- Joined
- Aug 9, 2018
- Messages
- 103
- Location
- Hillsboro, OR
I owned a 2018 V4S, Put nearly 6k miles on it, and am having a 2019 V4S built and modded currently (long story). I rode a 2020 V4S the other day and here is what I noticed. Please take into account that my 2018 had the Full Akra system, the track DTC Evo2 upgrade, a 520 conversion, and lots of other mods. The 2020 V4S was bone stock. Also, I have been riding for about 19 years but this is my first sport bike.
The most noticeable difference to me is that I was unable to wheelie the 2020. With the DTC turned to 1 and the DWC also at 1 made no difference. Snapping the throttle in first and in second ALWAYS elicits a wheelie from my 2018. Not so on the 2020. This is great for coming out of corners on a track, but not very fun on the streets.
The next most noticeable difference is the heat. While I know that the stock exhaust puts out WAY more heat than the full Akra, you feel the heat even more on your legs and ass with the 2020 because your legs are hidden behind the farings. On my 2018, my legs are more in the wind so it keeps more heat off my backside. While the farings on the 2020 are more aerodynamic and probably cool the engine better, they don’t cool your ass as good as the 2018-19.
Next was the proximity of the clip-ons to the farings at full turn left or right when you hit the stops. Because the farings are so much wider you can’t keep your hands wrapped completely around the grips when you are at the tightest turning radius. Does this matter on the track?Probably not but I can keep my hands fully wrapped around the 2018 when at maximum turn and that does matter to me, they guy whose V4S lives on the streets. In fact, I’ll bet 90% of these bikes never see a track.
The front end does feel a bit “softer”. The acceleration feels softer too. Not docile by any means, but not as razor sharp as my 2018.
One odd difference I noticed was that if you are stupid like me and put it in gear with the kickstand down, not only does it die like the 2018-19, (a safety measure), but you can’t restart it, even when you move it to neutral and put the kickstand up; without cycling the power to the bike.
I would say that the 2020 is “easier” to ride than the 2018-19, but I wouldn’t say that the earlier version is “hard” to ride either. Either one can be easy but can also rip you to shreds and stomp on your crotch if that’s what you are into.
I think that I would be faster on the track on the 2020. I think the 2018-19 is more fun on the streets. That being said, I prefer the earlier version.
I also LOVE the winglets. I only wish I could have functional, wind tunnel tested winglets on the 2018-19 farings. I have had the front wheel come up at 190mph when I came over a rise, and while the bike was completely stable, more downforce would have been appreciated.
The most noticeable difference to me is that I was unable to wheelie the 2020. With the DTC turned to 1 and the DWC also at 1 made no difference. Snapping the throttle in first and in second ALWAYS elicits a wheelie from my 2018. Not so on the 2020. This is great for coming out of corners on a track, but not very fun on the streets.
The next most noticeable difference is the heat. While I know that the stock exhaust puts out WAY more heat than the full Akra, you feel the heat even more on your legs and ass with the 2020 because your legs are hidden behind the farings. On my 2018, my legs are more in the wind so it keeps more heat off my backside. While the farings on the 2020 are more aerodynamic and probably cool the engine better, they don’t cool your ass as good as the 2018-19.
Next was the proximity of the clip-ons to the farings at full turn left or right when you hit the stops. Because the farings are so much wider you can’t keep your hands wrapped completely around the grips when you are at the tightest turning radius. Does this matter on the track?Probably not but I can keep my hands fully wrapped around the 2018 when at maximum turn and that does matter to me, they guy whose V4S lives on the streets. In fact, I’ll bet 90% of these bikes never see a track.
The front end does feel a bit “softer”. The acceleration feels softer too. Not docile by any means, but not as razor sharp as my 2018.
One odd difference I noticed was that if you are stupid like me and put it in gear with the kickstand down, not only does it die like the 2018-19, (a safety measure), but you can’t restart it, even when you move it to neutral and put the kickstand up; without cycling the power to the bike.
I would say that the 2020 is “easier” to ride than the 2018-19, but I wouldn’t say that the earlier version is “hard” to ride either. Either one can be easy but can also rip you to shreds and stomp on your crotch if that’s what you are into.
I think that I would be faster on the track on the 2020. I think the 2018-19 is more fun on the streets. That being said, I prefer the earlier version.
I also LOVE the winglets. I only wish I could have functional, wind tunnel tested winglets on the 2018-19 farings. I have had the front wheel come up at 190mph when I came over a rise, and while the bike was completely stable, more downforce would have been appreciated.
