Triumphrat

Having just purchased a '04 Sprint RS, I am impressed with the triple. Seems like a perfect motor for a sport bike. Just wondering if anyone has experiences with both a 955 Daytona and other Japanese/European sport bikes? Curious about things like power delivery, handling, braking, etc.

Bruce19

hollis

I've ridden a yamaha FZ1 and a kawasaki ZZR600. they both seem to have a crisper throttle and a little more responsive throttle than my '02 daytona 955. of course neither are faster or seem to handle as well. how does a daytona compare to a ducati?

I've never ridden a Daytona so I can't make a comparison. But, my Duc has about 90 HP at the rear wheel complements of a 944 kit, 41 mm Keihin flatslides, HC pistons, lightened flywheel and clutch basket, etc. So, it's not typical of the breed. But, I can make some observations about it's general demeanor. It has great torque down low, adequate HP, gets about 50 mpg on the slab and, sometimes, even in the twisties. Brakes are very strong. Handling is typical Ducati. That is, it is not a quick steering bike but once leaned in feels like it is on rails. I've doe the Race Tech fork springs but the shock is a stock Showa. It also has the Sharkskinz CR fairing rather than the stock SP full fairing. It kind of feels like something you'd put on a track. It really is a lovely machine. It is not, however, as easy to ride and live with as my '04 Sprint RS. Of course, I have a mere 55 miles on the Triumph so I can't compare the rides. It is nice to have that FI triple though.

Bruce19

got_twisties

My girlfriends Honda 954 stomps all over me, and is 60lbs lighter, and is more flickable etc..

But .... I like the triple. It has more usable range, not as much as a twin, but definitely more than an inline 4. I would argue that no one uses all of their bikes abilities anyway, so go with what you like. A slight HP / weight advantage does not mean anything if you have the same amount of fun. :-D

My buddy dropped a tooth in front, and added on or two on the rear on his 02 Tona, and it improved his acceleration and top speed

[ This message was edited by: got_twisties on 2005-02-22 18:58 ]

Couldn't agree with you more. On the street we all tend to run out of road and skill before we run out of bike. I dropped 2 teeth on the rear of the Duc. Made all the difference.


Bruce19

Have a 955i. Sits next to a Duc Superbike and a Japanese liter. You know, perhaps my senses are dull, but they all fly like the wind. The only place where I think these bikes get sorted somewhat is in the hands of a great rider on a track.

On public roads they are all outstanding and more capable than the roads they will be on. I became interested in the Daytona when it was tossed in to all the liter bike comparos last spring. While it didn't fare well, many reviewers noted it would be the bike they would get if it was their own money, and the street was the destination.

trypcil

The beautiful thing of the triple set up is the Torque - which is most valid on the street. Handling is next, and the neutrality the Triumphs possess along with the fact that they are a street considered bike - as opposed to a Race rep - makes for real world superiority. It's fine having 150 ponies but if it means bragging rights only, then give me the balance and usability that most of the Triumphs have. There's no point having a razor, if you can't shave - as it were! I ride an old 95 S3 and regularly show the RR litre boys a tail light exiting curves, 'cos I have access to 'drive' when they're still puckering from going in too hot. Power and flick-ability is great in the mags but doesn't always lead to longevity - let alone clean underwear - unless you think you're Max Biaggi already! Back in 90's the 916's my buddies rode only ever got away from me in the hands of the talented race oriented guys and 2 of the 4 Ducs ended up as horticultural experiments anyway - we all crash some time - just that some get there first. imhofwiw :-D

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JohnRimmer

the Daytona has more power than you can ever use on the road and te sound of a triple with a carbon can is worth the purchase alone.

JohnRimmer

the Daytona has more power than you can ever use on the road and te sound of a triple with a carbon can is worth the purchase alone.

snakepassweasel

I ride the UK's transpennine routes - sharp corners, sheer rock faces, badly maintained tarmac, wet roads rain & fog when you least expect it, slow moving tractors, fast moving sheep. A lightweight high revving bike with quick steering and hard suspension could be a recipe for disaster on this type of route and frequently is. I chose the 955 because of the torquethrough all the range for driving out of corners, superb brakes, predictable steering, good lights and comparatively soft suspension. Also, for a tall bloke like me it's a bit more comfortable, certainly than the Ducati and Fireblade options. The 955 is definitely better than my previous VFR although it wasn't a recent VFR: persistent reports of a midrange flat spot (just where you need it most) and my inbuilt predjudice against linked brakes put me off the newer ones. Finally there's really no point riding too fast on public roads here - the infamous Cat & Fiddle pass for instance is patrolled by a helicopter ('They even had a Bear in the Air') on summer weekends and there's the sign in the Pub at the top of the Pass which says it all:
'Ride like a T*** and you'll die'
So the 955 it is, and mightily pleased I am with it (15 months so far so good!)