Back in the shop

Steven31371 said:

I had a pretty big breakthrough last track day, got gobs faster and see a clear line of sight to getting faster.

I disagree that ergonomics won’t make me faster, even if marginally so, I’m getting MUCH further off the bike now, especially from mid-torso up, and want a more solid hook on the tank and wider flatter seat for support. Also, unless you are 6’3” catching wind at 150 mph I don’t think you realize how much not getting into a good tuck slows you down, even if it’s just from discomfort.

Also, the electronics on my bike are just as good as the new iteration less the ‘wet’ modes, and I don’t ride on wet tracks. I don’t particularly like the electronic interventions much anyway. My bike has pretty good feel.

I absolutely disagree that new V4 base would make me faster than my bike, an argument can be made that a Kramer or similar would, and I’m gunna get one of those specifically for that.

For the record, I’m not relying on the new setup to make me faster, I’m certainly not as experienced as you but I’m also not a newb at this point, it’s been two years and probably 25 track days now, I know full well that ‘it ain’t the bike’ lol

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That's great to hear, the track time will help. I a never trying to sounds like a .... head, I am just trying to impart some of the experiences I have had. Let me address your points

+Ergonomics are one thing, getting into a proper tuck is another and it is hard to do. I know you go to chuckwalla, Corey Alexander is there and 6" 4", he and Loris Baz are not using riser bars. I am only using them as height ref, yes they are professionals but the point is height + size really is not a reason to go back on the bike, Usually you want to go forward. This could point to over all fitness issues and how physical it is to ride these bikes which is possibly getting misconstrued as ergonomics issues. Again not a diss here, something most people on here deal with.

+Electronics and the bike are not the same period. The newer electronics are developed for the newer bike Sure you bought the latest electronics, but it's the package. If you don't like electronic intervention, you are not being honest about riding a new super bike. It would not be possible other wise. If you get a Kramer you should sell your sbk, if you try to ride 2 bikes it will not be beneficial. 15 days might seem like a lot to you but it isn't.

My Main gripe about this tank seat thing is that no one has this, no one has ever seen this + they make parts for dirt bikes. Sure Kramer uses a similar one, but also they are not 200hp. What kind of flex will be happening with a 200+ lb rider? There are plenty of tank covers with different sizes and shapes to get a better locked on feel, I have always complained about tank shape on ducati from xx99 to V4 - it has always been one of the first things I do.

SuperDomestique said:

Why?

Looks like that photo was older and he’s more recently on some gas-pressurized fork. Maybe the Motocorse gas fork bottoms?

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these are the forks off the V4R, w/ Motoccorse 108mm fork bottoms just for the larger brakes. It makes it look like older FGR forks

KarlKani said:

That's great to hear, the track time will help. I a never trying to sounds like a .... head, I am just trying to impart some of the experiences I have had. Let me address your points

+Ergonomics are one thing, getting into a proper tuck is another and it is hard to do. I know you go to chuckwalla, Corey Alexander is there and 6" 4", he and Loris Baz are not using riser bars. I am only using them as height ref, yes they are professionals but the point is height + size really is not a reason to go back on the bike, Usually you want to go forward. This could point to over all fitness issues and how physical it is to ride these bikes which is possibly getting misconstrued as ergonomics issues. Again not a diss here, something most people on here deal with.

+Electronics and the bike are not the same period. The newer electronics are developed for the newer bike Sure you bought the latest electronics, but it's the package. If you don't like electronic intervention, you are not being honest about riding a new super bike. It would not be possible other wise. If you get a Kramer you should sell your sbk, if you try to ride 2 bikes it will not be beneficial. 15 days might seem like a lot to you but it isn't.

My Main gripe about this tank seat thing is that no one has this, no one has ever seen this + they make parts for dirt bikes. Sure Kramer uses a similar one, but also they are not 200hp. What kind of flex will be happening with a 200+ lb rider? There are plenty of tank covers with different sizes and shapes to get a better locked on feel, I have always complained about tank shape on ducati from xx99 to V4 - it has always been one of the first things I do.

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Much appreciated,

I’ve tried a lot of tank extenders and circled back around to the one I got from Vulturebike, it works pretty well.

Still though, the wider seat and tank shape of the RD unit looks better to me.

Good point about stiffness, they address that specifically in their videos, with ridges and hardened points built into the unit. Only way to find out though is to try it. To that end it’s a ‘relatively ‘ low cost solution that I can swap out in 3 hours of piddling around in my garage, so I don’t mind trying it out.

I was 35 pound heavier and in piss poor shape when I started this, but am smaller now and stronger, and cardio is up to dong every session of the track day and still want more sessions at the end of the day. With regard to the riser bars, that’s just a nod to my age and some neck issues, most but not all of that went away as I got into better shape…but even so I gotta make some concessions ergonomically to that fact that I’m a 52 year old 220 pound rider not a 25 year old 175 pound rider lol. As I’m getting further off the bike and getting my upper torso lower and further off to the side of the tank I’m probably going to move to a lower riser and see how that feels on the neck.

Overall the latest thing is working on core strength, before my cardio, extra weight, and legs were my fitness bottle neck, but now that I’m getting the upper torso further off the bike and lower I could definitely use more core strength.

Lastly, totally agree about jumping between bikes. Tried that with two liter bikes, was horrible, would be even worse jumping from a Kramer to my bike. When the Kramer arrives the plan is to ride it exclusively for 8 to 10 track days, then maybe ‘graduate’ back up to my bike, or get a new V4R if they make some compelling upgrades for the 2024/2025 V4R

Steven31371 said:

When the Kramer arrives the plan is to ride it exclusively for 8 to 10 track days, then maybe ‘graduate’ back up to my bike

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Dibs!

