Inline 4s

Originally Posted by muffles

My original point was that yes the IL4 would be faster at 8k - this point only came about because I was countering the "twins are better because of the low down shove" point (as in - why is low down necessarily good? Why is high up not good? It's implicit that it's not good in that point). Point to point to point

8k is not low down on either bike, it's midrange on an IL4 and peak torque on an SV. The SV is quicker at 4k.

Why is that better? One rider might think it is better, another rider might think it's not. It depends on how they like to ride.

Which is why I posted earlier

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I think we've concluded this debate many times on the forum, and the conclusion is it depends how you ride it and what you expect from the bike.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

8k is not low down on either bike, it's midrange on an IL4 and peak torque on an SV. The SV is quicker at 4k.

I wouldn't claim that 8k is midrange on a high reving IL4. The 'working' zone on my tacho is 8-16k, so I'd say 8k is fairly low.

Originally Posted by simesb

I wouldn't claim that 8k is midrange on a high reving IL4. The 'working' zone on my tacho is 8-16k, so I'd say 8k is fairly low.

That depends what IL4 you are on. Its generally only the race replica 600s that rev as high as 16k. An Bandit 650 for instance red lines at 12500.

[mikerj]

Originally Posted by muffles

My original point was that yes the IL4 would be faster at 8k

"Faster" in terms of acceleration possibly (given the gearing advantage), but not in terms of speed.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by simesb

I wouldn't claim that 8k is midrange on a high reving IL4. The 'working' zone on my tacho is 8-16k, so I'd say 8k is fairly low.

I would say midrange is pretty well defined as being about halfway between tickover and red line.

Fact is you cannot use 8krpm all the time because it is peaky and sounds like you strangling a wasp... and at 4k rpm the twin has more instant throttle torque to use

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I would say midrange is pretty well defined as being about halfway between tickover and red line.

So assuming tickover at 1k for ease of argument, midrange on the SV is ((11 - 1) / 2) + 1 = 6k. On the Kwak it is ((16.5 - 1) / 2) + 1 = 8.75

Ergo, 8k on the SV is more than 30% above midrange, on the Kwak it is below by a few hundred rpm. But on neither bike would you use the full rev range when pushing on (except on v tight 1st gear hairpins).

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by simesb

So assuming tickover at 1k for ease of argument, midrange on the SV is (11 - 1) / 2 = 5k. On the Kwak it is (16.5 - 1) / 2 = 7.75

Ergo, 8k on the SV is more than 50% above midrange, on the Kwak it is almost bang on bar a few hundred rpm. But on neither bike would you use the full rev range when pushing on (except on v tight 1st gear hairpins).

When pushing on, on an open road, a sports 6 probably has more revs to use than an SV... but on a tight road... or even from useability stake in town or something... the fact that the SV makes a 600s 8000rpm torque from 4000rpm upwards is very useful. Makes the power very accessible.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I would say midrange is pretty well defined as being about halfway between tickover and red line.

Fact is you cannot use 8krpm all the time because it is peaky and sounds like you strangling a wasp... and at 4k rpm the twin has more instant throttle torque to use

agree...

[yorkie_chris]

But stir the gearbox and strangle that wasp... and a modern 600 will go almost as fast as a proper inline four

The only inline four I've ridden is a k7 gsxr 750, and I found it fantastic. I don't understand all this character bollox. The inline four felt more refined, smoother and easier to ride at low speeds. I reckon the 750 had as much midrange as an sv, easily.