MV Agusta F4 750 SS 2001 Owner's manual

© 2001
This document may not, in whole or in part, be reproduced without prior consent, in writing, from MV Agusta Motorcycles S.p.A.

Part No. 8A0098956 - Edition No. 1
Printed January 2002

Information

MV Agusta Motorcycles S.p.A. is committed to a policy of constant improvement; therefore, you may find
slight differences between the information provided in this document and the vehicle you purchased. MV
Agusta motorcycles are exported in several countries, in which different rules and regulations (concerning
both the Highway Code and the homologation procedures) are in force. Relying on your understanding,
MV Agusta Motorcycles S.p.A. deems it necessary to reserve the right to change its products and the rela­ted documentation at any time and without notice.

Respect and defend natural environment

Everything we do affects the whole planet as well as its resources.
MV Agusta Motorcycles, in order to protect the interests of the community, awakens the Customers and the
Technical Assistance operators to use the vehicle and dispose of its replaced parts respecting the laws in
force concerning environmental pollution and waste disposal and recycling.

Use and maintenance manual

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Il presente Manuale di uso e manutenzione è disponibile nelle edizioni in lingua sotto specificate:

This Owner’s Manual is available in the languages listed below:

Le présent livret d’utilisation et d’entretien est disponible dans les éditions rédigées dans les langues
spécifiées ci-dessous:

Die vorliegende Bedienungs- und Wartungsanleitung ist in folgenden Sprachen erhältlich:

Las ediciones del presente manual de uso y mantenimiento están disponibles en los siguientes idiomas:

Edition Italienne

Edition Anglaise

Edition Française

Edition Allemande

Edition Espagnole

Edition USA

800098956

8A0098956

8B0098956

8C0098956

8D0098956

8A0098946

Edición en Italiano

Edición en Inglés

Edición en Francés

Edición en Alemán

Edición en Español

Edición USA

Italienische Ausgabe

Englische Ausgabe

Französische Ausgabe

Deutsche Ausgabe

Spanische Ausgabe

USA Ausgabe

Codice/Code/Code

Bestell-Nr./Código

Edizione Italiana

Edizione Inglese

Edizione Francese

Edizione Tedesca

Edizione Spagnola

Edizione USA

Italian Edition

English Edition

French Edition

German Edition

Spanish Edition

USA Edition

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Dear Customer,

We wish to thank you for your preference and congratulate you on purchasing your new F4.
Your choice is a reward for the passionate effort our technicians have put into giving the F4 functional
and aesthetic characteristics that place it above the finest motorcycles currently available on the market,
making it an exclusive and sought-after item.
If, from a purely technical standpoint, the F4 represents an internationally recognized point of reference
on account of the innumerable innovations it introduces, its sleek, timeless design wonderfully combines
a glorious past with the new millennium.
The combination of these elements, which was made possible by love of detail, passion, and the desire
to realize a technically and aesthetically superior motorcycle, allows the F4 to soar above passing fash­ions, giving it the privilege of being considered a unique item.
This manual has been drawn up with a view to providing you with a clear and practical guide to operat­ing and maintaining your new motorcycle while safeguarding your warranty rights.

For further information, please feel free to contact the MV Agusta Customer Care Service.

Have a good time!

