MV Agusta unveils the F4 RR

The 2012 MV Agusta F4 RR is even more power-packed, faster and lighter than ever before. Not to mention here, it's an MV Agusta!

One of the most revered and sought-after Italian motorcycle brand, MV Agusta has been at the top of the superbike clan for over a decade since it first introduced the absolutely gorgeous and staggeringly fast F4 750 back in 1998. Eight years later the 1000cc F4 followed up in 2006 and took the litre-class by storm. Since then it has been one of the class leading motorcycle with its stupendous performance, sporty yet elegant styling and of course backed by MV Agusta’s race heritage. The Italian marque has now released the new updated and faster MV Agusta F4 RR with an all-new 1000cc short-stroke powerplant to further raise the bar higher than ever before in the superbike world.

Over the years, the F4 has evolved to a great extent and is considered to be one of the most exotic motorcycles in the world. In its latest iteration for 2012 – the F4 RR’s inline-four cylinder engine churns out 201 horses at stratospheric 13,400rpm making it the most powerful production motorcycle in the market today by overtaking the 2011 Kawasaki ZX10R. To match the increased engine output, there is an equally competent chassis design as well as liberal use of exotic parts and materials to keep the costs low. The RR’s engine has been revamped and retuned for further refinement and to extract more performance without hampering its reliability. The engine boasts of lightweight forged pistons built out of lightweight alloy what MV Agusta calls as ‘aerospace RR alloy’. The bore has been increased as well as there is an all-new cylinder head along with a new 4-2-1-4 exhaust configuration with those four gorgeous end pipes peeping underneath the seat. Imagine them singing in accordance at 13,400rpm! Pure symphony.

This is the first time in the history of MV Agusta mass production engines that all the valves are made out of titanium allowing the engineers to drop weight of the motor but increasing the diameter of the inlet and the exhaust tracts. There is a close ratio gearbox that transfers all the 201 horses from the short-stroke motor and the engine/transmission unit is neatly packaged inside lightweight frame. The suspension duties are managed by Ohlins multi-adjustable 43mm telescopic upside-down forks at the front aided by an Ohlins steering damper while on the rear there is an Ohlins TTX 36mm mono-shock suspension.

The radial-mounted disc brakes and the monobloc calipers on the F4 RR come from Italy’s Brembo while the wheel rims are built out of lightweight forged aluminium which reduces the un-sprung weight as well as drops the inertia for better balance and reaction from the motorcycle. First on the 2012 MV Agusta F4 RR are the new adjustable light weight rear sets for improved ergonomics that will be suitable to riders of varying physiques and body structures. With all new graphics to match the bikes improved aggression and grunt, the F4 RR will be available in two colour options including a pastel red/white combination and a matte pearl white.

Specifications: 2012 MV AGUSTA F4 RR 

ENGINE
Type	Four cylinder, 4 stroke, 16 valve
Timing System	“D.O.H.C”, radial valve
Total Displacement	998 cm3 (60.9 cu. in.)
Compression Ratio	13.4 : 1
Starting	Electric
Bore x Stroke	79 mm x 50.9 mm (3.1 in. x 2.0 in.)
Max. horse power - r.p.m. (at the crankshaft)	Full power version: 147,7 kW (200 HP) at 13400 r.p.m. - Lim. 13700 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 73 kW (100 HP) at 9200 r.p.m. - Lim. 10800 r. p. m.
Max. torque - r.p.m.	Full power version: 114 Nm (11.4 kgm) at 9200 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 89 Nm (9.0 kgm) at 5800 r.p.m.
Cooling System	Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators
Engine management system	Magneti Marelli IAW 7BM ignition - injection integrated system with Mikuni throttle body; induction discharge electronic ignition; Sequential timed “Multipoint” electronic injection ; Variable height intake ducts with Torque Shift System (TSS)
Clutch	Wet, multi - disc with mechanical anti-surging device and BREMBO radial master cylinder
Gear Box	Cassette gearbox; six speed, constant mesh
Primary Drive	48/82
Gear ratio (Full power version)
First gear: Speed*	14/37 | 134.1 km/h (83.3 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Second gear: Speed*	16/33 | 171.8 km/h (106.7 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Third gear: Speed*	18/31 | 205.8 km/h (127.8 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Fourth gear: Speed*	20/30 | 236.3 km/h (146.7 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Fifth gear: Speed*	22/29 | 268.9 km/h (167.0 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Sixth gear: Speed*	21/25 | 297.6 km/h (184.8 mph) at 13700 r. p. m.
Final velocity ratio	15x41
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage	12 V
Alternator	350 W at 5000 r. p. m.
Battery	12 V - 8.6 Ah
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Wheelbase	1430 mm (56.27 in.)
Overall Length	2100 mm (82.63 in.)
Overall Width	750 mm (29.51 in.)
Saddle Height	830 mm (32.66 in.)
Min. ground clearance	115 mm (4.52 in.)
Trail	100,4 mm (3.93 in.)
Dry Weight	192 Kg (423 lbs.)
Fuel Tank Capacity	17 l (4.49 U.S. gal.)
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed*	Full power version: 297.6 km/h (184.8 mph) / Restricted power version: 249.0 km/h (154.6 mph)
FRAME
Type	CrMo Steel tubular trellis (TIG welded)
Rear swing arm pivot plates: material	Aluminium alloy - Adjustable swingarm pivot height
FRONT SUSPENSION
Type	“UPSIDE - DOWN” ÖHLINS telescopic hydraulic fork with rebound-compression damping and spring preload external and separate adjustment
Rod dia.	43 mm (1.69 in.)
Travel on leg axis	120 mm (4.72 in.)
REAR SUSPENSION
Type	ÖHLINS TTX Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound and compression damping and spring preload adjustment
Single sided swing arm: material	Aluminium alloy
Wheel Travel	120 mm (4.72 in.)
BRAKE
Front Brake	Double floating disc with Ø 320 mm (Ø 12.6 in.) diameter, with steel braking band and aluminium flange - BREMBO radial master cylinder
Front Brake Caliper	Radial-type, single-piece with 4 pistons - Ø 34 mm (Ø 1.34 in.)
Rear Brake	Single steel disc with Ø 210 mm (Ø 8.27 in.) diameter
Rear Brake Caliper	With 4 pistons - Ø 25.4 mm (Ø 1.00 in.)
RIM
Front: Material / size	Forged aluminium alloy 3.50 ” x 17 ”
Rear: Material / size	Forged aluminium alloy 6.00 ” x 17 ”
TYRES
Front	120/70 - ZR 17 M/C (58 W)
Rear	190/55 - ZR 17 M/C (75 W)
FAIRING
Material	Thermoplastic
CONTENTS
Steering damper	ÖHLINS - Adjustable damping
Rider’s footrest	Adjustable height

