V4 regrets? Should have gone with a V2?

Anyone have any regrets about buying a V4 and wish they stuck with a V2? I reckon that V4 is practically unusable in normal street riding, which is what 90% of motorcyclist hobbies do. Curious for your thoughts.

V2 is crap

Go for the v4

Both are the same for street, both are hot sportbikes (people even say v2 is hotter)

V4 is so more advanced, you can drive it the same as v2, but on top has more power

It is the same reason r6 and SUPERSPORT bikes are disappearing

You can ride the big bike the same way until you get to 140 mph,

After that, the liter bike starts to shine

I don't know what you mean by V4 being unusable for street riding. Both bikes are designed and best ridden swiftly and will be less than ideal in slow stop and start traffic. I can't speak for the V2 but my V4 experience is below.

Heat?
Yup it sucks but it is a blessing because it encourages you to wear good gear all the time. Safety first. Riding jeans or better will be sufficient to protect your legs.

Slow speeds?
I find anything under 40km/h is a pain but anything above that and it is the same as any other sports bike on the road really.

Both of those pains would be shared more or less the same between V4/V2 so the rest comes down to what do you want? I'm a normal street rider like the 90% you referenced. I've done a couple of track days on other bikes but so I know how slow I really am and yet I still wanted the joy of owning a superbike that has more power than many prototype race bikes did a decade earlier. Is it more bike than I can handle? yup. Does it thrill me every time I ride it? yup. Do I open my garage to the biggest smile without fail? yup. At the end of the day they are both very expensive bikes that if you want to use logic - any number of much cheaper bikes will do the job of riding on the road as well or better than a V2 or V4 could.

My two cents: Throw logic out of the equation and go with your passion.

Both are sports bikes, relatively uncomfortable, not that easy to turn and a bit jerky on the throttle in low speed situations in comparison to a Multistrada. But once you get them into their zone which is the canyons and well over the legal speed limits they are magic. If you want comfort, commuting, agility etc, a Pani can do it but there are much better bikes out there if thats your priority. Deciding between the 2 is all personal preference. A well ridden V2 can be faster on short tight tracks than an average V4, other than that its just costs of keeping them fed and watered.

I have both these and I love them to bits.

" V4 is practically unusable in normal street riding, which is what 90% of motorcyclist hobbies do."

I disagree with your statement. On the V4S, I have done, short rides, weekends away of more than 1000km, even riding in a storm, got soaked , track days and the most practical thing I've done on the road, bolting from the rozzers.

I think the V4S is an ideal road bike.

The v2 is an amazing bike. The V4 is better in every way unless you are a smaller rider. The ergonomics of the v4 for taller riders much better 6ft +

I have plenty of regrets buying a V4R for 100% street riding, and I'm sure I'd have similar regrets if I had gotten a V2 although to a lesser degree on the financial side. If I ever get the nerve to track it (and $$$ to afford to ball it up), then I'd probably have no regrets at all.

When the V4 came out in 2018, I hurried to the dealer to try it out. I didn't like it at the time. I was comparing it to my 2017 S1000RR. The BMW was much friendlier, with usable torque down low, comfortable seating, less nosy, softer. I think with the latest editions of both bikes the roles have reversed. My 2020 S1000RR felt much more edgy, suspension harder, seat harder, wanted to rev all the time; I also hear that the new V4 has become smoother, easier, friendlier. I have scratched my 200HP itch, so nowadays I go for looks and character. The V2 is my 20th bike, so I kinda know what I want and what I get.
OP: After all, it is just a bike. It is a purchase, not a lifetime commitment.

I have had both, I think there is nothing better than the V4S, electronics, smoother engine, faster, better seating position, more comfort etc. Only one negative is the fuel consumption

Just because has 200+ HP does not mean you have to use it all the time. Not only do you have the good old wrist to moderate this, you have an awesome suite of brilliant electronics on all these new generation bikes that are excellent at helping out on this.

Coming from many S1000RRs in all generations, I can honestly say the 22 V4S is the best road bike I've had to date and I don't always ride it in full power mode either. Dulling the HP and power delivery down for certain types of riding is damn rewarding and also aids in riding faster. I like riding all kinds of roads from perfectly smooth A grade fast stuff to rough, bumpy and tight ...... roads. The adjustability of the bike in both suspension and engine characteristic is super impressive. Being able to get on the gas earlier out of a bumpy / slippery corner in the higher rpm and not worry about the delivery being too harsh is so so good. Friends leave their bikes in full power modes during some of these rides and jump off the bike all stressed out and tensed up at how sketchy the road was and I'm all smiles and completely pumped. Just because you have massive HP doesn't mean you always try to tame it. Dial it in how you want. It really is that good and can apply however you want to use it even learning the bike.

Have not ridden this bike on track as I have a dedicated bike for track duties so for me, based on being a road bike, along with everything these bikes have to aid you, my vote is for the V4 unless you're the type that knows you can't control yourself. If that's the case, on the road, a V2 still won't help you.

I just sold my year old v2 Bayliss and bought a 4 year old v4 speciale. I am really happy with the change. I loved the V2 in the main but hated the compromises made for euro5 including severe loss of torque in the low and mid range. I couldn't face spending out for the full akra to (partially) sort that as it's too big a proportion of the bikes value. The v4 excels everywhere making it easier and smoother to ride particularly through towns and on slower roads. The v4 is also lighter and more eager to turn. I wouldn't go back.

V2 has a free tampon dispenser, so there is that...

(I joke, I joke.)

I already have red wings.

uktweaker said:

I just sold my year old v2 Bayliss and bought a 4 year old v4 speciale. I am really happy with the change. I loved the V2 in the main but hated the compromises made for euro5 including severe loss of torque in the low and mid range. I couldn't face spending out for the full akra to (partially) sort that as it's too big a proportion of the bikes value. The v4 excels everywhere making it easier and smoother to ride particularly through towns and on slower roads. The v4 is also lighter and more eager to turn. I wouldn't go back.

Click to expand...

An alternative to aftermarket exhaust is the @Phl de-catted oem exhaust. Follow with an @DeussenEngines tune to unlock the euro5 restrictions. Profit.