MV Agusta Motorcycles
Claudio Castiglioni
Chairman

chap. Subjects covered page

1 GENERAL INFORMATION 10

1.1 Purpose of the manual 10

1.2 Symbols 11

1.3 Warranty Booklet and Service Coupons 12

1.4 Identification data 13

2 SAFETY INFORMATION 20

2.1 Safety 20

2.1.1 Note on tampering 20

2.1.2 Safety rules 21

2.1.3 Installing accessories 23

2.1.4 Vehicle load 25

2.1.5 Modifications 26

2.1.6 Competitions 26

2.1.7 Recommendations for safe riding 27

2.1.8 Protective clothing 30

2.1.9 Suggestions against theft 31

2.2 Safety labels - Location 32

2.3 Safety - Visual and acoustic signals 37

3 CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTS 38

3.1 Location of controls and instruments 38

3.2 Sidestand 39

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chap. Subjects covered page

3.2.1 Non-auto retract sidestand 39

3.2.2 Auto retract sidestand 40

3.3 Handlebar controls, left side 41

3.4 Handlebar controls, right side 43

3.5 Ignition switch and steering lock 46

3.6 Gear lever 48

3.7 Instruments and warning lights 49

3.7.1 Warning lights 50

3.7.2 Multifunction display 51

4 OPERATION 52

4.1 Using the motorcycle 52

4.2 Running-in 53

4.3 Starting the engine 55

4.4 Selecting the display functions 57

4.5 Setting the display functions 59

4.6 Refuelling 64

4.7 Glove compartment 65

4.8 Parking the motorcycle 66

4.9 Preriding checks 68

4.10 Riding 70

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

chap. Subjects covered page

5 ADJUSTMENTS 71

5.1 List of adjustments 71

5.2 Table of adjustments 73

5.3 Adjusting the front brake lever 74

5.4 Adjusting the clutch lever 74

5.5 Adjusting the rearview mirrors 75

5.6 Adjusting the steering damper 75

5.7 Adjusting the front suspension 76

5.7.1 Spring preload 77

5.7.2 Rebound damper (front suspension) 77

5.7.3 Compression damper (front suspension) 78

5.8 Adjusting the rear suspension 78

5.8.1 Rebound damper (rear suspension) 80

5.8.2 Compression damper (rear suspension) 80

5.9 Headlight adjustment 81

6 MAINTENANCE 82

6.1 Tables of scheduled maintenance and
checks 82

6.2 Tools and accessories supplied 92

6.3 Table of lubricants and fluids 93

6.4 Removing/fitting the right-hand side fairing 94

chap. Subjects covered page

6.5 Checking the engine oil level 96

6.5.1 Topping up the engine oil level 97

6.6 Checking the coolant level 99

6.6.1 Topping up the coolant level 100

6.7 Checking the wear of the brake pads 102

6.8 Checking the brake fluid level 103

6.9 Checking the clutch fluid level 105

6.10 Checking and replacing the tyres 106

6.11 Checking and lubricating the drive chain 111

6.12 Checking the idle speed 115

6.13 Replacing parts - General information 116

6.13.1 Replacing the fuses 116

6.13.2 Replacing the low beam bulb 119

6.13.3 Replacing the high beam bulb 120

6.13.4 Replacing the front turn indicator bulbs 121

6.13.5 Replacing the rear turn indicator bulbs 122

6.13.6 Replacing the rear light and brake light
bulb 123

6.13.7 Replacing the license plate light bulb 124

6.14 Battery 125

6.15 Cleaning the motorcycle 127

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CONTENTS

chap. Subjects covered page

6.16 Prolonged inactivity 129

7 TROUBLESHOOTING FLOW CHART 130

7.1 Engine problems 130

7.2 Electrical equipment problems 135

8 TECHNICAL INFORMATION 138

8.1 Motorcycle overview 138

8.1.1 Front brake circuit 140

8.1.2 Rear brake circuit 141

8.1.3 Clutch circuit 142

8.1.4 Engine lubrication 143

8.1.5 Coolant circuit 144

8.1.6 Fuel system 145

8.2 Specifications 146

8.3 Accessories 153

8.4 Clothing 154

- 7 -

INDEX

Accessories 153
– installation 23
Adjustments
– clutch lever 74
– front brake lever 74
– front suspension 76
– headlight 81
– rear suspension 79
– rearview mirrors 75
– steering damper 75
– table 73

A

– rear turn indicators 122

Battery 125
Brakes
– fluid level, check 103
– front brake circuit 140
– front brake lever, adjustment 74
– pads, wear check 102
– rear brake circuit 141
Bulbs, replacement of
– front turn indicators 121
– high beam 120
– license plate light 124
– low beam 119
– rear light and brake light 123

