Worth changing to a V4?

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ScrapperX said:
I've had the 1199 (2012), 1299S (2015), Panigale R (2015) now the V4S Corse. Each one has had incremental gains in performance/handling but its huge jump to the V4. It's a totally different riding experience and a totally different bike. I test rode the V4S several times on the freeway and through the streets and I did not think it was that much of a difference. After taking the V4S through some pretty spirited technical canyon runs in Malibu Canyons, and Ojai Canyons I decided I was wrong. I don't plan on tracking this bike If I decide to track again it would be the V4 or V4R with higher spring rate than the stock one.
1 Better Ergos - Easier to rest my chest on the tank, I feel there is more room and my arm extension to the grip are better. Maybe it's because I can get my butt back in the seat without sliding forward which causes me to sit up on the older models. I'm surprised more people are not commenting on the ergos more.
2) Power Band - wider power band throughout the whole rev range unlike the narrow power band of the 1199/1299 series. The bike accelerates quicker and its stupid fast.
3) Flicks/Turn in better than my 1199/1299 - The V4S is on par or better than the Panigale R. (R is so light it makes transitioning fun and effortless) they both feels like a 600. I suspect you can run lines like a 600 on the V4 on a track.
4) Better feel in the brakes. - It's more linear like the throttle you know what your getting when you twist it as in the brake you know what you are getting when you pull the lever back.
5) Sound - Its sound good with the stock exhaust but nothing sounds better than the 1299 with Akra full system. That just sound mean.
6) Heat - Feels like the 899/959. The heat nothing close to the 1199 and 1299. I rode yesterday in 103 degree F in stop and go traffic wearing Dianese Drake textile pants and Cycle Gear heat out base layer and I had no problems at all. On the older models I had to put thermotec tape under the seat, carbon exhaust heat shield, Carbon frame covers and Carbon Fiber engine covers to reduce the heat in traffic. Although the CF looked sweet!

Its an Awesome bike I don't think you will be disappointed if you decide to upgrade.
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Came from a 1199 and upgraded to V4s. Couldn't say it any better myself. I do miss how the 1199 was trying to kill me every time i opened the throttle though.
 
I was just recently offered a V4 for trade on my '13 1199R. I love the 1199 and while my only complaint is I miss the rawness of the 999 I traded for 1199. I really went back and forth on making a decision to trade and I am currently trying to get off the "latest and greatest" merry go-round as I'm looking for a 998 because it is the only superbike I didn't own. I test rode the V4 and there is no dispute that it is an incredible bike but I ultimately stuck with the 1199. The V4 is even more refined and has less of that rawness that I crave than the 1199, I'm happy with my decision and it really comes down to personal preference. Good Luck!
 
mrjonnylee said:
I was just recently offered a V4 for trade on my '13 1199R. I love the 1199 and while my only complaint is I miss the rawness of the 999 I traded for 1199. I really went back and forth on making a decision to trade and I am currently trying to get off the "latest and greatest" merry go-round as I'm looking for a 998 because it is the only superbike I didn't own. I test rode the V4 and there is no dispute that it is an incredible bike but I ultimately stuck with the 1199. The V4 is even more refined and has less of that rawness that I crave than the 1199, I'm happy with my decision and it really comes down to personal preference. Good Luck!
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My only previous Ducati I owned was a 998 (I bought it because of the Matrix movie :D ). Not the only other Ducati I rode, as my brother in law collects Ducatis and I get to ride them ;)
The 998 is by far still the best steering bike I have ever ridden! Planted, on rails, dedicated, .. name it whatever you want, it was stable as hell and I still miss it every day. You chose a line and the bike kept that line. My V4S feels more lively, tends to choose its own line.
If I get the chance to buy a well preserved 998, I will do it.
 
FlatlineEF9 said:
Came from a 1199 and upgraded to V4s. Couldn't say it any better myself. I do miss how the 1199 was trying to kill me every time i opened the throttle though.
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This is something I'm still trying to deal with since owning my 1199 since March of this year. That damn thing, north of 8k rpm's, literally wants to throw you off and kill you. lol. Have told grip tight with the thighs and keep the hands light on the bars and just hold the f*ck on!!!!
 
dogrange said:
I've test ridden. I don't know why everyone keeps saying it sounds like the old twins, it doesn't. Much thinner tone, spins much faster, it has its own sound, which you may or may not like. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the sound.


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I second that! I've got a 1299 with the motocorse exhaust and jumping on a friend's v4s, it was surprising how much of the basso profundo was gone even with the full akra. It's still an amazing bike which has moved the game on a fair bit. I doubt you will be disappointed. I'd get it if it didn't mean having to get rid of the 1299. Good luck.
 
I'd never trade my 1299 FE for the V4. The character. Powerband. Sound.

If I get a V4 it'll be a street fighter and a 2nd bike.

And the V4 with broader powerband then 1299R? What? Twin has like 20ftlbs more torque.

Definitely test ride given how you ride and fit on bike.


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I've been thinking about taking the plunge myself but I suspect that the V4 is "easier" to ride because it's just less powerful, certainly less torquey, in the rev ranges where most people end up riding them. I think that translates to easier for many people because the thing doesn't want to spin/slide the rear or wheelie or otherwise misbehave as much as the twin.

Can anyone that's not a podium caliber expert racer really keep the V4 way up in the 10, 11, 12, 13k rev range where it needs to be? The R is likely even more demanding. Riding a V4 fast kinda seems comparable to riding a R6 fast and most people can't do that. Can anyone tracking or racing a V4 speak to the effort it takes to ride fast compared to the twin Panigales?
 
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had a bit of a cold plus the weather had been atrocious as in bucketing down for days so no chance yet to ride a v4 yet. Looking forward to it! The sheer grunt out of the corners and short shifting through the twisties on the 1299 is extremely enjoyable. Im not really looking for more top end as I cant use what Ive got fully, so its just a case of comparing the experience on offer. The twin is so primal and sounds fantastic so perhaps if the v4 is appealing in a different way I might end up keeping both.
 
Paul G said:
had a bit of a cold plus the weather had been atrocious as in bucketing down for days so no chance yet to ride a v4 yet. Looking forward to it! The sheer grunt out of the corners and short shifting through the twisties on the 1299 is extremely enjoyable. Im not really looking for more top end as I cant use what Ive got fully, so its just a case of comparing the experience on offer. The twin is so primal and sounds fantastic so perhaps if the v4 is appealing in a different way I might end up keeping both.
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I'm thinking keep my 1299FE and consider the V4 street fighter


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Heres my thoughts on the V-4,
First impressions, the tank has more of a bulge where your your knees tuck in giving the impression that the bike is fatter. Controls are good, instruments clear enough no real improvement over the 1299, the mirrors look vulnerable though. Although its a bit wider , it seems smaller all round like its been condensed, it's smoother and quieter but a bit tingley through the bars at times. Refined is how I would put it compared the twin which feels like a farm tractor on steroids. Extremely light and flickable, scalpel like steering that really is just think and the bikes there. I would love to get this on a track to explore what it can do, on the street I thought the mid range was pretty good after all the stories about how lame it was compared to the twin and the top end in the first 2 gears and into 3rd was awesome (street testing so cant be too outrageous in the city!) .
But, its a bit like how I would imagine a German electric bike to be, ruthless but kind of lacking the fun factor of the twin. Don't get me wrong I was suitably impressed particularly with the handling but getting back on the twin with Akras booming and popping little wheelies on the way home, the twin is so much fun. The jury is out on whether to pony up 20 something k for the upgrade. I really think that if you were thinking of changing, its a good option but for me I might bling my twin out a bit more and learn to ride it better.
 
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