Decisions, Decisions, Triumph Speed 4 or SV-650s?

[b1k3r 3li+3]

yeppers the gs has me hooked on nakedness or at least semi nakedness.  can't decide tween the 04 Speed 4 or 04 SV-650s.  aahhhh the agony of choosing  :x

[newbieone]

I'd say the SV!!!!!!!

[JLKasper]

For my money, a S4 wins hands down.  Its handling, suspension quality, and braking power are in a higher class despite a similar MSRP as the SVS; so much so that Motorcyclist magazine separated it from the SV, YZF, and 599 in their recent Cheap Thrills comparo.  Better hurry before the dollar loses more value against the pound; those Triumph prices may be going up in the future.  Then again, the resale value would also increase along with retail prices.  

[Nomak]

C'mon now ... You know you want the speed. The sexiest stock streetfighter. Handling and power are A+ ... what more do you want. I dont know about the monetary implcations... but hey if you can afford it I say go for the speed.

Jst my 2 cts

[Rema1000]

The S4 looks like a great bargain.  And zero down, 2.9% APR, with the sale of the GS, I could pay it off in 2 years at $200/mo... but it's a 600cc sportbike.  It'll be a couple of years before some of us are ready to try 97hp.

[pantablo]

Speed 4 all the way. The sv is a budget bike, albeit a good one. The S4 is in a class above. It is a top notch supersport 600 (as the TT600) that didnt quite live up to the japanese competition. Stripped ala Speed Triple it still retains its exceptional handling and the fuel injection bugs have almost all been worked out (a teeny bit snatchy off idle).

I should know. That was my first choice replacement for the GS. I test rode one (awesome) and talked to lots of people. They are not without fault so be sure you have good dealer network nearby. You probably already do for the suzuki.  biggest issues are that the speedo cable and clutch cable are poorly routed next to the radiator and the sheath wears through. Easy fix. The crankcase breather tube into the airbox can spill oil into cylinders if you drop your bike to the left (right?) so if you do you cant just restart the bike for possibly hydrolocking it. Easy to fix by removing tube from airbox and installing crankcase filter on end of tube, rerouting it as well. Some have  reported oil leaks (they are Triumphs, after all). The urethane swingarm guard (where the chain rests on) can wear prematurely. Dealer fix for this one is questionable.

All bikes have some issues and knowing about them and having a good forum support is essential for most bikes, even honda's. Just look at this forum, you'd think the gs500's were crap from all the posts on poor running bikes.  I'd still be buying a S4 if I hadnt changed my mind and opted for a full fairing.

Here's a link to the Triumphrat.net 600four forum-there's lots of talk there on the S4.
http://www.triumphrat.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewforum&forum=27

for the money, the S4 is a huge bargain and well worth it. I was given a price of $5500 for a 0 mile '03 model last December when I did the test ride. That would put you out the door for less than $6400 for sure.

[b1k3r 3li+3]

I've read were the S4 has the best sounding stock exhaust of any 600ss or 600 naked bike.  They said it has a very high growl!!

[cozy]

Read the article in Motorcyclist April 2004. They tried to put the Speed Four in the same category as the 599, SV, and Yama but couldn't because it was so much better across the board.  

[b1k3r 3li+3]

i have it, im a subscriber to it and sport rider  :mrgreen: , im going for the S4 this friday. im going to go it alone, if my credit is to bad; my mom said she'll co sign for me  :mrgreen:

if i get it by this weekend, i'll try to post some pics, i have a digicam, but lost my usb cable, so now i need to buy a card reader.

[Greg Gabis]

S4 fo sho!

I've ridden a race prepped SV650 and Pam_G's TT600 (same bike sans bodywork). Sure, the SV650 torque is nice but the TT600/S4 have good power and awesome handling and brakes with very good ergos for a street going sporty-bike.

Fit and finish on the Triumphs is top notch. Dealer network is sparse, tho'. If you live more than 2-3 hrs away from a Trumpy dealer, that could be very inconvenient come repair time.

Dollar for dollar, the Triumph is way more fun and a much better bike.

The SV is not shabby by any means, tho'.

[b1k3r 3li+3]

should i go with yellow or the jet black?

[70 Cam Guy]

should i go with yellow or the jet black?

I'd go black.... looks more menacing. :mrgreen:

Just get what you like though because you're the one that's going to be living with it

[pantablo]

yellow or that hideous green! it already is going to be different...play it up with a color that will enhance the unique look. I was hoping to get a '03 orange.

[70 Cam Guy]

yellow or that hideous green! it already is going to be different...play it up with a color that will enhance the unique look. I was hoping to get a '03 orange.

I think the green is awesome in person  :mrgreen:

I agree though that the orange is another keeper.  I'm all for black though because I'm all about a car/bike that will scare women and small children.  (sorry I know that was sexist but its just a saying   )