B

Damper
– compression (front suspension) 78
– compression (rear suspension) 80
– rebound (front suspension) 77
– rebound (rear suspension) 80
Display, multifunction 51
– selecting functions 57
– setting functions 59

D

Chain
– check 111
– lubrication 113
Cleaning the motorcycle 127
Clutch
– circuit 142
– fluid level, check 105
– lever, adjustment 74
Competitions 26
Controls and instruments, location 38
Coolant
– level, check 99
– circuit 144
– topping up 100

C

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INDEX

Electrical equipment, troubleshooting 135
Engine
– lubrication 143
– oil level, check 96
– oil level, topping up 97
– serial number 13
– starting 55
– troubleshooting 130

Handlebar controls
– left side 41
– right side 43
Headlight, adjustment 81
– high beam, bulb replacement 120
– low beam, bulb replacement 119

H

E

Fuel system 145
Fuses, replacement 116

F

G

Gear lever 48
Glove compartment 65

Identification data 13
Idle speed, check 115
Ignition switch and steering lock 46
Instruments and warning lights 49

Maintenance and checks, tables 82
Motorcycle overview 138

M

I

L

Levels
– brake fluid 103
– clutch fluid 105
– coolant 99
– engine oil 96
License plate light, bulb replacement 124
Location of controls and instruments 38
Lubricants and fluids, table 93

Parking 66
Preriding checks 68
Prolonged inactivity 129
Purpose of manual 10

P

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INDEX

Rear light and brake light,
bulb replacement 123
Rearview mirrors, adjustment 75
Refuelling 64
Replacing parts, general information 116
Running-in 53

R

Safety 20
– labels, location 32
– recommendations for safe riding 27
– rules 21
– visual and acoustic signals 37
Scheduled maintenance tables 82
Side fairing, right-hand,
removal/refitting 94
Sidestand 39
Specifications 146
Spring preload 77
Steering damper, adjustment 75
Suspensions
– front, adjustment 76
– rear, adjustment 78
Symbols 11

S

Tampering, note 20
Tools and accessories supplied 92
Topping up
– coolant 100
– engine oil 97
Troubleshooting flow chart
– electrical equipment 135
– engine 130
Turn indicators
– front, bulb replacement 121
– rear, bulb replacement 122
Tyres, check 106
– puncturing 107
– replacement 108

T

Vehicle
– identification number 13
– load 25
– modifications 26

V

Warning lights 50
Warranty
– Booklet, Service Coupons and Dealers’

Guide 12

W

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

1.1. Purpose of the manual

In addition to providing directions on operation and mainte­nance, this manual contains important information about gen­eral safety: READ THE MANUAL OVER CAREFULLY

BEFORE FIRST USING THE MOTORCYCLE.

The manual describes the model with the maximum equip­ment at print time.

This manual must be considered as a part of your motorcycle.
It must always be kept in the glove compartment, and it must
be included with the vehicle even if this one is sold back to
another owner.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

1.2. Symbols

Sections of text that are particularly important in terms of personal safety or possible damage to the
motorcycle are marked with the following symbols:

Danger - Failure to observe these prescriptions, even in part, may pose a serious hazard
to the driver’s and other people’s safety.

Caution - Failure to observe these prescriptions, even in part, may result in damage to the
motorcycle.

The following symbols give an indication of who is supposed to perform the different adjustments and/or
maintenance operations:

Information on operations that can be carried out by the user.
Information on operations that must be carried out only by authorized personnel.

The following symbols are used to provide further information:

The “ ” symbol points out the requirement to use a tool or a special equipment in
order to correctly perform the described operation.

§ The “ § ” symbol refers the reader to the chapter identified by the number that follows.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

1.3. Warranty Booklet and Service Coupons

Besides this Owner’s Manual, the vehicle is accompanied by
the following documents: a Warranty Booklet containing a
Warranty and Pre-Delivery Certificate and recommended ser­vice coupons, and the MV Agusta Dealers’ Guide.

