MV Agusta today announced that Design Chief Massimo Tamburini will retire from the company, effective Dec. 31, 2008. Tamburini has been with Cagiva since early 1985 and has headed up MV Agusta’s engineering and design center, Centro Ricerche Cagiva, in San Marino for over 13 years, where he and the staff designed what are widely regarded as world-class, premium, high-performance sport motorcycles, including the legendary F4.
“I have dedicated a significant part of my career in motorcycle design to Cagiva and MV Agusta and am immensely proud of the beautiful and thrilling motorcycles we have created,” said Tamburini.
“While my decision to retire was extremely difficult to make, I am confident the highly-talented designers and engineers in San Marino will continue the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of MV Agusta. I have been privileged to realize so many dreams during my years with Cagiva and MV Agusta and look forward to seeing more great things yet to come from the company,” Tamburini said.
Tamburini plans to pursue design interests outside the motorcycle field and to spend more time on his other outside interests.
“Massimo Tamburini is one of the legends of the motorcycle industry and leaves a great legacy at MV Agusta,” said Claudio Castiglioni, MV Agusta Chairman and Director of Motorcycle Research and Development. “The capabilities he built at MV Agusta’s design center are outstanding and his legacy and vision will now be carried forward by the team he assembled and mentored over many years. While we will miss his presence, we respect his decision to retire and wish him all the best for the future,” Castiglioni said.
MV Agusta is a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S.-based Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG). MV Agusta produces premium, high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agustaź brand and lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the Cagivaź brand.
There are many superb designers around. The end of an era maybe but not the end of the World.
Although the F4 is an undeniably beautiful motorcycle, I think the term "Legendary" is premature. Only history will tell. It has acheived little in racing and rests on the Laurels of past glory with very different machines.
Now what? Now I buy a Desmosedici at a bargain price and laugh at F4 owners as my lighter, faster, Ducati leaves their heavy, slow turning, now owned by Harley Davidson F4 in the dust. LOL!
The 916 is Tamburini's legacy, not the F4. The F4 is his failure. Not one World Title under its belt, not a one. LMAO!!!!
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Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
I have a difficult time calling a bike like the F4, which looks as good today as September '97 when it was unveiled, a failure.
Its lack of world championships (it has at least one national championshop?) is more a failure on Castiglioni to manage a business than the failure of the bike.
By your reasoning, the GSXR750 is also a failure because it competed for years in WSBk with only a few wins.
A few world titles is better then none. The F4 was a failure because it did not sell enough to keep Cagiva afloat. They had to sell to Harley-Davidson. Go ask MV dealers how many 2006, 2007, 2008 F4's they still have that never moved. It was a failure. You gotta win on Sunday to sell on Monday in the sportbike world (Especially if you want to compete on the showroom floor against Japan) and MV didnt win. Why spend almost 3 times as much for a bike that didnt beat the Japanese bike that costs less? Why? Just because it looks better and is more exclusive?? I'm sorry but 90% of sportbike riders dont care about that sort of thing. They look at numbers, specs, and race wins, and thats why MV dealers were stuck with F4's that didnt move and thats why Cagiva had to sell out to Harley. Like I said, FAILURE. The 916, as we all know, is a different story.
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Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
'02 748R
'06 RC-51
'06 GSX-R750
'09 SR50R Factory
Last edited by Realmanken; 12-09-2008 at 10:26 PM.
I'm sorry but 90% of sportbike riders dont care about that sort of thing. They look at numbers, specs, and race wins,...
On the other hand, 95% of sportbike riders couldn't afford to buy an MV. Perhaps the only error made was that the market wouldn't bear the price. Functionally, the bike was spectacular as attested to by all who rode it.
I would have bought one had they been imported into Canada.
On the other hand, 95% of sportbike riders couldn't afford to buy an MV. Perhaps the only error made was that the market wouldn't bear the price. Functionally, the bike was spectacular as attested to by all who rode it.
I would have bought one had they been imported into Canada.
Melting fan blades, overheating engines, and waiting 3 months for a part is spectacular? Really?? Add to all this, never winning a WSBK title, and almost going belly up numerous times to end up having to sell to Harely Davidson and have your key designer "retire" (I think its more like he quit). Dam dude! Where do I sign up??? LOL!