Ordered the Rade Garage tank on Friday, it shipped today, was surprised at the quick turnaround to be honest, I figured they probably made these things as they go along and the website said they were back ordered.

They have been very responsive and helpful from a customer service perspective, answering all emails quickly given the time zone differences.

They even included an extra set of seat pads to allow for my height.

Shipping from there is expensive but to be expected on a box that size…$299 for shipping bring the shipped cost up to $1697 US. Great deal considering the costs of building out a similar setup WSBK style.

These pics show the shape better.

Will mock it up as soon as it arrives and then take it straight to get painted.

With how long it is, does it have baffles on the inside to prevent the fuel from sloshing back and forth?

Steven31371 said:

Ordered the Rade Garage tank on Friday, it shipped today, was surprised at the quick turnaround to be honest, I figured they probably made these things as they go along and the website said they were back ordered.

They have been very responsive and helpful from a customer service perspective, answering all emails quickly given the time zone differences.

They even included an extra set of seat pads to allow for my height.

Shipping from there is expensive but to be expected on a box that size…$299 for shipping bring the shipped cost up to $1697 US. Great deal considering the costs of building out a similar setup WSBK style.

These pics show the shape better.

Will mock it up as soon as it arrives and then take it straight to get painted.

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The shape of the back of the tank looks perfect. You'll be able to climb around a lot easier. And the point at which you're hanging off will be further to the inside to begin with. 2 seconds a lap.

bp_SFV4 said:

With how long it is, does it have baffles on the inside to prevent the fuel from sloshing back and forth?

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If not, compatible with tank foam?

Will be interested to hear your thoughts on this. I’d definitely throw some heat shielding on the underside of it. Craig rec’d ZircoFlex® FOIL II - Zircotec
That’s what I’d put on. And chuck some tank foam in it to minimize sloshing. I could see if the gas migrated to the tail section that it could really throw off CG.

Go to the 6.00 mark of the vid, it comes heat shielded, and they have a baffled fuel pump adapter, great idea to put foam in there too.

Thanks guys.

It's certainly an interesting idea, albeit not theirs.

I very much enjoy your thread. Even though I wouldn't be doing pretty much any of it to my bike, it's nice to watch you go through all of this and I like to think you are providing a public service.

It’s made from Nylan PA11 which is specifically engineered for applications that are exposed to heat and stress members. Can handle 180 degrees Celsius, 356 degrees Fahrenheit without heat shielding, so should be good with heat shielding.

Of note, they don’t recommend using it with the under tail exhausts, though you could heat shield that too.

spooky said:

It's certainly an interesting idea, albeit not theirs.

I very much enjoy your thread. Even though I wouldn't be doing pretty much any of it to my bike, it's nice to watch you go through all of this and I like to think you are providing a public service.

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Not their idea but kudos to them for doing it for our bikes.

And yeah, this bike and thread has certainly become a test thread for just about every performance mod you can do on these bikes

craig bush said:

If not, compatible with tank foam?

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That's what I was thinking as well.

SuperDomestique said:

Will be interested to hear your thoughts on this. I’d definitely throw some heat shielding on the underside of it. Craig rec’d ZircoFlex® FOIL II - Zircotec
That’s what I’d put on. And chuck some tank foam in it to minimize sloshing. I could see if the gas migrated to the tail section that it could really throw off CG.

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Since it's plastic the heat transfer to the seat should be less also. So shield it too. Maybe you have a cure for the dreaded ass on fire.

So this came today.

Ordered it on Friday, arrived the following Thursday, pretty fast for a European part!

Gunna mock it up to see if it fits with my pre-2023 fairings…I give it 50/50 from looking at it, but I was prepared to order new fairings anyway.

1st impression, the seat area is about 2.5 inches longer and about 2.5 to 3 inches wider. The hook in area is smaller than expected for my long femurs but that may allow me to get further off the bike.

The rear bolt for the subframe is an eccentric that allows you to adjust seat height a bit, in a similar way the HP4 RACE does, pretty cool.

Okay, in an epic bit of annoyance, after I all excitedly removed the tank and rear section of the bike I opened the seat and hardware bag, assuming the subframe brackets that come with the tank were in that bundle, they weren’t :-/

They shipped the tank without the subframe brackets needed to mount it to the bike that are supposed to come with the kit…

But, me and my son held it in place just enough to see how the pre-2023 V4R fairings would work with it, no dice, you COULD make them work by stuffing things in, it would be ‘functional’ but looks like ..... With odd gaps.

So Fairings on the way.

bp….i put the tank on the arm of the couch so I could get a feel for how it fits my size. I can get into a full tuck with chin on the tank without even being all the way to the back of the seat lol

And the slope of the tank from the back to the front is such that it’s completely out of the way. No rear tank angle digging into your torso.

how does that fit with the OEM tail parts?

Steven31371 said:

Okay, in an epic bit of annoyance, after I all excitedly removed the tank and rear section of the bike I opened the seat and hardware bag, assuming the subframe brackets that come with the tank were in that bundle, they weren’t :-/

They shipped the tank without the subframe brackets needed to mount it to the bike that are supposed to come with the kit…

But, me and my son held it in place just enough to see how the pre-2023 V4R fairings would work with it, no dice, you COULD make them work by stuffing things in, it would be ‘functional’ but looks like ..... With odd gaps.

So Fairings on the way.

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Man, European QA/QC is garbage these days…