MV Agusta has announced the über version of the F3: the F3 Competizione, based on the already impressive F3 RR. With a top power of 160 hp and a weight that is 14 kilos lighter than the double-R, the F3 Competizione is the most exclusive and adrenaline-raising ‘middle class’ Supersport. For the happy few, because only 300 are produced.
Take an F3 RR, spice it up a bit and at the same time shave a few pounds off it wherever possible and you have the F3 Competizione in a nutshell. Starting with the bicycle part, which has been taken to an even higher level in collaboration with Öhlins. At the front, this has resulted in the well-known NIX30 upside down front fork with 43 mm TiN-coated fork legs. Fully adjustable, of course, with both adjustment screws located at the top of the fork (the left one works for compression damping, the right for rebound damping).
Just as impressive is the Öhlins TTX 36 shock absorber, featuring dual-tube technology and an external piggyback reservoir. This is also fully adjustable via easy-to-use external adjustment screws. The prestigious Öhlins package is completed by the 19-position adjustable steering damper, which ensures absolute stability on both the road and the track.
The Öhlins suspension package reduces weight by 1 kg compared to the standard F3 RR suspension. The core of the design is formed by the trellis frame made of steel tubes, integrated with aluminum side plates. An additional dynamic and aesthetic upgrade is provided by the carbon wheels, which have been specially developed for the F3 Competizione and which reduce the unsprung mass and weight by 3 kg compared to the aluminum wheels of the F3 RR. At least as important, because here we are talking about rotating mass.
The Brembo braking system includes 320mm front brake discs with Brembo Stylema monobloc radial-mount calipers. The rear brake has a disc with a diameter of 220 mm. To further improve the already excellent power-to-weight ratio, MV Agusta’s R&D department has left no stone unturned: for example, the standard battery has been replaced with a lithium-ion version, saving a further 3 kg in weight.
Then the block. Where the F3 RR has to make do with only 147 hp, MV Agusta has increased the power of the F3 Competizione to an impressive 160 hp at 13,500 rpm, thanks to a street-legal titanium Akrapovic exhaust system that has been specially developed for this model. The use of titanium and carbon for the protective cover reduces the weight by another 3 kg.
The total weight is 14 kg lower than that of the RR version, leading to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.9 hp/kg, an unprecedented value for a mid-range Supersport that has to compete against, among others, the Panigale in the Supersport World Championship V2. MV has provided a new 9-place slip-assist clutch, which requires no less than 50% less effort when you are at the traffic light, because otherwise you don’t need the clutch. Just like the RR, this Competizione is also equipped with an up/down quickshifter.
The F3 Competizione features the advanced aerodynamic setup of the F3 RR, with specific elements aimed at delivering, we quote, “unsurpassed performance in its class.” The winglets are made of forged carbon and can generate 8 kg of downforce at the front at 240 km/h.
The total aerodynamic package consists of a racing windshield, the aforementioned winglets and a front fender designed to optimize airflow for both brake cooling and engine temperature control. The aim was to maintain the F3’s excellent drag coefficient (Cx) while compensating for the additional drag from the aerodynamic features.
The F3 Competizione is further equipped with a new ECU linked to a 6-axis IMU, four driving modes (Rain, Sport, Race and Custom), while the traction control has 8 levels: 2 for Rain, 3 for Road and 3 for Track. The ride-by-wire throttle control has a short stroke for easier and more precise operation, eliminates the on-off effect and provides smooth deactivation of the standard Cruise Control.
The dashboard is a 5.5” color TFT screen, ideal for interacting with the MV Ride app, which allows riders to record and share their routes, adjust the bike’s settings from their smartphone and activate turn-by-turn navigation.
The electronic package is completed by cornering ABS with two modes, Sport and Race. In Sport mode, ABS is active on both the front and rear wheels and cornering and Rear Wheel Lift-Up Mitigation (RLM) functions are enabled. In Race mode, ABS is only active on the front wheels, cornering is disabled and the RLM function is less disruptive.
ABS can only be completely disabled if the bike is equipped with Akrapovic’s special exhausts and is only used on the track. The F3 Competizione is also equipped with Launch Control, which in combination with the Front Lift Control (FLC) system ensures acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds. The FLC system controls the height of the front wheel during wheelies for maximum acceleration with maximum safety and accuracy.
In terms of design, the MV Agusta Centro Stile design center has clearly taken inspiration from the F4 Claudio, choosing colors such as Satin Metallic Carbon Black, Satin Intense Silver and Gold, and making extensive use of visible carbon. The saddle is covered in Alcantara and offers refinement as well as ideal grip and comfort while riding.
A striking appearance feature is the gold finish of certain parts, especially the front brake disc flanges and the rear sprocket. Another touch of exclusivity is the numbered plate (XXX/300) on the new CNC-machined triple clamp. The 300 units of the F3 Competizione are intended for a discerning customer base of refined motorcyclists, aesthetes and connoisseurs of technology and engineering, who appreciate the stylish refinement that characterizes every MV Agusta.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.