Hi! Newbie with first bike dilemas (Speed 4?)!

GrantT · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Hi, I've been lurking around without registering for a little while, getting a feel for the place, trying to workout how not pee off the residents etc Razz

I'm 29, been driving cars for 10 years and have been saying for much of that time that I'd do my DAS but never got round to it until the mrs bought me my CBT for my birthday in April which forced my hand a little.

Anyway, been doing DAS lessons for about a month now, got my Mod 1 in a few weeks and then Mod 2 ASAP after hopefully.

So...... the thoughts about first bike have been raging. I've swung from idea to idea, looking at loads and deciding on very little. I would love a Street Triple but don't like the idea of buying something that nice straight off the back of my DAS and then dropping it on the drive like a pratt. Looked at Bandits, Hornets etc but Triumph's keep pulling me back.

After all that rambling my question really is, what about the Speed 4? Lots of reviews/feedback seems to say they are really snatchy coming on the throttle. I'm going to be commuting on it so will be some stop start and filtering. Am I likely to struggle as a newbie on something that is supposedly 'snatchy' like that? Am I better getting a Bandit/Hornet which may be a little more 'user friendly'?

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Daytona 600, fap worthy Wink

Nothing is really "snatchy" in regards to the bandits/xj6 etc..

I never considered the GSXR1000 to be snatchy either..

Best bet for you, go sit on a few. You will either love it or hate it. If possible before shelling out your cash, ask the dealer for some test rides (if its a dealer obviously) just to see if it is the one for you!

I've only ever owned 1 Triumph, Daytona 600 obviously.. and it was my first "big" bike.. GS500 was a pussy cat compared anyway Laughing

I felt perfectly safe and I never felt out of control Thumbs Up

GrantT · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

I seriously considered a Speed Four as my first bike. They are lovely bits of kit, however the riding position is less 'comfy' than a typical naked and parts are more expensive compared to the plentiful Hornet/Bandit/Fazer bits. They are also not the prettiest things in the world.

In the end I went for a Hornet which I have been immensely happy with the. The suspension is far more budget than a Speed Four but it still handles nicely enough and has a reasonable amount of go after 7k RPM. Similar power to the Trumpet I believe, in the 90s anyway. I also would not have fancied trawling around for hours looking for bits after I crashed it on a trackday if I'd got the Speed Four instead Wink

After a fairly major crash I got my Hornet back on the road for a couple of hundred Smile

Try as many bikes as you can. Its really the only answer. A Street Triple is certainly one of the possibles for my next bike, just remember whatever you get now doesn't necessarily have to be your last one Wink

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newyork0900 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 06 May 2011 Karma :

I've spent the last 3 weeks riding to work and back on my Kawasaki BN Eliminator 125. I only have my CBT, so was looking at doing my DAS, but at £90 a lesson, I am thinking of waiting.
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GrantT · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The S4 is much better spec'd than the Hornet, it has the same brakes and suspension as the TT600 and was voted the best handing bike in the ride power survey. I love mine to bits, YOu can fit bars to it like a hornet I have as I prefered that style, I didn't really find it uncomfortable however I'm 6'5" and it was ok. It is such a sweet handing bike.
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GrantT · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Rowey · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Karma :

I owned a TT600 for 30K miles. The TT600 is a faired Speed Four with a little more top end. I can honestly say it was a cracking bike. So underrated and far better than equivalent aged CBR-F's, Gsxr's and ninjas. I've ridden the speed four also and it felt every bit as good as the TT600, with a slightly noticeable mid range boost and smoother throttle.
The Speed Four is a naked sports bike, and it will keep you grinning for a long time.

The only mechanical problems I know of are:
Centrifugal crankcase breathers failing and eventually letting tiny amounts of oil slip past. It'll take a few hours to fix.
Chain wear strip prematurely wearing. Fixed by changing sprocket sizes.
The engines are bullet proof as long as the services are kept up.

I also had a long test ride on the street triple R and I have to admit, it was better than the Speed four.
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