V4R race trim top mods!

roadracerx · Apr 25, 2020

Hey guys, thought I'd start a post with some of the simple but effective mods that can be made to make the V4R which is already incredible just a little better....

My bike started as a race bike from day 1, never even rode it on the street LOL, although I did have a 2018 Base V4 and rode a customer's V4R back-to-back so I knew what it was like on street....

Surprisingly the R models have needed less to make them track ready, Ducati really makes a more track-focused bike than other brands, save the race track specific models like Aprilia's RSV4 X or BMW's HP4 Race.

I sourced a bespoke complete set of carbon bodywork for my V4R using the stock carbon wings which fit pretty well and of course I am using 1/4 turn quick fasteners.

Stomp Grip makes a less aggressive material so I went with that this time, easier on my leathers as I tear up mine in the inside knee area.

I do have the V4 Ducati Performance race seat but I find the stock seat to be quite good!

I improved the already excellent brakes with a 19 mm Corta Corsa master cylinder --> Six in one: Brembo revolutionizes the concept of the master cylinder

I also upgraded the rear to a Brembo Supersport billet rear caliper.

Of course the obligatory full Akrapovic exhaust and Ducati Performance rearsets were installed with Engine Ice.

I;m not big fan of the lock collars Ohlins uses so I installed a Thorington bearing and locking billet preload collar that looks trick and is far easier to adjust.

I also think it is important to be able to see fork travel so a 43 mm fork travel indicator is a must!

Stock suspension is quite excellent a literally capable of a Expert Superbike podium with any club in the country so just set the sag!

The bikes is delivered with 520 chain and stock gearing is great but I swapped out the sprockets for significantly lighter versions from my friends over at Drive Systems. Both are drilled and black and look great!

I have a literally ridden everything and I have to say this V4R makes the shortest time between corners of any bike I have ever ridden on track and I have even ridden a Panigale R World Superbike, the electronics are truly next level!

I don't know about you guys but I collect a lot of data, I like using my LitPro for the last year to gather high-level info like lap times, weather, heart rate but the DDA+ is a useful tool that I don't hear many people talk about. It is fairly powerful and even let's you create your own math channels to track things like how quickly you go from throttle to max braking, etc, I could go on....what kinda sucks is that IF you leave the dongle plugged in the battery will die and taking off the seat after every session is not helpful so I routed my wiring info the side of the tail fairing out of the way but it is now easily accessible between sessions while remaining out of the way. I'll add a picture later.

Last thing for now, I swapped the stock tires, which are truly incredible for a street AND track bike for Pirelli's NEW 125/70 and 200/65 rear. I have raced this front tire on my primary race bike, a 2019 Kawasaki ZX-10RR, and I have never felt more confidence in a front tire on a sport bike - OMG! This is THE top mod in my humble opinion...

Pics to follow...

RickD996 · Apr 25, 2020

Hey,
I must agree, I've been surprised at how little changes you need to make compared to other sportsbikes, very refreshing.
I budgeted for new suspension, but the stock kit is excellent.
Traction control does hold me back, so I'm going to get the EVO2 software.
And I've gone with SITTA sprockets, quick change kit. Unbelievable quality!
I went with Spider and JetPrime for all the little bits (switches, rearsets etc)
Haven't tried the 125 front, but will give it a go now! Or, when we're allowed back on track...

HKMP7 · Apr 25, 2020

Are you running factory brake lines with the billet rear caliper of do you have custom ones. Any pictures of the setup?

endodoc · Apr 25, 2020

Excellent write up. Well thought out, everything done with purpose.

tadashi · Apr 25, 2020

Nice write up! Tracks area starting to open back up, let’s get out there!

RODOLFO · Apr 25, 2020

roadracerx said:
Hey guys, thought I'd start a post with some of the simple but effective mods that can be made to make the V4R which is already incredible just a little better....

My bike started as a race bike from day 1, never even rode it on the street LOL, although I did have a 2018 Base V4 and rode a customer's V4R back-to-back so I knew what it was like on street....

Surprisingly the R models have needed less to make them track ready, Ducati really makes a more track-focused bike than other brands, save the race track specific models like Aprilia's RSV4 X or BMW's HP4 Race.

