V twin x2

[Colapop]

Is there such a thing as a V4? And we're talking for a bike. There are inline 4's and V twins, but is there a double V twin? I suppose like a V8 but only four cylinders and bike sized. Is this a feasible idea (I suppose it's been done)? What's the difference in engine characteristics between V and 4's? (apart from the fact one has 4 cylinders and the other has 2.)
Sorry if it's a dumb question.

[HDTboy]

Honda make/made a whole bunch of VFRs

[zadok]

Honda ST1100 & ST1300. 1100 been around for ages.

[Colapop]

See I knew there'd be heaps of them....

[Patch]

V4's are alot smoother to ride than a twin, you don't get the bubbly idle, just as much torque down low tho.

Inline vs. V - V has earlier torque delivery, provides decent engine braking and has better street cred :p (can u tell I own a V)

Personal preference really. I didn't buy mine for speed but simply for the ride it presents.

Go for the twin or V4. :Punk:


Ps. The only dumb question is the one never asked.

[jazbug5]

Crappy bloody pooter caused double post... move along, nothing to see here...

[jazbug5]

Have a look at this. (http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq/enginetypes.html)
Actually, there's quite a bit of interesting stuff on that site for beginners an mechanical dunces like, er, me for example. Do we have a 'useful links for newbies' page..?

[Motu]

VMax is another,and the tourer I forget the name of (V ??) they took the motor from.Then there is the certain V4 that was a V8 in disgise,I think some 2 stroke V4s made an appearance in street trim,not to mention square 4 in both 2 and 4 stroke.Think of an engine configuration,and it has been done before....several times.

[Waylander]

Have you not seen the Vmax lately?

Not to mention the Honda Steed had a V4 model a few years back, not sure if they still make them.

[limbimtimwim]

Is there such a thing as a V4? And we're talking for a bike. There are inline 4's and V twins, but is there a double V twin?My dream bike is V4. The wonderful RC45: http://www.sportbikez.net/pictures/mod/rc45/0

But I'll have to settle for a NC35 instead (Also a v4): http://cysunnychang.tripod.com/id4.html

[Jackrat]

VMax is another,and the tourer I forget the name of (V ??) they took the motor from.Then there is the certain V4 that was a V8 in disgise,I think some 2 stroke V4s made an appearance in street trim,not to mention square 4 in both 2 and 4 stroke.Think of an engine configuration,and it has been done before....several times.

Venture Royale,
Rode one for a couple of hundred Kms around Taranaki over Xmas.
Very relaxed,comfortable,power to burn,ect, ect,

[T.W.R]

Theres your V45 Honda VF/VFR 400-800cc, V65 Honda VF1000F/F11/R, VF1100 Magna, STs 1100-1300.
Suzuki Calvalcade 1200, 1200 Madura
Yamaha Venture 1200/1300, VMX1200, RZ500


AJS made a supercharged 500cc V4 back in the 30s as a race bike ( only one survives today in a museum in england, sammy millar's collection)

plus theres honda's MVX250 it was a V3

[nudemetalz]

Actually if you want to get REALLY technical.... the first Ducati MOTOGP bike was a double V-Twin, ie two V-twins side by side (firing order).

[idb]

Actually if you want to get REALLY technical.... the first Ducati MOTOGP bike was a double V-Twin, ie to V-twins side by side (firing order).
Desmosedici it's called.

[Motu]

And Ducati did it waaaay before that with an experimental bike that never went into production - they put 2 of the first 750 twins side by side for a bike intened for Police duties.

[nudemetalz]

And Ducati did it waaaay before that with an experimental bike that never went into production - they put 2 of the first 750 twins side by side for a bike intened for Police duties.

I think it was called an Apollo, from memory.

