Triumphrat

Dartdude

I'm going to be selling my 02 Daytona soon since I'm leaving for Australia in a bit. I got it for a trade for a 4 wheeler, wasn't looking for one but thought it was a good deal.

What I'm wondering is where everybody thinks the Daytona stacks up against some of the more common Jap bikes? I guess I'm just trying to get a feeling of where it stands in the hierarchy of all the bikes. I'm pretty new to the sport bikes and don't have much experience on any other new bikes. I figure people here are pretty well versed in most bikes and they know how it stacks up as far as power, handling, driveability and overall value and desirability.

Thanks,
Dan

Marks Daytona

I personally think it is difficult to convince a die-hard Jap bike/track day enthusiast to consider a Daytona (although I did). At ten tenths on the track they may be a bit heavier or a bit slower to turn in but then most people in reality need their bikes for other things like riding on public roads and transport for work. These people that see beyond the official specifications will find the Daytona to be more comfortable, forgiving, enjoyable and appreciate the induction sound that the 955's provide, without giving away much when at the track. Comparing my Daytona to my previous Fireblade I cannot say it is lacking in any way!

Hangover

I agree with Mark , i would probably be riding a Firestorm or other Honda had it not been for an offer from a friend i couldnt refuse (T595 for free) and i love it, i have ridden Daytona's before but only ever owned jap bikes. I also drive a Landrover and for the same reasons i love my Daytona, just feels different and has more character than a jap bike.

Tripps

I love my Sprint 955, but I sometimes wish for a bit more power, I think it would be my dream bike.

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The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge. - Daniel J Boorstin

Dartdude

Thanks for the replies. I just got wondering where it really stood in comparison after a guy wanted to trade me a 2002 FZ1 and he was telling me that my Daytona doesn't have much power and doesn't handle well.

The last ride I went on I swapped bikes with a friend and rode his 03 R6 for a while and I was not impressed. It felt like a toy bike and I hated when I twisted my right hand I didn't hear symphony behind me playing louder and louder. I couldn't get over that, I'm used to my right hand being in control of more noise and an onslaught of torque.

Tripps

Then why did he want to trade, LOL?

__________________
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge. - Daniel J Boorstin

Dartdude

I was about to ask him. Hes telling me about how my bike is crap pretty much but he still wants it...

He did say he had a turbo for a speed triple that he wanted to put on and he was going to convert it to a speed triple.

Hangover

I'm really impressed with the handling and braking of my daytona so i dont know what he was smoking, about the only thing i would like is a slightly more upright seating position but then i dont ride everyday so doesnt really bother me too much.

DeanRider

It is my opinion that you cannot compare apples with oranges.

While I love my '02 Daytona 955i I simply cannot be in denial over its shortcomings. Hence, IMHO, it cannot compete with the Japanese superbikes either for power, handling, finish, design, or aesthetics. The Japanese, Italian, and now German machines are simply in a different league altogether. Indeed, apart from an upgrade in 2001, very little R&D seems to have been spent on the bike much after its original launch, hence it was very soon eclipsed by the R1, Fireblade, GSX1000. ZX10 and their subsequent upgrades.

The Daytona must therefore be compared alongside its then contemporary opposition, e.g., the Honda CBR954RR Fireblade, Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace and the Kawasaki ZX-9R against which it was pretty much either equal to or a nose ahead of the pack. Sadly, this situation did not last long for Triumph. The growing ascendancy of the R1 was soon to put it well in the shade, and as they say in the classics: the rest is history.

DaveM

Hi Dartdude

I have had Japanese bikes over almost 4 decades and have been riding the Daytona now for several years and do track days on it.


My opinion is that it is in a bit of a league of it's own and like Dean says it cannot really be compared to a Japanese litre sports bike and was never marketed as such.

On the track I have never found the Daytona slow in the corners, compared to Japanese litre bikes however being heavier it is slower in esses because with the weight it does not transition as quickly as a bike that weighs 40 kilos or so less.
I don't get clobbered on corners I get clobbered on the straights by those more powerful and lighter bikes.

On the road it is the same, Gixxer thou's etc only have a real advantage on straights or in a series of esses where they can use the power and weight advantage.

As a road bike the Daytona is an absolute hoot to ride and has usable power everywhere with the right tune (not a Triumph one).

Also because the Daytona is big it suits my rather large frame better than the cramped position of some of the big four sports bikes.

To me the Daytona is a very nice blend of reasonably comfy (compared to my last GSX R600), solid handling, and with the right tune a very usable easy to control power delivery which makes fast cornering really controllable and fun.

cheers
Dave

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