Hi David from sunny Hull here Thought I would join the forum as considering getting a V2 as my next track bike Had a 2011 RSV4 which I loved and currently running a 2017 Gen 5 ZX10r on track but I just cannot get on with it. Really liked my 600s and lean angle/corner speed etc but after a few crashes decided to go up to the traction controlled 1000s as a ‘safer’ option. But I just don’t enjoy the point/squirt/brake repeat of the 1000s. At 55 I do not realistically have many track years left and after 3 days in Jerez in Feb I decided to sell my ZX10r and get something more ‘fun’. Must admit that the V2 looks like a good compromise. More 600 ish ref size and handling but as a Vee not too critical about corner speed as can use the low down grunt to come out of corners With this Coronavirus currently waiting for the lockdown to end and get a demo ride to see for myself
I think the V2 will feel flat compared to the RSV4 to be completely honest, as much as I live mine, the Suoerquadro engines in the smaller bikes love to rev. With a pipe and map I think the V2 will have a bit better drive off the bottom but as a stock bike it doesn’t start to get going until 5k revs. sounds really negative, I don’t mean it to. But lazy grunt isn’t what the V2 does best, it’s lighter feeling handling, easy of use and not scary mad power will be where you can make the time up
I think @bradders has hit the nail on the head, i would pocket 10k and buy a good x tri options 959, after all they are basically the same engine, v2 electronics are a better package but nowt wrong with the 959 and on track all the settings are set to minimum anyway, even the 899 is bloody good on track if you are not looking for a 200bhp monster.
I have to say, the earlier rsv4’s are really surprisingly slow for a 1000. I’m 18 stone in kit and my cbr600rr race bike which is about 130 ish bhp was hanging on to one at Alcarras near enough the whole way down the straight (which is massive) !! They really aren’t fast at all. I actually don’t think a well sorted 8/9/v2 will feel ‘much’ different
although you’d be surprised how much things improved with the RF model in 2015, I was at Almeria at the same event as Baron VG in November and the way his bike launched between turn 1-2 and on the shorter straights was silly, he made S1ks look slow, there were some HP4 races there also, fast but the riders weren’t making the most of them. I agree with others that for a trackday bike the 959 might be easier, all the LED lighting etc on the v2 isn’t wasted then, but up to you
That’s the difference between a fast rider and a slow rider though dude. but yeah, the later bike improved A LOT!
Welcome to the forum. I have a small issue with this bit of your introduction though, “At 55 I do not realistically have many track years left”. I’m 66 and still enjoying track days. Plenty of time left to fill your boots Andy
You takes your money, you takes your choice. On the track there will always be a bike that does something or another better than the bike you have but also your bike will do something better than other bikes. If you fancy a v2 and can afford it, then why not. The only thing I've picked up from watching comments in here is that if it is to be solely a track bike then the v4 is the better choice. If it is to be a mixture of track and road, the v2 is a better option but only you know your own riding and what you hope to get from a bike
The v4 is faaaaar too much bike for most though, I agree that ultimately you are correct for the top 5% of riders. The amount of mobile chicane 1000cc riders out there though is huge haha But I digress, buy what you like. There’s not really a shit bike on the market, so it’s whatever tickles your pickle.
This funny as I now have my r1 and have done a couple of track days on it (while my gsxr is being built) but I felt quicker on my r6 and I seemed to be over taking more on the smaller bike , thought I'd be quicker on the bigger machine.
Andy - hopefully that will be the case. Just that enjoying the track day is more important to me now than chasing a time. If the V2 feels more 600 ish but is a half way house between 600s and 1000s power then would seem a good compromise. I prefer the look of the V2 re single swingarm etc but am considering a 959 Corse c/w full Akra system and Ohlins front/rear as possibly a 'more sensible' (at least cost wise) base for my track bike
A decent 600 is quicker than an 899/959 probably a v2 as well considering bhp/weight etc But they’re not as hard work, 600’s you have to be absolutely ‘on it’ to get the times out of them, you can’t afford to be lazy
