Yea or Nay?

[mlavin00]

Hey all,
So I've been a Sprint rider for the past 3 years until today, when I found out my '06 Sprint St was stolen.....I'm seriously considering replacing her with a Daytona and wanted your help. I don't do as much touring as I used to, perhaps 1 trip to Mackinac Island/year (420 miles each way) and most of my riding is weekend twisties and general errands here in Chicago (bank, gym etc). How do you find the ergos on the Daytona for the occasional 400 mile day? I know what the Sprint brings and I love it, but I'm very intrigued by the Daytona. I've done some searching and I know that my Bags Connection tank bag will fit the Daytona (with another ring) and there are soft bags that will fit on the tail for the long rides, but I'm not a camper so it's more for rain gear, tools, etc. Or should I just go with another Sprint?? I know, oranges and apples but I'm looking for honest opinions. I'm staying with Triumph, but whereas I figured the Sprint was a no brainer I'm now lusting after the Daytona, provided she can handle the long ride without much discomfort. Thanks... It's been a weird day. My baby was stolen today and I'm trying to move on!!!!
Mitch

[Will]

Sorry to hear about your bike. It's a shock when you know exactly where it was, but it's not there any more. It's completely disorienting for a while.

I don't know how old you are or what shape you are, and it matters. A 675 is a torture rack for some people, but other people, like me, think it's comfortable. It's not the most fun to ride slowly, but if you are doing 420 miles of twisties, it would be bliss. The bike has decent legroom, and it's narrow, making it very easy to move around on. The bars are low, but you could put helibars on a 675 to make it a bit more slow movement friendly. You will probably find the riding position a bit more compact than your Sprint was, although you will also find the bars much lower. The seat is very flat, and although it's not thickly padded, the angle and shape make it comfortable as long as you are wearing leathers or a textile riding suit. It's not very comfortable if you are squidding it in jeans or shorts.

I have personally put about 200 miles on my bike in a day, but about half was caught in very slow traffic. It was a blast once out of the traffic, but not so much fun while trapped. A Sprint would have been more comfortable until the road opened up.

[TripleThreat]

Sorry to hear about your Sprint ST getting nicked... That sucks...

The concern I would have for your intended use would not be the occasional 400 mile trip. The 675 handles that quite nicely.

However, the around the city errands on the 675 would suck... It does not have the ergos to handle stop and go traffic in my opinion. It is definitely a bike that prefers the twisties (actually it really prefers the race track).

In fact, having two Daytona 675's one street and one track, I have to tell you that I rarely ride the street bike unless it is going to be a weekend twisty back road ride.

I never choose to take it just to run errands. It's just not comfortable to ride around town at slow speeds.

Good luck on your decision, but if I were you, I'd give a serious look at a Tiger. It will do everything you want quite well and comfortably.

TripleThreat

[jklnhd]

I considered both, the 675 cost less (got mine used, cost A LOT less) and I found it first. So far, no regrets, but I'm thinkin 1050 Sprint (or whatever they make) in a few years.
The big issue with the Daytona has been riding position (for me). Theres one spot I can sit up, and one I can go full tuck, no in-between. Sitting up results in (insert speed here) wind blasts just below the helmet, I think I've actually been lifted off the seat before. Full tuck, on the other hand, inspires the type of riding that tends to bother some people, on the plus side by the time they know they're mad, they have no idea where you went.

[Agkistrodon]

I have two daytona 675 race bikes. I have a combined 25K miles on them. I rode my frist daytona as my primary transportation for quite some time with no problems. I bought it on a friday picked it up on saturday and had the 500 mile service done on the following tuesday. I also rode it from Dallas Texas to Monterey California for moto gp. thats about 2K miles each way. I did the trip in 3 days both there and back. I thought it was a blast. I did 800 miles in one day on it and it did leave me a bit sore but I would do it again. I have also done many, many 300+ mile days on the bike just around here. I then retired my TT600 and started racing the daytona(its much faster) and then picked up a second as a backup bike. Presonaly I like the sprint but would choose the daytona. Im not you however so I say you go to your local dealer and demo the 675 if they have one. and dont be shy take it for a good ride it is after all a demo.

[mlavin00]

Thanks for the replies. I'm 39, 5'11" 180lbs. I'm heading to MCC next week to demo the Daytonas and the Sprints they have. I know what I'm getting with the sprint (not to sure the major changes between 06-09). My mind wants me to love the Daytona as an all-arounder but if I don't love it then another Sprint it shall be. Not a bad problem all things being considered.
I've done some searching on this forum regarding bags for the 675. Do you all prefer just a soft tail bag and tank bag for the longer tours or are the hard panniers the way to go? I've seen pictures here of the GIVI luggage on some of your 675's but not sure if you all had to jerry-rig the mounts.

Mitch

[Brooksie]

Daytona 675 is OK on the highway. No where near as cosy as a Sprint. You will feel a lot more wind and road on the Daytona, but stay tucked in and all is well. Sport tires are not the best for the bizzare rain groove practices of midwest highways. 400 mile days would be no problem in good weather. Windy days will work you out. Back roads, the 675 is absolutely devastating for speed and handling. Suspension and brakes are a major upgrade on a Sprint, as it sits. I am hearing that we will see either a larger sport touring bike, perhaps a Sprint with wider fairing, better passenger seating, USD suspension and radial brakes. Also maybe a big bore Daytona this year. Both rumored to be triples.

[Will]

Originally Posted by mlavin00

I'm 39, 5'11" 180lbs.

You are about the same size I am, but about ten years younger. For whatever it's worth.

As far as luggage, Triumph makes soft bags for 675s, and the tank is metal so you can use either magnetic or strap type tank bags. Even so, it's never going to have the kind of capacity a Sprint would have.

[mlavin00]

Just came home from test riding a new 675 at MCC in Villa Park. As usual Jeff was great to work with. My impressions: WOW!!!!! WOW!!!!!! Did I say WOW!!!!!! Coming from the Sprint it was like riding a very fast, flickable, agile toy. I was doing 70 in 3rd before I realized I was even doing 70!!! What a smooth overall ride. She pulls from the get go and I was expecting some type of lag in the powerband until about 6k. So that made me very happy. As far as the ergos, no real problem with the aggressive position. Usually I rest my torso on the tank and my elbows on my knees anyway while slabbing it on the Sprint so I don't anticipate wrist issues in the long run. My only complaint was the seat felt like plywood. But I know the gel seat would be a significant upgrade. Just for my peace of mind I sat on a new Sprint and she felt like a giant beast. Looks like when the insurance money comes in I will be the proud owner of a new Daytona. Now I need to consider black or the 2010 SE..... Good problems to have. Thanks for your replies.
Mitch

[TripleThreat]

Let us know what you end up with...