Now look guys,I know this is an MV forum but can you try and give me unbiased advice ?Ta.Right :

I have a 2004 Brutale which I am looking at trading in for something sportier.(I also have a Busa.Love the creamy power delivery but I find it a tad heavy). I obviously like the F4 1000 and have admired it at my local dealer.I've not ridden the bike as it is not a demo model and the dealer is a bit of a tight ass ! What I am trying to work out is whether the F4 1000 is worth the purchase price,given that everybody seems to complain about the fuelling.If I bought the bike,,I really don't want to have to spend even more dosh on a Power Commander and more open pipes,as the initial purchase price is already very high. Reviews of the 2005 Ducati 999 have all been VERY positive and I could buy the bike and a FULL Termignoni titanium system for LESS than just the basic purchase price of the F4. Now I know the F4 is far more exclusive but surely that just means it will lose even more money when (or if) I come to sell it)(My Brutale is barely a year old and the dealer is offering me nearly £3000 less than I paid for it as a trade-in on the F4). Are there any guys out there who have had a 999 and an F4 who can give me a direct comparison (though the '05 999 has a lot more power than the '04). And howcome those lucky boys in the US of A can get an F4 Ago for about the same price as us in the Uk have to pay for the basic F4 ??

Any thoughts ?

thanks

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 03, 2005

Answers

I'm no expert or anything, but doing research on the two......they both come across as being torquey track weapons. The Ducati has a flat torque curve and make about the same as the MV. Top end the Duc is at around 177 and the MV 187 (don't think these numbers really matter unless you put in serious track days). No one rides a spec sheet. You have to figure out what your needs are.... Personally, F4 1000, complete package and a sight to behold and admire.....Now the 999, ehh. Maybe if you take off those rediculous looking mirrors, put a race plate over the lamps, paint the frame gray and use the 03's swingarm (yeah, I know its weaker), you might have a decent look bike.

About that USA comment: I guess its more marketable here like everything else except BMWs for everyone and taxi cab MercedesBenz. Like if you live in South Florida, bike season is pretty much year around. They can cut us a break through volume (my guest). In the UK, with your crummy [confused] weather what you have like 10 good riding days in the year. And not to mention these photo speedboxes everywhere........LOL, just kiddin' MV MV MV, I think the ducati boys would say get the MV as well....

-- Marc Delice (m_delice@msn.com), January 03, 2005.

Hi Martin, You have the same problem that I have just had. The simple answer is both are great bikes and you will love what ever you get. If you are intending to do a lot of track days the Duc S is the go. It out handles the MV and is easier to ride fast. So why did I go for the MV ? Apart from its stunning looks and the fact that it will still look good in 5 years (not true of the Jap bikes )it was the bike that put the biggest smile on my face. I traded a 996 SPS Duc and the only thing I miss is the sound of the Vtwin through the Termi pipes.Dont worry about the fuelling issue its not the problem its made out to be. To be honest its more about how you control the throttle on the thing ,once you get used to it it's not a problem. Good luck either bike is a gem. Brett

-- Brett (bfitzpatrick@psm.net.au), January 03, 2005.

Brett/Marc Thanks for the replies. I agree that in 5 years time the MV will still look good,but it is already a 5 yr old design. The bike is NOT selling in the numbers MV had originally hoped and I just wonder whether MV will update it sooner than we think. Some people have addressed concerns about the front suspension and what's the betting that MV modifies this soon and fits radial brakes as well ? In the UK at least,as soon as you take the bike out the showroom you wave goodbye to £4000

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 04, 2005.

I own a few Italian bikes, original 1994 Strada 916, a 2003 749, some older Ducati's and an MV F4. Love the reliability of the F4 and cheaper running costs, love its lines and solid handling. That said I do numerous trackdays and the 749 is simply unbelieveable, its soooo damn easy to ride fast. I can only imagine the 999 is the same but much much more .. sometimes however less is more. Hence the F4 750cc not the 1000cc and the 749 not the 999.

I prefer to focus on my riding ability then my ability to manage with mega horsepower, I am no Valentino hence my love for the smaller capacity bikes which make you focus on your riding.

You won't be dissapointed either way ... I think for the same amount of money a second hand F4 750 and second hand 749 could be bought ... best of both worlds.

