Triumphrat

roma258 · 12-08-2009, 04:51 PM

Hey guys, I'm not exactly new as I signed up for the forum back in 2006 when I had just purchased the Speed Four, but I haven't been active in a couple of years and needed to re-register.

I come looking for susepension advice. I'm considering converting the Speed Four to a more track focused bike, if not a completely track-only bike. So the first step in that conversion, as everyone seems to recommend, is upgrading the suspension. I'm thinking of starting small and swapping in new fork springs. Which company has the best reputation around here? I'm looking at a set of Race Techs right now, but the website doesn't have a part number for the Speed Four/TT600, so is it safe to assumer that springs that fit the Daytona 600, fit the speed four? Also, where do people come down on the linear vs. progressive springs debate? From what I've read, linear is better for the track, progressive if better for the street....or is that just a gross oversimplification? The plan right now is to do 3 to 4 track days next year, assuming the money is there for it. Thanks for your advice in advance.

Will · 12-11-2009, 12:54 PM

You don't say what your area is, so it's kinda tough to give you any advice about what's local. Assuming anybody knows shops in your area.

I would start by making sure the fork and shock oil are all fresh. Yeah, the rear shock is supposedly non-rebuildable, but I understand it can be rebuilt. I had an aftermarket shock on my TT600, a Hagon I got used. It made a difference, although it was sprung for a heavier person and made for some interesting hops at certain places on the track.

If you haven't spent much time on the track, the best thing to do is just start doing track days. Get a few under your belt before spending any money on modifications and upgrades. The best money you can spend is setting up the sag and damping. Usually there's a suspension specialist at the track who will work on this for you for a small price. The stock suspension on an S4 or TT600 is quite good if it's adjusted properly. Then, after you have started to get some experience with the bike on the track, you will be able to take advantage of upgrades and enjoy them. It's all part of the process, and the process is a blast.

kiwifour · 12-11-2009, 05:13 PM

Good advice form Will.
My S4 has Ohlins front springs and Racetech valves which has made a hugh difference to the front end.
Ohlins do not have a rear shock listing for the S4 but our N.Z. agent used a shock from a K6 and adapted that to fit. Apparently the adaptation was quite straight forward. We used a rebuilt shock off one of Shaun Harriss's (of IOM fame) race bikes which kept the price quite sensible.
If you need more info see here: http://www.triumphrat.net/triumph-su...-on-my-s4.html

roma258 · 12-12-2009, 11:57 AM

I live in Philly, and I've only done one track day, so it's possible that I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. I weight about 170 and the front end definitely seems to dive a bit too much under hard braking. Perhaps swapping out the oil and replacing the fork seals would solve that, but I figure the fork springs are a relatively inexpensive upgrade, so why not. Thanks for the responses, and keep em coming.

Cheers,
Roman

Will · 12-12-2009, 01:58 PM

If you aren't bottoming out, then the fork dive isn't excessive. You can put a zip tie around the fork to see how far you are compressing it. If you are bottoming out, add some preload. It's all part of setting up the bike correctly. You will be amazed at the difference just setting it up can make. Remember, the forks on an S4 were pretty close to top of the line OEM for only about ten years ago. They are still far better than the forks on my SV650 race bike, so you can do a whole lot with them just by way of adjustment. Another thing to think about is how you apply the brakes. If you are nuking them, you will launch yourself onto your nose. If you are smooth, you won't. It's a matter of practice more than anything. I'm not trying to talk you out of getting stuff done to your suspension, just trying to be realistic about what might be happening.

For what it's worth, I got stuffed badly between two other bikes going into a very high speed sweeper, had brain fade, nuked the brakes, and did a face plant. It sucked! (Well, OK, I kinda stuffed myself by trying to pass one guy underneath and shut the door on the other guy who was underneath me. Dummy!

) But, it was all about not being smooth on the brakes. If I had been smooth, even a supersport legal (IE crappy stock front forks with minimal mods and no damping adjustment) SV650 would have been fine. Smooth is the key.