Same old Shit arguement.. where does that stop ...why have any Ducati we should all just get moto 3s... oh hang on they are only 10-15 secs off the performance of a moto gp bike..
There's a lot to be said for buying a cheap, already good bike like the Suzi, and upgrading with (first of all!) decent brakes, better sussies and a full system/remap. They are already good bikes, with relatively cheap mods, they can be great bikes. But does ANY Suzuki give you wood when you open the garage door? I had an 04 Zx10r, with Ohlins F & R, better brakes, full system and remap, real grunt from 5000 rpm, (not Suzuki grunt!) and would wheelie off the throttle at 130mph, but was not as involving to ride as my 1299, and nowhere near as pretty. Unfortunately, I'm still the same shite rider! Haha
I had a 99 R1 with all the suspension upgrades, it made nearly 150 bhp on BSD's dyno. My K6 1000 with just an Ohlins shock was faster. My standard S1000RR would have left the K6 behind. Modern electronics are the biggest difference.
Speaking as someone who has passed many a shiny V4 on my old banger 1299 and in turn being passed by many an R-1, Zx10 on track, its a case of if you can afford it, like it and want it then buy it. Trying to be logical about such an emotional decision is delusional. You are not going to suddenly become a better rider and while each bike has a flavour and style that may suit you better in the end its not about the details. Sure if you are buying for race series then there is some merit in comparing comparing specs down to the granular level, but I challenge any competent rider to do a test on equally equipped and well set up V4's from different years and make a buying decision on the difference. What it comes down to is economics and do you like shark gills and wings or a more classic look? While I have no doubt the 20 model is refined (it has to be), I am also pretty sure you could get the 2018, spend some bucks on quality boing boings, set it up well, throw on the latest fairings, an anti-social pipe, a bit of carbon and if you are a good rider then you will be right up there with the best of them on and off the track.