IMPORTANT

The copy of the Warranty and Pre-Delivery Certificate to be
sent to MV Agusta Motorcycles must be filled in by the dealer
and returned to the factory within 10 days from the date of reg­istration.

Every time the vehicle is serviced by a dealer, the user must
produce the Warranty Booklet so that the dealer can fill in the
service coupon and return it to MV Agusta Motorcycles within
10 days from the date of the servicing.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

1.4. Identification data

1) vehicle identification number

2) engine serial number

3) homologation data

Motorcycle identification

The motorcycle is identified by the vehicle identi­fication number. When placing orders for spare
parts, in addition to this number, you may be

required to provide the engine serial number, the
colour code and the key identification.

We recommend writing down the main numbers
in the spaces provided below.

FRAME No.:
ENGINE No.:

2) engine serial number

1) vehicle identification number

3) homologation data

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

ZCG

F4 01 AA Y V 000000

Manufacturer’s Letter Code

Motorcycle model

Variant

Model version

Model year

Plant of manufacture

Progressive vehicle number

Here below you can find a description of a vehicle identification number:

The progressive vehicle number must be provided each time you need to contact the MV Agusta
Technical Assistance Service.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

Motorcycle key identification

Akey is supplied in duplicate for both the ignition and all
the locks. Keep the duplicate in a safe place.

We recommend writing down the key identification num­ber in the space provided below:

KEY No.:

Identification of motorcycle color combination

The color code must be mentioned when ordering body
spares.

key identification number

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

10

9

11

8

7

6

5

4 3 2

1

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

1. - Front fairing;

2. - Left-hand rearview mirror;

3. - Right-hand rearview mirror;

4. - Air box;

5. - Fuel tank;

6. - Tail section:

Color combination A:

Red Painting - CRC 1951-3
(Code PPG 954642)

Color combination B:

Metal Diamond Silver Painting ­CRC 1951-9
(Code PPG ∗0042)

Color combination C:

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code PPG ∗0036/1 + Code PPG ∗0036/2)

7. - Fuel tank left-hand side fairing;

8. - Fuel tank right-hand side fairing;

9. - Left-hand side fairing;

10.- Right-hand side fairing;

11.- Undercowl:

Color combination A:

Metal Silver Painting - CRC 1951-2
(Code PPG 954643)

Color combination B:

Metal Diamond Silver Painting ­CRC 1951-9
(Code PPG ∗0042)

Color combination C:

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code PPG ∗0036/1 + Code PPG ∗0036/2)

Bodywork parts reference colors

Bodywork parts are painted with the following reference colors, according to the corresponding motorcy­cle color combination (see pag. 15):

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

12

14

15 16

17 18

13

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GENERAL INFORMATION 1

1

12.- Frame

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

13.- Front wheel rim

Metal Titanium Grey Painting ­CRC 1951-1
(Code PPG 954644)

14.- Rear wheel rim

Metal Titanium Grey Painting ­CRC 1951-1
(Code PPG 954644)

15.- Right-hand electrical equipment cover

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code Palinal 211E357)

16.- Left-hand electrical equipment cover

Black Painting - CRC 1951-6
(Code Palinal 211E357)

17.- Right-hand rearview mirror stand

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

18.- Left-hand rearview mirror stand

Metal Bronze Painting
(Code Palinal 211E144)

Frame parts reference colors

Frame parts are painted with the following reference colors:

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SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

2.1. Safety

2.1.1. NOTE ON TAMPERING

Tampering with the noise control system is pro­hibited. In particular, the law prohibits the follow­ing acts:

1. The removal or rendering inoperative, other
than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or
replacement, of any device or element of
design incorporated into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control prior to its sale or deliv­ery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use.

