Please HELP! Panigale V4s as a main bike? NEED advice!

Hello All!

In the first paragraph I will discuss my current situation and in the second paragraph I will have some more specific questions. Whichever you feel like reading/responding to is great! I’m open ears and want to know just about everything anyone has to offer.

I currently own a new 2020 Panigale V2. It has 2800 miles (in 3 months) on it. I mainly ride on the road but I do about 2-3 track days a year. I am wanting to put an akrapovic slip-on on it but the slip-on cost roughly $4000. My local dealer has a used 2018 V4s with 2,000 miles and has a full akrapovic and a bunch of aesthetic modifications (carbon fiber and more!). The salesman that sold me my V2 offered me this V4 for my V2 and $4000. Instead of buying the akrapovic slip-on, why should I not trade this in? This seems like a deal of a lifetime and I would like to do it, I just need to know if I should or shouldn’t?

Some questions I have are:
Is a V4s a good main bike? I will only have this.
What are some common problems with the V4s?
What are the pros and cons of the V4s?
What do you like about your V4s?

Thank you guys so much in advance for anything and I’d love suggestions and to hear everyone’s opinion!

If in good condition

the V4 2018

is twice time better than the v2

hope this helps you

RODOLFO said:

If in good condition

the V4 2018

is twice time better than the v2

hope this helps you

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is it good to use to commute and such? i ride a lot and like to commute on my V2

In the us (at least in my state) you'll have to pay sales tax on the price difference between the V4S and your trade-in, so the actual cost may be more than $4k.

The only thing I've really noticed about my 2021 V4S is that the front springs seem soft, but I'm about 205lbs.

@seanhv2 how’s heat on the v2?

I ask because the v4 puts out a lot of heat - far more than any other sport bike I’ve ridden (including my turbo gsxr 1000). I’m in central Texas and find the v4 unpleasant to ride on the street when the ambient temp is over 85 or so. This is obviously a highly subjective issue and ymmv, but since summers are warm in Georgia, it’s something you might consider.

That issue aside, I’d get the v4 instead of spending more money on the v2 without hesitation.

craig bush said:

@seanhv2 how’s heat on the v2?

I ask because the v4 puts out a lot of heat - far more than any other sport bike I’ve ridden (including my turbo gsxr 1000). I’m in central Texas and find the v4 unpleasant to ride on the street when the ambient temp is over 85 or so. This is obviously a highly subjective issue and ymmv, but since summers are warm in Georgia, it’s something you might consider.

That issue aside, I’d get the v4 instead of spending more money on the v2 without hesitation.

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oh yea it gets hot and humid here in georgia. 90’s during the summer. i put a heat shield on the V2 and it made a substantial difference. but go with the v4s huh? instead of the slip-on? the v4s is fully kitted and i can get it for the same price as the v2 slip on. only thing i’m concerned is it being the first generation model compared to the 2020. some say the 2020 is far better than the 2018

seanhv2 said:

oh yea it gets hot and humid here in georgia. 90’s during the summer. i put a heat shield on the V2 and it made a substantial difference. but go with the v4s huh? instead of the slip-on? the v4s is fully kitted and i can get it for the same price as the v2 slip on. only thing i’m concerned is it being the first generation model compared to the 2020. some say the 2020 is far better than the 2018

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I’m no expert but my understanding is that the changes from 18-20 were evolutionary not revolutionary. Perhaps those who spend most of their time on track chasing lap records (even imagined ones ), will report differently, but I suspect most of us will find them quite similar.

I like my 19 base v4 a lot, and 95% of my riding is on track. Admittedly, I do prefer the updated 2020 fairings though.

If you’re not worried about the heat, v4 > v2 all day afaic’d.

