MV engine has a radial valve design which requires checking / shimming at 10000 miles. It is necessary to lower the engine in the frame (some I hear remove it but I think that's maybe to gain more money for labour) to gain access to the valve train. This of course requires some amount of work. Fabulous bikes. Go ride one and you'll be smitten. Rocket | ||
| 12r |
I am >this< close to getting an F4. The early 750s and 1000s were troublesome and suffered from a number of niggling faults but recent bikes are reportedly much better, almost up to Japanese standards bearing in mind the limited number of MVs on the road. The F4's built-in deceleration system is not to everyone's taste and some people have reported stalling when slowing down. This has allegedly been 'fixed' on the F4R but word is that in some cases it's actually worse. Routine maintenance is no worse than any other modern IL4 but dealership rates are sky-high (as you'd expect). Fortunately MV are pretty forthcoming in terms of documentation and how-tos and the workshop manual is excellent. Unfortuately the parts situation here in England is a disaster area so if something does go wrong, it ain't gonna be fixed by the weekend. If you're looking at a used model, find out as much as you can about the previous owner. At this price, many MVs are bought by people with more money than sense who enjoy being a 'biker' rather than actually riding. Conversely some will have been ridden to within a inch of their life by a track day nut. Finding the middle ground can be difficult. | ||
| Trojan |
Steer clear of the F4 750 models, unless you buy it for its looks and not its performance.. There is nothing wrong with the bike, except the way they make power (or don't more like). Almost everyone that I know that has owned one or ridden one comes away disapointed by the lack of grunt and the need to constantly stir the gearbox whilst red lining the motor in order to make decent progress. On a short test ride this is fun. In every day ownership it is a pain in the butt. If you ride with other (ie Japanese) IL4 owners it becomes extremely hard work to stay with them. The later 1000 models and the Brutale 910 are much better  | ||
| Beachbuell |
If you have the $$$$$ to spend on the bike and service/parts then go ahead and get one. Keep in mind these Italian bikes are just like owning a Italian car. Not so very well built, pretty to look at and very exotic. But the second something goes wrong or you need a part or service be prepared to shell out some dollars pal. Been there done that, owned a Ducati 916. IMHO not worth the headaches or $$$ to me. I have ridden the MV Agusta F4, very similar to a Ducati. I do love the looks of the Brutale I must admit. | ||
| Drift |
I owned a Ducati 998 and it was not that expensive to maintain. The worst part was the valve adjustment cost but, it was only 300 bucks every 6000 miles. Well worth the feeling of how the perform. The MV's look cool. I've never ridden one. Knock it out if you like it. | ||
| Diablobrian |
those mv Augustas are HOT! sex on wheels man. plus they perform better than most street riders are capable of handling. If I could afford a second bike I would seriously consider the MV f4 It's the more modern 916-998 Ducati. Another timeless design from Tamburini. That said, it would still end up being more of a garage ornament than my Buell |
