Debating on 2022 v4 vs 2022 v2

Hello All

I have a deposit down for a 2022 v2 but im having second thoughts about it. Thinking if buying the new v4 base would make more sense as I've already had a 2015 899 which is a very similar bike to the v2.

This is my second year into riding, the 899 was my first bike that I learned on. I will be primarily using it for street , the v4 seems to be the smoother bike for street compared from what I've heard but I have yet to test ride one.


What bike will keep its value better over the long run?
Is the v4 a big jump for me only second year into riding?

Buy the V4 base

IMO it would make more sense to keep the 899 for another year or two, and improve your skills before getting a new bike. One year of riding is not a lot of experience and a V4 can be less forgiving.

Taz said:

IMO it would make more sense to keep the 899 for another year or two, and improve your skills before getting a new bike. One year of riding is not a lot of experience and a V4 can be less forgiving.

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I don't have the 899 anymore. Sold it in January thats why I need to buy a new bike and thought maybe get the v4 incase I outgrow the v2 soon.

I have a 1299 and a SFV4. I prefer the v-twin, especially on the street. The V4 feels anemic below 7000 and doesn't really wake up until around 9000, and all hell breaks loose over 11000. With redline around 14,500, the V4 is more like an R6 on steroids.

The V4 is smoother, drinks a ton of gas and might make more peak power.

The V-twin has gobs of torque from 4000 up and is a power wheelie machine in 1st through 4th, just a total hoot, especially on track.

Also had an RSV4 and that engine was better than the V4, it made about 20-25% more hp and torque at any given rpm, redline also came soon.

I know I didn't address your questions about the V2, do consider a used 1299 with a Bren Tune. It's my favorite bike, even more than the RSV4.

Ductony said:

I don't have the 899 anymore. Sold it in January thats why I need to buy a new bike and thought maybe get the v4 incase I outgrow the v2 soon.

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Gotcha. Then I would say it depends how long you plan on keeping this new bike. If you’re like me and buy something new every few years anyway, I say stick with the V2 or buy something similar used that you won’t worry as much about, and progress to something more powerful later on. A V2 is still a lot of bike for someone who’s fairly new to riding. Your emotions may disagree though

Taz said:

Gotcha. Then I would say it depends how long you plan on keeping this new bike. If you’re like me and buy something new every few years anyway, I say stick with the V2 or buy something similar used that you won’t worry as much about, and progress to something more powerful later on. A V2 is still a lot of bike for someone who’s fairly new to riding. Your emotions may disagree though

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Will most likely be keeping it for 4 years atleast..the heart is saying v2 as it maybe more off a all rounder for street maybe track few times but feel like I'll regret not having the power of a v4.

I was in a similar situation, ended up going with the V2 as it made more sense on paper. After owning it for a bit I deeply wish I went for the V4.

Currently debating if I take a $2500 hit and trade for a V4 or stick it out with the V2 for a bit.

thejellyo said:

I was in a similar situation, ended up going with the V2 as it made more sense on paper. After owning it for a bit I deeply wish I went for the V4.

Currently debating if I take a $2500 hit and trade for a V4 or stick it out with the V2 for a bit.

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Exactly.. thats how I feel if I end up getting the v2 ill probably want to sell it next year so why take a hit and get the back that I know ill end up keeping for a longer period of time to begin with but than again the question comes up if its too much of a bike for me as I'm new the v4.

I'm not sure your skill level, I started last year as well and did 20k kms on my Daytona. Previous to that I had only experience on dirt bikes.

The bikes seem easy enough to ride for me, and you shouldn't be pushing limits on the street anyways. I kept the nannies on on the V2 and slowly reduced them as I became more familiar with the bike, and have had no issue. I'm sure the V4 can be tamed by keeping wheelie control on and the other nannies on and gradually reducing them over time as well. I feel most of it comes from if you are able to moderate it or not. 155hp or 210hp both can land you in serious trouble or death at relatively the same rate...

So TLDR, if you can swing it, and think you are mature enough to regulate yourself, get the V4.

thejellyo said:

155hp or 210hp both can land you in serious trouble or death at relatively the same rate...

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Very, very true.

