Motorcycle specifications Massimo TamburiniF43 Centenario 2023 Closer to the sky

Lovers of aesthetics, beautiful motorcycles, sculptural mechanical creatures and stylistic sumptuousness know the name Tamburini well. Massimo Tamburini, Italian designer, creator of some of the most beautiful motorcycles in history, founder of Bimota, winner of the CR&S award, strategic figure in Cagiva's heyday, the "father of the 916" has left an indisputable mark on the motorcycle world.

The name lives on in the industry. His son Andrea keeps the flame alive. He brought the T12 model - a superlative sports bike - to fruition, and this time presents a superb F43 Centenario.

Taut, expressive and explosive, this diva perpetuates the master's eternal pencil stroke. Seasoned observers will quickly make the connection with the MV-Agusta F4 1000, which will disappear from Varese's catalog in 2019. And with good reason: the F43 is based on an F4, to which a new, all-carbon-fiber body has been grafted.

The subtle blend of deep blue and carbon black makes the machine both bewitching and menacing. The design team thought it appropriate to anodize a whole series of parts in matt blue, such as the fork crown, the shock-absorbing connecting rod, some parts of the exhaust system, the rear wheel nut, the sub-frame, the footrests, the handlebars... a little too kitsch for our taste.

What we like better is the engine. The F43 has taken the block from the Brutale 1000, boosting it to 208 hp. Here's a block that meets the brand's exacting standards. As are the Öhlins inverted forks, magnesium wheels, alcantara seat and Rizoma rear-view mirrors. But the brand could have done better with higher-end Brembo calipers (Stylema R instead of M4), an Öhlins shock absorber rather than a Sachs, and why not a magnesium swingarm?

the F43 Centenario is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Italian Air Force. The country sent aircraft into battle as early as the beginning of the 20th century, with aircraft brought together in a section of the Engineers. This branch was later transferred to the army. Before 1923, the Italian air force was a corps; on March 28, 1923, it was elevated to the rank of a full-fledged army. Thus was born the "Regia Aeronautica", which in 1946 became the "Aeronautica Militare", the name it still bears today. Symbolism is everywhere: the dates 1923 and 2023 on the rims; a large 100 with an airplane on the hoof; the official emblem on the fuel tank; the "Centenario" running along the top of the fairing panels; and a small family nod, Massimo's signature reproduced on the seat cover.

A limited-edition Araï RX-7V Evo helmet has been specially designed to match this F43. Sold separately, for a whopping .... 2500 euros. As for the bike itself, it was not marketed as such, but put up for auction. The proceeds were donated to AIRC, an Italian cancer research association.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos