Thinking of getting a v4 panigale as a track bike. Are they much more to maintain than a jab bike, and what's reliability like when used just on track
I've been running a 2018 V4, solely for track use for the last 2+ years, can't compare with a Jap bike as never had one for the track. Usually only do 4/5 UK days and maybe 1/2 euro events a year, maintenance wise it gets serviced annually by Cornerspeed which is reasonably inexpensive. Reliability wise, it let me down in Cartegena a couple of years ago with a faulty sidestand switch, you can't fool it by shorting the wires together . The standard header pipes are made of cheese and I had to replace both shortly after getting the bike, the gear position sensor can also fail, so I always take a spare, plus a sidestand switch eliminator in case the oem one fails again. Pretty much it's a standard 6k miles V4 with Evo 2 software, standard exhaust system, I've replaced the Showa forks with Ohlins and the oem rear shock with a K-Tech DDS and been using Bridgestone VO2's. Can't see any reason to change to be honest
Had a 2020 for a year, did 5 or 6 UK days in that time, plus a 3 day trip to Jerez and the only issue I had was the radiator letting go at Donington. Have a 23 V4R now but its to early to report what issues might be lurking where that one’s concerned! As Kartman said, sensible to carry a spare gear position sensor and a side stand delete switch in the toolbox. I notice several owners take portable fans and set them up blowing towards the GPS in between sessions, not sure of it helps?
