Heya all, first time posting here but I thought where else would be a better place to ask about a Triumph than on a Triumph forum So I passed my Direct Access at the end of May this year and have been saving up & looking for my first bike. I've had no previous riding experience before the DAS. I've been looking specifically for a 2000 onwards Hornet but recently have come across a beautiful green speed four. I really like the looks/quirkiness of these bikes and the guy selling it is letting it go quite cheaply compared to others on there and within my budget. The things that concern me however, are that I'm only 5ft 2 for starters. I've sat on a hornet and can reach the floor with the balls of my feet which isn't too bad. I could then just shave the seat and I'd be pretty much flatfooting. The hornets say their seat height is 31.5" and the S4's are 31.9". So that small amount may make a big difference in if I feel stable to ride it. The also have a sportier riding position which I'm not sure how I'd find not having ever sat on a one. Secondly, I've been reading up on them and no one has recommended these as a first bike and apparently they can be quite snatchy. Other things I have to consider is the slighty more expensive insurance - £50-£100 more than a hornet - which isn't too bad and the fact that parts could be harder to get hold of as they are not as common as hornets/bandits/fazers etc.. I really do love the look of the bike but I'm not sure that's enough of a reason to have it as my first bike - should I just stick to looking for a Hornet? What do you guys reckon? Thanks in advance! Bex
This is a no brainer A Bonneville Comfy, just the job for shorties, powerful enough, pretty good handling. A street or speed is NOT the bike for a newbie, you will crash, you may die. They are seriously rapid and can get a newbie into trouble faster than there brain can get them out of trouble. Hornets are similar to speeds just not as radical. Two years on a docile bike is for you, Ignore any Contradictory advice.
Hi, Thanks for your advice. Not as keen on the looks of the Bonne and also my budget is only £1400 so it's not really an option I don't think. Everyone sings the praises of the Hornets apart from the small tank so I'll probably stick with looking for one of them then. Whatever I get I've planned on having for a least 1-2 years whilst gaining confidence & experience, saving up & moving on to newer, nicer things. I find it so frustrating knowing that it's not 'ideal' because I just want it so bad hehe. So beautiful <3 The guy thats selling it said that he bought it off a lady who had it as her first bike and she sold it to move up to a fireblade.
Powerful advice as ever from the Col, my wife had a Street Triple after passing her DAS and two years 12000 miles later she is still here and still loving the bike. I do agree that a Bonneville would be a good first bike, most important thing is being able to get both feet on the floor, picking a light bike helps low speed maneuvering. The Speed Four is quite a powerful bike at nearly 100 BHP and quite a sporty riding position, the 600 Hornet is about the same power but if it was between the two bikes I would say the Hornet would make the better first bike. I'm certainly not going to preach to you that you should not buy either bike; I'm sure you were aware of the risks associated with riding a motorcycle before you took your test Being 5' 2" is going to seriously limit your choice of good suitable first bikes, many so called cruisers have low seats but handling on that type of machine is often compromised by a raked out steering head angle. Out of the Triumph range the Bonniville is probably the most novice friendly, what ever you decide, take it easy for a start and if possible take some extra training on the new bike. Cheers
I got my first bike 6 months ago, which is a Bonnie, I'm 5'8 roughly and can flat foot on it easily, I was thinking of the T100, but the seat is very slightly taller, which made me go for the standard Bonnie, I've done 6000mls in 6 months, and it has been a learning curve, I'm much more confident and able 6000 miles later, and have to say, there have been a few times I was glad I could flat foot comfortably! I have to agree with the Col here
Hi and welcome to the forum. The Speed Four is a great bike and was over shadowed by the Speed and Street Triples and is a very reliable easy to ride and work on. Have a look at the bikes service history and see what has and hasn't been done. With regards to the seat height of the bike have a look on E Bay and see if you can find some lower seats for the bike, also inserts in the bottom of your boots also helps. There are also these that you can by to lower the rear suspension of the bike. MFW Motorcycle Suspension Lowering Kit Triumph TT600 Daytona Speed Four 650 | eBay Cheers Steve
you Your forgetting the bit about them being as reliable as a politician, I'm sure he would spend time riding it than fixing it (Multistrada??) :wink:
Thankyou everyone for your input. Yeah bandits are cheap and plentiful but I just wanted something different really as I already know a fair few people with them. I did think about the monsters but it's the M600's that are generally within my price range and when i've asked people about them everybody slates them saying they are unreliable & costly so it's put me off them. It says Last service 17/7/2013 at 23,000 miles Lots of paperwork including all Previous MOTs He said it was MOT'd in April this year and passed with no advisories. Looks like he's had an offer on it so it could be possibly sold if the offer was accepted. I guess I'll just stick with the hornets for now, still nice bikes and then maybe save up and get a street trip in a year or 2 or 3's time. P.S. *She :wink: hehe
Opps My Bad!!! :redface: What county are you and what's your budget as I can have a look and see what is out there for you. I take it you are looking for a traditional upright bike then. Don't give up on the bike yet as sometimes these sales do fall through :wink: Cheers Steve
