Speed Four, Honda Hornet or...?

[Baryonyx]

I'm hoping to buy a bigger bike soon and I've got my eyes on four cylinder naked things that are more to the sporty side of the market, without being a sports bike.

The obvious choices leaping out at me are the Triumph Speed Four and the Honda Hornet. I ended up at the Speed four by way of the Speed Triple, which I love but may be a bit much for me, as a beginner (I'm thinking of the older Speed Triples which were like a stripped down T595/955i). I really need a do-everything bike, as I only have space for one bike (a relative nearby has offered me use of their garage, which saves my headache I recently discussed on here about whether or not I could wheel a bike through to my back garden - the reality would appear to be that I won't be able to do that, even with a relatively slim bike.


Now, the Triumph and the Honda both seem like good choices. I work very close to both a Honda and Triumph main dealer so I'm confident I'll be able to get the ownership support I need. My commute is 12 miles either way, and is usually wrapped up in about 15-17 minutes. I've managed so far with a CG125 with no front screen, so I guess you might say I can carry on with little weather protection (although I'd have a fly screen on either bike I moved up to, for at least some protection). Apart from that, the bike will just be used for riding on the Northumberland, Cumbria and Borders B roads and doing some light day-touring round that way, so I've shelved my dreams of having a full size tourer for now.

Both seem to be available in good shape for around £2500, and the stats look pretty similar on paper. Both seem to be centred around a detuned sports bike engine. Obviously the Speed Four can boast the TT600 chassis too, albeit I believe with some slight revisions to soften it a touch. Does the Hornet handle anywhere near as well?


I'd be very much interested in hearing from anyone who has ridden either bike, or if there are any other obvious candidates I've missed. I'm not wild about the Fazer or the Bandit (though I gather Fazers typically love to rev) hence the Triumph and Honda being front runners.

[Baryonyx]

neelyp said:

I would honestly save a bit more and try and get an early Street Triple, they seem to be a much better bike.

I had looked at the Speed Triple as it's something of a dream bike for me. But as my first big bike, I'd rather work up to it and enjoy it when I'm a better rider. In a couple of years I could see myself saving up a little bit more for a good 955i type Speed Triple.

Regarding the SV650S, I had looked at those for quite a while and I do like them. I think, based on my limited experience, that I prefer four cylinders though. Relaxed and easy at lower speeds, with a real rush up top. That feels great to me. I love the noise of a four too, as much as a twin, so that's another plus point for a twin beaten out for me.

Regarding the fuelling glitches and overheating on the Speed Four, I'm lucky to have very little commuting in traffic. Mostly I'm coming or going to work at odd hours and very rarely is there any sort of traffic jam on the way home from work that can't be negotiated quickly on a bike, so the foibles of the Speed Four aren't so much of a concern for me. I don't mind how either bike looks either, I quite like the idea of starting off on a naked bike with a little bike of poke, so I amble along at my own pace without looking like a fool in front of faster bikes, and enjoy the performance without pressure. I'd look for a lurid colourscheme on either bike though, so it didn't look too much like a commuter...

[Baryonyx]

Yes, whenever I see 'Triple' I tend to think Speed Triple and forget about the Street, although last time I was at Triumph they were really eager to get me riding a Street Triple as they reckon everyone who tries them loves them. I do love the Street Triple but looking on Ebay, £3500 seems to be the starting point for bikes that haven't been written off in the past. That's perhaps a little more than I was hoping to spend this summer, as I typically buy outright and have no idea what financing smaller amounts would work out like (ie: I could easily get £2000 together towards an bike an finance the other £1500 or whatever, but it's been years since I borrowed any money through a finance deal and I don't particularly want to do it again now).


Being stingy with my budget, I may have to stick to Speed Fours and Hornets for now, get some good rides in over the next couple of years and then think about a Speed Triple (or perhaps I'll want to go in a different direction).

This is the sort of thing I'd want to jump on, were buying right this minute:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB600F-Hornet-/281...








http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-SPEED-FOUR-600-S...

[Baryonyx]

I know the 900 represents better value but if I were starting on a bike of that sort of engine capacity, I'd go for an older Speed Triple. I could do with more riding experience before getting something that quick, so I'll build up to a bigger bike in due course.



Sloo!

[Baryonyx]

That does look fking mint. The Speed Four is by no means out of the running.