2. The use of the vehicle after such device or ele­ment of design has been removed or rendered
inoperative.

Acts presumed to constitute tampering include:

1. The removal or piercing of the exhaust
silencer, the diaphragm, the manifolds, or any
other components involved in the transmission
of exhaust gases.

2. The removal or piercing of any part of the
intake system.

3. Poor maintenance.

4. The replacement of any movable parts of the

vehicle or of any intake or exhaust compo­nents with parts or components other than
those prescribed by the manufacturer.

NOTE

If you notice a progressive increase of the noise
level of your motorcycle, MV Agusta recommends
to have your noise control system controlled and
if necessary replaced.
Otherwise, riding with a defective muffler can
subject you to the penalties prescribed by state
and local provisions.

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SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

2.1.2. SAFETY RULES

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE USE

Before riding, carefully read this manual so as

to familiarize yourself with the controls, characte­ristics, working and limits of the motorcycle. The
manual is aimed at providing information on some
of all the possible techniques and methods requi­red for safe riding.

Do not attach a sidecar, a trailer or any other
accessory to the motorcycle. Failure to observe
this warning may make the vehicle unstable and
cause serious accidents.

To ensure maximum reliability and maintain
the vehicle in perfect working order, it is essential
to perform the servicing detailed in the Scheduled
Maintenance Table and to follow all the instruc­tions provided in this manual. For further infor­mation, speak with your dealer, who will have the
necessary technical skills and information to assi­st you.

MV Agusta continually strives to improve the
quality of all of its motorcycles. Therefore, modifi­cations that improve the performance of the bike
are made as soon as they are developed.
Therefore, your motorcycle may not be described
exactly by the illustrations and text contained in
this manual.

If you find difficulties in understanding any pic­ture or information contained in this manual, con­tact your MV Agusta dealer to obtain the neces­sary explanations.

If you find difficulties in reading any information
contained in this manual, contact your MV Agusta
dealer.

In order to avoid compromising handling and
stability of your motorcycle, you should obey the
following warnings:

• do not attach any object to the vehicle;

• do not remove any part and/or component;

• do not modify the vehicle in any way;

• do not wear garments that could adversely
affect control and handling of the motorcycle.

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SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

Do not ride this motorcycle if you do not pos-

sess a regular driving licence. Failure to heed this
warning constitutes a breach of the Highway
Code, besides posing a serious hazard to the dri­ver’s and other people’s safety.

Do not try to service or repair this motorcycle if

you do not possess the necessary skills.

Motorcycle riding demands your complete
attention. Do not ride if you are ill, in poor physi­cal condition, or because of worry, etc., unable to
concentrate on the task at hand.

Always wear a helmet, even on short rides.

Always wear suitable clothes, especially when

travelling by night (e.g. garments with fluorescent
bands).

When refuelling, switch off the engine and
refrain from smoking.

Since petrol is highly flammable, avoid spilling
the fuel onto the tank and the exhaust pipes when
refuelling.

When refuelling, stay away from the vehicle to
avoid inhaling harmful fumes. Should the fuel

come into contact with the skin or clothes, imme­diately wash with water and change the contami­nated garments.

Do not start the engine in closed places.
Exhaust gases are toxic and can quickly saturate
the air and cause fainting or even death.

Before starting the engine in a closed place,
ensure that the area is well ventilated.

When travelling during the day , use the low beam.

While the vehicle is in motion, always rest the

feet on the specially designed supports.

While riding, always keep both hands on the
handlebars.

Engine and exhaust pipes become very hot
during riding. Always park your motorcycle where
people or children can not easily reach these
parts, in order to avoid serious burns.

Park the vehicle where it is unlikely to be bum­ped into or damaged. Even slight or involuntary
bumps can cause the vehicle to topple over, with
subsequent risk of serious harm to people or chil­dren.

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SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

To prevent the vehicle from tipping over, never

park it on soft or uneven ground, nor on asphalt
strongly heated by the sun.

Do not cover your motorcycle with a canvas
soon afterwards riding. Before covering your
motorcycle, wait until the engine and the exhaust
pipes have thoroughly cooled.