I live in Cambridgeshire near Wisbech. The bikes I've been looking at originally were what people recommended as good first bikes as well as having lower seat heights: Hornets (non faired), SV's (Pointys) and ER6's. Hornets are more within the budget - £1400 - and they have many good reviews. I've been trying to get a 2000 onwards one as they have the larger front wheel which apparently makes a noticeable difference in handling. The S4 I've been looking at is in Leicester, about 1-1.5 hours away which is why I thought it's best to research and ask about them first. I've checked on the ad again and it says the offer was declined. I like the look of certain nakeds and also sports bikes, but I was trying to stay clear of anything with too many expensive fairings and high insurance & running costs. I drive a car so the bike will be used just for having a nice time out and about on, going to meet ups and shows, popping down to the shops, the odd longer journey/mini break. So really looking for a bike that can do all that whilst still being fairly user friendly, quite lightweight and low seat height, reliable, fun and is something I like the look of. If you do see anything feel free to let me know as I've been on the lookout every single day since passing at the end of May (But only in the last month have saved up to my budget) I'm scouring Ebay, Gumtree and Autotrader Bikes and well as occasionally looking on MCN and Bennett's ads too. I've got a fair few on my watch list but I'm waiting to hear back from some on what they'd take for them or further info on the bike. I like yellow hornets, red and white are nice too... but I like Green Triumphs mawwrr! hehehe
Had a quick look and found these two Speed Fours nearish to you I know they are a bit more money but look in fantastic condition TRIUMPH SPEED 599 cc Speed Four (06MY) This one is only just run in it is more or less a new bike :wink: TRIUMPH SPEED 600 cc Four Suzuki Not sure about the Bandits 600's as they are quite a heavy bike something like this could be a better bet and the Vee Twin engine makes them fun to ride Suzuki SV650 naked | eBay Also saw this baby Katana which are great bikes and if you look after it you could end up making money also cheap to insure and easy to look after :biggrin: SUZUKI GS 549 cc Honda Not sure about this one, could be an ex courier bike but does have ABS Biggest problem with Honda's is that they hold their value well and are still sort after so always cost a bit more. Hope that has given you a few more ideas on what's about Steve HONDA CBF 600 cc CBF600 Cowl-4 ABS
Hello and welcome to the forum :smile: When you've just passed your test you spend a lot of time concentrating on gears, clutch, road positioning, other traffic etc. What you maybe don't think about is that if you ride in town a lot you have to stop at lights and junctions and manhandle the bike into and out of parking spaces. That means you have to be confident in your ability to handle the bike you've got. I'd suggest you make sure you're happy with being able to flat-foot the bike and that you are able to physically deal with moving the bike at a standstill. I'd also warn you (and I'm sorry if it's Grandmother's eggs) to beware of the road camber. I'm sure I'm not the only one to have pulled over, put my foot down only to find the road isn't quite where I thought it was. Once you become more confident with riding you might feel you want to progress to a bigger bike but that will come in time. Good luck in your search and safe riding :smile:
Planning to ride in all different area but where I live is quite rural with a lot of national bumpy country roads. I did my lessons on a 2011 XJ6N with had been lowered. I could flat foot one side and almost flatfoot the other. Couldn't back pedal it unless it was a flat road. As I can reach with balls of feet on the hornet, I'd be looking to get hold of an extra seat and then get it shaved down.
Err yes I did have one or two issues with a very expensive Ducati but my lad bought a 620 multistrada (same engine as the Monster) and it was mostly reliable although the clocks let water in! Come Steve even I had guessed Bex was a girl :smile:
A Bandit is good advice, and if you fit it then its worth considering Add to the check out list a Suzuki SV650 small and light and reasonable power, available with and without half faring
Yep, and with the wife on the back as well! Fair bit of sweat on my brow trying to hold the bloody thing up! :redface: And remember to put the side stand down, pulled up the drive after a nice long ride out one day, only to find myself a few seconds later, lying on my back looking up at the nice blue sky.... My poor wee Bonnie! :biggrin:
Hi, I don't know if you're still considering which bike to get so if you haven't then I thought I'd add my two cents, for what it's worth! I passed my DAS 5 years ago and went straight on to a Multistrada 620 (great engine, but expensive to run and service - no surprise there). I've also got experience of both bikes you're considering and I've only been an S4 owner for 3 weeks! Blows a Hornet (and mine was modded) cleanly out the water! Engine: better. Exhaust note: better. Handling: better. Riding position: sporty, but not aggressive and not quite as comfortable as the Hornet. Looks: better (I like quirky also). Smiles per miles: better. Headturning: better. Whilst considering which bike to buy (my budget was £2k) for my 40-mile commute I considered the: SV650s (V-Twin power and sounds good) and you should be able to find an older shape model for your budget; ER6N with higher mileage; FZ600 with higher mileage; Bandit 650 and 600; and finally, and definitely one for the admirers of quirky, the Virago 535 (a cruiser rather than a naked) which gets 5*s on MCN (I know not the gospel, but at least consistent) for great engine (V-Twin), reliability, build quality, manageability, low cost (shaft drive etc), low seat height, and great handling. I test-rode one out of curiosity and was completely converted. If it hadn't been for the low mileage bargain S4 I got made aware of, I would have been close to getting the 535 into my garage. Saying all of this I am loving Triumph ownership and a bike as good, and less seen, as the S4 gets loads of attention (particularly in Triumph Racing Yellow!) Good luck with your decision!