i’m soon to be taking my DAS, as my first big bike i was thinking about a speed four, cheap’ish and quick enough!
looking around i’ve found that they have quite good reviews, but i cant find an awfull lot on them, are their any speed four owners on here?
or anyone that knows a bit about them? or have rode one etc trying to find out the pitfalls (if any!?) of owning one.
i found a bit of info on the TT600 wich is what its based on,dont now how much it relates to the speed four tho?
I had a TT600 on which the Speed Four is based. The S4 motor is tuned for lower-down torque and of course doesn’t have the fairings.
Nowt at all wrong with the TT600 except some dodgy fuelling on early models that was fixed by later fuel maps downloaded by dealers at service time. TT got slated by the press for being off the pace of the Jap 600s but was more than adequate for me as a first bike. They have a very good reputation for cornering ability, brakes and build quality.
Had a S4 one day as a loaner when my TT was in for service. I have to say it was an absolute hoot to ride: power low down where you need it, wide bars and a nice riding position for chucking it around. Definitely brought out my hooligan tendencies!
i did think about an SV,but i dont really want a v-twin,probably easer to ride but its just not me.
bandits i thought about,cheap,go well enough.
nope S4’s look funky…i like…i had my mind on a ZXR400 for ages but i’ve gone off the idea,bit cramped for me i think.
count-i’ve read that about triumphs,update the fuel maps regualry,i dont care if it doesnt keep up with jap 600s,as my first bike it will be more than quick enough for me to have fun,to hear it has decent cornering abilty, brakes etc is good especially as you have rode one.
I bought an S4 a couple of months ago and love it. Although there are a couple of things you’ll need to either sort out yourself or make sure have been done by the previos owner / dealer.
The chain rubbing strip (protecting the swingarm) on early models was made from cheese and would wear through within a few hundred miles. This wasn’t helped by the 14 / 42 sprockets. Later models went up to 15 / 45 (same ratio but bigger sprockets to lift the chain) and also had a far harder rub strip. Just lift the chain off the top of the swingarm and it will be immediately clear if this has been sorted.
The clutch cable would also rub on the bracket coming off the radiator. You can either re-route the cable through the nearby wiring harness or fit a small piece of tubing to the bracket and run the cable through this so it doesn’t rub on the metal.
Check the left side engine casing (alternator) for any signs of oil. If there are then either the seal in the crankcase vent has gone on the right of the engine. This lets oil get into the airbox and drip down onto the engine usually running out the left side. Or it could be the seal where the alternator wires go into the casing has perished.
I can’t think of anything else but check out speedfour.org for any more info.
p.s. Mine burst into flames on kensington high street and couple of weekends ago!
Turns out the wiring had melted and caught alight under the fuel tank - had me worried for a while, but triumph were great and even though the bike is 4 years old they sorted the problem within a week and repaired everthing.
Great bike though, a wise choice Beats a bandit / hornet / sv etc anyday of the week.
the only thing now is insurance,some of teh quotes i’ve got are huge! a ZXR would be eaier to insure may have to get a smaller bike for my first year,damn i hate london sometimes!
Been looking at replacing the SV and have been nearly swayed by one of these, great little bike and just what I need to commute, the SV is now getting a bit tired after nearly 40K miles and dont want something silly to waste communting. But saying that rode someones 2003 model ZX636 yesterday and cant get the grin off my face. Think I’m in love.
Beats a bandit / hornet / sv etc anyday of the week.
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