V4 vs IL4

[damz]

since the only bike iv'e ridden is an RVF (V4) i was wondering if there are any differences between a V4 engine or an IL4 engine? so far all i can spot is that a V4 is a lot thinner than an IL4.

i know there is a lot of difference between Vtwin and IL4.

been reading up on the new aprillia V4 RSV and was wondering how it would be different from any other 1 litre bike.
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Current Bikes RVF400 - 94
Cars: RX7 FD, Eunos Roadster
Former Bikes: FZR 250R 89, ZX7R 98

[Spit-Fire]

theres as much difference between them as there is between the v-twin, or a triple, or single. they are all different configurations that have their pro's and cons.

mr honda seem to think its the best configuration for a perfect size,fit,power etc package but they havent been the most successful with it, aprilia are kind of stealing there thunder like are ducatiin moto gp.

the new rsv4 looks amazing but as for how it will compare when riding, its impossible to say untill they/you do a back to back comparison with the other thous, the engine configration alone wont make it a better or worse bike.

if you know any one who's got a cbr 400, have a go on there bike, its a il4 and your's is a v4 so you can judge the diffrence for your self
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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster

[Thom]

I believe it's all down to the actual power distribution as to the effects of the engine configuration.
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[Itchy]

Erm I believe you can replicate any engine configuration by changing the crank to suit...


The TDM850 is a parrallel twin but behaves differently as the crank makes it more like a V2.


Big bang IL4 engines are like this, and also big twin piston singles...

I think the trade off was gear box clunkiness since a super tenere which is sort of a predecessor of the TDM had an incredibly clunky gear box...

Oh and weight differences , in that you need a duplication of parts ie for a IL4 you can get away with 1 CCT , and 1 CC , and one cylinder head while obviously for a V4 you need a duplication of these parts AND a more complicated exhaust system....
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Kickstart]

Hi

To actual power / torque, no difference.

V4 should be narrower (although not as clear cut, as with an inline 4 you have space to hide various bits behind the cylinders rather than on the end of the crank). Possibly different power pulses that might help at the absolute extreme edge of traction, but as mentioned it can also be done by just changing the firing order / crank.

V engine will likely be heavier, not only from the seperate parts being required but also that (for example) the cylinder castings are seperate and not supporting each other.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[G]

A v configuration engine can more naturally have a 'big bang' firing order.
This means that all pistons have the 'bang' phase close to each other; it can aid traction by giving the tyre time to recover traction after a power-pulse.
Personally I think you'd have to be a very good rider (probably national class racer) to make use of this over a standard in-line 4 firing order.

[Moonie]

Isn't a V4 alot more to service too?
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Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
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[Kickstart]

[veeeffarr]

V4 = Sounds amazing
IL4 = Sounds shit

HTH

[Knacker]

[craigs23]

In theory, there shouldn't be any difference really, between the obtainable power deliveries of inline 4 and a V4 engines. In reality, there aren't many inline fours that have actually been tuned to behave like a V4 - apart from Yamaha's upcoming R1 of course.

V4s tend to be tuned for a very linear delivery in comparison to more (in modern day bikes anyway) top end pazzaz, leading to a feeling that the engine isn't actually revving - you're just creaming along on a wave of torque more akin to a v-twin, but with a rev ceiling like an inline 4 (and equivalent power, if the engine's been tuned as such). Whether you can utilise any advantage over the two is debateable at an average-rider-level, but you will notice how different the engines feel and sound. Whether you like that is again down to personal taste. I was very close to selling my NC30 recently, but the very sound of starting it up for the first time in months cemented its place in my collection.....

The latest big bore V4s, from Honda at least, haven't been tuned for power - 100bhp from an 800cc V4 isn't going to break any records, especially as the GSXR750 hits around 130bhp. The smaller 400s offer a reasonable comparison though, all being around the 60bhp mark - one can only imagine how a bigger bore/race rep will compare: well, we all have the new R1, Gixer1000 and Aprilia V4 to scrutinise over next year.

Until that time, I hope this gives some bearing to what I've described. All bikes are sports reps, with similar amount of power and torque, but the deliveries are quite different and is quite noticeable when riding. Also note: who ever thought 250 strokers were actually torquey?

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/dyno2.jpg

[Kickstart]

[veeeffarr]

[instigator]

[veeeffarr]

[Charlie]

The of gear-driven cams is a wonderful sound... I just need a better can to show the sound off!

I am with Toby on this one.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[G]

I'd tend to agree with you actually; it seems a much more 'logical' explanation and was actually what I first presume was the case before reading the 'accepted opinion'.

[Kickstart]

[Spit-Fire]

[Fahd]

[Kickstart]

[Moonie]

*COUGH*Bobby Moore*COUGH*

I think we could make it work
____________________
Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile

[veeeffarr]

[Alex A]

The Honda VFR750/800s sound amazing, but it's the geared cams (as mentioned) - not the V4 layout. I believe the VTR SP-1/2 sounds just as delicious (if not moreso) as a twin with geared cams.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5