May be picking up a new V4 , but have a ?

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BoostFiend

BoostFiend

Joined
Apr 28, 2021
Messages
24
Location
USA
Hello everyone!
My first post but I have been a long time motorcycle enthusiast and will likely be picking up a new leftover discounted 2020 V4S tomorrow.
Currently have a 2016 1299 Panigale among a few other non Ducati's. Never ridden either generation of the V4 so hopefully I like it!

Even with the price discounted it is crazy how expensive bikes have become. It would be nice if Ducati could throw in some carbon instead of just a black painted fender etc on the S model.

I was tempted to go with the base model , but they didn't have any leftover 2020's that are discounted. They do have a 2021 though. At first I thought I would prefer the 2020 since it's still Euro 4 instead of 5 , but it does look like they have thrown in some nice small upgrades with the additional race map options and the new self bleeding brake and clutch system.

One thing I worry about is did they neuter the power too much on the first 3 gears of the 2020 which the 2021 has the new race map setting that allegedly unleashes full power.

Can anyone comment if it's worth the difference or not? I plan on leaving the bikes stock , but I realize I could probably do a tune later if needed.
 
I race the 2020 V4S and I can tell you there is not lack in power. I did add the expensive ass race akropovic full exhaust. Everything else is stock. I am waiting on upgraded suspension too. I am still getting use to the power and I am getting faster on it. I did my best personnel lap times on it. What I like about the eng is it revs very high. I can hold say second and third gear for a long time in a long sweeping turn and still have power to grab. You will never use the full potential power of the eng. Get the 2020 V4S if you can get a nice discount. I have been racing the 1199R since 2014 and still race it. I will have to say I am really enjoying racing the 2020 V4S. So much fun.
 
Thanks for your experience on the bike!

Since you brought up suspension. Are you running it in manual mode or active?

My 2016 S1000RR has electronic suspension and I hate it on that bike. Of course I know the Ohlins is on another level.

What are the things you dislike about the suspension causing you to want to upgrade it?
 
Last edited:
I think I have it set to active. The bike will be much more stable at speeds. I weight 225lbs and my 1199R with the upgraded suspension is much more stable. I mainly upgraded because I race. Also, adjusting the electronic for the race track feels like nothing is ever being adjusted. The upgraded suspension I can definitely tell if I made adjustments.
 
The dynamics suspension on the S sucks, I tried it twice and went back to fixed mode. Dynamic may be ok for street but my preference for steeet or track is fixed mode. The electronic suspension on the S is great because you don’t need any tools to adjust dampening.

Fork oil in the ohlins stock is too thin, thicker oil is a great upgrade. Since the oil stock is too thin it’s hard to notice the dampening differences when you adjust.
 
I did what you're considering and I'm very happy about it so far.

--> 20 - Euro 4 better than 5. Get aftermarket - nil subject.
--> 20 huge discount gives you what upgrade or track days or?
--> 21 self bleeding is good, though I've not needed it yet. Is that easy to upgrade later?
--> 21 you get one extra mapping preset, but the 20 also has preset race mapping so... If you need to flip back and forth between 2 settings, ok.
I just did some laps at Mugello with the '20 V4S and it was pure joy. Power down in 1-3? hu? It has so much freaking power it's insane. It was cold and a little wet at Mugello this weekend so I tended to corner the big hairpins in 3rd gear, (on a dry warm day I'd do it in 2nd higher revving maybe). Coming out of Bucine (turn 14 before the 1k straight) in 3rd on the gas I blew past everyone every time. Somehow I got that one exit right. Marching through to 6th pinned gas over the finish-line hump getting weightless at 170mph is the funest thing in life I tell you. This bike fking rocks on the track. Never got hot, sang opera like Thor, aerodynamics is another level of ridding at speed. I haven't ridden the 21, so dif?
 
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. So some of the suspension talk does make me a little scared of the S model. I guess as long as the "manual" mode is good though I can live with it. I would still much prefer a conventional Ohlins or really any high level suspension though. To me the electronic suspension on most bikes seems to be a gimmick or maybe just better for people that can't tune their own suspension.
Last year this same dealer had an R model discounted $6,000 and I wish I would of got that instead. Kicking myself for that one. :-(
Taking off work this afternoon to head to the dealer and make a decision.
 
I've owned a base 1199, a base Streetfighter V4 and now a '21 Panigale V4S.

The Ohlins suspension is VERY nice on the street. I haven't yet tracked it so I can't comment on that. I made the decision that with the Panigale V4S I wasn't going to go nuts with mods and exhaust etc and leave the bike close to stock and spend the money on classes and track days.

