Title is pretty self-descriptive. Who has ridden both and can have a comparison?

Based on published tests, the 1000 has been altered to be more comfortable, but by how much? I wouldn't plan on taking either cross-country. From what I've read the 1000 has higher bars, and a taller windscreen (actually not as good-looking screen IMO). Footpegs are also adjustable, is this correct? Is that only on the 1000 or also the 750?

I'm strongly considering a used 750 and won't have the chance to compare. If the 1000 was significantly more comfortable I might wait until I could try both. If they are only slightly different I'd probably go for the 750. The extra power of the 1000 would be nice, but not at the price difference between the two bikes for me.

TIA

-- Steve B. (sjb509@umr.edu), December 17, 2004

Answers

In my opinion the 1000 is just a little bit more comfortable. Normaly the 750 does not have adjustable footpegs. The main difference between the 750 and the 1000 is horsepower.

-- Rik (erikmvf4@hotmail.com), December 17, 2004.

Yep..The 750 is hardly more comfortable because they are both pretty bad.. I have bought a 1000 and love it... The power of the 750 is woeful compared to the 1000cc... Its like the difference between an RGV250 and a CBR600... If the 1000 was $10,000 more that the 750 i still would have bought it...

-- Grant Paynter (gqpatrol@bigpond.net.au), December 19, 2004.

Unlike Grant... if I were in the showroom and the 1000 version were side by side with the 750..at the same price.. I'd still buy the 750.. and for a couple of reasons..

First.. If you are a PRO.. you might could utilize the 1000's power..otherwise, the 137hp of the Evo 3 engine is plenty for most mortals.. I'd imagine that not 1 in a 1000 riders could ride the 1000 to it's limits. Recently at a track day.. my lowly 2003 750 was passing everything in the curves... and almost everthing except a handful of litre bikes on the straigts..

Second.. Insurance. In case you haven't checked.. the MV F4 is in a "scary bike" category with almost ALL insurance companies. I'm 48 years young with 30+ years experience with ZERO accidents and we had to try 13 companies before we got insurance that wasn't akin to extortion. I would NOT even imagine what they'd want for a 1000cc bike... Geeeezz..

For what it's worth, I always recommend that new owners NOT change ergos until they have put on at least 1000 miles to let their muscles adapt. Most (I'm not saying you, BTW) are coming off other bikes and the first thing they do is try to make the seating position the same as the last bike... a mistake, IMHO.. For instance.. When I got my 03 F4 a year ago... I got it home and for the first 500 miles I thought I had made the biggest (most expensive) mistake of my life (not counting my second wife) .I couldn't ride it for more than 30 minutes at a time before feeling like Mike Tyson had used me as a big-ear'd work-out partner. Neck would ache.. lower back felt kicked.. hands would go numb.. However..EVERY other MV owner I spoke to said it would take at least 1000 miles before my lazy BMW K1200RS muscles adapted.. and sure enough.. they were 100% correct.. Now, the MV feels.. and this may seem hard to belive... comfy. It actually feels NORMAL and my BMW feels unnatural... Who'd a thunk it? But I did make a few changes...

My advice is spend some time on the bike and let your muscles adapt before you start changing things...however..IMHO..

1. If you are vertically challenged, like me.. Lower the bike.. front and rear by about an inch.. you'll lower the center of gravity.. feet will be more planted..Steering/handling will be every bit as good.. I don't care what anyone else says.. you will NOT notice a difference in steering quickness..

2. Add Ferachi Risers. They don't actually raise the grips, but rather change the angle by about 10 degrees. Worth more than they cost.I think this puts the bars at about the SAME position as the 1000.

3. Add a Throttlemeister Kit.. if your throttle hand goes numb.. this is THE solution. I could NOT live without mine.

4. Gel grips help a bit and for $6.. worth a try. Pro-Grip makes at least 4 types that will work on the F4.

Hope this helps..

-- Jerry (Pirate) Finley (Pirate@acelink.net), December 19, 2004.

As far as the insurance thing goes my F4 750 costs $253 a year for full coverage, with State Farm. I know a 1000 would cost more but not that much. I consider myself to be a slow rider and really have no business riding on an MV but there have been times (usually when revs are too low) that I wish it had more umph. I would say that problem is just a matter of getting used to using hgher revs. I agree &50 is plenty fast for most riders using it on the street

-- Bill (rgsnumber19-general@yahoo.com), December 19, 2004.

Thanks for the responses. For comparison I also have a Ducati 851 and Triumph Daytona. I've used both for commuting on nice days (120 mile round-trip) without any comfort issues. I'm actually taller than most (6'1") and perhaps just as important have a large shoe size (12-13). Actually my feet are probably the biggest issue with fitting on bikes, not my legs. Reaching to the bars has never been an issue for me.

I agree about not changing the ergos until you are used to the bike. When I first got my Triumph I hated the seat compared to the Corbin on my Ducati. After a few weeks I got used to it and the seat broke in nicely.

When I sat on an 1000 F4 it felt almost identical to a Ducati 916.

-- Steve B. (sjb509@umr.edu), December 19, 2004.

Hi again Steve... i know you asked about the comfort difference and not the power output but it comes down to power because as i said they are both pretty bad in the seat... In Australia the difference in bikes is only $5000...I can understand what you are saying Jerry,,, hell i would be trying to justify my 750 to the last word if i had bought one before the 1000's were out but lets face it the 1000cc is here... 160+RWHP... I have owned a 916-996-998-748R and the MV has more comfort and reliability to offer.... My insurance is $740 Aust...

-- Grant Paynter (gqpatrol@bigpond.net.au), December 20, 2004.

Steve,

I'm a touch taller 6'2 with simmilar sized feet and sympathise with the foot problem. I found the gearselector a bit tight, especially with Alpinestar boots on, the 1000's adjustable peg may help here. The selector has an adjustable head but I gave up and fitted rearsets to my 750. As for height, you will suffer back pains from either bike. I, like many other owners, took to wearing a kidney belt even on short rides to give a bit of lower back support. After a cople of months I found my back had addapted and I even did a 500 mile day without any trouble at all. The 1000's bars are simmilar to the Fast by ferachi risers that many swear by on the 750. But as these change only the bar angle I can't see how they can actually help your back, but do improve things on your wrists if you do too much town riding (don't do it!). To be honest the only significant difference is the power. Do you realy want/need that top end powergain? Either way you shouldn't be disappointed.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), December 20, 2004.

I'd guess that 10 of the 13 insurance companies we checked for my 750 started at $1200 and went UP... the worst being $2300 a year and I believe that was State Farm... As I pay only $600 a year full coverage for my BMW K1200RS with Bikeline.com.. I think double is a bit much...I almost didn't get the bike because of this.

We ended up insuring it as a collector's bike (due to the rarity) for $510 a year with no restrictions... Not bad...Whoever got insurance for $253+ a year from State Farm must be blowing somebody.... ;-) They are generally the highest around..

-- Jerry (Pirate) Finley (Pirate@acelink.net), December 20, 2004.