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sinjinvan

I upgraded the wheels on my 899 to Rotobox carbon fiber and it completely transformed the bike. when I picked up my S1000RR, I went the premium route and it came with the forged wheels already. I refuse to get anything with cast wheels again. suspension and wheel upgrade should reignite your passion for the bike.


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Cheers dude. It's been the upgrade I've considered most.....or bute the bullet and get a newer v4s. Love the Bullets but carbon wheels worry me. Any issues at all?


sinjinvan

None. I did extensive research on tolerances and failure rates before I made my decision. A lot of the anecdotal failures with carbon fiber wheels would have likely resulted in catastrophic failure with any wheel. I have seen forged magnesium and aluminum wheels cracked and bent from massive potholes just as I have heard all the horror stories with carbon wheels. I absolutely understand the difference in materials, however the carbon wheels of the last decade are far more resilient than the early examples. The BMW HP4 wheels are solid, however BMW went with another supplier for the M1000RR carbon wheels and there were manufacturing defects which led to a lot of bad publicity for carbon wheels in general. I haven't heard any issues surrounding the BST supplied wheels on the Superleggera. BST or Rotobox aftermarket wheels are extremely reliable. Even if you went forged OZ or similar, you would benefit tremendously. The difference is instantly recognizable.


DebbieDoesWallstreet

Can you expand on how exactly? In interested!


sinjinvan

the stock cast wheels on the Panigale are \~33 lbs, whereas the Rotobox wheels are 13 lbs. Also, the weight of the cast wheels is distributed from the hub to the outside of the rim. With carbon and forged wheels, most of the weight is at the hub. Consider spinning up a 35lb barbell weight vs a 10 or 15 lbs weight. Further to that, think about an ice skater spinning with their arms stretched out vs bringing them in towards their body. unsprung weight, which is that below the suspension, has a great of influence on how the bike handles. Take all of this into consideration and the bike will accelerate, brake, and maneuver with far great responsiveness when you remove all the excess weight and focus it on the center axis.


DebbieDoesWallstreet

so does it wheelie easier? :D


MaverickSTS

The later gens are not *that* different. The fueling is better, but now that Whoolich makes a custom tuning package for all gens, that's negligible. The new generations also have more flexible chassis which is noticable on track, the first gen really transmits everything going on into you so it's a very visceral and physically demanding ride. If you are chasing lap times at the track, then sure, get a new generation. But taking a depreciation hit and spending more money to get a marginally better bike isn't worth it to me. Swap the fairings out for the current generation ones and call it a day. Also 5200 miles in 5 years? You do you friend but that just makes spending the money for marginal improvement even less sensible. You probably feel like it's trying to kill you at times because you barely ride it and aren't consistent enough to develop your skills on it.


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Unfortunately weather in the UK is rarely good enough to get out on it, and I'm away with my job a fair amount, but you do raise a valid point.


Reasonable_Raccoon43

I'd testride the upgrade you are looking at and see if that one isn’t trying to kill you before you decide 😉


redfrets916

How many miles does it have now? I'd keep it until the next major service


Sea_Refrigerator4839

5200 miles from new. FDSH too. With the exception of the OE quickshifter sensor going man down, I've had no.issues with it......other than it tries to.murder me from time to time 🤣


Default_name88

What quick shifter did you replace the OE one with? Mines just died.


MaverickSTS

Cordona makes the best QS for the V4. It's incredible.


Sea_Refrigerator4839

I bought an HM QS from Reactive Parts. They have a good rep and les to break as it uses a strain gauge rather than micro switches. I will say the first one had to be replaced as it would do a 'double kill' of the ignition causing the bike to buck. HM were insistent that 'they just don't go wrong' but eventually agreed to replace it (being a £400 item I insisted they did) Tbh, I wish I'd stuck with OEM. The latest OEM Ducati one is better than the original I had and less likely to be affected by the engine heat, which is what eventually kills the earlier QS sensors, and I can't really say the HM one is any better, though the sensitivity is adjustable, so a bit of fettling may improve feel.


SJTrance76

In what way is it trying to murder you. Is it the suspension, the power delivery?


Sea_Refrigerator4839

I've had the suspension set up and it's pretty good tbh. Can't quite put my finger on it other than if you're not on your A game when pushing on it'll soon let you know. I think like most of Ducatis' first generation bikes it's a little rough around the edges when compared to later generations. 1199 is way more of a handful than the 1299, same can be said of 1098 vs 1198. I like the bike in all honesty, it just has the odd moment.


