V-twin to IL4/IL3?

St0rmer66

St0rmer66

St0rmer66

Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2004
Posts
4,550
Location
Harrogate, North Yorks
Currently got an Aprilia RSV-R (51 plate) which I've had over 2 years and done quite a lot to. It's got: Akrapovic exhaust, modified exhaust manifold (welded in link pipes), open airbox ("hooked"), quick-shifter, PC3 & custom map and just put new tyres on it. The clutch is less than a year old, I've changed all the fluids and filters etc. It has wanted for nothing. It's a little shabby round the edges (peeling stickers, few scratches) but mechanically sound.

Problem is, I have lost the "urge" to go ride it :( . It's been sat in the garage unused for the past 2 months. I know the weather has been pretty crap recently but even on the good days I still didn't ride it and I can't quite put my finger on why. I haven't even booked a track day this year after LOVING doing them the past 2 years.

Thinking of trying to get some rides on a ZX6R (approx 07-09 plate) to see if the lighter, better handling, "REV LIKE ****" style would suit me more. My worry is that it would feel totally 'gutless' after the epic wave of torque and linear power of my RSV. Is it true what they say about a 600 "feeling" faster than it's going because you're rev'ing it so high? This possibly sounds like something I'd enjoy.

The other bike I like the look of, and have always loved, is the 2004-05 ZX10R. Lairy by most peoples standards from what I hear, but this could be a good thing! ;) . Big power increase, probably less weight and potentially better handling? My worry here is it being too powerful for the road and not being able to keep my speed down (not that my bike is exactly slow as it is now). I will NEVER be able to use it's full potential on the road, even when no police are around... it's just too much. But having the extra power just means I don't have to change gear every 5 seconds like on a 600, the power doesn't HAVE to be used at 100% all the time.

Wildcard: Triumph Daytona 675. Like a 600 but with a power delivery somewhere between a twin and an IL4. Any experiences? Heard they are VERY uncomfortable though. Love the look and sound.

In all cases I slightly worry that being 6'1" could be a problem comfort wise. The RSV is considered a "big" bike but it still cripples my lower back after a few hours in the saddle if I don't take regular breaks (and I'm only 24yrs old). My main problem is that I've never ridden an IL4 except for a couple of quick rides on my Dad's ZX9-R (old and not sporty enough for me). So I don't actually know what living with an IL4 is even like.

Any advice? Should I try fall back in love with the RSV instead?
 
Last edited:
wish u lived closer my 04 zx10 is for sale:D

i ride mine everyday,i also own a zx6r g1 98 model and its a great bike,you do notice the lack of torque though from a 1000 to a 600cc,the zx10 is actually a lot lighter than my 600!!
 
St0rmer66 said:
Wildcard: Triumph Daytona 675. Like a 600 but with a power delivery somewhere between a twin and an IL4. Any experiences? Heard they are VERY uncomfortable though.
Click to expand...

They're not too bad on the comfort front. I'm 6' 2" and get on OK with it. The engine has a lovely sound. :)
 
I wouldnt change a V-twin for an inline 4.

Inline 4 will give you more power, more revs, smooter delivery, but lack any kind of character at all.

They dont even sound nice.
 
Whilst it's not quite an RSV-R, I had an SV650 and I the V twin engine. I sold it and bought a 2010 ZX6R which I absolutely love, there's nothing quite like hitting 8000rpm and still having another 8000 more to go.

I certainly don't find it gutless, just plenty of lovely smooth usable power

I did try the Triumph too and it was good but felt tiny to me, like a toy bike. (I'm just over 6ft)
 
eidolon said:
Whilst it's not quite an RSV-R, I had an SV650 and I the V twin engine. I sold it and bought a 2010 ZX6R which I absolutely love, there's nothing quite like hitting 8000rpm and still having another 8000 more to go.

I certainly don't find it gutless, just plenty of lovely smooth usable power

I did try the Triumph too and it was good but felt tiny to me, like a toy bike. (I'm just over 6ft)
Click to expand...
I had an SV650S before my RSV too, so I know what they're like :) . The vibrations of a Vtwin get annoying after a long ride too, my dad's ZX9R felt very smooth as you describe.

I have heard the same from others about the Triumph, like a 125 on steroids!

BigshotPie said:
The new MV's are 3 cylinders and are trying to take some of triumph's crown with the new F3 and Brutale.
Click to expand...

Bit out of my price range unfortunately. Just bought a house recently!
 
Try and get a ride of the ZX10r. There barmy fun. Wouldn't got to a 600. You get so frustrated with the lack I grunt. But a inline 4 1000cc will have you giggling like a girl when you hit the powerband.
 
i had a big buttock clenching moment when i first rode my zx10,it didnt have a steering damper fitted at the time and had a massive tank slapper,so if you do get one makesure you fit a damper,their fine with one fitted
 
even with the std steering damper (which is known to be crap even though it's Ohlins) i have had A LOT of scary moments... thing is an animal.
 
The launch version of the F3 was apparently terrible. The hastily revised version with new electronics is supposed to be much better.
 
St0rmer66 said:
Wildcard: Triumph Daytona 675
Click to expand...

I have a street triple r, it's a great bike combining almost the same pace as the daytona but in a more comfy/usable package. I'd recommend trying out both on a good length test ride.

After the RSV I'd imagine most bikes will feel pretty flat in the mid-range though, well anything under a litre.
 
How do you ride the RSV? If you just stick it in a gear and abuse the torque you'll have disastrous results trying the same with pretty much any 600. If you are thrashing it then yeah, an IL4 may well be for you.

I've generally found IL4s actually feel slower due to being smoother and more refined than a sports twin. Case in point, my PC3/Blueprinted/Harris race system'd up SP1 felt like a fire breathing monster compared to my mostly stock ZX9, yet put them side by side and the Kwak comprehensively spanked the Honda every time. Whilst the SP1 was busy shouting, roaring and shaking parts off, the ZX9 was smoothly wooshing off ahead in it's well mannered turbine like way.

As for options to look at, I'll take your Daytona 675 and raise you a Street triple R, more comfort, less oil consumption, all hooligan :)
 
its nice to have a smooth runing/sounding machine though esp on long distances,i love the sound of v twins but i couldnt ride one for a long journey or it would give me headache,same for loud cans on inline fours
 
That hinges more on the exhaust and airbox setup, as well as the way the machine is tuned though, quietest mile muncher I've owned was an Aprilia Futura, that thing was hilariously quiet for a litre twin. It was hard to stomach that it was effectively an RSV with a mahoosive exhaust system and ecu.
 
I find my RSV very smooth for a big twin, provided you don't try to lug it in high gears (epic chain snatch). My brother has been using my SV650 and we swapped over whilst we were down at Brands for the BSB, and other than being quite impressed at how well the old SV performed the main thing I noticed was how much smoother my RSV was. The tall gearing is a pain in traffic, but awesome on the motorway when you are only doing about 5000 RPM at 80mph.
 
Last edited:
My TL1000s was any thing but smooth and that's why I liked it was very aggressive to ride but huge fun.

I think v-power is kinda Marmite you like or not.
 
Last edited:
atpbx said:
I wouldnt change a V-twin for an inline 4.

Inline 4 will give you more power, more revs, smooter delivery, but lack any kind of character at all.

They dont even sound nice.
Click to expand...

IL4 will have more torque too.

I've got a rotax V-twin at the moment. I wouldn't say the has any more character than any of the IL4, v4 or parallel twins i've ridden. Most modern engine are devoid of character.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom