If you are looking for change you will certainly get that, as for the V-Twin and why I like it you'll see when you take a test ride, they are full of torque and you seem to have more control over the rear tyre as your revs are never norally that high...

It's almost as if the bike is going mad underneath you but very little is happening if you know what I mean...

I took out a VTR-SP1 I think you call 'em RC-51's and I was building up a fair lick on the motorway, I thought about 110mph 120 tops and to my suprise I was doing over 165mph...

Everything was calm, no screeming engine just the gentle rapid thud thud thud of a big V...

Going into corners is great, you get lots of slide out of the rear if you let the clutch out quickly.

There loads of torque to lift the front up if you want.

Coming out of corners is where they really kick arse (or sould that be R's) as you can slowly but surely wind on way more power than you can on an inline without it sliding out and if it does you have alot more control over it as you are working within a tighter threshold of revolutions..

Or so it seemed to me anyway..

:jump

 

I voted inline because thats my next bike, currently have a SP1/RC51, just gone over two years now, it is a deceptive bike as mentioned, loud but does'nt sound like your hammering along, reverse of a inline. Have pushed forks thru and got a tail rise unit to improve agility, brakes are great, gearbox smooth, still has power to hoot along, 295kph indicated so thats not to bad. Comfort not that good, firm seat and suspension. Overall good value for money I think compared to other twins.....

 

I nearly voted for V-Twin, but then i saw your question - Which would you buy?

I'd love a V-twin (for the sound alone), and they are awesome machines, the Ducati 998 being my personal favourite. But they are a pain when not going for it, most are Italian which raises reliability questions, but most important i don't like the sensation that R1DER describes of going slower than you are. To me it's all about enjoying myself, and if i feel like i'm going faster than i really am, fine by me!

If it's purely about improving your riding, inline 4's require more accurate use of gears, because of the smaller torque band, IMHO.

 

:fact :iamwithst i agree with everything being said. I do like the hydraulic clutch systems.

 

My ZX7-R has a hydraulic clutch, it's great, super smooth very strong when on (like most) and zero maintenance, no adjustment needed ever, just the odd change of fluid every 16 or so thousand miles....

Lovely !

This has zero to do with the v-Twin thread....

 

I had a TL for 5 years before the R1 and can tell you right away that, in spite of it being a heavier bike, the TL turned in quicker and was much thinner between the legs. The sound is glorious and a lot more distinctive than all the I-4's. Deceptively fast as R1DER mentioned.

Both V-Twins and I-4's are awesome to ride! Its more personal preference than anything. Try a Twin for a while and see what you think.

 

I vote I-4, because that's what I own.
Coulda' bought an RC-51, TL-1000R, etc., but that's not what I chose.

I've ridden a buddy's RC-51 immediately after hopping off my '02 R1, and the differences are easy to see and feel when you do that:

On the RC-51, the engine sounds like it's turning only half of the RPM that the R1 is because it has only half the cylinders.
This right here is one of the biggest factors in giving the rider an impression of the bike - both the R1 and the RC-51 could be turning the exact same RPM, but the RC-51 will sound like it is turning way less.

The tone of the exhaust on the RC-51 is of a much lower pitch, and if slip-ons/exhaust system are fitted, it sounds big and bad.

The power delivery of the RC-51 is flat.
That means you start off with a decent amount of thrust and it just gradually builds as the RPM rises.
There is no burst of power, and if you try to wring it up to the stratosphere looking for some kind of a hit near redline, you won't find it.
In fact, the impression I got was that the bike ran like a very strong XR-600R dirt bike - very linear (although unexciting) power delivery.

The above observations aren't really gripes, just what I felt after a back-to-back ride on each.
Needless to say, when I got back on my R1, it felt like someone had lit the JATO bottle.

 

Both!!! :finger :finger

If you want something diferent go with the V-Twin, you won't have the power nor the high end of a new 1000 4 inline but you'll have lot's of torque and that punch in low and mid rpm's.
Get the new Aprilia (i know you're looking for one ), if you have the money go for the Factory.

But if you just want to master the twisties go to 600.

 

yeah, a 600 if you want to master the twisties.

 

V-twin:finger

Nah, seriously though. My first (and subsequent) rides on the One was a huge eye opener as far as the difference in power delivery. My bike tries to kick you off the back when I roll the thottle. The R1 simply just hauled balls and I was doing 100 in an instant. Spooky and invigorating. I guess I could say Vtwins are more low and mid range grunt and inlines take it from there and have the mid range and top end power. I agree with some of these guys though, both are fun as hell to ride. One of my buds has an Aprillia Mille RSV and it sounds sweet. I'd take both types.:fact :thumbup :rock

 

I should have known you were going to post something like this Ruben. Get the Mille for crying out loud. :yesnod

 

Have always wanted a SP2. Like the look of them,and would be a nice cruiser:yesnod

 

I've never ridden a sport v-twin (only cruisers)... I love the inline 4's though and am on my 4th one (could have bought a twin at any time but chose not to)...

- BA

 

Alright, The twins have no more low end or mid range than the '02 R1. It's the power characteristics of the motor that make the difference. That and theres about 50lbs difference between the bikes. the heavier twins feel much more stable which could increase your confidence to allow you to ride faster on it than the i4. They are reported to have better traction coming out of corners as well.

 

Twins are very old tech; inline fours new tech. The 04 R1 is the epitome of what is possible with current technology! Not just engine characteristics, frame, suspension, etc. However, twins do have their own character and are cool in their own way, but they vibrate much more than an inline four.

 

I don't care what anybody says...

When the RC211V version for the public comes out, I'm buying!
Still keeping the 1 though.

-Nvicta

 

yeah I would like a rc211v also but that is not a v-twin it a v5. but who's counting.

 

Which would you buy and why?

After owning an R1 for 2 yrs, I think I am ready to try sthn different. As a rider I have matured to the point that I dont care about top HP numbers or bragging rights. What I do care about is learning how to ride my bike to its fullest. So my question to you is, as far as mastering the twisties what is a better weapon? A twin or an I4.

If you vote, please post your explaination. Thanks

Most people who have v-twins love them. RC's, Duc and Aprilias... Sounds to me like you are ready for something new. I would definitely try a Vtwin. You can always come back to the I-4. With the RC's at the eol (end of line) you proabaly get one for reasonable price. The take a few dollars to get set right but they are sweet. Good luck

 

i would get the i4, just love that banshee wail!

 

I guess I'm the only one here who hates the sound of a V-twin. I prefer inline 4 over anything except maybe a V4. I dont like boxer engine too...

 

Boxer is a whole different fish. Very reliable but trippy to ride.

 

Don't make me decide!

 

Don't make me decide!

:2bitchsla Show off......:makeout

 

I love both, I could live with either

 

Re: Re: V-Twin or Inline-4...?

Most people who have v-twins love them. RC's, Duc and Aprilias...

I'm doing my best to fix that. I am old and am able to use only a small fraction of what my R1 can do, but I've managed to suck the headlights out of my gay Ducati friends' 848, 916 & Monster.

And no, they weren't even close.

The most cost effective, space efficient way to make motorcycle HP is with an I4.