While these days MV Agusta may be regarded as yet another brand at the exotic end of the motorcycle spectrum, it was a very different story in the late 1990s.
That’s when we started to get glimpses of the 750 F4 (above), the first bike produced since production shut down in 1980.
This was the marque with 63 world championships to its credit and was most closely associated with the legendary Giacomo Agostini. There was huge interest in its revival.
The story of this bike began in 1992 when Cagiva, then run by Claudio Castiglioni, bought the MV Agusta trademark. Three years later, the legendary designer Massimo Tamburini (who also penned the Ducati 916) was sketching out the basics for a new MV, from his hospital bed. He was in for 20 days to have a stomach tumour removed…
The end product wasn’t cheap. A Serie Oro, if you had been quick enough to get on the order list, would have set you back around AU$60,000. The production S was around $25,000 at a time when a Honda FireBlade would have cost you more like $16,000.
What did you get for the money? In most respects, this was not a revolutionary motorcycle, but it was nicely crafted.
The red and silver livery made a deliberate connection with the race bikes of the company’s heyday.
At the heart of the machine was a radial valve engine, the initial design for which had been done by Ferrari. Cagiva’s race department took that, adapted it from dry to wet sump and finished off the development for motorcycle use.
Liquid cooled with four valves per cylinder and fuel injection, the powerplant claimed a respectable (if not earth-shattering) 126 horses. Weighing 191 kilos dry, the bike was low and narrow, but ran a substantial wheelbase at 1412mm.
It boasted a race-style cassette gearbox, though ambitions to get out on the track and relive the glory days with the series were never realised. That powerplant grew to 1000cc, producing up to 170hp.
Numerous variants were made, including the Ago above and the ultra-rare Australia-only Nero, of which just 21 were produced – shown here in black.
WHAT’S HOT ON THE AUCTION FRONT
1954 RAPIDE PROJECT
Donington Auctions
Date: December 8, 2024
Sold for: $75,750
Visit: doningtonauctions.com.au
The Vincent Series C Rapide was renowned for its performance, engineering and innovative design. Built by Vincent HRD, the Rapide was powered by an overhead-valve 998cc V-twin engine which produced around 45 horsepower, making the Rapide one of the fastest motorcycles of its era. With a top speed of approximately 175km/h, the Rapide was a dream machine for speed enthusiasts.
What set the Series C Rapide apart was not just its performance, but its advanced engineering. It featured a cantilever rear suspension system, and a ‘Girdraulic’ front fork. This combined a traditional girder-style fork with hydraulic damping, providing improved handling and ride comfort. The engine also doubled as a stressed member of the frame.
Set off by a predominantly black finish, minimalistic design, and dominating engine, aesthetically the Vincent Rapide set a new standard for motorcycles in the 1950s. Today, the Series C Rapide is revered as a classic.
This example was highly modified and came with many of the parts required to return it to standard trim.
1915 CYCLONE RACER
Mecum Las Vegas
Date: February 2, 2025
Sold for: $2.13m
Visit: mecum.com
This 1915 Cyclone racer recently set a new price record at $2.13 million – well above pre-auction expectations.
This is was part of the giant 2000-lot motorcycle auction by Mecum in Las Vegas, which concluded last February 2.
The Cyclone was made by a firm that was only in production from 1912 to 1917 and managed to produce some very advanced machines. This one, for example, features bevel-driven overhead camshafts.
It was restored by a ‘name’ expert, Stephen Wright, and fetched AU$2.13mil (US$1.32mil). Cracking the US$1mil mark is a significant milestone.
Meanwhile, Crocker V-twins were similarly innovative and just 70 are thought to have been built, with 68 known survivors. In their day, they had performance which was more than a match for a Vincent twin.
Though they’ve long been desirable, the price for a 1938 example (listed as number 46) has set a new high. It went for AU$1.42mil (US$880K).