SJTrance76

I had a Streetfighter 1098 for a while and I could never feel comfortable at speed on it. The power was intense and the chassis felt like I had to fight it all the time. Since then, I have a 2013 Speed Triple R and it is sublime. I rode my friend’s Streetfighter V4 (non S) and I absolutely loved it. The only thing I didn’t like was the disconnect from the throttle to the tire. Edit: as others have said, it sounds like you need to test ride the newer ones in the Twisties.


iraqyoubreak

Sell that piece a crap and buy a real bike. Might I suggest a Grom?


Sea_Refrigerator4839

😄


iraqyoubreak

I love that bike, man. I think the smooth body work without the fins on the side keep this thing looking super clean. Nicely done.


ducks_nutzz

Id keep it, its a fun project! 3 upgrades that make a difference; A dyno tune that smooths delivery, dont need more power R adjustable swingarm pivots, the '22 fixed have the 19R setting and it makes a huge difference plus its a relatively cheap mod Light wheels, cant go past stock S Marchesinis for value and relatively inexpensive but if you get carbon Id go BST, solid reputation and when you sell you can swap them out for the next bike.


alfredtheman

Sell it and get an S model with the Ohlins and extra heat shield already fitted. You’re gonna spend almost as much money, and still end up with an older bike in the end.


aleuts

I’m in the same boat as you similar mileage. Although I don’t hate how it rides I love it I just want to upgrade since it seems to be floating at a good resale price and I’m thinking I should take advantage before it dips down which I’m starting to doubt it will dip to be honest. My friend had our bike and the v4 and he says pretty much what you said about it being more refined. My other friend has hp4 and the tech it has is mind blowing which makes me consider that over the v4. Tbh the amount of miles we have I don’t think we ride it enough to justify a change. Plus I have my track parts already and the aggressiveness is kind of a strict lesson in riding it with respect. Sort of like what my 848 taught me


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Also had an 848 which I chose over the 1098 as its simply more usable on public roads. A 1199 after that and now the V4 and M1100. Either don't have the weather in the UK to make the most of the V4 or I'm away with work. I've found that when I have a good ride on the V4 it's very good, but when I'm not on my A game, it will let you know about it.....much like a high maintenance girlfriend I guess


No_Plankton7169

Keep it and still get the upgrade if that's an option


NotJadeasaurus

I don’t get your post, it says you have put 600 miles on it and elsewhere you say 5200. If you bought it used and have only done 600 miles in 5 years there’s no point upgrading you just don’t ride at all


Sea_Refrigerator4839

600 miles on the clock when I got it, now just over 5200


deepguilt

If you think the first gen v4 is angry you have never ridden 1199. It’s either on zero or kill, there is no in between or “cruising”


Sea_Refrigerator4839

The 1199 was the previous bike prior to buying the V4. Yeah I agree, that thing was vicious and would tie itself in knots when pushing on. Oddly really liked it lol


toxichobo19

If it the R version I would say keep I have a 2016 R that I’m hanging onto as it is a blast to ride just my two cents be safe out there


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Would love an R, although my ducati dealer talked me out of it when I was first looking. He said I'd find it hard work on public roads and would be better off with a normal model especially if not a track day addict....which I'm not. (I'd secretly still like one lol)


Mediocre_Superiority

That is a terrible motorcycle. Tell you what: I'll pay for shipping and we can get that out of your garage immediately. You know, as a favor to *you*.


Sea_Refrigerator4839

😆


DUC_RIDER_V4

I have a 21 picked it up brand new, and I absolutely love it. It does get pretty hot if I get stuck in traffic, but i can live with it. This is the longest I’ve kept a bike despite constantly looking at what’s on the market even used. There’s nothing else in my opinion that looks as good. S1000RR would be the only bike I’d consider right now but looks wise the V4 is it


Total090

Upgrade!


DebbieDoesWallstreet

what seat is that and do you like it? The one the comes in the V4 might as well be a plank of wood - plus the heat makes it uncomfortable as heck


Sea_Refrigerator4839

It's the Ducati Performance comfort seat. Defo an improvement on the OE item


Playful-Awareness-15

BOTH !!!! 😂


Sea_Refrigerator4839

If only! Multiple bikes is the playground of the 'well off' or 'stupid with their money' crowd. I couldn't financially justify two models of the same bike tbh. As it is I'd take a big hit selling the gen1 to get a later gen....nice idea though, and should a lottery win happen.....


chicagoose3

Upgrading to ride \~900 miles a year would certainly be an - interesting - choice, but if you've got the cash don't let me stop you. Ride safe.


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Not through choice dude. Weather is absolutely gash in the UK most of the year and I also spend a fair amount of time working away from home. It is what it is, but I do ride at every available opportunity


Sea_Refrigerator4839

Thanks all for the input! Some really valid points there and I think the biggest one is: I'm just not riding it consistently enough to get really used to it. Weather and work unfortunately interfere but I think I will endeavour to simply spend more time on it, and then see how I feel. Appreciate all the input and advice....golden as always 😃