I sourced a bespoke complete set of carbon bodywork for my V4R using the stock carbon wings which fit pretty well and of course I am using 1/4 turn quick fasteners.

Stomp Grip makes a less aggressive material so I went with that this time, easier on my leathers as I tear up mine in the inside knee area.

I do have the V4 Ducati Performance race seat but I find the stock seat to be quite good!

I improved the already excellent brakes with a 19 mm Corta Corsa master cylinder --> Six in one: Brembo revolutionizes the concept of the master cylinder

I also upgraded the rear to a Brembo Supersport billet rear caliper.

Of course the obligatory full Akrapovic exhaust and Ducati Performance rearsets were installed with Engine Ice.

I;m not big fan of the lock collars Ohlins uses so I installed a Thorington bearing and locking billet preload collar that looks trick and is far easier to adjust.

I also think it is important to be able to see fork travel so a 43 mm fork travel indicator is a must!

Stock suspension is quite excellent a literally capable of a Expert Superbike podium with any club in the country so just set the sag!

The bikes is delivered with 520 chain and stock gearing is great but I swapped out the sprockets for significantly lighter versions from my friends over at Drive Systems. Both are drilled and black and look great!

I have a literally ridden everything and I have to say this V4R makes the shortest time between corners of any bike I have ever ridden on track and I have even ridden a Panigale R World Superbike, the electronics are truly next level!

I don't know about you guys but I collect a lot of data, I like using my LitPro for the last year to gather high-level info like lap times, weather, heart rate but the DDA+ is a useful tool that I don't hear many people talk about. It is fairly powerful and even let's you create your own math channels to track things like how quickly you go from throttle to max braking, etc, I could go on....what kinda sucks is that IF you leave the dongle plugged in the battery will die and taking off the seat after every session is not helpful so I routed my wiring info the side of the tail fairing out of the way but it is now easily accessible between sessions while remaining out of the way. I'll add a picture later.

Last thing for now, I swapped the stock tires, which are truly incredible for a street AND track bike for Pirelli's NEW 125/70 and 200/65 rear. I have raced this front tire on my primary race bike, a 2019 Kawasaki ZX-10RR, and I have never felt more confidence in a front tire on a sport bike - OMG! This is THE top mod in my humble opinion...

Pics to follow...

great review

were did you get the pirelli 125/70 200/65 from?

have you tried the TD SUPERCORSAS?What do you think about them ?

shigeru · Apr 25, 2020

Great write up as always.

Rodolfo, I ordered the new WSBK diablo 125/70 200/65 from CT Race Tires.

RODOLFO · Apr 25, 2020

shigeru said:
Great write up as always.

Rodolfo, I ordered the new WSBK diablo 125/70 200/65 from CT Race Tires.

Thanks man

roadracerx · Apr 25, 2020

RODOLFO said:
great review

were did you get the pirelli 125/70 200/65 from?

have you tried the TD SUPERCORSAS?What do you think about them ?

The Pirelli TD is an excellent tire but not for the V4 platform because the rear tire diameter is too small (200/55). The SP V3 (stock) tire is as good as the TD but in the correct size (200/60) which happened to be within 1 mm in diameter of the new Pirelli Superbike 200/65 tire.

roadracerx · Apr 25, 2020

Some pics...

Keith197 · Apr 25, 2020

I'm gonna say one of the top mods for me was switching to evol clip-ons, really like the feel of the tangent style clip-ons. Still awaiting a track day to evaluate all the winter add-ons (billet brakes, FKR fork carts, and the new sized Pirelli's)

shigeru · Apr 25, 2020

Nice! Would you mind sharing where you got the preload adjuster and the reservoir mount?

Calderara di Reno · Apr 29, 2020

Tracks opening again, you guys are lucky. I'm in Oz and had done some good set up on my V4 base with a cartridge kit and geometry changes out of Bayliss's team and ddidnt get to have enough track time to evaluate. Now here everything is Corona shut down and going into winter , so it will be August before a track is open again, i'll have gone 60 by then, not happy

What feel do you get from the new Pirelli fronts compared to the older profile ? I've had a couple of major front end looses late last year and am struggling with confidence on the front .