[TLDV8]

Honda NR500..Twin conrods per oblong piston,8 valves per cylinder... a V8 in disguise as Motu said.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NR500

Honda NR750 RC40

<img src=http://www.v-four.freeserve.co.uk/images/nr750.jpg>

Ducati Apollo
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0313_apollo/

Yamaha RZ/RD500

AJS Supercharged 500 V4

<img src=http://home.egge.net/~savory/smm_AJS%20V4%20Motor.jpg>

[nudemetalz]

...ha ha...RZ500 alright ...ah, the memories...I loved that bike !!!

[nudemetalz]

I also had a Honda VF-500 once. A V4 500cc 4 stroke.
Very torquey for it's size and also a great bike.

[ducatilover]

mmmmm v4.... the nsr500 race bikes were v4 2 smokers.... and they used a similar frame design as my v twin bros650.... i rode a vfr400 a wee while ago, and they are nice bike, i'd love one i just prefer the tiny little bros650:banana:

[Motu]

That's for that artical on the Apollo TDLV8,I didn't know it predated the twins - it appears the twins were split off the four,not the other way around.I knew it looked old,but I just thought that was the ''Police Look'',as even in the early 70s Harley's looked like that.

[T.W.R]

The ducati V4 (apollo) was a prototype built in 1963 (there were only 2 built) one is in japan, 1256cc engine. it was designed by Fabio Taglioli along with the 125cc in-line 4 that was a prototype race bike.

05gp desmosedici pic

[ducatilover]

aint there a yammy v4 125? an old as race bike:buggerd:

[nudemetalz]

The ducati V4 (apollo) was a prototype built in 1963 (there were only 2 built) one is in japan, 1256cc engine. it was designed by Fabio Taglioli along with the 125cc in-line 4 that was a prototype race bike.

05gp desmosedici pic

What a great pic of the MotoGP bike, !!!
Just become my wallpaper ;)

[Marmoot]

V-4 bikes are race winners....

For 4-stroke we got RC30 VFR750 and RC45 RVF750. Both are legendary winners. One RC45 was handled by our best Aaron Slight consistently sitting on #2 SBK championship for years. The RC45 winners were John Kocinski and Carl Fogarty (gees.......both are arrogant bastards aye?)

For 2 stroke, Mick Doohan won 5 straight GP championships on NSR500V4.

There are others well worth mentioning, but these three were legends.

If you want V8, look for BossHoss. That makes quite a cool story.

[nudemetalz]

aint there a yammy v4 125? an old as race bike:buggerd:

That's correct, back in 1967 the RD-31 125cc V-4 put out more than 40 hp at 17,000rpm going through a 9 speed gearbox !!

[ducatilover]

That's correct, back in 1967 the RD-31 125cc V-4 put out more than 40 hp at 17,000rpm going through a 9 speed gearbox !!
i have some info on it in one of my books. interesting bike though:yes:

[gav]

How about the Laverda V6 and the Moto Guzzi V8?

[limbimtimwim]

What a great pic of the MotoGP bike, !!!
Just become my wallpaperSame, but how did it get atop a mountain!?


For 4-stroke we got RC30 VFR750 and RC45 RVF750. Both are legendary winners. One RC45 was handled by our best Aaron Slight consistently sitting on #2 SBK championship for years. The RC45 winners were John Kocinski and Carl Fogarty (gees.......both are arrogant bastards aye?)No no, Fogarty earned that #1 on an RC45 riding the Ducati the year before. The only person to win WSB on a RC45 was The Koc. But the RC45 is still me dream bike :-) .

http://www.worldsbk.com/titles.php?p_S_Campionato=SBK&p_PilotiCostruttori=P

[TLDV8]

...the Moto Guzzi V8?

Moto Guzzi V8
http://home.mira.net/~iwd/av/motoguzzi500v8.wav


The Britten V-Twin ?????
http://splashmedia.co.nz/users/britten/snd/britten_rideon.wav

[Marmoot]

Same, but how did it get atop a mountain!?

