Looking to Buy a 955i

[shaiss]

Hi Everyone, this is my first post and I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong place.

My wife was looking for a new bike to upg from her 95 Kawi Ex500 and came accross the 955i and fell in love with the design and single sided swingarm. Our budget fits for a used 04 or 05 running about $5K.

But my concern was if thats too much bike for her. I've only ridden a triple speed at wheelie school but I ride a Buell XB12R so I have no idea on this.

Can anyone shed some light, any female riders, how do you like your triumph?

Are there any downsides as far as maintenance?

Thanks to everyone for reading this!
-Shai

[shaiss]

Originally Posted by 5hundo

If she has some riding time on the 500 and she feels confident enough then it's not necessarily too much bike for her.

How long has she had the 500? In that time, how many miles has she actually put on it? What are her dimentions (sorry, but it's relevant )? When you have ridden with her, how does she ride?

The answers to those questions should gauge if she is able to handle a 955.

She's 5' 2" 180lbs.
Shes a bit worried that 900+ might be too much for her. She says shes ok with 750 or 800. Shes had the 500 since December 06. Ridden it probably about 4 months now and I'd say about 1K miles.

I know, she should ride longer. But shes outgrown the bike quickly. Few reasons for the new bike.
She feels her is unstable with the 130 rear tire. Shes ridden mine with the 180 and says its a huge difference just in the parking lot (feels more stable).
The seating position on her 500 is very straight up which she doesnt like. She likes being tucked and feeling part of the bike and not like its a toy.
Another reason is she finds it hard to keep up with the rest of our group (ocmoto.com) when we ride as most of us have 600+CCs and shes always the last one.

From what I see her riding habits are cautious, shes always a cautious driver who never speeds and stays in the slow lane behind traffic eventhough the exits 5 miles away . So shes cautious. She seems to lack a bit of confidence with her bike as it has broke down on her before, the suspensions crap (no dampning), and the tires not all that great at 130. The bikes been lowered so it feels even more like a toy.

I think an R1, GSXR1000, or ZX10s too much for her. But a Buell XB9R isn't.
I dont know enough about triumphs to really understand how the power is.

Thanks for the help!

[TheWOLF]

Make sure realizes that her sitting position on a Daytona 955i is much more agressive than the 500 she is use to. You should go by a dealer and have her sit on one or sit and ride the bike in question. It is also a heavier bike than what she is accustomed to. Also you will need to lower it due to her height. Here's a link for specs: http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri..._955i_2004.php

You may want to consider an older Daytona 600 or 650. Lighter bike to handle... closer to the feel of a 500.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri...a_600_2004.php
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri...a_650_2005.php

Good Luck...

[shaiss]

Originally Posted by TheWOLF

Make sure realizes that her sitting position on a Daytona 955i is much more agressive than the 500 she is use to. You should go by a dealer and have her sit on one or sit and ride the bike in question. It is also a heavier bike than what she is accustomed to. Also you will need to lower it due to her height. Here's a link for specs: http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri..._955i_2004.php

You may want to consider an older Daytona 600 or 650. Lighter bike to handle... closer to the feel of a 500.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri...a_600_2004.php
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/tri...a_650_2005.php

Good Luck...

Thanks for the reply Wolf. She wants to get away from the 500s seating position. Thats what she doesnt like. Were gonna go by the dealer today. She like mine @ 390lbs dry and 1200CC vtwin
She like the seating of all the jap supersports but really wants something unique like the 995. If it turns out to be too much for her she'll probly go with the daytona 675

[Gootch]

Have her look at a used Speed 4: aggressive seating position, excellant handling, quick acceleration, and completely unique. It's also in a relatively small package. The Daytona 955 is both too big for her height and way too powerful for her riding style and experience. Good luck in your search.

[Catenaccio]

+1 A Speed Four can be tricked out later on to give it more zip if she wants. The seating position is terrific and confidence inspiring.

[marcosmaniac]

IMHO a lot of people panic about "power" the reality is you only get what ask with your right hand, what is more of a concern is how the engine delivers the power. A Sprint is "easer" to ride quickly than a Daytona for someone with less experience, an R1 will scare her to death when it hits the power band and the front goes skyward. I'd ask her which bike she feel comortable on in the car park first and try and choose something that delivers torque low down. Get her to try a 955 sprint, with the rear preload off they are lower than the Daytona 955 or 675 and there's plenty of seat to shave if she wants it lower. It'll stay with your Buell no prob