Have you ever wondered what the backstory was to building a motorcycle? Perhaps no greater version of that story exists than the rebirth of MV Agusta from the hands of Harley-Davidson, and the building of the company’s supersport model, the MV Agusta F3. Making an appearance on National Geographic‘s “Mega Factories” show, the doors of MV Agusta were opened up to the film crew’s cameras, and a fairly candid look at what is behind the curtain takes place.
The reason for the show’s success is because it is always interesting to see what goes into building our favorite machines, and for motorcycle enthusiasts, the insight given by MV Agusta tells more of the saga that surrounded the development and production of the F3, and the reason for its delays to market.
While full of interesting new details, this episode of “Mega Factories” has also substantially whitewashed of some the more important points of the MV Agusta story. For instance, the show goes out of its way not to mention Harley-Davidson’s recent involvement with the brand — namely how it cleared the Italian company’s debts, invested in infrastructure, and created the business plan that is currently being implement with the three-cylinder line of bikes.
Calling the 30-someting Giovanni Castiglioni “the patriarch” of Italian motorcycles, National Geographic sort of jumps the shark with its level of praise for the young CEO, and the canonizing of the late Claudio Castiglioni is well underway here, with nary a mention of how the brand has been run into the ground multiple times. Ducatisti might take offense to the show’s seeming forgetful nature that there is another iconic Italian motorcycle brand just down the road, thriving on a sales that are considerably larger than those of MV Agusta.
All that being said, the good outweighs the bad here, and it is well worth the 45 minutes of your time this holiday weekend to take a glimpse behind the curtain of Varese. After all, the MV Agusta F3 really is motorcycling art. Enjoy.
Source: Faster and Faster
With out any hesitationI enjoyed every minute of it and if it ever becomes possible that I can buy one in the US I’ll have one.
Just picked mine up yesterday! Still can’t get this stoopid grin off my face… :)
Video: Building the MV Agusta F3 – http://t.co/B6phAa9o #motorcycle
Cool videos. It it looks as if MV Agusta will be around for awhile, I would consider buying one.
“For instance, the show goes out of its way not to mention Harley-Davidson’s recent involvement with the brand — namely how it cleared the Italian company’s debts, invested in infrastructure, and created the business plan that is currently being implement with the three-cylinder line of bikes.”
Mr. Beeler,
I owe you an apology, I had you pegged as the type of “Italophile” elitist who would never have a good word to say about most other makers, especially Harley Davidson. While I’m sure that there are many MV Agusta owners that would simply choose to either ignore or dismiss what HD has done for MV, you are obviously not among them. It is refreshing to see objective reporting in the motorcycle press.
I heartily apologise.
Keep up the good work.
What a puff piece. I mean, what did we learn here?
That the F3, despite delays running to YEARS, is the greatest motorcycle to ever be shat out of a bike factory.
That MV dealers are pretty suggestible if you can show them a bike with a set of empty cases for an engine and still get applause from them.
That all production line problems are solved by 5 guys gesticulating wildly.
That an MV doesn’t go into production until some nameless test rider gives his blessing bestowed by thrashing the shit out of it around a racetrack – as opposed to riding it ON THE STREET.
Actually I liked the F3 except for those three drooping dicks that pass for end pipes…
Oh please Dewey. Grow up. You Harley people are childish cult members who cannot take an honest statement about your group. From MV’s perspective, sure H-D was a sugar daddy who came in and set things right. But, from a H-D stockholder’s perspective H-D made pathetically disastrous moves that cost the company money and has still hurt it today.
Its every aspect of life, but some people are just too emotionally invested in Plato’s Cave real estate to be able to deal with the real world as it is.
@Tom,
I don’t own a Harley and never have, but you sound like an angry H-D stockholder.
Thanks for posting this. Nice insight to the whole “voyage” and most of the kinks and bends to building from “scratch” a new model.
I hope they stick around (make themselves profitable) and keep building new products.
There’s no such thing as too many choices when it comes to motorcycles.
Keep apologizing Dewey. You’re on a roll.
I did not apologise, I stated that I did not own a Harley. I don’t know what you mean by “I’m on a roll”, it sounds like you’re “off your meds”.
I don’t know what particular flavor of Kool-Aid you’re into but you should go have some more.
Dewey, The lady doth protest too much, methinks.