So, finally (hopefully) got myself looking at V4 or V4S - for track use only. Do I get a V4, and spend the money on upgraded manual suspension - or is the V4S suspension good enough out of the box for track days? Any tips/advice welcome before I start looking around
I have the S and let the suspension control unit do its thing, having set my preference for a softer suspension. At Almeria, it worked absolutely fine ….. for me. If you want and have the time to faff about, you can switch the auto electronics off and work on your own individual settings (still electronic). If you are top end fast group, perhaps you might benefit from fitting a KTech cartridge kit in the Showa BPFs and having a better analogue rear shock. I’m most definitely not and the Öhlins are great for me. Andy
I’ve got V4S for track. It’s absolutely fine for me but if you’re particularly quick and are looking for an optimal setup, I think the general consensus is that you should go V4 and customise the suspension.
I had a v4s and after having the suspension set up done by an ex ducati mechanic that claimed he used to set up some of the race bikes here in the Uk, he told me he had switched off the electric self adjustment side of the suspension and informed me that with this, the suspension has finer adjustments through the electronics to set up the suspension more accurately. When I took the bike out a few times, I found the bike appeared to handle more to my liking than left as the standard factory set up. I now have a V4r so have fully adjustable analogue suspension to set up do once the weather gets better, I will be going back to the same guy to get him to set this bike up.
Thanks for the replies, think i sit at front of inters group or back half of fast group at best so sounds like the S might work as the difference between price and the cost of suspension may end up being quite a bit more good to know about the option to turn off the auto adjust as I would get it setup properly in track form so that’s a good one to go for I think
I suspect we are similar in pace. I had a V4s but never tracked it. I have taken my s1000rr sport on track though. As a result, I think the more electrickery you have at your disposal the better.
Personally I would go for a base V4, then add suspension and wheels separately. You’ll have a better track bike as a result. The one consideration however is the lead time and availability of a V4 base model, there are not many being made or kicking around. That said the V4s is very capable.
I think this is a really good point. The V4s is plenty good enough out of the box all the way to the top of fast group and beyond. The base model is probably too to be fair but you won’t be able to resist spanking shitloads on kit you don’t actually need. My mates just got an s1000rr M. Base suspension. He going to throw thousands of pounds at it in the suspension department. He rides in novice. It’s his hobby but you get the point.
Exactly. There’s a YouTube vid of Johan Zarco taking a factory fresh, bog stock V4S round Jerez. Track to himself and a set of slicks. He was doing 1.43’s… just mental…
I’ve got a V4S, have the suspension in fixed mode and tweaked it all myself and it rides lovely. I didn’t like the feel in electric personally with the initial dive under breaking. The ohlins look so much better so I’d still go for them again, shiny gold trinkets = way quicker lap times.
Hehe thanks guys, Being honest with myself, I think as I will probably never grace the front end of fast group it sounds like the V4S is the one for me
Ive had a 2018/19 V4s with Mupo suspension from new, and the bike is fine for Fast Group Trackdays I'm now considering replacing the bike with either a new V4 std or a V4R.... What is the better bike for trackdays (to old to go back to racing now) - is the V4R a good trackday bike or purley a racebike due to the peak rpm to get the power ??
To be honest, I have not had much of a chance to ride the V4r, however the rides that I have been out on the V4r give me the impression it’s a totally different ride. You find yourself in the upper half of the rev range where the power comes in heaps. The bike really does build speed quickly. It’s a more involved ride and you do find yourself having to use the gearbox a little more. The V4s I had didn’t feel so fussy with respect to what gear you was in when exiting a bend. I think what I’m trying to say is with the 1100 motor, the torque down low means the bike is more forgiving if you are a little lazy on dropping down a gear when entering a bend, if that makes sense?
Cheers fella Yes Dave at Mupo said that gearing is critical on the V4R compared to the std V4, which he suggested was the better non-racer trackday bike .. Also very few changes on the V4R this year, the V4/S with the V4R chassis/electronics updates during end of last year was actually doing faster lap-times than the V4R and from what I heard was why this years V4R was delayed being released, so not sure if to wait and see what 2024 evolution will bring ? Mind - you could always be waiting for the next best thing ?!?!?! Keep wondering if to stick with Ducati or move to Yamaha R1 and get the full GTYR kit installed .. standard R1M is a nice ride, but power is very linear and a tad unexciting .. also not ridden latest generation of V4 so difficult choice
I think 95% of riders would be quicker on an S, I’ve nailed quite a few on corner exit just because they’re not revving enough.
Quite possibly, but once used to revving the bike a little harder, I reckon it would be a different story? All you are doing is comparing rider’s abilities in that scenario not the bikes. There are guys that turn up to track days on pretty mediocre bikes that will run rings round those on far more exotic machinery for fun.
That’s exactly my point, most people arent talented or brave enough to ride them how they’re supposed to be. Whereas the ‘easier’ S flatters a rider more so they go faster easier.