If your motorcycle has been involved in an
accident, check all levers, wires, hoses, brake
calipers and other main parts for damage. Do not
use the vehicle if you detect a damage that could
adversely affect safety. Have all the main parts
checked by an authorized MV Agusta dealer, in
order to verify the absence of defects and/or
damages that the owner could not be able to
detect.

2.1.3. INSTALLING ACCESSORIES

MV Agusta provides a range of accessories spe-

cially designed for your vehicle. It is essential that
these accessories are installed by an MV Agusta
dealer.

WARNING
Use only MV AGUSTA original acces­sories. The use of non-genuine acces­sories can make the vehicle unsafe by
reducing its handling, stability and the
effectiveness of the braking system. For
this reason, the installation of any non­genuine accessory makes the warranty
null and void and relieves MV Agusta of
all responsibility.

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SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

Therefore, the choice of the accessories should
be accurate and restricted to components of light
weight and small dimensions only.

Your motorcycle could undergo lightening or
other instability effects in case of wind blowing
sideways and transversely; this may also happen
when your motorcycle runs into or it is overtaken
by vehicles of great dimensions. Under these con­ditions, the accessories adversely affect your dri­ving safety, especially if they are incorrectly
assembled or of the wrong type. It is therefore
necessary to pay great attention in choosing and
assembling any accessory.

Some accessories force the rider to drive in an
unnatural position. This may obviously restrict
your freedom of movement and cause loss of con­trol of the vehicle.

Additional electric accessories can cause an
overload of the electrical system of your motorcy­cle; this could damage the wires, causing danger
of short circuit and electric shock.

Every time you apply accessories that affect
the weight and/or the aerodynamic characteristics
of your motorcycle, they must be assembled on its
lower side and near to its center, as much as it is
possible. The brackets and the anchor bolts must
be carefully checked after the assembling, to
ensure a stable framework and an unmovable
support for the accessory. In fact, an eventual
breaking of these stands could cause dangerous
situations during riding.

Verify that the assembling of the accessories
does not cause a reduction of the minimum ground
clearance and of the inclination of your motorcy­cle. Moreover, verify that the assembling of the
accessories does not cause any interference with
the handling of the steering system, with the travel
of the suspensions and/or with the movement of
any other component involved in driving.

Any accessory positioned on the handlebar or
on the front fork can reduce the handling and
adversely affect the stability of the vehicle.

- 25 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

• NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR MOTOR­CYCLE! Driving an overloaded motorcy­cle can cause damage to the tyres, loss of
control of the vehicle and serious injury.
Verify that the total weight (including the
weight of the motorcycle, the driver, the
passenger, the load and all the accesso­ries) does not exceed the maximum load
values specified for your vehicle.

• Never carry any incorrectly fastened
object on your motorcycle, because it
could move from its position during
riding.

• Steadily fasten the heaviest objects near
the center of the motorcycle, and equally
divide the load on both sides of the vehicle.

• Do not insert any object or accessory
in the spaces on the frame trellis, in
order to avoid interferring with the
movable parts of the motorcycle.

• Before riding, always check the wear
and the pressure of the tyres.

2.1.7. VEHICLE LOAD

The F4 S version is designed for use by the rider
only, whereas the F4 S 1+1 version can also seat
a passenger. To use the vehicle in complete safe­ty, it is essential that the following maximum load
conditions are never exceeded:

F4 S 325 kg
F4 S 1+1 405 kg

These values include the weight of the motorcy­cle, the driver, the passenger, the load and all the
accessories.

WARNING
Since the load can strongly affect hand­ling, braking, performance and safety
characteristics of your motorcycle, you
should always keep in mind the fol­lowing warnings.

- 26 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

• Adjust the suspensions according to
the load.

• Even if the motorcycle is correctly
loaded, drive with caution and never
exceed 130 km/h when you carry a load.