Ductony said:

Will most likely be keeping it for 4 years atleast..the heart is saying v2 as it maybe more off a all rounder for street maybe track few times but feel like I'll regret not having the power of a v4.

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the V4 is better for street

and better for track

it is a superior bike in every way

The general wisdom is get a less powerful bike and learn to ride it until it limits your progress in some way. Its always good to do a list of the pros and cons for each bike and go for a decent test ride, IMHO its a bit of a waste getting a V4 if you are not going to go shredding on it reasonably often.

Human nature is such that if you get the V2 you will want the V4, even if the V2 is a better bike for you. In your shoes I would just bite the bullet and get the V4, as the doubt is already there and will creep back after you get over the initial excitement of the V2. You (and me) will probably never outride either bike.


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95%+ of the time that I am out riding, I am with a friend who has a 22' V2 (and I am on my 22' V4S). We switch off all the time, so there's always a fresh impression of the other bike in mind. We have this very debate all the time, but the conclusion is... they're different. It's not a comparison. It's not one versus the other. They're just different animals - intentionally - and that's a great thing.

Both bikes are hilariously fun, agile, quick, capable, etc etc. Everything you would expect. On whichever bike, you can absolutely break every single traffic law in the book - and kill yourself - without leaving 1st gear. Maybe 2nd gear on the V2.

It really just comes down to your level of experience, which bike you're more comfortable on (both ergonomically and in terms of power), and how you ride. The V2 is extremely rewarding to ride, has an addictive induction noise, is actually more "raw" than the V4 since it's a twin (versus a buttery smooth V4), and is still plenty fast for whatever. Just given the power difference between the two, it's easier to blow through a few gears on the V2 and not be doing as stupid high speeds - but is just as fun.

I personally find the V4S more comfortable due to the tank, seat, and a few other things. The electronic suspension is also a no brainer for the street since it makes everything more comfortable and can change to feel like however you want it to in 3 clicks through the menus. It's amusing to feel it soften up for a nasty section of road but then go right back to feeling as stiff as you want it to in the next corner. Though, you're comparing the base model V4 (without electronic suspension), so this difference between the two bikes doesn't count for your debate..

Anyway - do you need the V4? No. Do any of us? No. Do you need the V2? No. Do any of us? No.

Get whichever bike you want, ride it, respect it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Both bikes are worthy of being kept and enjoyed forever. If you change your mind later, just get the other one!

WOW! so much support and opinions and this is my first post. what a great forum and appreciate all the responses. Looks like i will be leaning more Towards the v4, too bad the dealers don't allow test rides on any v4 out here. My mind can change once i see both of them side by side, in my opinion v2 is slightly the better looking bike its more narrow and sleek while the v4 look like it doesn't belongs to the public roads because of how violent it looks.

question about the V4, with having all the safety features on highest settings under full throttle will surprise wheelie you? I'm not a huge fan of wheelies, especially the ones that catch you off guard.

Its very hard to wheelie a V4 unless you remove all the electronic and throttle limits. On the highest level of DWC I don't think it will at all. Even on the lower ones it limits the speed in which the front wheel raises and keeps it from getting too high. A lot of guy complain about the throttle restrictions, but go on to say how after removing them they don't like the wheelies because it effects lap time.

The biggest wheelie issue is at high speed where the road drops away over a rise and the throttle is pinned, avoid that until you know the bike and road a bit better.

Under "normal riding" (read: not trying to wheelie at 100mph) it's somehow easier to lift the front on my Triumph Street Triple than on my V4S (or the V2). I leave wheelie control at about 1-3 of 8 (almost the lowest setting), only for emergencies like a sudden road dip/crest where I'm not paying attention and could use more assist (if I'm too slow to cover the rear brake / if cutting throttle isn't adequate). Even cranking DWC up much higher, it hardly ever wants to intervene. The stability in the front of these bikes is damn impressive compared to bikes like the R1 or S1000RR. Just don't ... the throttle like a monkey.. feed it in.

You're right that the V2 feels smaller and is more narrow and sleek. The V4 looks like a V2 that spent 10 years in jail then came out all jacked looking with tattoos.