Triumphrat

copton · 08-12-2007, 01:58 AM

Hi there,

A while ago I was looking for a sports bike that I could enjoy for some sprints and also for some longer journeys (I also have to use it as my daily commuter). After some research a Sprint ST became available locally at a great price, so I had to act on it quickly. I have been the owner of a 2006 Sprint ST ABS for a couple of months now, but I'm finding that I am missing owning a real sport bike. The Sprint ST is a great bike and I love the engine, but I'm not enjoying the handling as much as my previous sports bike. I'm also missing the sport bike growling exhaust note, and there is only one very expensive aftermarket exhaust that I can put on my Sprint ST, so I'm not too keen to go down this route.

A friend of mine recently suggested a Daytona 955i. I'm a British guy so I would really love to stay with a British bike.

Has anyone tried both bikes? How do they compare (especially in terms of handling, weight and center of gravity)?

I've not taken a Daytona 955i out for a ride yet, so I don't know how it rides. Can someone give me some info about the handling of the bike and what it is like to own? Also, how is the bike for daily use, commuting?

I tried searching for this info on this forum but I couldn't find a comparison.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,
Mark.

dano · 08-12-2007, 02:25 AM

i have owned all three versions of the modern Daytona.... i have also ridden the 1050 ST....to me the the ergos are kinda close...the Daytona is more of a forward lean, but that can be remedied with some risers to set the clip ons further up and back. to me i think the Tona is a funner ride. it feels closer to the ground to me...the 1050 seems tall. i ride long distances all the time, i have a Sargent seat and its great. The Tona wasn't conceived to be a uber distance tourer like the ST...but it can be ridden long distances easily. i can sacrifice a little comfort, knowing when i get to my destination....i can tear up the twisties with ease. the Tona is a great all round bike.....i would choose it over the ST .....any day. and now that i have made frames to mount hard bags.....the ST lost even more leverage. i can fit bigger and better Givi bags.

HiDesert · 08-12-2007, 02:35 AM

I've done 613 miles in one day on a T595 Daytona, and the next day I felt like I could have easily gone out and done it all over again. And that was with stock clip-ons. My current '04 has risers, and I guarantee I could ride those kinds of distances on this bike. And boy do I love the growl of my TOR can. Of course, I've always thought the exhaust on the current generation Sprint is one of the best-looking stock exhausts in motorcycling, with the MV Augusta's 4 pipes being the only one I can think of that I like more. But if it's not pushing your buttons, none of that matters.

If you don't mind leaning over a bit more on a Daytona (and you don't have to lean very much with risers - I can sit almost straight upright), I'd say go for it. With a set of Dano's racks holding hard bags, you don't even have to give that up.

I had taken an 05 Sprint for a test ride and decided to buy it until I found out I'd have to pay Austrian taxes of about 36% on a new bike (I was living there at the time). I ended up on a Daytona and loved it enough that I got another Daytona when I returned to the States, and I know I'll do more long (multi-day) rides here than I ever did in Austria. I don't know how to say anything more meaningful than that on this topic.

Ride the bike you love.

Tankman · 08-12-2007, 09:10 AM

Mate,
I own a T595 Daytona and a 05 Sprint ST. In 1997 I first read and then saw the T595 and fell in love with its clean smooth lines, the only thing I hated about it was the great fat ugly exhaust hanging off the side, so I then built a much cleaner underseat for her. I also fitted a set of Tingate risers, carbon front guard and wheel hugger. The only complaint I had was the pillion position. I then lenghtened the pillion pegs and buit up the rear seat.

A couple years ago I fell in love with the new Sprint and had to have one. Again the only thing I didn't like was the Dr Who tail pipes, which I altered and added a ton of aftermarket gear. I also put a set of risers on her. Both bikes are great to ride but are different in so many ways. I love the Daytona's looks and way it steers and handles in the moutain roads we have here. The Sprint is a compfy 2 up bike with tons of grunt and looks a treat. My Daytona is currently in the Tassie auto museum and next year she is coming home to have a turbo fitted, an Ohlins shock, white power front end and triple spot front brakes. I really love both bikes and they are as different as apples and oranges, but they are both British and Britannia still rules the waves.

Cya The Tankman

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peterk · 08-12-2007, 11:16 PM

G'day, i got a '98 Tona and have ridden a '02 Sprint. Both good bikes but my preferences lie with the Tona, especially for looks and sound!

peterk · 08-12-2007, 11:18 PM

Hey Tankman, nice looking T595 and u built the exhaust, must be good to be talanted, do u work in the mechanical/bike industry?

Tankman · 08-13-2007, 04:05 AM

Peter,
no mate I was a soldier and retired early and have a fair bit of time on my hands. I have a fair bit of Daytona stuff like a Bagster tank bag, cover and lenghtened rear peg brackets. In the Photo Gallery you will find a pic of the underseat exhaust in pieces. If you are interested in any spare gear PM me.

Cya The Tankman

copton · 08-13-2007, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the help guys.

I'm going to take a look at a friend's Daytona tomorrow, so I can have a first-hand look and listen.

I've only had my Sprint ST for a couple of months, so is it wrong for me to be thinking of changing it so soon?

I love the looks of the Daytona, and the sounds is supposed to be fantastic too.

I live in Vancouver, Canada right now and I've had a look around and it seems like these bikes are really difficult to get hold of. Maybe I'll just hold on to my Sprint ST for now and just keep an eye on the classifieds?

I'll try to get a ride on a Daytona 955i so I can really decide if it is for me or not.

Thanks again for the help.

Tankman, your bikes both look gorgeous. So does your bike Peterk.

Cheers,
Mark.

PS. Why did they call the bikes T595 sometimes?

skeepee · 08-14-2007, 12:16 AM

There's a brand new '04 Red Daytona at I-90 Motorsports in Issaquah, WA, about 15 miles due east of Seattle. I think they were asking $7,999. Not too bad of a jaunt from Vancouver, all things considered....

John21 · 08-14-2007, 09:20 AM

I saw a man from Tennessee, maybe Florida (not sure) that took a 1995 or 1996 1200 Daytona and added nice touring items. He had Givi bags and some really good stuff on the bike. I thought "what a great and powerful bike to tour on"!!

I am not sure how much faster a 2004 Daytona is over 2004 Sprint. The Daytona does handle better. The Sprint road tests I saw said 10.99 with the Daytona at 10.3 for 1/4 mile. I am also not sure if the ride of a Daytona can be matched to the ride quality of a Sprint.

But....what if.........

What if I bought a 2004 Daytona, lowered the muffler a little, added color-matched bags off the 04 Sprint, made the bars a little higher, and fixed the seat so it was more comfortable??

If that guy above did this with a 96 Daytona, why not a 2004 Daytona!! This would sure be the ultimate sport-tourer to me...........John