It seems like we are seeing quite a few newer generation MV Agusta models crossing the block as of late. This sets up an interesting study of values and comparisons. It also highlights the feast/famine nature of the rare sport bike segment. The market is currently flooded with a variety of F4 machines, so if you are interested in an example from the storied MV Agusta brand you have a good opportunity to find a clean, low mileage bike across a number of price ranges – such as this 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R.
2008 MV Agusta F4 312R for sale on eBay
The F4 1000 lineup – comprising several different models – essentially all share the same engine configuration and primary chassis. That is a seriously stout foundation for any bike, as seen in the 166 HP base model F4 S. But the 312R is more. Much more, in fact. The 312R is two performance steps above the base S model, given that it is built upon the F4 R – which itself has a bump in HP to 174, and improved brakes and suspension. Take that F4 R, add another 9 ponies and special graphics, and you come to the 312R. Named after the bike’s target top speed of 312 kph (approximately 190 mph), the original 1000cc 312R was a limited edition offering. Today its performance is eclipsed by several more modern bikes – and it may get lost in all of the “Limited Edition this and Limited Edition that” MV Agusta noise, but is still a beautiful and respectable powerhouse with some real cachet.
From the seller:
Time to sell my beautiful 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R. Second owner. I bought this MV to use as a piece of ‘art’ in my man cave. I have never ridden it. The bike has never been down. The original owner rode it for a year, then displayed it in his house until my purchase in 2016. I am moving into a smaller house and will not have the space to show the bike, hence the reason for its sale. It has 2881 miles on the odometer. All fluids, except the brake and clutch, were drained in preparation for display. The battery was also removed. The prior owner upgraded the front Brembo calipers to a better spec Brembo caliper, he also upgraded the Brembo brake and clutch levers, added Rizoma grips and swapped the plastic trim pieces for OEM MV Agusta carbon fiber ones. The bike comes with all the goodies supplied by MV for the 312 owner, including the bike cover, tool kit and owner’s manual.
Created by the father of both Bimota and the Ducati 916 (and 996/998), it is hard to call the F4 anything other than gorgeous. The seller obviously thinks so, as this bike has adorned his man cave since purchased and has not turned a wheel since. I can’t tell if Count Giovanni Agusta – original founder of MV Agusta way back in 1923 – would be rolling in his grave, or proud that his humble motorcycles have transcended the plane of mere transportation. Either way, one cannot help but admit that a bike of this caliber would look stunning in any room of the house, provided that one’s spouse were on board with the concept. Prepped for the indoor motorcycle mannequin gig, this bike was drained of fluids and the battery has been removed. As a result, there are no “powered on” shots of the odometer – but the ad states the original owner put 2,881 miles on the bike before it was acquired by the seller.
The 312R was a homologation machine in the US with a mere 150 units imported to meet AMA regs. And while I doubt that the first owner ran that slick for 2,800+ miles, it does wear racing rubber properly and proudly. This is a rare sub model of a relatively rare machine; MV Agusta did not produce many bikes in the early years of the comeback, and they all carried a premium over peer bikes of the time. Thus, even a base F4 is a sight not often seen, and the other LE models even less so. The 312R is probably not the most rare – nor the most pricey – but stands out as one of the rarer examples of the MV Agusta offering set. That has not helped it out much at the checkout stand as of late; this beautiful example is being offered for a relatively scant $12,500. That is right in the money for other 312R models on the market, but well below the original MSRP. That could be a good thing, as predictive analytics indicate that the bike could be reaching the bottom of the curve. Nearly all bikes that are collector status today were available for less $$ at some point in their lives; nearly everything goes through a dip. The 190 mph question is if this is such a bike. The 312R is rare enough, and this example is in clean enough condition to ride that wave should it develop. Check it out here, and then check your crystal ball. Good Luck!!
MI
Was it a track bike? Wondering why the bike is wearing slicks. I’ll never understand the buy it and park routine, the only that should ever happen to is a Britten and even those are ridden every couple of years. The MV F4 is a beautiful bike but they don’t seem particularly “rare” they are all over Ebay. A rare one would be one with 15K miles on the clock and some actually wear and tear. This is a bike that screams “ride me like you stole me”
I agree. Beautiful bikes, certainly you don’t see them being ridden often but I still wouldn’t call them particularly rare – you can find one to buy most any time. Probably have a while until they appreciate, may even still go down a bit. Buyer’s market on these right now. I still wouldn’t hesitate to buy any of the F4 models, 750 or 1000, to actually ride and enjoy. But some others may have horror stories of parts availability, I don’t know on that.
reportedly sold for $12,495.00 – strong $
Wow…..it sold for that with slicks that never came on it? As P.T. Barnum said, “There’s a sucker born every day.” VERY sketchy history with any bike being passed off as a museum piece that is wearing race slicks.
Where is my comment????
For a production bike, the F4 is pretty rare, especially the limited-production models: supposedly just 150 of the 312R were imported to the US. But all the first-generation bikes look pretty much the same, so it’s easy for them to seem overly familiar. MVs in general feel common because they made so damn many limited editions, and the bikes that were made apparently get passed around without racking up too many miles. But you’re correct that it’s currently a buyer’s market, but they appear to have bottomed-out. If you can handle the ergonomics, $7-8k for a nice F4 750 or 1000 seems like a screaming deal to me. Parts availability varies a bit, depending on what you need. Luckily, the mechanicals [engine, gearbox] seem to be pretty robust. They made enough of them that you can usually find stuff second-hand, although it can be expensive… A friend of mine has several and so far they haven’t been as much of a pain as you might think. To own, I mean. They are painful in traffic, although I’m wondering if some Helibars or risers and more widely adjustable rearsets would help noticeably.
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Maybe. Or maybe he just felt that, since it was going to be display-only, a set of slicks looked cooler? Agreed I’d want to see some documentation, but I wouldn’t immediately assume the seller is trying to scam anyone. As far as I can see from the photos, this bike looks pretty immaculate. What else, aside from the slicks, makes you think this bike is anything other than what it is supposed to be? Are you saying it’s an ex-race bike or a track hack? Also, Barnum was far less charitable than you give him credit for: “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
Funny, there was a nice F4 750 we posted up right after this with 17,000 miles on it! They seem pretty well-constructed, but after 17,000 miles, it’s your back and wrists that would be screaming… I’ve said it before though: you have to suffer for art.
Tad,
I was confused because my comments have never required approval. In the past, they have always posted real time. Is this a new feature, or have I been blackballed (flagged)?
-Hiram
Our software will hold a comment in moderation from a new user to avoid bot spam. Once approved the user’s comments do post automatically from that point on. If you don’t use the same email address however the software doesn’t recognize you and will hold the comment for moderation.
Thanks,
dc