No no, Fogarty earned that #1 on an RC45 riding the Ducati the year before. The only person to win WSB on a RC45 was The Koc. But the RC45 is still me dream bike :-) .

http://www.worldsbk.com/titles.php?p_S_Campionato=SBK&p_PilotiCostruttori=P

Sory, my mistake on Foggy. He got quite a good championship position too on RC45, nevertheless.

[nudemetalz]

Same, but how did it get atop a mountain!?


Probably at the back of the Ducati factory... ;)

[Colapop]

A wealth of info - thanks guys and gals!
I sorta thought that if an V twin was good then a V4 could be better? I always got told though that the more the parts the more the hassles? How are they mechanically. A fairly unbiased view would be good.
Always liked the VFR's but never ridden one. Just means I'll have to add it back on the list now. How does the riding position compare to th SV? I assume the VFR has more of a race bike pedigry than the SV.

[ducatilover]

How about the Laverda V6 and the Moto Guzzi V8?
i want that laverda:tugger:

[ducatilover]

A wealth of info - thanks guys and gals!
I sorta thought that if an V twin was good then a V4 could be better? I always got told though that the more the parts the more the hassles? How are they mechanically. A fairly unbiased view would be good.
Always liked the VFR's but never ridden one. Just means I'll have to add it back on the list now. How does the riding position compare to th SV? I assume the VFR has more of a race bike pedigry than the SV.
just try one of each configuration and see what you like, i personally prefer a v2 cos they are so skinny and they have [generally speaking] great midrange and are rather user freindly.... the v4s seem smoother [well a viffer 400 is smoother than my bros650] and more willing to rev:headbang:.....

why not try a v twin for a while?:cool: i did and i'm addicted:apint:

[vifferman]

I sorta thought that if an V twin was good then a V4 could be better? I always got told though that the more the parts the more the hassles? How are they mechanically. A fairly unbiased view would be good.
Always liked the VFR's but never ridden one. Just means I'll have to add it back on the list now. How does the riding position compare to th SV? I assume the VFR has more of a race bike pedigry than the SV.
Having owned a VF500, then a VFR750 then a VTR1000 then a VFR800, and ridden three or four other VTRs and VFRs, I've ridden a few.
I really like the V-twins, and miss the VTR, but the VFR is a better bike all round: more comfy, more economical, better mechanically, handles about the same, smoother, not as ugly,better with a pillion (why I bought the 800), brakes are almost as good, lights are better, better for luggage, etc.
They're pretty reliable, with only the R/R (before 2001) being a potential weakness that costs only $300 to fix. The >2002 models of course have the VTec and camchains which are potentially problematic, and had a number of recalls for things like the alternator (two different problems), the seat subframe, brake valve, and a couple of other minor things. All fixed now.
But the VFR engines go almost forever - there was a courier in the UK who got over a million miles (combined) out of the two VFRs he had.

The only other weakness isn't a "more parts, more potential problems" thing - the gearboxes are typical Honda and get a bit notchy and irritable, particularly if thrashed, and can get clunky on 1-2 changes. Finding neutral unintentionaly and false neutral(s) can also happen on older bikes.

Riding position is pretty good, more sporty than a dedicated touring bike, but more comfy than a VTR or the CBR/RRs, with high-ish bars and the pegs a little lower.

[nudemetalz]

A wealth of info - thanks guys and gals!
I sorta thought that if an V twin was good then a V4 could be better? I always got told though that the more the parts the more the hassles? How are they mechanically. A fairly unbiased view would be good.
Always liked the VFR's but never ridden one. Just means I'll have to add it back on the list now. How does the riding position compare to th SV? I assume the VFR has more of a race bike pedigry than the SV.

The great thing about VFR400/700/750/800's (not the VTEC one) is that they have no camchains what with having the camshafts gear-driven.
In previous times, Honda's bugbear (and Kwaka's) was the camchains, more notably the cam chain tensioner. By eliminating the chain, you eliminate one maintenance issue completely !!
Plus they make a great whining noise (not like the Missus !!).