There are commutes, and then there are commutes. I just got a V4S 2020 and it too is my only bike. At night alone, I often write poetry about her to give you an idea. She is beautiful wise and delicious. I've had Ducati Monster, Super Sport, SBK 848, 1198, and I can say I've never ridden anything near this. This is another level of holyfkingawesome. Öhlins were given to us by the gods because we deserve them. I'm also new to the Öhlins feel so I'm overly impressed and all that. They are a far and above different thing.
I live in Italy where there are 80% roundabouts and an occasional stop light. I can get to 7,000 feet elevation in the Alps in an hour in the summer, so I'm less worried about the heat. I'm also experimenting with it and noticed that sitting against the tank, the heat is not an issue at all in cool weather. Sitting mid seat, you feel it more but it's not a show stopper for me. I wear leathers almost always when I ride. I'm also thinking to get ceramic coating for the pipes which they advertise as containing a huge amount of heat until the exit. I don't have a Summer on her yet. So I can't speak to that. However that "S" element is indeed an impressive alluring aspect to your decision. My roads here go from glassy curves to goat-trails in a blink and back again in the hills. It's standard. Those electronic Öhlins have dynamic smart response which I recently can attest to as saving my ... from one of those surprize goat trails a couple days ago. Around a corner and over a hill and omfg 1,000 shallow pot holes, suspension went from stiff to absorbing all that in a blink. Yes I am impressed. Traffic: the clutch at stop lights is a breeze, it's easy to find neutral, the balance is like a ballerina crawling at 10MPH I find it really find easy. After about 10 mins of stop-and-go however I do find myself lane splitting and passing trucks, using sidewalks and anything else to get to clean air because it does get hot. I would not want to do that for 40:mins twice daily. Get a scooter or something. Depends if you can escape the bad traffic find alternative routes etc etc. Work with it.

Lol, well said ^^^

PV4 base is my only ride...and it's as good for running errands and commuting as it is for track days. For me, its plenty comfy, mild mannered when it needs to be, and the heat isn't really an issue for me...not sure what all the fuss is about. Now, I'm in New England not SoCal or AZ or something and I don't spend a ton of time in traffic...so that might explain it.

My last bike prior to this was a TL1000R...wood stove on wheels...so maybe I just have the right expectations.

That is a deal, if I rolled into my dealer and got that offer as much as I love my twin I'd be buying it on the spot. 4k is chump change, a few sets of tires and a bit of bling. dont know about the states but here an Akra is 7 plus k fitted to a V4 so yes do it and post the pics

I wouldnt trade my 1199r or FE for one , but if i had my 959 still and was offered the same deal, it would be an easy decision to transfer to the V4s. I still have not ridden a V4 and may need to do so this summer. Hopefully it wont make me want one over my L2's.

seanhv2 said:

is it good to use to commute and such? i ride a lot and like to commute on my V2

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if you take the v2 as a reference for commuting

V4 is better for commuting than the v2

V4 gets less hot, than the v2


but like i told you, everything depends on that V4 being in good working condition, to make the trade

1299rFE said:

I still have not ridden a V4 and may need to do so this summer. Hopefully it wont make me want one over my L2's.

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I don’t see it happening. As much as I like the v4, there’s just something special about the L2 panigale.

seanhv2 said:

Hello All!

In the first paragraph I will discuss my current situation and in the second paragraph I will have some more specific questions. Whichever you feel like reading/responding to is great! I’m open ears and want to know just about everything anyone has to offer.

I currently own a new 2020 Panigale V2. It has 2800 miles (in 3 months) on it. I mainly ride on the road but I do about 2-3 track days a year. I am wanting to put an akrapovic slip-on on it but the slip-on cost roughly $4000. My local dealer has a used 2018 V4s with 2,000 miles and has a full akrapovic and a bunch of aesthetic modifications (carbon fiber and more!). The salesman that sold me my V2 offered me this V4 for my V2 and $4000. Instead of buying the akrapovic slip-on, why should I not trade this in? This seems like a deal of a lifetime and I would like to do it, I just need to know if I should or shouldn’t?

Some questions I have are:
Is a V4s a good main bike? I will only have this.
What are some common problems with the V4s?
What are the pros and cons of the V4s?
What do you like about your V4s?

Thank you guys so much in advance for anything and I’d love suggestions and to hear everyone’s opinion!

