The MV Agusta F3 was designed by Adrian Morton and the engine by Ezio Mascheroni. It was first shown at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan on 2 November 2010, presenting styling that incorporated elements from the MV Agusta F4, including the diamond headlamp, tapered seat shell, and single-sided swingarm offering an unobstructed view of the rear wheel. Unlike the F4, the exhaust was positioned on the right side of the bike in front of the rear wheel rather than under the seat.
The limited edition Oro version went on sale in December 2011, with the standard model following in January 2012 in 675 cc specification. The 800 cc version entered production in 2013.
The F3 was developed in parallel with the Brutale three-cylinder, establishing a shared chassis and engine architecture that became the foundation for the manufacturer's entire three-cylinder range, including the Rivale, Stradale, and Turismo Veloce models.
The 675 cc engine uses a three-cylinder layout with a bore and stroke of 79 mm and 45.9 mm respectively — an extremely short-stroke configuration. Combined with titanium valves, this allows the engine to reach very high speeds. The engine develops 126 bhp at 14,400 rpm and uses a counter-rotating crankshaft, a design feature previously used only on MotoGP motorcycles such as the Yamaha YZR-M1. The counter-rotating mass counteracts centripetal forces from the wheels, allowing faster cornering transitions.
Engine management is handled by the MV Agusta MVICS system, which includes ride-by-wire throttle control, four pre-set rider modes plus one individually adjustable setting, and an eight-level adjustable traction control system.
To create the 800 cc version, the stroke was increased from 45.9 mm to 54.3 mm while the bore was retained. The resulting 800 cc engine develops 148 bhp at 13,000 rpm.
The chassis uses MV Agusta's characteristic short wheelbase and steep steering head angle of 66 degrees with a short 99 mm trail, producing quick, precise handling. A steel tubular lattice frame carries a single-sided aluminium swingarm. Suspension is provided by 43 mm Marzocchi inverted forks, fully adjustable, and a fully adjustable Sachs rear shock absorber. Brembo brakes use 320 mm diameter discs with radial-mounted four-piston callipers at the front and a 220 mm disc with a two-piston calliper at the rear. A cassette gearbox can be fitted with MV Agusta's EAS automatic gear shift system.
In 2021 the 800 cc engine was revised to meet the Euro 5 emissions standard. Internal friction reduction and additional refinements allowed the engine to maintain 147 bhp. The F3 Rosso, introduced as the 2021 entry-level model using the Euro 5 engine, also received a revised, stiffer frame with updated steering geometry.
The F3 800 has been offered in several distinct versions. The standard F3 800 entered production in 2013 with the 148 bhp engine. The F3 800 AGO, introduced in 2014 as a 300-unit limited edition, was dedicated to former MV multiple world champion Giacomo Agostini. Finished in red, white, and green representing the Italian tricolore and autographed by Agostini, the AGO used lightweight magnesium and carbon components to reduce weight to 171 kg. It incorporated the MVICS integrated electronics management system.
The F3 800 RC, introduced in 2018 in a 350-unit limited edition, received an updated engine producing 153 bhp, along with updated chassis and bodywork from the MV Agusta race department. The track-only F3 XX, announced in May 2019 by Reparto Corse, raised output to 160 bhp at 13,000 rpm and reduced dry weight to 145 kg through extensive use of carbon fibre. Electronics include a data logging system for lap time analysis.
The F3 RR, introduced in 2021, represents the first high-performance model using the Euro 5 engine. Aerodynamic revisions include front winglets that generate 8 kg of downforce at the front wheel, with wider airflow management around the motorcycle to offset the drag penalty from the winglets. A race kit raises output from the standard 147 bhp to 155 bhp and reduces weight by 8 kg. The F3 Competizione, announced in 2024 as a 2025 production-run limited to 300 units, uses Ohlins suspension replacing the RR's Marzocchi and Sachs units along with BST carbon wheels and the full race kit, producing 160 hp at 13,500 rpm and meeting the Euro 5+ emissions standard in road trim.
Two MV Agusta F3 675 machines competed in the 2013 Supersport World Championship managed by Team ParkinGO, with Roberto Rolfo and Christian Iddon achieving three podiums.
MV Agusta made an official racing return in 2014 through a partnership between Giovanni Castiglioni and Alexander Yakhnich, establishing the MV Agusta Reparto Corse for competition in both the Supersport and Superbike World Championships. The team was operated by Yakhnich Motorsport. Rider Jules Cluzel scored three wins for the team and finished second in the 2014 WorldSSP championship. The ATK Racing Team also entered an F3 in three 2014 WorldSSP rounds with Alex Baldolini.
Cluzel won three further races in 2015 riding for Reparto Corse alongside Lorenzo Zanetti, and added two more victories in 2016. The F3 attracted multiple satellite entries across these seasons from teams including GRT Racing Team, Race Department ATK, Team Factory Vamag, Schmidt Racing, and Ellan Vannin Motorsport.
In 2017 P.J. Jacobsen and Alessandro Zaccone rode for the works squad. For 2018, Reparto Corse partnered with Team Vamag under the MV Agusta Reparto Corse by Vamag name, with Raffaele De Rosa and Ayrton Badovini as riders. De Rosa was retained for 2019, joined by Federico Fuligni.
The MV Agusta F3 800 restored the Italian manufacturer's presence at the top level of world championship motorcycle racing while reviving a three-cylinder configuration that had been absent from MV Agusta's production lineup for four decades. The F3 platform's success in underpinning the brand's entire three-cylinder product range confirmed its significance as a commercial and engineering foundation for modern MV Agusta.