[Ixion]

Meh. at the moment I HATE camchains. If manufacturers MUST fit the silly things - and personally I can't see any necessity at all for all that camshaft, valve, camchain crap - ; and they KNOW they're going to need regular replacement; why in the name of all that's unholy don't they make them EASY to replace. Instead of having to strip half the motor down to get the old one out and the new one in!:angry2: :mad: :brick:

[nudemetalz]

ha ha reminds me of the CB900F's (the early ones)
Didn't they have a camchain that went up to the inlet camshaft from the crank and then another chain that linked the inlet to the exhaust camshaft ?

What a bugger of an idea !!

[T.W.R]

Plus they make a great whining noise (not like the Missus !!).



B's going to love that N/M :killingme :killingme your going to get the dreaded :Pokey: :bash:

that gear noise is almost as good as the old Helical cut gears on the 1st XJ yammys

The Gear drive sprockets do wear-out on the VFRs though, at considerably higher Kms than chains but they do wear, a mate had to his on a 87 VFR750 and it ain't a cheap exercise.

[T.W.R]

But the RC45 is still me dream bike :-) .



I know where 2 are & both are for sale for the right money!, one is actually the RC45 that was stolen on a test ride from Hamilton Motorcycle centre back in the mid 90s.

[nudemetalz]

B's going to love that N/M :killingme :killingme your going to get the dreaded :Pokey: :bash:


oops, okay,..ummm,.....wasn't talking about MY missus...umm,..she's awesome..ummm..don't say anything and I'll give you a ZX-10 for free.....

[T.W.R]

oops, okay,..ummm,.....wasn't talking about MY missus...umm,..she's awesome..ummm..don't say anything and I'll give you a ZX-10 for free.....

mmmm deal :banana: i'll rip the engine out & sling it in the ZXR :cool:

[Marmoot]

I know where 2 are & both are for sale for the right money!, one is actually the RC45 that was stolen on a test ride from Hamilton Motorcycle centre back in the mid 90s.

How much???

[T.W.R]

How much???

Not 100% sure but last time i was in the shop (Honda Country Ashburton) one of guys said that BP would probably sell them for somewhere in the mid to high $20k bracket, BP ( Brendon Price ) he owns the shop & the 2 RC45s are his own private bikes along with a VTR SP1, a fully HRC kitted XR650 supermotard plus numerous other toys ( he's a real petrolhead!)

[Colapop]

One of the good things about KB is learning about things - this being one of them. I found this really nice cutaway of a VFR800 engine. It shows the cam chains really clearly (Well everything actually) and it's just a nice pic. I've got a bigger version on my pc at work - printed it on our large scale colour printer and it's beeuutiful.

[T.W.R]

especially for Marmoot & Limbimtimwim,

was in Ashvagas this morning so called into Honda Country, Both RC45s are still there;

RC45 #1 is the one that has the history ( temporary theft) its got 10800km on the clock, has spare body work & frame as the twit that swiped it bored a hole just behind the headstem, its been dyno'd at 109hp at the wheel.

RC45 #2 has 9500km on the clock & is mint

apparently money in the region of excess of $25k each will get interest on purchasing them.

[Swoop]

One of the good things about KB is learning about things - this being one of them. I found this really nice cutaway of a VFR800 engine. It shows the cam chains really clearly (Well everything actually) and it's just a nice pic. I've got a bigger version on my pc at work - printed it on our large scale colour printer and it's beeuutiful.
Chains....:pinch: :argh:

At least mine has cams!!!
Colapop - go for it! Get a VFR and have a heap of fun!:drinknsin

[Colapop]

Really starting lean that way. Still thinking the TL in the mix, good riding position an all. Being tempted more by all the good words being said about how reliable VFR's are. Read that a courier in England got a million miles out of 2 VFR's. Apparently only minor repairs and oil changes did the trick for him.

[Ixion]

Chains....:pinch: :argh:

At least mine has cams!!!

:angry2: Inventions of the devil. And completely unnecessary. Proper bikes don't nned 'em.