V twin x2

[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...iCostruttori=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

[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.....

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

[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!

[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 your going to get the dreaded

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 your going to get the dreaded

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 i'll rip the engine out & sling it in the ZXR

[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!)