2023 V4R info to keep in mind

Bruce Wayne · Aug 30, 2023

roadracerx said:
That's correct - it's probably the best mass-produced (track) motorcycle ever made

I have one also, how does it compare to the KTM RC8? In terms of track riding

roadracerx · Aug 30, 2023

Bruce Wayne said:
I have one also, how does it compare to the KTM RC8? In terms of track riding

Well it is a very different experience. The RC 8C is the kind of bike you take to a tighter track like Vegas - Classic, Streets of Willow, Thunderhill West or even Chuckwalla and you can ride all day or two on a set of tires without getting very tired. It's the kind of bike you can push a little closer to the edge and it is a blast doing it. A simple machine that basically only needs a sag setup and Stomp Grip. The HP4 Race is a serious machine with something like 80 more hp and maybe 20-30 lbs more weight. The chassis is accurate and the forks and brakes are better and you have to hold on. Also I go through two rears a day on that beast, but I would never sell it, far too special. How do you feel about yours? Have you had any issues? Have you changed anything about the chassis or setup?

roadracerx · Aug 30, 2023

The HP4 Race is a better bike than the V4R. Problem is the cost of replacement parts with the HP4. I do have a great connection and can get about anything but US dealers can't get much anymore and if they could the price is CRAZY. V4R runs REALLY hot. I basically only ride mine in the cooler months. If the temp is above 95F you dare going to feel like the V4R is going to catch fire. The HP4 Race doesn't have these issues.

Bruce Wayne · Aug 30, 2023

roadracerx said:
Well it is a very different experience. The RC 8C is the kind of bike you take to a tighter track like Vegas - Classic, Streets of Willow, Thunderhill West or even Chuckwalla and you can ride all day or two on a set of tires without getting very tired. It's the kind of bike you can push a little closer to the edge and it is a blast doing it. A simple machine that basically only needs a sag setup and Stomp Grip. The HP4 Race is a serious machine with something like 80 more hp and maybe 20-30 lbs more weight. The chassis is accurate and the forks and brakes are better and you have to hold on. Also I go through two rears a day on that beast, but I would never sell it, far too special. How do you feel about yours? Have you had any issues? Have you changed anything about the chassis or setup?

That's what I expected, no mine is as it came out the box haven't even changed the gearing. I love my hp4 but im like you and aware of the cost of crashing, that was the main reason I bought the V4R the plan was to ride the R and not care about crashing and just ride the HP4 occasionally when we have private hire, stupid part is the ducati ended up costing me more than the BMW after i threw a heap of corse parts at it

craig bush · Aug 30, 2023

Bruce Wayne said:
That's what I expected, no mine is as it came out the box haven't even changed the gearing. I love my hp4 but im like you and aware of the cost of crashing, that was the main reason I bought the V4R the plan was to ride the R and not care about crashing and just ride the HP4 occasionally when we have private hire, stupid part is the ducati ended up costing me more than the BMW after i threw a heap of corse parts at it

Which do you like better?

Bruce Wayne · Aug 30, 2023

craig bush said:
Which do you like better?

That's a tough one, i think from an ownership perspective definitely the V4R because I put it together and made a lot of parts and i think it's the best looking bike on the market, the BMW is probably easier to ride because it weighs nearly 20kg less than the ducati if i could only have one im really not sure what i would choose. I have two of the HP4 i bought a second to use for spares if i ever crashed thankfully i haven't needed it.

craig bush · Aug 30, 2023

Bruce Wayne said:
That's a tough one, i think from an ownership perspective definitely the V4R because I put it together and made a lot of parts and i think it's the best looking bike on the market, the BMW is probably easier to ride because it weighs nearly 20kg less than the ducati if i could only have one im really not sure what i would choose. I have two of the HP4 i bought a second to use for spares if i ever crashed thankfully i haven't needed it.

I’m really intrigued by the hp4 race. Has it been reliable?

One of the features I find most intriguing is the audible traction control - what’s that like?

Bruce Wayne · Aug 30, 2023

craig bush said:
I’m really intrigued by the hp4 race. Has it been reliable?

One of the features I find most intriguing is the audible traction control - what’s that like?

