2022 V4S or V4R for new track rider?

[ducati851]

Greetings,
I'm considering either the 2022 VRS or V4R for my first track bike. While I've almost 40+ years and 1M+ miles of dirt and street riding under my belt, I'm not a racer by design, but want to start riding tracks here in SoCal. While I recognize the price delta between the 2 bikes, as I usually spend almost the initial price of my bikes on modding them, I'd prefer to buy the bike it'll ultimately become, if that option is available.
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions!

 

[BP PanigaleV4S]

If it were my money, I'd buy a base 2022 and upgrade the suspension and exhaust.

 

[youpaiyou]

@ducati851 I’m in SoCal too and I regularly ride track days. I usually go with a few other Ducati riders. We are going next on February 12 at Chuckwalla. PM me if you want to connect.

 

[endodoc]

@ducati851 I’m in SoCal too and I regularly ride track days. I usually go with a few other Ducati riders. We are going next on February 12 at Chuckwalla. PM me if you want to connect.

Be careful with this “youpaiuou” character. He disguises himself as a mild mannered and gracious individual, (which is true) eager to help then gets you on the track and the gloves come off. Evil fast.

 

[Keith197]

I'd refer to MCN's eval of the V4R for a good eval. I have a V4R and while I do work out, it is exhausting on the track still, it is far more capable than me with a full day on the track

 

[ducati851]

PM sent youpaiyou. I'll keep your comments in mind endodoc
Thanks for the recommendation Keith, I'll check out MCN's review of the bike. If you were to choose again, would you get the V4 or V4S instead?

 

[RickD996]

There's really not much to choose between them, I'd say the 2022 V4S has better electronics, and a more flexible engine. It also has a more linear shock linkage and has the same geometry as the R from the factory. Save the cash, get the S (or base if purely for track). The electronic suspension and lighter wheels aren't worth £5k over stock. Sure, aftermarket wheels and suspension will set you back approx £5k, but you'll have an additional set of wheels.
And the dash on the 2022 bikes is better than the Rs.

 

[RODOLFO]

For a new track rider

If you like modding and there are professionals around you (like there are in SoCal) I would go with a 2022 V4 base.

if you dont like to mess around with modding, then go 2022 V4S

The only thing that the 2020 V4R offer, over the 2022 V4 is homologation for a 1000cc racing class.

 

[ducati851]

There's really not much to choose between them, I'd say the 2022 V4S has better electronics, and a more flexible engine. It also has a more linear shock linkage and has the same geometry as the R from the factory. Save the cash, get the S (or base if purely for track). The electronic suspension and lighter wheels aren't worth £5k over stock. Sure, aftermarket wheels and suspension will set you back approx £5k, but you'll have an additional set of wheels.
And the dash on the 2022 bikes is better than the Rs.

OK, so the R's electronics aren't updated as much for this year, that's a shame. What about the dash? Will the S's engine's flexibility be that much superior on track?

For a new track rider

If you like modding and there are professionals around you (like there are in SoCal) I would go with a 2022 V4 base.

if you dont like to mess around with modding, then go 2022 V4S

The only thing that the 2020 V4R offer, over the 2022 V4 is homologation for a 1000cc racing class.

What about the titanium con rods and lighter crank, they sound cool, but are these disadvantages vs. the S when just doing track days and not "sanctioned" races?

 

[Desmolvr]

They have not updated the R in the last 2 years. The rumor is that there will be a new R coming out mid year as a 2023. I am with others that a base and $7k you save off an S would be my pick.

The R motor does have more trick parts specifically for racing. I believe it requires extra maintenance as well so there is that to factor in too.

 

[RickD996]

They have not updated the R in the last 2 years. The rumor is that there will be a new R coming out mid year as a 2023. I am with others that a base and $7k you save off an S would be my pick.

The R motor does have more trick parts specifically for racing. I believe it requires extra maintenance as well so there is that to factor in too.

If you race the R and the 1100 engine, the maintenance is pretty much the same. Parts are a bit more expensive in the R though...

 

[RickD996]

OK, so the R's electronics aren't updated as much for this year, that's a shame. What about the dash? Will the S's engine's flexibility be that much superior on track?



Yes, the drive out of corners is stronger on the 1100, it makes more power than the R up until 13,000rpm.

 

[craig bush]

^^^ my experience as well.

I had the opportunity to ride a buddy’s 19 R (with Akra and map) and my 19 base (stock exhaust) back-to-back at COTA, and I was surprised to find that I preferred the 1103 motor. It nicely split the difference between the bottom end of my 15 R (running the Termi wsbk exhaust and Rapid Bike evo tuner) and the top end of the 19 R.

 

[Fry]

It's always cool to see more and more V4's at the track!

When I decided I wanted a dedicated track bike (after destroying a 2018 V4S at the track), I got a 2019 V4 base model and swapped out the base forks, shock, and wheels, and felt like that was a plenty awesome config. The price of this comes out more-or-less a wash with a V4S, but going with the base model lets you choose your components, and probably get higher spec stuff. When I destroy my current bike, I'll certainly get a 2022 V4 base model and set it up similarly, with TTX GP shock and FGRT214 forks, and just keep trying to go faster and faster.

To any SoCal guys... don't hesitate to say Hi if you see me around. I'll have the bight yellow #972 number plate. Can't miss it.
Bukester72 (Insta/YouTube).
Have a great 2022!

 

[Jolly Roger V4]

Be out there Chuckwalla next Sunday...

 

[Paul G]

Really common query, and the general consensus in multiple threads is get the base and upgrade the suspension if track is your main use. The R is by all accounts an incredible machine but like any R Ducati it requires a higher level of rider skill to get your moneys worth, plus the extra purchase price and maintenance costs.

 

[Jolly Roger V4]

Get a 2022 Base. R was great when it came out. Now 2022 has all those goodies plus more. Better electronics, dash and easier to ride.

 

[Jolly Roger V4]

1103 engine stock is great and with exhaust is overkill for most tracks but fast as heck!!

 

[panibadboy]

Greetings,
I'm considering either the 2022 VRS or V4R for my first track bike. While I've almost 40+ years and 1M+ miles of dirt and street riding under my belt, I'm not a racer by design, but want to start riding tracks here in SoCal. While I recognize the price delta between the 2 bikes, as I usually spend almost the initial price of my bikes on modding them, I'd prefer to buy the bike it'll ultimately become, if that option is available.
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions!

BMW S1000RR Gen4

 

[RickD996]

BMW S1000RR Gen4

If you want something even more unreliable than the Ducati!