I like how adjustable the suspension is and that you can have different suspension settings per riding mode. I think this is a huge benefit. You may still have to replace springs to get the sag to your weight. I'm right about 6'-3" 200-210lbs and I have preload maxed on the forks. They seem very soft compared to the rear which is near perfect for someone my size.

I've never found that any of these bikes are lacking in power stock. $5k for the Akra and the HP bump it gives is insane and that from someone that had a full Akra system on my 1199 and Streetfighter V4. I don't like any of the slip on options as they don't address the header loop under the seat which is my big complaint with the stock system. The Euro 5, if you live in a market that gets EU 5 bikes, has a smaller loop which I would imagine would be better on temps.
 
BoostFiend said:
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. So some of the suspension talk does make me a little scared of the S model. I guess as long as the "manual" mode is good though I can live with it. I would still much prefer a conventional Ohlins or really any high level suspension though. To me the electronic suspension on most bikes seems to be a gimmick or maybe just better for people that can't tune their own suspension.
Last year this same dealer had an R model discounted $6,000 and I wish I would of got that instead. Kicking myself for that one. :-(
Taking off work this afternoon to head to the dealer and make a decision.
Click to expand...
The electric suspension is definitely not a gimmic. The dynamic part works as it should, it just isn’t what I prefer. Keep in mind the electronic damping is still there even if you don’t use the dynamic mode. It still allows you to adjust damping off the dash without tools, if you make adjustments a lot, like I do, it’s worth it, plus the fact that the ohlins gear is good stuff in the first place.
 
I have never ridden the previous generation V4, but I can still notice the power reduction in the first 3 gears. When you open it up a little and go from third to forth you can hear the increased intake noise and feel the increased power in 4th.

I didn't want to take it over 10k since it's being run-in , but it does feel slower than either my 16 S1000RR or my 16 1299 Panigale. Of course that might just be perception since it has a nice flat power band and not doing wheelies like crazy in the first 3 gears. I only noticed it trying to come up a little in first gear. ( Maybe the wings are helping here too)

This of course is a very good thing on the track because the bike is going to be stable , smooth and you're going to be able to put the power down instead of fighting the bike. Which is of course what the engineers were going for.
So not a complaint, just an observation.

Only had a chance to hit a few curves and immediately felt at home on her in the corners. Can't wait to ride it some more.

I was a little surprised how much heat this thing was putting out for a 20 celsius/ 68 Fahrenheit night. I didn't think anything would be hotter than the 1299 , but she is even hotter.

It's pretty bad when I notice it , because my friends will whine about bikes putting out heat and I don't even really notice it on theirs so it must be really hot if I think it is!

I did put some heat shielding under the seat of the 1299 which helped a bit and I will probably do that to the v4s as well.

It's early yet, but I do think I will really like the bike!
 
20210506_182216.jpg
20210506_191858.jpg
 
Vbreeze said:
I did what you're considering and I'm very happy about it so far.

--> 20 - Euro 4 better than 5. Get aftermarket - nil subject.
--> 20 huge discount gives you what upgrade or track days or?
--> 21 self bleeding is good, though I've not needed it yet. Is that easy to upgrade later?
--> 21 you get one extra mapping preset, but the 20 also has preset race mapping so... If you need to flip back and forth between 2 settings, ok.
I just did some laps at Mugello with the '20 V4S and it was pure joy. Power down in 1-3? hu? It has so much freaking power it's insane. It was cold and a little wet at Mugello this weekend so I tended to corner the big hairpins in 3rd gear, (on a dry warm day I'd do it in 2nd higher revving maybe). Coming out of Bucine (turn 14 before the 1k straight) in 3rd on the gas I blew past everyone every time. Somehow I got that one exit right. Marching through to 6th pinned gas over the finish-line hump getting weightless at 170mph is the funest thing in life I tell you. This bike fking rocks on the track. Never got hot, sang opera like Thor, aerodynamics is another level of ridding at speed. I haven't ridden the 21, so dif?
Click to expand...


Could you explain what you mean by "21 self bleeding is good " ?
 
BoostFiend said:
I have never ridden the previous generation V4, but I can still notice the power reduction in the first 3 gears. When you open it up a little and go from third to forth you can hear the increased intake noise and feel the increased power in 4th.

