just looking at buying a V4. it'll be mainly the road, so I'm guessing the 1100cc is preferable over the 1000cc R motor? coming from a V twin a have a few concerns... how much of a git is it to work on? can you service it yourself OK? they look far more bulky. is it a similar rider triangle to a 1098 etc? do they feel flat in the middle of the rev band or is the torque still fast enough to feel fun without screaming it all the time? anyone using the tank extender cover? they seem very popular (aesthetically speaking I think they look nicer with them)
I would totally recommend a test ride. They are completely different to the previous generation Big Twins... very chalk and cheese. You might love it, might hate it.. But it's VERY different
Flat is not a word I’d use in connection with the V4s power delivery. they’re tightly packaged under those fairings but not impossible to work on. I do my own servicing. (Won’t do the desmo service). I’ve not ridden a 1098 but have owned a 748/848 and ridden a 749 and 1199… the V4 is the comfiest out of all of them. I’ve ridden it from kent to IOM and done 3 days on track at Portimao and in a few weeks I’m off to misano on it. It’s versatile
A bit electronically stymied in 1st and 2nd but that’s a good thing. When it gets going it’s rampant. Ridiculously overkill for road use but hey ho… Not bad to work on (basic stuff). Oil change a bit quirky with level settling. All in all a great, exciting bike.
The first v4s (2018-2020) weren't crippled in the first 2 (or 3) gears - they were full fat. Not flat in the mid-range either although I have the full akrapovic on mine so with original exhaust and mapping it might be a little different. Definitely comfy and, for mine at least, not so much heat to fry your bits as my previous bike (V2 Bayliss). Plenty of torque to enjoy the bike without exploring the upper rev ranges where it is manic.
Were they? Well 1st and 2nd on my 1098R was far more hairy than my V4S. I did have the Evo2 software loaded early doors which might explain the low down smoothness. But no matter how hard and soon you whack it open in 1st and 2nd, bikes gap me. 3rd and 4th all hell breaks loose and I’m back in the game…
thanks for the input. think I'm going to pull the trigger on a Sp v4. the bike has the stock exhaust system. i can get a used 3/4 exhaust system pretty cheap compared to a full system. is it worth going the whole hog over the 3/4 exhaust? who's recommended for flashing the ecu and set up on these things?
Before you pull the trigger, I have a 2018 Pani V4 with Akra end cans for sale if you are interested.
A significant difference between them is the 2022 had taller first, second and sixth (iirc) gears. The blurb at the time said to help make these gears more useable on track. The lap times between the bikes bears this out, albeit with different aero etc etc.
just bought a V4 sp . wow..... I don't think I like V-twins anymore stuck it in race mode and it feels almost perfect. I'd like a little more aggression on initial throttle pick up but other than that it's wonderful to ride. epic power and acceleration, brakes were mega, suspension soaked everything up. it holds a line beautifully. Rear brake wants a bleed and some adjustment. the only minor things are 1) cost 2) looks a pig to work on 3) it's handsome but not 916 pretty imho have some nice upgrades going on soon. carbon subframe, high level pipes, tank extender in brushed aluminium, race seats carbon seat want to fit a v4Rs style bellypan. oh and remove those god awful plastic engine covers. I can see what all the fuss is about now. very happy
Don’t waste your time bleeding the rear brake. It’s still awful. it’s not too bad to work on other than having to remove a million fasteners to remove the fairings.. it’s fairly tightly packaged but not terrible.
I changed the rear pads on mine for sbs 730rq carbon tech (needs proper cleaning of disc first to get rid of sintered deposit) but, once carefully bedded in the rear brake on my v4 works really well.
