So I've been crunching the numbers, having been made two very tempting offers to trade in my bike later this year for either an S or an R model by two different dealers. I'm not swayed at all by the latter £1500 deal on the wheelbarrow exhaust that's running at the moment (plus I don't particularly like the look of it), as I already have a new system boxed and ready to fit on the successor, so my dilemna is which is the best option, given whichever bike I end up with, will live predominantly on the road. Fortunately, there is not much in it financially, given the deposit I'd be putting down. I know the R is really all about the engine and it's agility, lighter weight, handling precision and power. I'm not concerned by the higher maintenance dry clutch or lack of DES, but it's lack of low to mid range torque does bother me, as a tractable machine when used on the road. I've ridden the 22 spec V4S and there are some very noticeable improvements particularly with the power delivery, DQS and gearbox, the rest of the upgrades being less apparent in the two hours I tested it. Obviously I can't make a direct comparison with the R, as few if any dealers have one at their disposal and less likely you'd even be able to test one. The S would tick more boxes but does it then follow that the R is unsuitable for my given purpose being as it is so track focused or is it compliant enough to live with, away from it's natural environment. I may have already answered my own question as to the S being a better road bike, but many owners seemingly suggest the R's delivery is butter smooth and perfectly adept at being ridden on the road. I'm just not convinced that having to reach 9-10,000 rpm to appreciate the difference, is actually of any value other than on track, without putting my licence through a shredder. Usable, more accessible, low-mid range torque as I said, seems to me at least to be the S's best selling point for what I need. For any 23> V4R owners out there, I'd be keen to hear your thoughts. I've got a test ride booked on the Diavel V4S just as a wildcard and to throw a spanner into my choice process, so I've yet to see if that will leave enough of an impression to steer me in another direction, though frankly I'm sceptical it will, other than the lure of more comfort, which in itself is not enough.
I pondered this one way back. Went for the S. 10k cheaper and just as capable. At my level anyway. Used the ‘saved’ 10k to make it how I wanted it. Then smashed it up. Doh!
As far as the v4rs suitability for the road is concerned I hear a lot of people saying it’s daft for the road and should only be used on track! Absolute rubbish! You could say that about pretty much every super bike for the last 30 years!! The 2019 R is a bit mental and they’ve definitely smoothed out the 23 model, I rode mine to WSB at Donny last year and I’ve done a few sunny trips out and it’s as easy as any other bike to ride , it looks the nuts and you’ve got the power there if you want to wind it up occasionally and of course if you get it on track it’s um… well words really do fail me! As peeps have said though both incredible bikes but it’s the R for me! If you struggle to get to ride one give me a shout and you can do a few miles on mine if you’re ever this way!
@Topolino A meticulous man such as yourself. I read the maintenance workshop schedules for the R. Just have a look before you pull the trigger. It’s quite erm… involving to say the least. Pistons, rings, conrods and all that good stuff after ~2500 miles IIRC. That’ll be track work mind you.
Can’t really argue with any of the above ! The sp2 is gorgeous ! I would say though fairy I don’t think his plan is to race it,neither did I so the maintenance schedule doesn’t concern me at all, and the R has proper suspension and wheels Andy, can’t get away from the fact that they’re all 1100 so none are quite like the R but we are talking about small differences! In my opinion all the v4s are absolutely incredible so it’s really a win win but as I said for me it has to be the R! It’s da boss
I sold my V4s and bought a V4r. Absolutely no regrets. The V4s has more midrange but when you wind up a V4r, there really is no contest. Mine now has a lot of additional mods, including full Akra system, loads of Rizoma parts, carbon wheels, Rizoma mirrors, Futurismoto tail tidy, full AEM sprocket conversion and will never sell it now.
Sounds right. Looking at the power curves the S is more grunty til about the last 15-20% of the rev range. In theory the S should make the holeshot. R owners seem to really rate them, can’t argue with that
Yep. The S is much easier to live with as you have the torque to get you out of trouble if you miss select a gear going into a bend. The R is a different story. You need to be on your game to get the best out of the R but the rewards are so worth it. Both are great bikes but one is so much better as a track focussed bike. I’m looking forward to June 17th when mine goes in for a custom map.
Been interesting reading this and a few others about choices. I was lucky enough to test ride a pani R and S yesterday back to back. I’ve spent months pondering and inning between an r, s and sp after yesterday, have to say as someone only wanting a road bike I have opted for the S in the end I didn’t get to max out either for any period of time as it was on the road, but few times in traffic and just felt it was the easier to ride generally in normal road conditions and in traffic. The few times I got to open them up takes about 3 seconds to be at licence losing speed so the top end of the rev range would be hard to get anything from on the road which is probably the main noticeable difference. I can’t say for conditions I was riding in noticed any major handling differences so went back and ended up getting a brand new v4s, in stock and ready for end of month for 24.5k basically and a really good trade in price for my v2 so couldn’t turn it down
The power curve shapes are very similar .. the R is just up the rev range a couple of thousand revs higher ..