I didn't want to take it over 10k since it's being run-in , but it does feel slower than either my 16 S1000RR or my 16 1299 Panigale. Of course that might just be perception since it has a nice flat power band and not doing wheelies like crazy in the first 3 gears. I only noticed it trying to come up a little in first gear. ( Maybe the wings are helping here too)

This of course is a very good thing on the track because the bike is going to be stable , smooth and you're going to be able to put the power down instead of fighting the bike. Which is of course what the engineers were going for.
So not a complaint, just an observation.

Only had a chance to hit a few curves and immediately felt at home on her in the corners. Can't wait to ride it some more.

I was a little surprised how much heat this thing was putting out for a 20 celsius/ 68 Fahrenheit night. I didn't think anything would be hotter than the 1299 , but she is even hotter.

It's pretty bad when I notice it , because my friends will whine about bikes putting out heat and I don't even really notice it on theirs so it must be really hot if I think it is!

I did put some heat shielding under the seat of the 1299 which helped a bit and I will probably do that to the v4s as well.

It's early yet, but I do think I will really like the bike!
Click to expand...

Hmm, sounds like it runs hotter and is more tame compared to the 1299. Are you sure you will like it ? lol
 
BoostFiend said:
I have never ridden the previous generation V4, but I can still notice the power reduction in the first 3 gears. When you open it up a little and go from third to forth you can hear the increased intake noise and feel the increased power in 4th.

I didn't want to take it over 10k since it's being run-in , but it does feel slower than either my 16 S1000RR or my 16 1299 Panigale. Of course that might just be perception since it has a nice flat power band and not doing wheelies like crazy in the first 3 gears. I only noticed it trying to come up a little in first gear. ( Maybe the wings are helping here too)

This of course is a very good thing on the track because the bike is going to be stable , smooth and you're going to be able to put the power down instead of fighting the bike. Which is of course what the engineers were going for.
So not a complaint, just an observation.

Only had a chance to hit a few curves and immediately felt at home on her in the corners. Can't wait to ride it some more.

I was a little surprised how much heat this thing was putting out for a 20 celsius/ 68 Fahrenheit night. I didn't think anything would be hotter than the 1299 , but she is even hotter.

It's pretty bad when I notice it , because my friends will whine about bikes putting out heat and I don't even really notice it on theirs so it must be really hot if I think it is!

I did put some heat shielding under the seat of the 1299 which helped a bit and I will probably do that to the v4s as well.

It's early yet, but I do think I will really like the bike!
Click to expand...

Sorry guys not sure why but the first half of my message got cut off, so my post probably didn't make a lot of sense.
Anyway I stated that I picked up the 2020 V4S yesterday and last night went out for about a 30 mile ride as it was getting late.
I didn't set my sag or adjust the suspension at all and it felt pretty decent out of the box in sport mode (at least on the street). So that is a good sign. Usually I have to tweak the suspension right away or they don't feel right.
I would still prefer a conventional Ohlins, but much better than the "DDC" that is on the s1000rr
If the weather holds up I hope to get the sag set and maybe play around with the suspension some more this weekend.
 
melvinakshay said:
Hmm, sounds like it runs hotter and is more tame compared to the 1299. Are you sure you will like it ? lol
Click to expand...

Well I still have the 1299 for a more adrenaline inducing ride!

The V4S is definitely better in terms of fueling and ride comfort ( well besides the extra heat).
On the track the more controllable power will be a big advantage as well as the higher redline.
It's also a bit more stable as well.

I need to ride it more than 30 miles to have a good solid review of it , but I really enjoyed the short ride I had on it. And can't wait to get it back out.

Some people that love the twin want to hate the v4 or vice versa. However it's ok to like both. They are just different and one might be better for a given day depending on the mood I am in.
 
melvinakshay said:
Could you explain what you mean by "21 self bleeding is good " ?
Click to expand...

I will answer this for him. The 21 model gets the master cylinder of the superleggera that is self bleeding. This in theory will reduce having to manually bleed the system. Especially as the fluid gets old and accumulates more moisture which then boils and creates air in the system.
 
I switched to RBF fluid as soon as I bought my bike, not a single problem with my clutch. It has a high boiling point, I haven’t bled it once since and it works flawless.
 
BoostFiend said:
I didn't want to take it over 10k since it's being run-in , but it does feel slower than either my 16 S1000RR or my 16 1299 Panigale. Of course that might just be perception since it has a nice flat power band and not doing wheelies like crazy in the first 3 gears. I only noticed it trying to come up a little in first gear. ( Maybe the wings are helping here too)
Click to expand...


I doubt your bike is slower than other bikes. I blow by all the other liter bikes on the straight at the track on my v4s. There is a clear power advantage on this bike relatively speaking.
 

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