It works, i turned TC up just to hear it better sounds great. The TC is extremely good, yes it's been very reliable. I got them both at a very good price so it was a no brainer, the sum of the parts alone was worth it. I think when BMW came out and said you need to rebuild/replace the engine at 5,000 klm put a lot of people off but that's the same for most track bikes

CSV4 · Aug 31, 2023

... good thing there's a pair available for Craig too

Bruce Wayne said:
It works, i turned TC up just to hear it better sounds great. The TC is extremely good, yes it's been very reliable. I got them both at a very good price so it was a no brainer, the sum of the parts alone was worth it. I think when BMW came out and said you need to rebuild/replace the engine at 5,000 klm put a lot of people off but that's the same for most track bikes

what % off MSRP did you consider a good deal?

roadracerx · Aug 31, 2023

Bruce Wayne said:
That's a tough one, i think from an ownership perspective definitely the V4R because I put it together and made a lot of parts and i think it's the best looking bike on the market, the BMW is probably easier to ride because it weighs nearly 20kg less than the ducati if i could only have one im really not sure what i would choose. I have two of the HP4 i bought a second to use for spares if i ever crashed thankfully i haven't needed it.

I have another friend that has two HP4 Race as well, lol. Tell you what is a nice bike is the Alpha RC-STK-M. I have one of those and its aces!

Racebike RC-STK-M (MY23) | alpha Racing

racebike.alpharacing.com

roadracerx · Aug 31, 2023

craig bush said:
I’m really intrigued by the hp4 race. Has it been reliable?

One of the features I find most intriguing is the audible traction control - what’s that like?

Yes it is reliable for sure. The audible TC is part of the new S and M1000RR as well and was also available on the 2017 Kawasaki ZX-10RR with kit ecu, see video below cued @ 4:18

roadracerx · Aug 31, 2023

Bruce Wayne said:
I think when BMW came out and said you need to rebuild/replace the engine at 5,000 klm put a lot of people off but that's the same for most track bikes

YES, this was the BIG issue but that's not exactly what BMW said. Instead they said the motor was guaranteed for something like 3000 miles.
The heads are safety wired and sealed to prove that a customer has not messed with the engine. Anyone who has raced at the top of club level knows engines raced don't last forever.
Both my 1098 and 1199R race bike engines spun big end bearings around 2500 miles so 3000 miles seems generous for a motor that is exclusively used on track.

craig bush · Aug 31, 2023

roadracerx said:
Yes it is reliable for sure. The audible TC is part of the new S and M1000RR as well and was also available on the 2017 Kawasaki ZX-10RR with kit ecu, see video below cued @ 4:18

I wondered why a rider aid that seems like it would be so helpful has not spread to other platforms or even models within the brand, and I’m glad to hear that at least bmw is using it on the s/m1000’s.

Is there a reason it isn’t being more widely adopted?

Alkhater · Aug 31, 2023

Audible TC sounds like a gimmick tbh.

At the pace and skill required to be activating TC on track all the feedback should be based on feel imo.

SuperDomestique · Aug 31, 2023

I’m assuming the BMW and Kawa are using ignition cut on their race bikes hence the pops and bangs? Ignition cut seems to be harder on the valves due to unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust. I’m further assuming ignition cut is more nuanced and better for controlling traction.

I’d even further assume our stock ECU Ducati’s use a timing retard/fuel cut since we don’t hear anything.

Bruce Wayne · Aug 31, 2023

CSV4 said:
... good thing there's a pair available for Craig too

what % off MSRP did you consider a good deal?

The MSRP in Australia was $115.00 AUD i got both for $85,000 each

roadracerx · Aug 31, 2023

I got one early and paid 75K USD OTD, MSRP was 78K

CSV4 · Sep 11, 2023

roadracerx said:
The HP4 Race is a better bike than the V4R. Problem is the cost of replacement parts with the HP4. I do have a great connection and can get about anything but US dealers can't get much anymore and if they could the price is CRAZY. V4R runs REALLY hot. I basically only ride mine in the cooler months. If the temp is above 95F you dare going to feel like the V4R is going to catch fire. The HP4 Race doesn't have these issues.

Is yours insured? While it's a track bike it's also a collectible I guess...

roadracerx · Sep 12, 2023

CSV4 said:
Is yours insured? While it's a track bike it's also a collectible I guess...

Yes, fire and theft.

SuperDomestique · Sep 12, 2023

roadracerx said:
Yes, fire and theft.

So basically if you put it down on the track you either have to light it on fire or throw it off a cliff

2023 V4R info to keep in mind

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