Triumph speed four

Would this be a good upgrade from a naked SV?

Please share your experiences...

[carelesschucca]

I've never ridden one myself but I know they always had a good reputation for great handling as did its faired partner the TT600, but the motor was a bit rought low down.

There are a few people on here that have ridden them so any little issues will become known...

Have you spotted an actual bike?

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Reeder

Would this be a good upgrade from a naked SV?

Please share your experiences...

short answer, yes

I have already posted many times on here.

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

I've never ridden one myself but I know they always had a good reputation for great handling as did its faired partner the TT600, but the motor was a bit rought low down.

There are a few people on here that have ridden them so any little issues will become known...

Have you spotted an actual bike?

nearly 30,000 miles on my own one now, still very pleased with it, light ,quick and eminently usable.

a popular generalization to lump the tt600 and speed 4 together and tar them with the same brush, the TT did have some running issues primarily to do with FI mapping to start with but this was mainly the rush to market for the model for the 2000 session, not so the S4 which came out 2 years later and run until 2006, handling is as good if not better than anything Triumph currently make; neutral to the point the rider makes all the difference (if your good it's amazing), brakes are outstanding despite the standard 4 pot layout, suspension is very good (fully adjustable) it a real world way triumph are so good at, having ridden the S4 back to back with the street and the R version, I can see why they stopped making the S4 before putting the street on sale as performance/weight is very similar, definitely one up on the hornets/fazers and bandits and not far behind the dedicated SS6's.

Build quality above most Jap stuff of the same age, mpg can be heavy if ridden hard, but normally around the 40mpg or so,maintenance wise nothing more than an SV, bit better on C&S wear, perhaps a little heavier on brake wear (but then you'll probably find you're ridding it a little harder/faster anyway), same semi oil, standard clipons not to different to faired SV one's or a straight bar conversion is easy enough to do making the bike a very good traffic tool indeed.

the only reservation is the engine, not that there is anything wrong with it at all, of it's type it's a sweet runner and whilst a 30bhp increase is useful, coming from a twin the power is make with more revs, so will feel different and require a more thoughtful mindset, like all IL4's, but perhaps experiencing the different configurations is the only way to know which you prefer.


Cheers Mark.

Ive got one, love it. In answer to your question it depends.



The bike handles better, brakes better and is faster thanmost sv’s but you have to ride it very differently to get the best out of it. Ittook me 6 months to get the best from mine as I was just messing about on theSV winding on the power it would pull you through the S4 is a lot more accurateand in that respect if you do things like that it feels a little underwhelmingthat feel exciting on the sv. However spin it up and get on with things and thebike comes into its own. I find the suspension excellent and it really givesyou a feel of what the bikes doing with the wheels. The brakes are fantastic! Sogood ive had to fit lesser quality pads from the originals for riding in the wet!First time I used them it nearly had me over the bars! It’s a heavier bike andas such I would say its not as “flickable” as the sv partly due to clip-ons,however they do handle a lot better imo than the sv especially when you pickthe pace up. The bikes a LOT better built than the competition as well. Its physicallya bigger bike than the sv and the seat is soooo comfy. All in all yes it’s a betterbike. Ive even had some people think it’s a litre bike once I get going onit! That’sjust because it handles so well (im the slowest rider you’ll ever meet!) I lovemine and the only reason I would swap is for more cc’s
green ones are the fastest

[rictus01]

Andy greens the fastest you say.........

Originally Posted by rictus01

Andy greens the fastest you say.........

yes



edit* not through traffic

[rictus01]

Arh perhaps that's why I've never owner a "kermit" us slow old men prefer a more sedate time, don't you know....

Oh just though of another thing, something you don't realise until you own a triumph, ther is a sort of "triumphness/ patriotism" thing going on, british bike in Britain kind of thing, I would imagine along the lines of Harley ownership in the states.

Cheers Mark.

pride of ownership is quite high. i also get aske a lot what type of bike it is and recieve positive comments on it all the time.

Reeder, I had a TT600 and loved it, never ridden a later S4 but am sure itd be a great successor to your sv.

One day i'll be back on a Triumph....

YEA i must admit i wouldnt mind a fairing when blatting down the motorway but once off it its fantastic!