What's the Real World Difference Between the W & V Heads on the M900

[MonsterMadMarty]

I know the technical different in that the W head is de-duned with 41mm inlet and 35mm exhaust valves and the different cam which it's claimed improves the torque at low RPM. 

But what's the real world difference? Has anyone ridden both types? If so, what is your opinion?

Cheers in advance 

[Speeddog]

I've not ridden them back-to-back, that I can recall.

My GC has the W heads, but it's injected, different exhaust, heavier, etc. so very hard to compare with.

[brad black]

never dynod a w head bike.  i think doug had a comparison at one time.  w might make 67 ish hp, v 74 ish.  w just feels slow from memory (long time ago).  i think i rode a 944 kitted one that struck me as a dog.

[MonsterMadMarty]

Well I brought one so I'll guess I'll find out pretty soon 

It's the back one parked in front of my 95' M900 and my 78' Classic Mini

[silas]

Very nice Mini !
I swapped heads to the V heads from a 96 900SS on my 98 M900 a few years ago. No other changes.
The bigger valve motor has a tiny bit more vibration, bass sound, and oomph above about 4-5k rpm's than it did w/ the W heads. It was barely noticeable, just a little more on top. Feels the same at lower rpms.  I'd guess 5-6 more hp max., as Brad said. Mine's never been dynoed.
Now it has FCR41's, so the head swap may have been more noticeable w/ the FCR carbs, but the carbs (& CCW coils) was a later mod.

Well I brought one so I'll guess I'll find out pretty soon 

It's the back one parked in front of my 95' M900 and my 78' Classic Mini

[brad black]

probably like when i fitted the arrow 2-2 system to my 900.  it just made it feel flat earlier rpm wise.