2.1.5. MODIFICATIONS
MV Agusta suggests neither to remove any origi-

nal device, nor to modify the motorcycle in any
way that could change its shape or its working.

WARNING
Any modifications made to the vehicle
(e.g. alteration and/or removal of com­ponents) can make the vehicle unsafe or
unlawful. MV Agusta cannot be held
responsible for any damage to people
and objects subsequent to eventual
modifications made to the original con­ditions of your motorcycle. Modifying
the vehicle immediately voids the war­ranty and relieves MV Agusta of all
responsibility.

2.1.6. COMPETITIONS
WARNING

Riding the vehicle in competitions
requires considerable skill and experi­ence as well as an accurate setup of the
motorcycle.

MV Agusta has designed a number of special

components for use in competitions and/or sport­ing events. The use of such components is strict­ly limited to areas closed to traffic. Failure to
observe this restriction constitutes a breach of the
Highway Code for which MV Agusta cannot be
held responsible.

- 27 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

2.1.7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE RID­ING

Besides being a means of transport, your motor­cycle is a source of recreation and excitement.
However, the configuration of the vehicle does not
exclude a certain amount of risk. To ensure maxi­mum safety, in addition to scrupulously observing
the warnings and instructions provided in the pre­vious paragraphs, it is essential to take a few
additional precautions.
In particular:

Before starting off

Follow all the directions given in the section “PRE­RIDING CHECKS”. Conduct an overall check of
all safety-related aspects of the motorcycle.

Familiarizing with the vehicle

The rider’s ability and his mechanical skills form
the basis of riding safety. It is advisable to practise
riding in areas without traffic until you have
become familiar with the vehicle and its controls.

Being aware of one’s limits

When riding, never exceed your limits nor those
imposed by law. Being aware of your limits and
acting accordingly will help you avoid accidents.

Adverse weather conditions

Be very careful when riding in adverse weather
conditions. On wet roads, for example, the brak­ing distance increases as a result of reduced tyre
traction. It is therefore necessary to travel at mod­erate speed and avoid abrupt braking and accel­eration. Pay particular attention when riding on
slippery surfaces such as road markings, man­holes, level crossings, bridges, gratings, etc.
Considering that a motorcycle cannot provide the
same degree of shock protection as a motor vehi­cle, it is essential to adopt a “defensive” riding atti­tude, particularly in the adverse weather condi­tions described above.

- 28 -

SAFETY INFORMATION 2

2

Keeping even one foot or hand away from

their designed supports could cause loss of con­trol of the vehicle and increase the risk of acci­dents. Always keep both hands on the handlebars
and both feet on the footrests during riding.

Change gears as necessary to ensure that the
proper gear ratio is chosen in all riding conditions,
allowing the engine to run at optimum speed at all
times. Avoid high gear ratios when travelling at
reduced speed (excessively low rpm) as well as
low gear ratios when travelling at high speed
(excessively high rpm).

Always operate the clutch system when you
change gear, in order to avoid damage of the
engine, of the gearbox and of the transmission.
These components have not been designed to
take the shocking stress caused by the forced
coupling of a gear.

Do not keep the clutch disengaged for a long
time during riding, unless you have to change
gear. Failure to heed this warning may lead to the

overheating and to the abnormal wear of the clut­ch components.

When rapid acceleration is required (e.g. when
passing), select a lower gear to obtain better
acceleration.

When the motorcycle is being ridden at high
speed, gearing down several times in rapid suc­cession can cause the engine to overspeed. As a
result, the rear wheel may lock, causing loss of
control of the vehicle, as well as damage to the
engine and transmission.

When riding down long hills, reduce the speed
of your motorcycle by closing the throttle and
using a low gear ratio to take advantage of engi­ne braking. Use the front and rear brakes as little
as possible to maintain your speed, in order to
prevent brake overheating and fade.

Special attention should be given to the braking
system, which plays a key role in ensuring safety.
When braking, always take account of the speed of
the vehicle and the condition of the road surface.