| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
Perhaps one of the most exciting stories of 2007 is the return of MV Agusta with the exotic F4 Superstock machine. As the TT celebrates 100 years, it is perhaps fitting that one of the events most iconic motorcycle manufacturers should return in an official factory backed capacity. MV Agusta, the legendary Italian marque, won 34 TTs including 12 Seniors and 9 Juniors in 16 fabulous years. At the TT, the mighty MV's were perhaps most synonymous with the great Giacomo Agostini. Although Ago only entered 16 TTs in total, he claimed an astounding 10 wins and his duels with Mike Hailwood have become the stuff of legend. Ago’s refusal to ride the TT after 1972 effectively finished MV's participation and signalled the end of motor cycling’s ‘Golden Era’. The man chosen to pilot MV’s exotic machine is current Senior Irish Road Race Champion Martin Finnegan. Although bike problems lead to a rather disappointing TT 2006, there is little doubt that the ever-spectacular Irishman has the ability to win at the TT, and their tie up is eagerly anticipated. Finnegan got 4th in the Superstock race, only beaten by Bruce Anstey - TAS GSXR1000, John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson - HM Plant Fireblades (Both teams run in British Superbike) McGuinness currently has 12 TT wins and is the TT lap record holder. Anstey currently has 5 TT wins. Hutchinson won his first TT yesterday. Finnegan's tally thus far, one 3rd, two 4th's, two 5th's and three 6th places. GREAT RESULT FOR MV. AT THIS TOP LEVEL OF RACING IT'S ALL THE MORE IMPRESSIVE WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE TWO TEAMS AND THREE RIDERS FINNEGAN AND MV FOLLOWED HOME. IF ONLY OTHER MANUFACTURERS WHO CLAIM TO HAVE THEIR HEART IN RACING COULD SHOW THE COMMITMENT MV HAVE AFTER 30 YEARS ABSENT FROM THE TT Rocket | ||
| M1combat |
Great news, but to be honest I think we all feel your last statement in some way shape or form. To me though  ... I think Buell will get there. It's not like MV JUST started out with the whole motorcycle business and jumped straight into the TT. | ||
| Rocketman |
One could argue that MV in the modern era are a much younger company than Buell. One could argue also their financial standing is as precarious, perhaps even more so, than that of Buells. Parent companies aside that is. I don't share your optimism though. I think it's safe to say Buell won't be challenging for top honours in a production superbike race at the TT, ever. That of course is very understandable, but the crying shame is I'll be an old man by the time Buell ever do anything internationally significant in motorcycle racing if they continue at all at the current pace. Can you imagine how many dead MV fans there are since MV last attended the TT? Rocket | ||
| Blake |
Way to go Finnegan and MV Augusta! How did Ducati do? | ||
| Buell2001b |
MVs problem likea lot of bikes has been the bad reputation of breaking down. Ducati had it and they came with the 1098 which is very reliable, just as buell came with the XBs which is a very liable bike comapred to the pre 2002 bikes. I whish the best to MV they are nice loooking bikes but if i had a choice beetwen the 1098 and MV i would choose the 1098 easily. ducati have trully turner their program around. just look at the results they are getting at MOTO GP. | ||
| Blake |
Yeah, it breaks my heart to see the MV's blowing up in the AMA Superbike races. But I'm sure Fast by Ferracci team will get the problem resolved in short order. | ||
| Rocketman |
It's a myth. MV's are incredibly reliable, as are Ducati's. They are no worse than any other manufacturer. In truth, they are very probably better than most. But such myths of unreliability and high maintenance are perpetrated by cost, and the fickleness of those who thought they could afford to live the dream. It's a complex state of affairs. One could spend their £100,000 lottery winnings on a nice Ferrari, but 6 months later they couldn't afford a set of new tyres, let alone the cost of a service. That's gotta be unreliable right? So what's next? "I sold the Ferrari. It was a piece of shit". Rocket |
