Triumphrat

worntorn · 10-27-2012, 09:49 PM

Hi all.
I am new to the forum and have never ridden a modern bike.
My current road bikes are British, two Nortons and three Vincents. When I look at modern bikes, they generally don't stir the soul much.
For some reason, probably 45 years of Brit bike ownership is part of it, the modern Triumphs are different. In particular I like the 2002 to 2006 955i Daytonas.
Right now there is an 02 dssa close to home(Vancouver, BC.) that sounds interesting. It is a one owner bike with just 7500 miles on the clock. Asking price is $5100
Another that is worth a look but is farther from home is an 06, also a one owner but with 9600 miles, priced at $4500. Both bikes have risers bars, so Im thinking older riders like me, so probably hooligans

Kidding, seriously the older rider thing is probably a good thing. It is unlikely that either of the bikes has been tethered to a tree with the throttle pinned, as those young'uns sometimes like to do!

The 06 bike has aTuneboy tune and the bike comes with fore and aft stands.
Were there any important upgrades between 02 and 06?

Is the dssa really going to matter to an old gaffer like me?
The seller makes quite a bit of it.

Glen

AaronB · 10-27-2012, 10:58 PM

DSSA will not matter at all. I like the '06 for athetics a little better, but they are the same basic thing. Good luck. Wouldn't the 2 gen Dayton be the 1997-2001? First gen being 1995-96

worntorn · 10-27-2012, 11:26 PM

Im not all that familiar with the history of these bikes. Were there 955i s made in 95 and 96? From what little Ive read, there appeared to be just the two main versions of the 955i engine., the 128 bhp 97 to 01 and the 147hp 02 to 06., with the later bikes being about twenty pounds lighter?

Glen

TheNonstopHero · 10-28-2012, 12:35 AM

The first generation 955i would be the 97 - 01. Prior to that the Daytonas came in the 900 triple or 1200 four carburated models. Go back further before 94 and there were 750 triple and 1000 four models.

Personally, my '02 Centennial edition was too radically positioned for me to enjoy it. Maybe the risen handlebars will help, but I found the seat to be thin and uncomfortable and the pegs to be pretty high. I put about 500 miles on it before I sold it and put a healthy down payment on an '11 Speedy.

Other than that, it did everything the brochure tells you it'll do... can be a wild ride if you want it to be.

DeanRider · 10-28-2012, 12:53 AM

Personally, I love my 2002 Daytona 955i CE. Even at 56, I still cannot get enough of it:

worntorn · 10-28-2012, 01:11 AM

Ive always liked the look of the newer (Bloor) Daytonas.
Last winter I built a Vincent Special, my take on an Egli-Vincent actually. Initially the plan was to make the seating position similar to a GSXR. Before finalizing that I went down to the local Triumph dealer and sat on all kinds of new and used bikes. There was a used GSXR and and R1 there.
It was immediately clear that my 57 year old body would not do well on a GSXR and the R1 wasnt any better.
There was an 04 Daytona there and I found it to be quite comfortable, so I measured it up and made the riding position on my Special to that pattern.

With the addition of riser bars, it is an extremely comfortable ride. I did a 600 mile day on it this summer, from Vancouver to Sparwood (near the Alberta Border) in one day. Remarkably, I wasnt in pain afterward!
So Im hoping that with riser bars, a Daytona would be as comfy for a long haul as the Vincent secial is.
The seat on the Special is from an early 955 Daytona, those had the seat that curls up at back.
This is one area of concern, the seat on the newer Daytonas does look a bit painful , as you mention.
I wonder if there are aftermarket seats available with a bit more padding or perhaps a gel seat?

Here is a photo of the special. The frame is made from SS 304, tank and rear cowl I bashed out of. 050 5052 al.
Dry weight is 351 pounds including air horn. Engine is from my 47 rapide, just for now. Permanent engine will be an all new build 1360 Vincent.

Glen

DeanRider · 10-28-2012, 01:22 AM

Lekker

I guess what you are looking for it is something like the Comfort Kit for the 955i Daytona from topyokes.com? If so, here is the link: http://www.topyokes.com/comfort_kit_+_handlebars/412#

worntorn · 10-28-2012, 01:39 AM

That would definitely help, thanks for the link. Are there any aftermarket seats available for the later bikes?
I find the early Daytona seat (97-01) to be super comfortable. With riser bars the riding position is still forward enough that some weight comes on the wrists at low speeds. Once at highway speed this is gone, plus the upper body is sort of floating in a weightless position. This takes weight off the seat and makes for a more comfortable long haul ride than on my sit up bikes with more plush seating.
Quite surprising really!
Here are some better photos of the Vincent Special with Apex Riser bars in place.
These could also work on te Triumph, but you are on your own for cables with the Apex set up.

DeanRider · 10-28-2012, 01:51 AM

RE: Comfortable seats, have a look here: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/

I am sure other members will have some ideas of stockists etc in North America. Post up a query in the relevant forum.

All the best!

J Free · 10-28-2012, 02:01 AM

too bad you're not closer, I've got a mint '02 CE for sale like Deanrider's.