RickD996 · Apr 29, 2020

Calderara di Reno said:
Tracks opening again, you guys are lucky. I'm in Oz and had done some good set up on my V4 base with a cartridge kit and geometry changes out of Bayliss's team and ddidnt get to have enough track time to evaluate. Now here everything is Corona shut down and going into winter , so it will be August before a track is open again, i'll have gone 60 by then, not happy
What feel do you get from the new Pirelli fronts compared to the older profile ? I've had a couple of major front end looses late last year and am struggling with confidence on the front .

Get rid of the tyres it comes with.

I get a lot of feel from my V4R on the standard forks. The damping is set for road use, so forgiving but vague, it needs plenty of adjustment for track use, but it has the range and is very good quality.

If you've got race cartridge internals, whoever fitted them should be able to give you ball park settings, and an idea of what direction to go in.

Set your axle as far back as you can, you may need a longer chain, try 315mm shock length, and set the forks flush with the top yoke/clamp.

Depending on your pace and physical size, you'll probably want a 10.5 (105Nm) shock spring.

TsaiCo · Apr 29, 2020

roadracerx said:
Hey guys, thought I'd start a post with some of the simple but effective mods that can be made to make the V4R which is already incredible just a little better....

My bike started as a race bike from day 1, never even rode it on the street LOL, although I did have a 2018 Base V4 and rode a customer's V4R back-to-back so I knew what it was like on street....

Surprisingly the R models have needed less to make them track ready, Ducati really makes a more track-focused bike than other brands, save the race track specific models like Aprilia's RSV4 X or BMW's HP4 Race.

I sourced a bespoke complete set of carbon bodywork for my V4R using the stock carbon wings which fit pretty well and of course I am using 1/4 turn quick fasteners.

Stomp Grip makes a less aggressive material so I went with that this time, easier on my leathers as I tear up mine in the inside knee area.

I do have the V4 Ducati Performance race seat but I find the stock seat to be quite good!

I improved the already excellent brakes with a 19 mm Corta Corsa master cylinder --> Six in one: Brembo revolutionizes the concept of the master cylinder

I also upgraded the rear to a Brembo Supersport billet rear caliper.

Of course the obligatory full Akrapovic exhaust and Ducati Performance rearsets were installed with Engine Ice.

I;m not big fan of the lock collars Ohlins uses so I installed a Thorington bearing and locking billet preload collar that looks trick and is far easier to adjust.

I also think it is important to be able to see fork travel so a 43 mm fork travel indicator is a must!

Stock suspension is quite excellent a literally capable of a Expert Superbike podium with any club in the country so just set the sag!

The bikes is delivered with 520 chain and stock gearing is great but I swapped out the sprockets for significantly lighter versions from my friends over at Drive Systems. Both are drilled and black and look great!

I have a literally ridden everything and I have to say this V4R makes the shortest time between corners of any bike I have ever ridden on track and I have even ridden a Panigale R World Superbike, the electronics are truly next level!

I don't know about you guys but I collect a lot of data, I like using my LitPro for the last year to gather high-level info like lap times, weather, heart rate but the DDA+ is a useful tool that I don't hear many people talk about. It is fairly powerful and even let's you create your own math channels to track things like how quickly you go from throttle to max braking, etc, I could go on....what kinda sucks is that IF you leave the dongle plugged in the battery will die and taking off the seat after every session is not helpful so I routed my wiring info the side of the tail fairing out of the way but it is now easily accessible between sessions while remaining out of the way. I'll add a picture later.

Last thing for now, I swapped the stock tires, which are truly incredible for a street AND track bike for Pirelli's NEW 125/70 and 200/65 rear. I have raced this front tire on my primary race bike, a 2019 Kawasaki ZX-10RR, and I have never felt more confidence in a front tire on a sport bike - OMG! This is THE top mod in my humble opinion...

Pics to follow...

great thread, keep it coming!

i just got a litpro myself, hopefully get to test it on end of May on ACS! See you there?

roadracerx · Apr 30, 2020

Something to note, the stock SP V3 tire is excellent for street and track use and has the correct geometry for the V4 platform, however, faster riders will notice the stock tires feel "squishy" on track....they provide a lot of feedback and could honestly be raced on but the 125/70, 200/65 Pirelli SBK slicks are much better for track use and the rear tire is the same size as the OEM SP V3. The front is 3 mm taller (radius) and 4 mm wider (which is incredible for front end grip) but I have not found that an adjustment in fork ride height is necessary yet. Will update this space as I test more.