Click to expand...

Having both an 899 and v4...V4 is waaaaay better to commute on than the 899 (same engine as V2 and basically the same bike). V4 is better than my 899 in every way (except maybe looks).

mr inkredibul said:

Having both an 899 and v4...V4 is waaaaay better to commute on than the 899 (same engine as V2 and basically the same bike). V4 is better than my 899 in every way (except maybe looks).

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Precisely and unlike the legacy bikes, you don’t need to buy 2x V4s so you can swap them at the service center often

V4 is a damn good commuter if you’re a psychopath and want to cut that commute in half or less?

I have a 2020 PV4, 1299 S and a Harley with bags and big wind protection. The Harley is what you should buy if you want a commuter

seanhv2 said:

Some questions I have are:
Is a V4s a good main bike? I will only have this.
What are some common problems with the V4s?
What are the pros and cons of the V4s?
What do you like about your V4s?

Thank you

Click to expand...

Yes, great main bike
Common problems? None just Hefty maintenance like new brake fluids ever 1k miles and new oil and tyres ever 2k miles NBD do it yourself

Pros
Best looking bike anywhere ever
Super smooth
Powerful AF
No chance a street cop is gonna pull u over but watch out for the helicopters

Cons:
Draw entirely 2 much attention if you leave it red
If you drop it it’s totaled, guaranteed
Insurance is pricy, check out Dairyland for good rates
Everyone wants to ride it. Absolutely not. Never

HA! Ya the cops thing. I think we get a great deal of extra credit. We're in covid lock-down again. So much joy. We're not supposed to leave the house further than 200 yards except for "exercise." As in bicycling. I rolled out of town past the road blocks today, 4 cop cars, and 4 cop BMW bikes there at the main street heading out. They all looked...I just kind of kept going very slow and steady...they kept looking... and... they stayed there and I went for a nice 3 hour ride. This is not the first time. I rolled through a pedestrian zone the other day having taken a really bad navigation error. Engine running, I was kind of stroling feet on the ground through a crowd of people over a sidewalk through a castle wall gate and... there was a military patrol on the other side of the wall with 2 cops. The WAPWAPWAPWAPWAP of the engine vehemently assuring all this shiny red thing was not a pedestrian echoing into the square packed like Disney Land. Their 4 heads turned so fast I thought one might come off... and I just kind of kept going, carefully checking the GPS for a legal route and off I went. They didn't move, I couldn't freaking believe it.

I ride a v4 as it’s my first Ducati, I came from gsxr land, my gixxers never ran hot ever, this v4 runs hot as hell, I put a termi exhaust on and it’s not as hot now, it’s very rideable and much better now. I always wanted a Ducati so there’s not much that will take me away from her now!!!

I bought my first Ducati last year: a 2019 959 Corse. Absolutely loved it. Just fantastic. It rode hot and had plenty of power for commuting and on the track. I only just started on the track last year, too, so I began with it. I made the mistake of sitting on a V4 at a dealership. Next thing I know, I was buying a V4S.

You're not going to make a bad decision. I think the V4 is so much better to ride, and just makes me smile more. But, the 959 (mostly a V2) was better around town and in higher temperatures..... not so much about heat it was generating (they seem the same to me,) but a V4 struggles in hot stop and go traffic. I was riding in downtown Austin a couple months ago, and I could feel the engine sputter and struggle. It was getting hot, and I was just back and forth on the clutch barely getting to 2nd. It felt like there was bad fuel in it. After I got out on a highway, it cleared up and I haven't felt it again.

The V2 will allow you to use all of the gears, and it sounds better than the V4, I think. The V4 is just an all around better bike and is much more comfortable. It is effortless and inspiring at the same time. It has a "wow factor". But it has power that is unnecessary for commuting and getting around town.

With the offer they are giving you, I think you should take the V4. If you were just looking at a V2 or a V4 to buy and were only thinking about commuting, and an "all around" bike, I'd get the V2.

Buy one of each so you can swap them at the service center. You still might have some downtime but it should be minimized