SPEED

Inline-Four vs. V-Twin

All of that to say this...V-Twins have the torque, and inlines have the higher power? After being able to ride back-to-back Inline 4, & V-Twins, I have to say that there is a huge difference in useable power, not to mention having to short-shift the V-Twin which makes one lose momentum.

What is cool to me is the fact that they are a totally different ride. They touched on it a little bit about ballance, and the V-twin having the jump coming out of a corner, but that's not all...there's engine braking that'll really make one have to pay more attention while down shifting. If you don't enjoy the rear end moving around, you may not like a big V-twin. Pop the clutch too quickly and you'll see what I mean. I really love the difference because it makes motorcycling much more challenging, and fun. The ballance is a huge factor when at full throttle going into a big turn, the Inline 4 must be handled hard to push it into the turn, while the V-twin seems to just know where to go.

If you are ever offered the oportunity to ride a big V-twin, and a big Inline 4 back-to-back, jump on..........and get ready to be thrilled.

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Sean

I've ridden all 4 engine configs and I have to say triples are BY FAR the best (although I haven't ridden a 1000 four, only 600s). There's plenty of usable torque at low revs just like a twin but then the power builds up more like an inline 4. IMHO 4s and twins both go a bit too far--the fours I've owned had nothing at the bottom and screamed up top, the twins I've ridden felt flat--like they had everything they were going to give at 6500 or so and just kinda kept going up to 10, without any real buildup. The triple has enough torque to get that jump out of a corner and spin up the rear even at low revs but gives less up at the end of the straight to a four. And THAT SOUND...at 10k it's absolutely unreal.

I LOVE that triple. Too bad the bike it's wrapped around kinda sucks.

I'm prolly gonna get a twin next, just to be different.

rc51rider

I like em both, they each talk to me in their own way. The sound of a twin is cool the fact that i dont have to rev the crap out of it is sweet as well. Then on teh other hand inlines just scream you really cant come pair the two. but in the end i'm a bike lover so in my eyes they are both cool :thumbup

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CaptainLeo

Rode inline 4s, liked them. Ride a big V-twin now, love it. Even though the TL is pretty much outdated, I still riding it. It has plenty power for me and you just can't listen to it and not like the way it sounds. I think Speed is right, ride both before you make a decision.

NORTY

I like them both. They bring a smile to my - oh, never mind. :greenflip

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BR996

All I can say is after putting over 6000 miles on the ZX9 in the last couple months...I miss my TL. The I4 has no soul or personality.

FastRthanU

I'm a big fan of V-twins. I've had a 600 and a 750 before and neither 1 compairs to my ducati. I had fun on all my bikes but I enjoy riding the V-twin the most.

arai_speed

I've never really ridden a Twin to it's full potential. I've ridden a 996 back to back with my R1. My first impression was that the 996 was going to fall apart - it rattled everything comprared to my R1 that practically pppuurrsss.

The torque pull was nice, it got up to 110mph in and I didn't even realize it as the power delivery was so smooth.

I would love to have the opportunity to ride a twin at the track sometime. Sooo who is going to have SOW on the 21st and is taking their twin? :wave

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Original R1 Forum

NomadRip

Well why don't you gather up all the pieces of your TL's soul & personality and get it running again? :biglaugh
(Let me know if you want any help, too!)

Ag Surfer

I think the best way to sum up this debate is:

Although all sportbikes are fun to ride, a twin is simply more enjoyable to ride at slower speeds.

In all my years of owning inline 4's (ZX-7R and R1), I found myself purposefully revving the piss out of them to "feel" the bike as I carved a canyon. However, with a twin, a cruise through the canyons is as enjoyable as riding all out on an inline (not that you would ride all out on the street but you get my drift).

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Sean