Adding length to the swingarm does three things....

1.) more weight on the front
2.) longer lever means you need more spring AND this also requires a change in fork ride height per MotoSpec chassis analysis so I would hold off - also I think the max rate Ohlins offers currently is 105 N/m (stock on the V4R).
3.) it alters geometry

Stock gearing and wheelbase are good, I would not change it until you really know what each change actually does.

People come to me all the time for setup having change gearing, tires, etc and the bike doesn't work anymore....don't stray from the stock setup too much, it is GOOD, these engineers are not dumb.

The Dunlop SBK slick or new Pirelli SBK slick is ideal for this bike.

And don't start re-valving forks! They are VERY good stock, you just need to set bike and rider sag....don't think some trackside tuner knows more than Ducati. If you are. having a specific problem let's talk about it and fix it methodically.

If anyone wants stock V4R valving specs vs. an Ohlins FKR insert I can post that info up here. From memory I believe it is very close on the compression side, the rebound side is NIX 30 but no one really has issues with any rebound circuit on anything from Ohlins that's why Ducati didn't spec FKR tech on the rebound side.

This stock V4R for one of the very best ever made for a stock bike, save the Desmosedici, HP4 Race and 2016+ ZX-10R(R).

Calderara di Reno · Apr 30, 2020

roadracerx said:
Something to note, the stock SP V3 tire is excellent for street and track use and has the correct geometry for the V4 platform, however, faster riders will notice the stock tires feel "squishy" on track....they provide a lot of feedback and could honestly be raced on but the 125/70, 200/65 Pirelli SBK slicks are much better for track use and the rear tire is the same size as the OEM SP V3. The front is 3 mm taller (radius) and 4 mm wider (which is incredible for front end grip) but I have not found that an adjustment in fork ride height is necessary yet. Will update this space as I test more.

Last August (end of our winter, but still bloody cold at Phillip island) I tried a set of SP V3 at a race meet , having lost the front in T1 there at the start of winter during qualifying, which wasnt pretty. I was after something to give me more confidence on a cold track from normally using sbk slicks. I found the front had really good grip and not likely to just let go in the cold. The back was super sad after 1 session though. I would have no hesitation running a treaded front matched to a slick when conditions warrant.
I like your write up on changes, I'm running an FKR cartridge in the front which will sit the bike up 15mm in the front , so have pulled the forks up to compensate. The rear I have the Ohlins upgrade and wound the shock clevis out to its max , think its 312mm . I have a 10.5 spring, but feels a bit stiff, I'm 80kg + gear ? Need more track time to summerise it all, not going to get soon

roadracerx · May 1, 2020

@Calderara di Reno which model bike, a V4S or V4R? When you say "will sit the bike up 15 mm in the front" do you mean your FKR insert has been lengthened from the oem stroke of 120 mm?

Calderara di Reno · May 1, 2020

mine is the V4 base

roadracerx · May 2, 2020

Did some testing today at a very toasty Chuckwalla, high of 98F, on the V4R with the new (2020) Pirelli Superbike slick.

The front tire is a full 5 mm wider and 3 mm taller radius than the 120/70 Diablo Superbike Slick and the rear 200/65 is the same width but 5 mm taller radius than the 200/60 of the same name.

I have raced on these tires before the coronavirus shut down and REALLY liked the front but had not spent enough time on them yet to have a good setup...

Math is never wrong but sometimes a tweak is needed because you feel something....what I noticed today on the SC1 front and SC0 rear is that I could not be as precise and I was just a little off the apex in a couple of corners with the V4R fork at stock ride height, shock length at 315 mm.

Tire pressure hot off warmers at 34 front, 24 rear I altered the front fork ride height from 7 mm of tube above top cap to 9 mm so the fork is shorter. This solved the problem, I didn't have to pull the bike down to the apex and I wasn't missing the apexes; times in the 1:53-54 range with traffic on used tires....this bike is FAST, got it up to almost 145 mph on both straights!

V4R race trim top mods!

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