MV Agusta F3 800 AGO – A Limited-Edition Tribute to Giacomo Agostini

MV Agusta F3 800 AGO

Back in 1965, Giacomo Agostini begin competing aboard MV Agusta machinery in Grand Prix racing. Th following year, “Ago” earned his first title with the Varese manufacturer, taking the 500cc World Championship aboard the MV Agusta 500 Three.

Agostini continued in World Championship racing through 1977, earning a total of 15 titles; 13 of those were on MV Agusta machinery. Due to this, there’s no way of talk about just MV Agusta or Agostini without mentioning the other. The two are undeniably one of the most successful rider/manufacturer combos in motorcycle-racing history.

And now, MV Agusta pays tribute to the iconic rider with the F3 800 AGO. The creation, which was first unveiled last November at EICMA, was driven by pure inspiration: “Tricolor, gold and that Number 1: the fairings of the campionissimo evoke the exhilarating world of racing and the atmosphere of the tracks where the legend of the unbeatable MV Agusta Grand Prix bikes was born,” MV Agusta says.

“These bikes made Giacomo Agostini a motorcycling legend and have now re-emerged from the past thanks to the most faithful replica ever: the F3 800 AGO, packed with unsurpassed technology that provides jaw-dropping performance and unparalleled riding pleasure.”

The differences between the F3 800 AGO and the standard sport bike are mostly aesthetics and lighter weight. The AGO edition receives the Tricolor paint job (Italian flag colors), a gold frame, carbon-fiber mudguards and forged aluminum wheels, which help shave nearly 5 lb. from the base-model’s dry weight of 381 lb.

Only 300 AGO models will be produced, and a silver plaque attached to the steering yolk will adorn the production number. Also, each bike will be personally signed by Agostini. “A tangible thrill, then, for MV Agusta devotees and fans of the world’s greatest-ever motorcyclist, to be experienced, quite literally, every time they sit astride the bike,” MV Agusta says.

Each bike will also arrive with a special certificate signed by Agostini, “providing additional proof of the uniqueness and originality of this latest MV Agusta legend.”

Everything else is pure high-performance, F3 800 technology, which can be attributed to MV Agusta’s recent sales success.

The AGO’s 798cc, inline three-cylinder was designed to feature the torque of a V-Twin and the high-revving performance of an inline four. The engine produces 65 ft/lb of torque at 10,600 rpm, and 148 horsepower at 13,000 rpm (rev limiter set at 13,500 rpm), which is 20 more than its younger sibling, the F3 675.

The F3 800 AGO arrives the latest in MV Agusta electronics, including  the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System), which features three preset mapping options – Touring, Sport and Rain – and one that can be customized by the rider. The MVICS also incorporates Ride-by-Wire technology, and eight levels of traction control, which can also be disengaged.

The F3 800 AGO arrives with top ABS offered today –  the Bosch 9MP with Race Mode and the RLM system, which prevents the rear wheel from lifting under hard braking. The F3 800 AGO features two 320mm front discs up front squeezed by Brembo monobloc 4-piston calipers, and a 220mm single disc out back squeezed by a two-piston caliper.

Suspension duties are handled by a 43mm Marzocchi fork up front, and a Sachs mono-shock absorber out back. Also helping in handling is the short, 54.3-inch wheelbase.

MV Agusta says the limited-edition F3 800 AGO will go on sale this May for around $33,000 (23,990€).

For a review of the base model at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, visit 2014 MV Agusta F3 800 Review. Also, check out some onboard footage from the test on our YouTube channel.