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but with improved midrange torque of 68 Nm at 10,500 rpm - same as the TT600, but 500 revs lower and with a wider spread throughout the power range. To achieve this, Triumph engineers eliminated the flat spot in the Baby Speed's midrange that was a direct result of removing the fairing with its tuned-length intake ducts and replacing them with a pair of carbonfibre horns bolted to the frame, which were the wrong length, and too narrow. The Speed Four instead features a pair of wider, optimized-length intake stacks sweeping forward from the holes in the chassis through which cold air is fed to the 8.5-liter pressurized airbox. These incorporate air filters and are color-coded to the choice of the three different paint schemes the bike is available in black, orange and Triumph's distinctive metallic green. Riding the result first of all on the Cartagena circuit revealed the same superb handling from the twin-spar chassis that has made the TT600 the deserved benchmark on twisty tracks ever since its launch two years ago. It's still extremely agile in changing direction, with sweet steering that makes it easy to hustle through a fast S-bend like the one leading onto the Cartagena back straight-that-isn't, with the rear shock compressing so controllably as you flick from left to right. The high-end, multi -adjustable suspension meant it was easy to dial in an ideal setup, but even on stock settings it was possible to carry lots of corner speed through turns without the front tire chattering or complaining, even on Cartagena's extremely grippy new surface, and the Triumph is still very stable under the heavy braking delivered by the 310mm Nissin discs. Same at the rear - you'd amaze yourself how much earlier you could get on the power exiting a turn than you'd expected, with the Bridgestone hooking up brilliantly to give sparkling acceleration out of turns with the odd power-wheelie if you hooked it down a gear and used the fat part of the torque curve to drive on out. This is a muscular middleweight motorcycle with fast handling and nifty footwork - the Sugar Ray Leonard of stripped-to-the-waist sportbiking, rather than a Lennox Lewis. A key element in making the Speed Four such a good all-'rounder - an ideal everyday streetbike that's completely at home on a race circuit when used as a track-day tool - is the clever compromise Triumph engineers have delivered in adapting the dohc, 16-valve, short-stroke engine for the Speed Four. This delivers better power at lower revs than it does in TT600 guise, with a smooth pickup from the Sagem EFI that made the Speed Four's power delivery seem less peaky and smoother low down. It pulls cleanly from 3000 rpm upward, with a strong power threshold at 6500 rpm, a mark which you'll want to use the six-speed gearbox to keep the engine dialed above if you want to go • Full-Color, Limited-Edition Signed • Printed on Heavy 100 lb. stock • Only 250 in each series • Ready to frame rints - Signed &Numbered Print $105. 00 - Unsigned Print $30. 00 - CA residents add 7.75% sales tax -Includes Shipping (U.S. only) cu cle n e _ S • MAY 1. 2002 57