Triumphrat

03-24-2006, 06:03 PM

Evening all,

Have had two T509s in the last few years but currently ride a Buell. Have seen a v nice black Daytona 1200 for sale and am pretty sure that I will be buying it in the next day or so. However, having never had a 4 cylinder Triumph, is there anything specific that I need to check in terms of known weaknesses on this model?

Also, any suggestions re best race exhausts and where can I get an OE seat cowl ?

thanks

03-26-2006, 02:37 PM

Update - have been to see the bike and it is in v nice condition. Have arranged to take it for a test run next weekend so any advice between now and then as to what to look out for would be most appreciated.

thanks

roy005 · 03-26-2006, 07:04 PM

I have had my D1200 for about 2 years and 7,000 miles. It is a locomotive. Big, Heavy & Fast. They are overbuilt but are bulletproof. They have had few problems over the years. Some of the common weakpoints I can think of would be the petcock, ignition coils, possibly the starter motor. Though I have heard the starter motor was more of a problem on the 900 motor of these years. As I say the bike is heavy. Some say it may consume fork seals as a result. I have not experienced fork seal problems. I just replaced originals at 18,000 miles. Dare I bring up the topic of oil? Triumph says the D1200 should only be filled with 15w-50 full synthetic. So that's what the bike has always had ( I knew the first owner). Well cared for examples should last a very long time regardless of how many miles you put on a year! I say go for it. This torque monster is relatively rare (at least in the US) and I doubt you will see many others on the road. During it's production run my dealer only got and sold the one. Ride Safe!

daytonacharlie · 03-26-2006, 08:41 PM

what he said...

do you know what year it is? there was an SE version in '99 with gold wheels and 6-piston front calipers.

dc

[ This message was edited by: daytonacharlie on 2006-03-26 18:43 ]

03-27-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

On 2006-03-26 18:41, daytonacharlie wrote:
what he said...

do you know what year it is? there was an SE version in '99 with gold wheels and 6-piston front calipers.

dc

It's a 97 model

Has a Scotoiler fitted which IMHO is the sign of someone who cares at least a little bit about their bike :wink:

daytonacharlie · 03-27-2006, 05:48 PM

Spike,
Mine's a 96 and if I'm not mistaken the 97's were exactly the same. Triumph stopped importing the 1200 to the US after 96 but brought it back in 99 as the SE model I mentioned before.
As roy005 said they are pretty much bullet proof, not indestructible but you just don't hear of them breaking. Triumph over-built the first run of new bikes (T3's) to be sure they'd hold up to anything Japan was building at the time. I'd say they bloody well do! The newer Triumphs (T5's) while excellent bikes are made much leaner, not a bad thing.
I did have trouble with leaking fork seals 'till I upgraded my front forks with stiffer springs from Race Tech with Gold Valves, a much needed improvement at 30,000 miles. Then a new Hagon rear shock at around 50,000. Both improvements have transformed the bike. I'm now running Michelin Pilot Power tires which make the handling even better.
The bike is a beast so be ready for it's girth, it's no light weight GSXR/Fireblade/R1 but is rock solid stable. It also has, in stock trim, quite a committed sport riding position. If that's what you want then it'll be fine but I've converted mine into a sport tourer (read comfortable).
If it's been sitting up for a while it may be a little rough under 4000 rpm, needing clean plugs, carb sync and air filter service. Which brings up another point. To change or clean the air filter you have to remove the carburetors. Yes, that's right. That's about the only flaw in the Daytona's design. Let us know what you think of the bike once you've ridden it.
The best place to get a seat cowl is probably ebay, that's where I got mine.

cheers,
Daytonacharlie

[ This message was edited by: daytonacharlie on 2006-03-27 18:27 ]

Nickwiz · 03-27-2006, 06:56 PM

Its Big Heavy Fast. Not the most svelte or the flickiest handler.
Strong engine though mechanicaly noisy compared to jap stuff.
Watch for sprag clutch. If it starts easy on a closed throttle full choke from cold it'll be ok. Only put fully synth 15w50 in it. Keep the black chasis parts shiny with a smear or WD40 now and again. Don't go for ultra stixcky tyres as they'll last about 5mions with such a big old*****.

I use Scorpion cans. Good price, and according the RIDE magazine over here the least likely to mess up your fueling. Its probably best and easiest managed by those of us blessed with a longer inside leg.

Buy it and enjoy.

03-29-2006, 10:43 PM

HEY DAYTONACHARLIE... I'd PM you, but I haven't made 10 posts yet... I'd be very interested in talking about the mods you made to your bike and where you got your carbon fiber parts. Please PM me or email me at edehn1@msn.com. Thanks.