HONDA CBR250R REVIEWED!

1. I don’t need to tell you guys this, but it looks like a mini-VFR. And it’s no bad thing at all. Out on the road, the CBR250R’s looks get more positive reactions than the VFR1200, to be honest!

2. Fat Continental ‘Go’ tyres offer superb looks and grip. The front is a 110/70, while the 140/70, both running on 17-inch wheels.


3. Liquid-cooled four-valve 249.6cc motor develops 25 bhp@8500 rpm and 2.33 kgm@7000 rpm. This gives you enough poke for our road conditions, though a few more horses would’ve made this 167 kg motorcycle seem even lighter.
4. While an indicated 140 kph is achieved effortlessly, the CBR250R still has another gear to spare at this point. However, the CBR’s long-legged character means that acceleration is more satisfying than shattering. Expect around a 9-second run to 100 kph when we ge
t the testing fig

5. Throttle response is excellent. The fuel injections system displays no tendency to jerk or baulk at any speed.
6. However, you do need to work the gearbox in city conditions because of the tall overall gearing. Makes for an effortless long-distance bike, though.


7. Returns close to 45 kpl on the highway being ridden under 100 kph. The cherry on the icing, I say!
8. The 296 mm front disc (and the 220 mm rear, if you need it) works brilliantly with the Combined Anti-lock Braking System, whether you’re on smooth roads or rough. I found it almost impossible to lock up either wheel, except on one occasion in a really bumpy corner that I overcooked. Even then, it recovered before the front could wash out. Superb stuff.


ures ourselves.

9. Substantial cycle parts, a strong motor and a stylish appearance make this an extremely appealing motorcycle for India. The clincher? Read ‘10’. 10. Rs 1.51 lakh for the standard model and Rs 1.77 lakh for the C-ABS version make this Honda fantastic value for money and seals the deal. What are you waiting for? Go ride one and see if this Honda is for you!

Honda to launch a 1.6L or 1.8L diesel for Civic, Accord and CR-V

Better late than never. Finally Honda has decided to manufacture a new diesel engine which will power their luxury cars Civic, Accord and CR-V. Having manufactured just one diesel engine till date, the 2.4L which powered Accord, Honda did not miss diesel technology as they were probably happy with their popularity in manufacturing petrol engines.

But times have changed. Customers today no longer believe that diesel powered cars are too different from their petrol counterparts. Instead diesel cars are more in demand than petrol cars today. This has forced the Japanese car maker to launch a new diesel engine for their luxury sedans and SUV.

Mr David Hodgetts, MD, Honda UK, explained in an interview with Fleet News, that Honda will be launching their new diesel engine once their new Civic completes one year on road. So we can expect the new Honda diesel engine to be launched somewhere in 2013.

No confirmation is available on whether Honda will be bringing this diesel engine to India. But, if we look at the exponential growth of the Indian auto industry, Honda will desperately want to launch diesel powered cars in India.

Related News

• Honda to launch 2011 Accord next month
• Honda unveils the sketch of next gen Civic
• Honda unveils 2012 Civic
• Honda unveils 2012 Civic
• Honda launches 2011 Accord in India @ Rs 19.6 lakhs

Hero Honda plans to establish new facility in Himachal

According to sources, Hero Honda, India’s two-wheeler giant, is in talks with the Himachal Pradesh government to provide land for establishing its fourth facility. A minister also confirmed this news on Thursday.

The company is requesting the Himachal government to offer them 2,000 bighas (one bigha is 0.4 hectare) in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area, Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister said. He added that Hero Honda had expressed interest to set up the facility in Baddi specifically. Baddi is an emerging site and also a crucial industrial area of the state. Nestle India would also establish a food and beverage facility in Himachal with an outlay of Rs.400 crore, Kapoor said.

“Nestle would established its food processing unit on 250 bighas in the Tahliwal industrial area (Una district). It has recently signed memorandum of understanding on land lease with the state” he added.

In Himachal, this would be the first unit for both Nestle and Hero Honda.

At present, Hero Honda is a joint venture between the Hero Group of India and Honda of Japan. It has 2 units in Gurgaon, Haryana, and one more in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

According to reports, the BM Munjal-led Hero Group desires to acquire Honda Motor's 26 percent stake in the joint venture. Hero Honda already owns 26 percent in the company.

By 2014, the group's technology tie-up with Honda is likely to end.