__________________
Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
Melting fan blades, overheating engines, and waiting 3 months for a part is spectacular? Really?? Add to all this, never winning a WSBK title, and almost going belly up numerous times to end up having to sell to Harely Davidson and have your key designer "retire" (I think its more like he quit). Dam dude! Where do I sign up??? LOL!
Ducati has almost gone "belly up" more than once. They too entertained a union with HD. And their parts supply has been less than award winning. And reliability has at times been somewhat wanting. So what? I don't have two because they won championships.
I said the MVs were functionally spectacular. I didn't comment on their parts supply. That it is less than stellar is no shock. Kawasaki has issues with melting fan blades, too. Big deal...
So Tamburini quit - does this make the bike any less than what it is?
You seem to put a lot of importance into the fact that they didn't win a world title. Might be important to you but to many it isn't. We all have different criteria when making purchases.
My car might be considered somewhat exotic, hasn't competed in world championships in decades, has suspect parts supply, has more management changes than I have socks but is so different from 99% of the cars out there. I bought it because I like it. You probably wouldn't but that's ok.
Ducati has almost gone "belly up" more than once. They too entertained a union with HD. And their parts supply has been less than award winning. And reliability has at times been somewhat wanting. So what? I don't have two because they won championships.
I said the MVs were functionally spectacular. I didn't comment on their parts supply. That it is less than stellar is no shock. Kawasaki has issues with melting fan blades, too. Big deal...
So Tamburini quit - does this make the bike any less than what it is?
You seem to put a lot of importance into the fact that they didn't win a world title. Might be important to you but to many it isn't. We all have different criteria when making purchases.
My car might be considered somewhat exotic, hasn't competed in world championships in decades, has suspect parts supply, has more management changes than I have socks but is so different from 99% of the cars out there. I bought it because I like it. You probably wouldn't but that's ok.
You know, you talk like someone that has vested intrest in MV. I bet you that youre trying to get rid of F4's at your stealership that didnt move. I cant prove it, and you'll probably deny it, but you talk like someone that has vested intrest in MV because any smart person who knows anything about bikes, or has done their research, would not buy one.
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Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
....MV because any smart person who knows anything about bikes, or has done their research, would not buy one.
I have to disagree with that one. They definitely have their negatives, but just look at it...
There is no rational reason to buy an Ferrari F430 over the new Nissan GTR, but lots of people do (did?). For that matter, in truth a Mistubishi Evo is probably just as enjoyable to drive as the GTR, but it doesn't stop people from waiting in line for the Nissan.
You know, you talk like someone that has vested intrest in MV. I bet you that youre trying to get rid of F4's at your stealership that didnt move. I cant prove it, and you'll probably deny it, but you talk like someone that has vested intrest in MV because any smart person who knows anything about bikes, or has done their research, would not buy one.
I'd prefer to deal in fact rather than speculation so I won't respond to any of the above other than to say that if you have obviously not been paying attention to previous posts.
I will, however, confirm that logic has nothing to do with my criteria for buying motorcycles or cars. Same thing goes for watches, clothes, shoes and a variety of other things. This is only a guess but I think the world would be a very drab place if we were all "smart" and used logic as our singular driving force in making all purchasing decisions.
I have to disagree with that one. They definitely have their negatives, but just look at it...
There is no rational reason to buy an Ferrari F430 over the new Nissan GTR, but lots of people do (did?). For that matter, in truth a Mistubishi Evo is probably just as enjoyable to drive as the GTR, but it doesn't stop people from waiting in line for the Nissan.
MV's suck dude! They're big, heavy, turn slow, and overheat. Thats why people who buy them can only comment on the looks. Gotta fall back on something when all other aspects of the bike are inferior. Kind of like the dumb blonde who has to show lots of T & A to make up for her lack of intelligence.
__________________
Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
MV's suck dude! They're big, heavy, turn slow, and overheat. Thats why people who buy them can only comment on the looks. Gotta fall back on something when all other aspects of the bike are inferior. Kind of like the dumb blonde who has to show lots of T & A to make up for her lack of intelligence.
