Like a director’s cut of your favorite movie, a special edition sportbike named for the designer will be a memorable experience. The Tamburini signature F4 is the second 1000cc special edition, and number 256 of 300 has been upgraded and cared for by a notable collector.
2005 MV Agusta F4 Tamburini for sale on eBay
The F4 was introduced in 1999 as a 750cc, and the Tamburini is a bit of a return to the original Oro edition where carbon was used extensively. The Ferrari-designed heads have the valves arranged on the domed top of the combustion chamber for theoretical optimum flow and power, but complicating the head with valves splayed slightly in three dimensions. With multi-point fuel injection the 998cc four is rated at 173 hp, and the torque curve is helped by the newly introduced Torque Shift System, which shortens the intake runners substantially as rpm’s approach 10,000. Presuming a skilled rider, electronics can help slow the throttle curve and limit power, but there is no traction control or ABS.
Somehow this F4 has amassed 14,800 miles, but looks quite excellent. Along the way the wheels were replaced with BST carbon fiber, the exhaust changed to the factory racing set, and front brakes upgraded to carbon-ceramics, which alone save around 3 lbs of unsprung weight. Other upgrades are described in the eBay auction:
The original owner went crazy with upgrades and it has BST full carbon-fiber wheels, a performance slipper clutch, carbon ceramic rotors and Brembo mono-blok calipers. Also has Ohlins shocks nice adjustable rear set and numerous other things. All in all I see well in excess of $20,000 spent on upgrades.The bike comes with an extra seat, the racing exhaust (installed) as well as the street exhaust. I am including two keys, the rear paddock stand, the cover as well as a few spares like the original license plate frame, grips, levers and clutch. Bike has the original invoice as well as service records from new.The original wheels do not come with the bike but I understand they are available if you choose to take off the $10,000 wheels that are currently on the bike.I have just had the bike serviced and it runs fantastic. The brakes are absolutely amazing! I had all fluids replaced, valves adjusted and the radiator upgraded with a popular reinforcement (weak link on these bikes) All in service cost $1,600.I purchased the bike from Guy Webster who is very well known as a collector of rare Italian motorcycles. The bike still has his signature “Motoguy” stickers on the bodywork, easily removed.
Guy Webster is a rock band photographer whose bike collection was part of the “Art of the Motorcycle” show in 1998 and got a neat write-up in the Robb Report. From the looks of it the F4 may have just been too new to really fit in. My back-of-the-napkin math shows a pretty serious discount from the original purchase price to the buy-it-now, compounded by some dollar-intensive upgrades. Hopefully a fan will step in and give this distinctive MV a permanent home…
-donn
Crazy to see one with so many miles for a change….you mean someone actually rode one?? HAHA. Seems like a fair deal for a rare bike but the mileage will likely scare away collectors. That’s what’s so tough..you don’t buy them to ride because the super rare bodywork make it too expensive to replace but buying one with miles makes it a great candidate to ride and collect. It’s in that tough grey area of rare bike sales….IMO anyway.. Would love one though one day
Let’s get something straight. The BST wheels were never, ever $10,000…..They retail for a little more than $3,000 for both. Stick to the facts and your ad will be a lot more believable.
$10,000 BST’s huh?
I thought it strange also to inflate the BST cost and what happened to the originals. It creates questions about other items, if not the ad itself. Enjoyable to see a MV that someone has been enjoying and hope it continues to be enjoyed.