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Triumph Speed Four feedback

23978 Views 116 Replies 46 Participants Last post by magnamania69, Apr 10, 2004

ARTBIZTOMMY

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2002

nah.......i'll take the speed triple, thanks all the same.

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BBD_Racing

· #2 · Jul 2, 2002

How about a set of muy adjustable clipons (like those ones TwoBros has), mounted below the tripleclamps. That way, one could loosen some allen bolts and go from racer crouch to sit up hooligan.

Also, a punched out engine, offering as much normal power, plus more midrange? No need to stay at the 600cc limit on a hooligan.

Or, Triumph could really show some massive cojones and pre-plumb it for NOS. OEM turbo option maybe?

DucButt

· #3 · Jul 2, 2002

I know they are in different market segments, but I'd have to consider an FZ1 or 919 for not much more money. I think the Speed Four would sell better for about $500 less. I like the uniqueness of the Triumph, but am not sure if the price is justified given the track record of the TT600.

Have the Japanese done any market research on the feasibility of producing streetfighter 600s? For a commuter/hooligan bike, I would strongly consider a naked R6 or F4i with unique streetfighter looks priced in the low to mid $7k range.

longride

· #4 · Jul 2, 2002

I like the Speed Triple better also. Not being worth the money is an asset for these bikes. If they were extremely successful on the sales floor, we would see 4 Japanese copies for 1,000 less and basically ruin the uniqueness of this genre. The Euros invented this type of bike so I like to see them run with the design.

DucButt

· #5 · Jul 2, 2002

Excellent point, longride. I've always owned unique bikes (except Ducati is really not that unique anymore...), but I am always tempted to buy Japanese for the value, reliability and low maintenance costs. You're right, though - I can't have my cake and eat it too. Then again, there's always MZ.

Patrick-of-the-Hills

· #6 · Jul 2, 2002

It's still ugly, but I say that about a lot of overdone streetfighters, so maybe it's me.

And just why don't we get the Fazer 600, anyway?

yosef

· #7 · Jul 2, 2002

wrongo!

Pasteur invented pasteurized milk, fleming the penicilin.

23020

· #8 · Jul 2, 2002

I'm still shopping around for my first bike, and here is my new list and reasons for:

Honda F4i : all around goodness and racer looks

Ducati 750s : it's a ducati, it's a monster, with Senna colors (I'm an F1 nut)

Honda 919 : same peak power as the monster S4, 900rr motor, for less than 8k!

Triumph S4 : Triumph name, streetfighter looks, $500 less than 919.

But I'll wait to hear how reliable the Triumph is. Has Triumph overcome their gremlins?

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TheFox

· #9 · Jul 2, 2002

The chassis it top notch on the TT, as are the brakes and top end....it's the low and midrange power that needs a bit of boost to make it competitive. The FI kinks have allegedly been worked out also.

As for 600cc nakeds, the Euros get the Hornet 600 from Honda (just like the 919 here...over there the 919 is the Hornet 900) and the Fazer 600 (FZ-1 = Fazer 1000). They're out there, just not in North America.

--Foxy

fizzchem

· #10 · Jul 2, 2002

But how would it do against the Bulldog? Or the Buell? How about a SV650 comparo?

23020

· #11 · Jul 2, 2002

The Bulldog is just that--a dog. I don't even own a bike, and even I know that. My insurance company sets rates on engine size, so the cost of an 1100 cc bike that only has 65 ponies is plain stupid--to my squidly butt, anyway.

I rode my buddy's SV650 all day last Saturday, and I loved it. That bike just needs some bigger wheels to fill my aesthetic requirements in order for me to lay down the cash. Why pay $5799 for an SV650 when for $1700 more I could get the way cooler S4?

MuzzyMatt

· #12 · Jul 2, 2002

"Why pay $5799 for an SV650 when for $1700 more I could get the way cooler S4?"

Because with $1,700 on the SV 650 you could get some great upgrades or buy many track days (or a little of both). Then again, never settle for second to the bike you really want, and if that's the Triumph S4, go for it.

KPaulCook

· #13 · Jul 2, 2002

I echo Ducbutt, excellent comment. It will be interesting to see if these things take off here in the U.S. I suspect they might. Especially here on the West Coast, where naked bikes like the Triple, Monster, and SV are popular. If that happens you will be right the Japanese will follow suit. But I disagree (suprise

)that they will be just copies. I think we (Americans) tend to see the Japanese as just copiers and we don't give em credit for creativity. Yes they do tend to take ideas and refine them but I think there are plenty of examples of Japanese original thinking. Besides competition will only make these bikes better. So those of you like DucButt who want a unique bike, can buy the Triumph. That bike in turn which will become a better bike over time because of Japanese competition. Don't you think the Ducati 998 is better because of Honda RC51? But the uniqueness of the Ducati is still in tact.

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3522

· #14 · Jul 2, 2002

750Sport (750S) doesn't come in Senna colors, that's the 02 900SS. 750S is flat black, matte, primer, whatever the hell you want to call it. It's also only got 1 front disc and the 3 spoke Brembo wheels as well. The 750S is like the Monster Dark 750 before 02 - entry level with limited features to keep costs low, thereby enabling a lower MSRP.

As for the other 3 on your list, they'll all spank the 750S in just about every category, with the possible exception of dry/wet weight (not sure about that).

v2-90

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CBR1000F

· #15 · Jul 2, 2002

"There have been mechanical changes, too. The cast, semi-dropped handlebars of the TT600 remain in place (the prototype had flat tubular bars) and the engine has been detuned for more usable torque. Peak power is down, from a claimed 108 to 97. "

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

CBR1000F

· #16 · Jul 2, 2002

"There have been mechanical changes, too. The cast, semi-dropped handlebars of the TT600 remain in place (the prototype had flat tubular bars) and the engine has been detuned for more usable torque. Peak power is down, from a claimed 108 to 97. "

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

CBR1000F

· #17 · Jul 2, 2002

"There have been mechanical changes, too. The cast, semi-dropped handlebars of the TT600 remain in place (the prototype had flat tubular bars) and the engine has been detuned for more usable torque. Peak power is down, from a claimed 108 to 97. "

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

CBR1000F

· #18 · Jul 2, 2002

Just because I can't pass this up...

Those are ALL *****-poor starter bikes.

CBR1000F

· #19 · Jul 2, 2002

Sorry about the triple post. *oops*

TheFox

· #20 · Jul 3, 2002

I am dumb...

I am dumb...I was at work and posted before reading, and didn't realize that the Fazer 600 and Hornet 600 were in the story. Whoops.

--Foxy

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