Triumphrat

charlatan · 08-22-2007

So, hopefully I can sell the wife on the idea (she loves bikes, but wants a house first).

I 100% prefer the second generation daytonas (595, 955i 97-01?) as to the third. The third, although attractive, is way too angular for my taste, whereas the second generation has supple, understated curves. By far the best looking 'rocket' I have seen.

I am coming from the cruiser market (2000 Yamaha Warrior) where I never bought into a name whatsoever. Not a Harley guy, etc. Just a rider, not about the 'scene' and how Harley's are the best bike ever.

So, sport bikes are new to me in terms of actually considering one. Never considered owning a sport bike as my only bike, then i saw a '97 595 and crapped my pants. I cleaned myself up immediately. Then I saw how you can own one in near perfect condition for $4,000 or so. I crapped my pants again.
Shocked to see that. Figured they would be much more expensive.

Anyway, I would for sure want a second generation.
I am aware of these two issues:
1) Clutch issue
2) 3-4 tranny issue

Are these issues fixed after 1998? Any way to tell if someone has had these issues taken care of (like manufacturer recalls, etc.)

Can you guys give me the 'perfect' year or two to own that would not include these issues or any other significant issues? It seems that 99 and 00 would be the best...am I wrong?

I see quite a few mods done to some of your bikes. What are THE sites to get some of these items at good prices (US only). The under rear fender carbon panel with intergrated lights looks sweet...saw one that was more like aluminum and it looked cheap...i could be wrong.

Any suggestions of what to look for?

And good God, an under tail exhaust will run like $2,000?! Serious?! That is nuts.

I am quite familiar with modding, check my jetta.

charlatan · 08-22-2007

And my Warrior:

xactoman · 08-22-2007

Daytona 955i is a solid bike, quite reliable if taken care of. I have a 2000 with 42,000 miles on it and it looks and runs like new. Seems like triumph owners take care of their bikes pretty darn good, so the used market is pretty solid. I would look in the 2000-2001 range as that seems to be where things were pretty sorted out. There are deals to be had out there.

tomtom67 · 08-22-2007

Your spot on about the nice curves on the earlier daytonas charlatan.
Ive got a 2000 model and have never had trouble mechanically with it.

I also find the newer ones a bit too angular for my liking, having said that I still like the new ones. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

bradtx · 08-22-2007

charlatan, The fourth gear problem was fixed in '98. If you find a '98 give us the VIN, engine number (preferred) or at least the build date and we can tell you pre/post fix.

Brad

peterk · 08-23-2007

I got a 9/98 model, only had it a few months but no problems, its got about 48,000 k's on it, i luv it!!!

HiDesert · 08-23-2007

My '98 (bought used from a dealer with about 15k miles on it) had one mechanical hiccup; a coil went out, and I had to have it replaced. Apparently there's a non-zero probability of the stock coils giving up the ghost sooner than one might expect. Easy fix.

And great looking bike; no arguments there, although if the newer 955s strike you as too angular, I hope you've never seen the 650s.

charlatan · 08-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidesert

And great looking bike; no arguments there, although if the newer 955s strike you as too angular, I hope you've never seen the 650s.

No, I haven't, pretty bad?

fivehundo · 08-23-2007

Dano spun a bearing on one, I think...

That was after quite a few miles though. They seem to hold up fairly well, in my observation.

dano · 08-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivehundo

Dano spun a bearing on one, I think...

That was after quite a few miles though. They seem to hold up fairly well, in my observation.

close Fivehundo....it was my 99 Tona...it blew up...fragged because of catrostrophic bearing failure...caused by a torx head socket head wrench that was left in the motor from the factory..i kid you not....we(my local dealer and me) bagged the socket torx head up, sent it to Triumph USA, with a note telling where it came from...my 99 Tona with 6000 miles on it ..and never had its major service done or the bike worked on.....the socket head got "lost" in the mail. the bike was a 4 years old and i bought it new on the showroom floor. so my warrenty was over so i tried with bad results a motor that i found online. i gave up on the 99 and bought my new 04 instead....