Triumphrat

07-09-2004, 02:25 AM

half season is over and my impressions are very positive.Bike handles much better than the "competition" bikes (hornet, fazer, monster,sv650) but lacks a bit in power (hornet,fazer).More important the overall driving feeling is one of a real "racing " bike.

WildRice · 07-09-2004, 09:49 AM

Have you done any go-fast modifications? Your 2004 S4 should have the new 15T/45T sprockets. I have a 2003 S4 with the 14T/42T sprockets, which is the same ratio, but I have the swing arm guard wear problem. I am in the process of trying to convince my dealer to replace the sprockets/chain under warranty. How is the gearing for racing? The redline on the tach is 14,000 rpm, but a dyno graph I saw had the peak power quite a bit below that. A race mechanic I know says that lowering the gearing on race bikes (in general) causes too much engine braking when setting up for a turn, so he usually keeps the gearing stock.

It looks like you have frame sliders and removed the turn signals. Any suspension mods? How are the stock tires on the track? Any engine heat issues?

It looks like you have the stock exhaust. I have had the Triumph carbon exhaust can and EFI remap since day one, so I can't tell if it's an improvement over stock, but the power is very good with a bulging midrange and the sound is incredible! I am limited to 7,000 rpm so far in my break-in procedure. The carbon can is significantly shorter and it has better proportions than the too long stock can. The carbon also looks good with the black engine and wheels. Maybe it would unlock some power on your bike. For some reason the sound is much better than most 600cc sport bikes with aftermarket exhausts. It may be due to the cross over plumbing in the headers.

Too bad you don't have the green Speed 4.......it's faster!

Keep the rubber side down.

Will · 07-09-2004, 11:52 AM

Thanks for posting those pictures! That looks like a complete blast! Your observations in racing are very much like my observations on track days. The Triumph has handling and brakes over all comers, and the power is a little down. That can be helped a lot using TuneEdit and different sprockets, but the rules may prevent you from doing much. Of course, I don't know how they would be able to check the contents of your ECU without having TuneEdit and the unlock code for your specific bike! :wink:

07-10-2004, 12:54 PM

what kind of bellypan is that? i've wanted a bellypan for a while now, but hate the triumph one, for a while i had been looking at the bellypans off of r6's and i was gonna cut it andmake it fit my bike, but i never got around to it cause of money, you have any pictures of your bike close up so i can get a good look at it??

07-13-2004, 01:00 PM

mods i have done to race....................

FRONT FORK ....i have send the forks to the local WP dealer and have fitted a WP spring plus a set of racing valves (revalving).
For the closed tracks I lowered the forks by 12mm , for faster tracks i lowered them by 6mm. i also have a damper although i could live and without it.

REAR SHOCK ....I've replaced the rear absorber with a full racing WP and have raised the end by about 10 mm........and also using racing footrests

(racing CAN final part only).....have replaced the standard can with a carbon kevlar "MIG", main advantage being the lower weight and the sound.

DYNO MEASUREMENT ....At the dyno I got 90 hp at 13.000 rpm and a very progresive curve with no holes.

SPROCKETS ....i try to combine 14 and 15 front and 45 /47/49 rear sprockets (have not tried 14/49 though). top speed is not the only parameter, i prefer to use the combination of sprockets that fits best, those one or two "critical" turns on each track, eg avoid being in 1st gear or avoid having to change into a higher gear (13000+ rpm ) just before braking etc, etc. 14/49 was a succesful combination, with a top speed of about 130mph, but
for general road use, 14 or 15 /45 is the best.....

BELLY PAN .....it is a home made one, big and ugly but cheap (40-50 $)

TIRES ....DUNLOP 208 GP, medium....... pressure 27 to 32 depending on ext temps and track.......

[ This message was edited by: 996 on 2004-07-13 11:10 ]

07-19-2004, 03:58 AM

what bike did you get the bellypan from? for a while iwas looking at some r6 ones at the bike salvage yard that i as gonna make fit, then i decided i should just find some from a daytona 600 cause they would fit right up to the engine, but i had a hard time finding cheap ones,

BShell · 07-26-2004, 02:50 PM

Fantastic! Finally, someone else putting photos of the S4 on a track! I did my 4th track day on July 3rd and got my photos last week so am posting them here for all those who care. I'm bone stock except for the Triumph CF Can. Top speed I saw just before the end of the front straight was 133 mph indicated. I have seen 138mph indicated on another track day with a longer straight.

The link to the entire set of 26 is here: VIR July 3, 2004

green · 08-23-2004, 12:37 PM

nice pics, BShell