I-4 vs. V-twin

[GixerJockey]

Discuss the differences between piloting an inline-4 vs. and V-twin around a race track.

What are the differences in shift points? Where in the rev range do you shift a twin?

What are the differences in down shifting and engine braking?

I know that the twin should be treated differently, but I've always been an I-4 kind of guy. Even after spending two days at VIR on the SV, I can't say that I know the difference. I felt like I was treating like an I-4. Reving it to the moon and then shifting. I did learn that the twins don't like to be over-reved, and that they are not a fan of sloppy downshifts without rev-matching... especially when the track is damp.

What knowledge can you folks share so that I don't have to learn it all "school-of-hard-knocks"?

[Cerberus]

from a purly technical perpsective, v-twins have shorter rev ranges, but usually more torque and less horsepower..
so it can pull harder coming out of the turns, but will require more shifting.
and engine braking is significantly greater with a twin.

[union]

I always found my twin more forgiving them my I4. On the R6 if I screw up the corner exit Im not going anywhere fast. On the RC it would load on the power from about 2500 to 10k so botching up the exits werent as bad.

On braking I used a ton of engine breaking on the twin. It never really stepped out on me that bad. I think the R6 with the slipper has ruined that a bit for me.

For shifting I usually always brought it up to max rpm for both bikes.

[R7]

I always found my twin more forgiving them my I4. On the R6 if I screw up the corner exit Im not going anywhere fast. On the RC it would load on the power from about 2500 to 10k so botching up the exits werent as bad.

Yeah but that's a 600 vs 1000? Wait never mind, I forgot the R6 makes just as much power as the RC

[burnham]

I can run my aprilia right up to the limiter and it makes good power when I shift into the next gear. I generally don't ride under 6000-6500 rpm, so I'm kind of riding it like an I4, but the bike seems to like it. (My bike likes it, yours probably doesn't) I always try to rev-match on the down-shifts. The bike as some kind of half-assed slipper clutch in it from the factory but I can't tell if it's doing anything. Engine braking sucks, every time I do it's by accident.

I think in most twins will rev for a while after they've stopped making good power. You think you're picking up speed but you really are just taking away from the best part of the next gear. With an I4 the bike will hit the limiter a lot sooner after it's made peak power. I also think it's easier to feel the
power drop off when you over-rev an I4.

[brewmaster]

I can't contribute... I haven't ridden a I4 in 10+ years.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

ride it, you will figure it out

[OreoGaborio]

Upshift the SV at 9.5k.
Downshift (smoothly) as many times as you need to get enough power out of the corners.
Ride it like a motorcycle.

You'll figure it out, it's not rocket science.

[GixerJockey]

Upshift the SV at 9.5k.
Downshift (smoothly) as many times as you need to get enough power out of the corners.
Ride it like a motorcycle.

You'll figure it out, it's not rocket science.

That's an uncharacteristically short answer from you? Feelin' ok?

[CMG241]

rear tire on Buell (01) starts to spin in a cornerm- its hitting the rev limiter (7k) before it goes anywhere. spin the rear on R6 and depending where you are in the revs and its like hitting a patch of oil (up to almost 16k). I'd much rather race the Buell in the rain..

[OreoGaborio]

That's an uncharacteristically short answer from you? Feelin' ok?

Don't you worry bout me, just ship my friggin helmet

[BostonSVkid]

Its a feel thing. Like pete said dont go over 9.5k due to loss of power esp since the SV tachs out at 10.5. If you bring it up to 9.5k it will drop you into the power range of the next gear.

[GixerJockey]

Its a feel thing. Like pete said dont go over 9.5k due to loss of power esp since the SV tachs out at 10.5. If you bring it up to 9.5k it will drop you into the power range of the next gear.

That's the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

[Pittenger5]

That's the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here bud. You should have exactly 1 thing on your mind. Dont crash during the rookie race. After that we can worry about squeezing every last bit of performance out of the bike.

[BostonSVkid]

The sweet spot on the SV IMO is from 5000-7000 RPM's and 5500 from what I hear (depending on jetting) is where you get a strong pull.

[GixerJockey]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here bud. You should have exactly 1 thing on your mind. Dont crash during the rookie race. After that we can worry about squeezing every last bit of performance out of the bike.

That's IS the first thing on my mind...


The second thing is handling the other 4 or 5 races i'm gonna do that weekend.

[Pittenger5]

That's IS the first thing on my mind...


The second thing is handling the other 4 or 5 races i'm gonna do that weekend.

I just gotta get my jabs in while I have the chance.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

That's the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

Toss the tach in the garbage can, If you cant ride an Sv without a tach you should not be on the track with men.


seriously, You will feel when to shift, its a real steep drop in power. better a little early then late.

[OreoGaborio]

I just gotta get my jabs in while I have the chance.

pfft, amateurs

[Pittenger5]

I hate you Pete

[OreoGaborio]

[GixerJockey]

...a little shift in the conversation, but it will get the thread going again.


Down at VIR, I noticed that the SV wouldn't give me any more than about 8800 rpms in 6th gear on the long straight. The current gearing is 15/44, which is stock for a gen 1 SV-S. Does this information indicate a gearing change is required for Loudon?

[Pittenger5]

...a little shift in the conversation, but it will get the thread going again.


Down at VIR, I noticed that the SV wouldn't give me any more than about 8800 rpms in 6th gear on the long straight. The current gearing is 15/44, which is stock for a gen 1 SV-S. Does this information indicate a gearing change is required for Loudon?

VIR =/= Loudon.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

...a little shift in the conversation, but it will get the thread going again.


Down at VIR, I noticed that the SV wouldn't give me any more than about 8800 rpms in 6th gear on the long straight. The current gearing is 15/44, which is stock for a gen 1 SV-S. Does this information indicate a gearing change is required for Loudon?

No It means Nothing ,

Stock for loudon is good you will not see 6th At loudon

[Cerberus]

No It means Nothing ,

Stock for loudon is good you will not see 6th At loudon

*admittedly not an expert but..*
wouldn't that imply that he could go up 1-4 teeth in the rear to get more pull without sacificing top-speed ability on that track?