Test ride them both .. maybe some goodwilled character will let you ride them at the track which is where you can experience the true nature of them both.

Happy shopping

-- Ed (yellow900@yahoo.com), January 04, 2005.

Just one thaught.

I have seen lots of secondhand 999 for sale but no F4 1000, and there never seem to be many of the 750's for sale at any one time. After the initial depreciation (first year is bad on any vehicle) they settle down and hold firm prices indefinatly. The first 750's are still asking £7500-8000 which is only a few hundred less than I paid for an 01 bike two years ago!

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinmternet.com), January 04, 2005.

Thanks for the thoughts so far.Much appreciated. had another look at the bike today. It does grate somewhat that for £14k there isn't even an ounce of carbon to be seen.The plastics surrounding the key,tank and chain guard really are naff and you need to spend the best part of a £1000 to replace these with Casoli bits.Plus pipes etc and you're up to £16k ish which is silly money !

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 04, 2005.

Yes, you will spend more money on the MV, no argument. The Duc is easier to get comfortable on, fact, resale values on the MV's will remain higher over time, no doubt, reliablitiy and maintence is less on the MV. Both are marvels of Italian engineering. They are made for different people and riding styles. I have yet to hear of one complaint on the Marzzocchi front end on the new MV's. Both choices handle most probably beyond your abilities, no insult intended here. The Ducatis are more robust in nature, and like to be handled even a little roughly. The MV is more carismatic and prefers caressing. Coming off of a Duc, I miss the dry clutch squal and the thump of the Remus pipes. However, I am faster on the MV. I also tend to wet myself more simply because it turns me on. It is personal preference and no body will condem you for your choice.

-- Cali-Kane (mvagusta@sbcglobal.net), January 04, 2005.

i own a 916 sps and a F4 senna...im faster on the senna. like it much more than the duke which i loved to death before i bought the MV...the duke feels agricultural compared..i miss only the low down thump on the duke. the MV has so much sex appeal and everything looks right. it dont rattle and make noises like its about to blow up like the duke either. and carbon fiber aftermarket bits arnt all that expensive...specially if you buy them from me ;-)

www.norton-special-parts.de

ive ridden a 999 a couple of times. it handles nicer than the 916, but i just dont like it. somthing about it..it looks ugly compared to the MV and 916, no single sided swinging arm, those terrible mirrors, and that tail with car like exhaust. ducati should of kept tamburini at all cost and made a logical evolution of the 998...but then it would of looked like an F4 with twin exhausts ;-)

cheers

-- norton (norton.sp@gmx.com), January 04, 2005.

Anybody know if there are any current deals on F4 1000's in the Uk,or are they all £14k ish ? Also,has anybody got any idea how many F4 1000's have been sold in Blighty ?

Thanks

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 11, 2005.

I have an MV F4 SR (750) which is the best (and last) of the 750s. Friends who have bought the 1000 all rave about the extra power, usual superb MV handling and the EBS (especially o the track). Check Mvagustamadness.com - it has a thread on rider impressions of the 1000.

If resale value is a big issue, then maybe an MV is not for you...

cheers

Paul

-- Doc MV (dpr@homemail.com.au), January 17, 2005.

cheers Doc

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 17, 2005.

I was in the same place you are a few months ago. I was looking at the 2005 999R or the Mv 1000. The 999R was a little more $$$ than the MV. The 999S was about the same $$$ here in the USA but not what I wanted. I know the 999 handles great and the 150hp in the twin was tempting, but I just don't like the looks of the Duc these days unless it is in race paint like the Fila or Xerox. Something about the lines just don't look right in solid colors.

It has taken some adjustment with the inline 4 and it doesn't have that wonderful Duc sound! Clutch included. Parts take forever to get in, it took 10 weeks to get my exhaust from MV.

With that said, I love the bike. You can't go wrong with either bike. They are both wonderful machines!

-- D Cooper (jdsrc@yahoo.com), January 17, 2005.

Having managed to blag a ride on an F4 1000 at the weekend,my mind is made up.I will definitely have to get one asap. Thanks guys

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 18, 2005.

The F4 1000 is on the way !!!

-- Martin Gaudion (magaudion@cwgsy.net), January 28, 2005.