Inline 4s

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Quite a lot of us don't particularly like being at those sorts of revs. It's one of the reasons I chose a v-twin. The howl of a short stroke middle weight IL4 just doesn't do it for me.

That's fair enough, I'm not arguing with what you like/don't like. Equally there are probably quite a lot (not necessarily on this site, after all it is a v-twin owner's site...) that don't particularly like being at low sorts of revs. And the grumbly sound of a v-twin doesn't do it for them.

All I'm saying really, I suppose, is that it seems a bit silly for people to say "I luvs the instant torque of a twin, I do" as though it's just "right" and it can't be turned around the other way to benefit an IL4. It's a personal choice not a simple, global, "truth"...

Originally Posted by robchester

What is it with them? You either love them or you don't. Granted I've only been on 5 il4s but everyone just felt bland. On the other hand every twin or triple I've been on has at least had character even if i didnt particularly like the bike

Hi Rob.

I think this is a conversion issue. If you're used to twins you'll tend to ride the IL4 like a twin whee you get on it and thats not going to get you anywhere.

Riding an Inline 4 is about the top 30% of the rev range unline a twin where its the middle 30%. You have to rev them and once you've got used to that then its a different world.

Despite half a season on the minitwin I'm still riding it like an IL4 looking for another 5K revs once I'm at the red line. Takes a while to change the mind set.

C

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Quite a lot of us don't particularly like being at those sorts of revs.

And quite alot of people on here write off IL4's without even having ridden one. They'll base their opinion on what they've read on the internet or what their mate told them. Rather than finding out for themselves.

I appreciate that you might not like it, but why not ? Engine was made to rev, you arent going to break it by doing so.

I've talked to many people who wont even try an IL4, because they think that they might not like it, thats hell of a lot of bikes to discount from riding purely based on its engine configuration.

Originally Posted by muffles

It's a personal choice not a simple, global, "truth"...

Amen to that

Well, that was quite a response!

I think the issue isnt the noise, as I do actually like the sound of IL4's, but its the seat of the pants test which it seems to fail on. Having been used to various twins and rode singles and triples, I actually like the buzz/vibes etc which I feel through the bike. The IL4s are very smooth which I think is what puts me off. I like to feel the bike buzzing away beneath me.

You sound like a girl

Character can mean a lot more than noise and acceleration. Vibration, power delivery, handling, anything you feel or hear when you're riding it.

Big singles thump, v-twins burp, triples howl, flat twin BMW's do that twisting thing.

What kind of IL4 are you talking about Robchester? There's a big difference between a 600 Diversion and a litre sportsbike, and another big difference again between that and a Bandit 1250.

I'd never buy an IL4 600 personally, but I'm currently shopping for a 150bhp Fazer 1000, which is a completely different kettle of fish. Though the fact that 4000-8000 revs on the Fazer is very comparable to the SV between 6000-10000 revs, is a big compliment for the way in which the little 71bhp SV delivers it's power. Take the Fazer above 8000 and there's no other way to describe it other than "it just goes mental".

After RF600, Hornet, R6, ZXR400, CBR600 and test riding loads of IL4's I finally saw the light, Triples and twins for me. Took the FZ1 out last month from Yamaha for a full days riding I have never been so bored with 150bhp in my life. By the time the engine had wound itself up to the power band it was time to decelerate into the corner and out of the band again.

Originally Posted by hardhat_harry

Took the FZ1 out last month from Yamaha for a full days riding I have never been so bored with 150bhp in my life. By the time the engine had wound itself up to the power band it was time to decelerate into the corner and out of the band again.

Hmmm, you need try try riding in a lower gear mate. You can ride round a corner at 10000 revs if you want to.

Originally Posted by hardhat_harry

After RF600, Hornet, R6, ZXR400, CBR600 and test riding loads of IL4's I finally saw the light, Triples and twins for me. Took the FZ1 out last month from Yamaha for a full days riding I have never been so bored with 150bhp in my life. By the time the engine had wound itself up to the power band it was time to decelerate into the corner and out of the band again.

Nonsense! Clearly weren't in the correct gear either that or you were on an EXTREMELY twisty road.

They are different riding styles and I like them both. The one thing I miss from the SV is the engine braking.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

The one thing I miss from the SV is the engine braking.

I've never really noticed much difference. Brakes make you stop and engines make you go

I don't remember missing much engine braking when I was doing the test rides, or remember finding much more when I got back on the SV.