I'd prefer to deal in fact rather than speculation so I won't respond to any of the above other than to say that if you have obviously not been paying attention to previous posts.
I will, however, confirm that logic has nothing to do with my criteria for buying motorcycles or cars. Same thing goes for watches, clothes, shoes and a variety of other things. This is only a guess but I think the world would be a very drab place if we were all "smart" and used logic as our singular driving force in making all purchasing decisions.
You must be one of those dudes who bought a Rolex watch just for the sake of saying you own a Rolex, when you could have bought a watch with a much better movement for a fraction of the cost. I used logic when I bought my TISSOT watch. I bought my TISSOT instead of any other brand of watch because it came with one of the best Automatic Swiss Movements money can buy, Valjoux, better then a Rolex movement, trust me. If you dont use logic when making purchases, I dont care what you're buying, then you are just foolish and enjoy throwing your money away or just like getting screwed.
__________________
Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
'02 748R
'06 RC-51
'06 GSX-R750
'09 SR50R Factory
Last edited by Realmanken; 12-12-2008 at 07:54 PM.
Yeah me too, but I dont want to marry the dumb blonde cuz I know I can find the intelligent blonde. She does exist doesnt she? LOL! Lucky for me I prefer brunettes.
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Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
You must be one of those dudes who bought a Rolex watch just for the sake of saying you own a Rolex, when you could have bought a watch with a much better movement for a fraction of the cost. I used logic when I bought my TISSOT watch. I bought my TISSOT instead of any other brand of watch because it came with one of the best Automatic Swiss Movements money can buy, Valjoux, better then a Rolex movement, trust me. If you dont use logic when making purchases, I dont care what you're buying, then you are just foolish and enjoy throwing your money away or just like getting screwed.
Again with the assumptions. I don't own a Rolex.
I'm thrilled that you're happy with your TISSOT. They make quartz stuff, right? And for their automatics they buy their movements from a third party? Kinda like buying a Suzuki with a Kawi engine in it.
Hey, keep doing what you're doing. It works for you.
MV's suck dude! They're big, heavy, turn slow, and overheat. Thats why people who buy them can only comment on the looks. Gotta fall back on something when all other aspects of the bike are inferior. Kind of like the dumb blonde who has to show lots of T & A to make up for her lack of intelligence.
I married one I thought was smart but turned out to be dumb, and now doesn't let loose with the T&A either. All I'm left with is the P&D (pretty & dumb)
Even when new in 2000, a GSXR750 would have outperformed an MV750. I will give you that. The MV dealer network is spotty as well. Contrary to the horror stories many tell, the overall bike has proven to generally reliable. Cagiva worked on this bike for a long time and got it mostly right. It will never be as trouble-free, maintenance-free, and soul-free as the Suzuki of course.
Intangibles are why many buy motorcycles. Nobody needs a bike. It is a toy, and people buy bikes for much more than going from A to B. The looks are incredible, still fresh after 11 years. The sound (with pipes) is also incomparable. I'm sure it also has good "poser points" as well for those interested. But more than anything, it is the pride of ownership, how it makes the owner feel for whatever reason, that means bikes like this will always be around.
To paraphrase an old Motorcyclist article..."In a decade or two when the GSXR has been long eclipsed by tomorrow's technology, the MV will still be aging gracefully."
I'm thrilled that you're happy with your TISSOT. They make quartz stuff, right? And for their automatics they buy their movements from a third party? Kinda like buying a Suzuki with a Kawi engine in it.
Hey, keep doing what you're doing. It works for you.
Yes, you're correct in saying that TISSOT makes quartz watches as well, and also correct in saying that they buy their movements from other companies. Lots of Swiss and Italian watch companies buy movements. Rolex used to buy movements from other companies as well, until they started making their own movements just a few years ago, and ever since they started making their own movements, the quality of their moevements have gone down. A Swiss ETA movement or Valjoux movement is now better then a Rolex movement so go figure. If Bimota started building their own engines I seriously doubt it would be better then a Ducati Engine. Logic plays a bigger role then you chose to beleive my friend.
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Don't be a poser, and ride it like you mean it!!!
Tamburini Retires, now what?
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