Here's a little run down on the article.

Stock Suzuki GSXR-750 vs a modified F4. The mods were done by Casoli Moto. The gist of it is they preferred the GSXR over the F4. It's 18kg lighter and 14 more hp. They couldn't get the grip down on the rear tire of the F4, suspension problems. They did not like the brakes compared to the Gixxer. They did like that the F4 can stay with the Gixxer on the straights, thanks to the aerodynamic shape they say.

Casoli Moto modded the suspension, exhaust, and carbon fiber bits. I think they should have tested a bone stock F4. They dyno'd the bike at 114bhp, my bike dyno'd at 117.2bhp. They stated that the exhaust of the F4 is a 4 into 2 into 1 into 2 into 4, which is wrong. 4-2-4. I wish someone would make a 4-4 ti exhaust.

Well pick up the mag, it's good reading.

-- mod (mvf4s@excite.com), July 17, 2000

Answers

Is this the new 2001 GSXR (124 hp rear wheel) that Motorcyclist magazine claims can compete with the R1 and Honda on the track?

-- Agibbs from Phoenix (Agibbs748@aol.com), July 17, 2000.

My apologies. I re-read the original post and the "14 more hp" than the MV has to be the 2001 GSXR.

The wait is driving me crazy!

-- Agibbs from Phoenix (Agibbs748@aol.com), July 17, 2000.

Wish they could have tested a stock F4. Very nice of Casoli to lend them the bike. On wonders how broken in the bike was. I have not run my bike on a dyno but it surely feels more crisp with 1300 miles on it than it did with 300. Your bike with 117 hp is the highest number I've heard or read. Cycleworld said they got 109. I heard another owner's made only 106, but that was right out of the crate. One shudders at the thought!!. Anyway I hold little respect for any of the "numbers" that British mags come up with but their riding impressions are worthwhile. Unfortunately the MV was comprimised by being nonstandard. Casoli has a wonderful reputation for polishing and cosmetics even in the US, but I wasn't aware that their expertise encompassed suspension setup, and it seems this was the problem. All said and done though "Superbike" did say the two were very close, "degrees of excellence" I believe they said, and seeing as the GSXR is the current Japanese wunderkind that's not so bad. Besides the comparison is of academic interest only anyway. I don't think too many prospective MV F4 owners are trying to decide between a Gixxer and an MV! Any more than Ferrari buyers are torn between a 550 Maranello and a Viper.

-- Scott Rothermel (jsratcas@aol.com), July 18, 2000.

The July issue of Performance Bikes compares the MV to the GSX-R 750, 748R and ZX-7R. The testers seemed somewhat disappointed with the engine as compared the the GSXR but where they were particularly critical was the suspension. They claimed:

"Pushing harder and harder . . . , it soon became clear the mighty Showa forks weren't up to the rigours of English roads and butch Fen boys trying to out do each other on the brakes. Talk about bottoming out, and even winding in max preload didn't help. More compression damping just made the ride unpleasant. Didn't put an end to the stoppies either. Heavier springs required for the front, we think. There was no uncertainty to the Sachs shock and the way it went off. It started off as a pronounced squat when on the gas and got worse by springing back to full extension coming off the gas. No compression or rebound damping to talk of. It came back after standing for an hour. But ten miles later it went pear-shaped again. Like the front forks, every adjustment was set to max so we could carry on. Surprisingly, the MV, even with its suspension and steering geometry all to cock, was able to stay with the others. We'd like to think our problem shock was a one-off."

So are the guys at Performance Bikes way off? Have those of you lucky enough to take delivery already had any suspension issues under spirited riding?

-- tom (threeroundburst@hotmail.com), July 24, 2000.

They must have got one with a bad shock. I had an 851 that blew it's nitrogen charge once that acted that way. For 190lb rider (such as myself) the springs could probably stand to be a bit stiffer. Maybe a project for the winter. But then again it does ride well and handle well on the track. "Motorcyclist's" review makes the point that there is enough damping adjustment range availible to screw up the ride or handling and that is my opinion also. Unlike most Japanese bikes which have little range so you can't go too far wrong, the MV takes some effort to set up. Since I don't know what the recommended settings are I can only start with what the bike had on it when it came out of the crate. WAY soft! Lots of sag. Lots of suspension movement, and not particularly balanced front to rear. I was able to dial the bike in for the track and it handled very well. (As a frame of reference I have held an Expert level Roadrace license for most of the last decade so I hope I can assume I am able to at least push a bike as hard on the track as British journalists can on the street!) On the street the track settings were actually too firm and I backed the dampening off a bit. If I were going to race the bike or use it primarily for track days I would definetly get stiffer spings but for normal road use with a little casual track use I think the stock spring setup might be a good comprimise, particularly if you weigh 175 or less.

-- Scott Rothermel (jsratcas@aol.com), July 24, 2000.

As a seperate issue.

British magazines are sure entertaining and God knows I enjoy pictures of naked women as much as the next guy but.........

The standard of roadtesting and the conclusions reached in most of the British magazines are highly suspect in my mind. By their own admission they often test bikes that are less than pristine, even crashed (usually durung the test). Often borrowed from private owners. Often in mostly cold and damp conditions (it is England). Often how a bike wheelies seems to be the overriding factor in their evaluations.

US magazines can seem a little dry and PC but I find their evaluations easier to relate to and rely on.

They all lose my attention though when they start with some comment like "for the money the MV costs you could buy two GSXRs" So what? I don't want one GSXR what would I do with two?

-- Scott Rothermel (jsratcas@aol.com), July 24, 2000.

i find the gixxer is the best for that !

-- tony (tonywesley@yahoo.com), April 09, 2003.