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Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
I think that you will really like your bike. Best of luck with it.
-sbp
I think that you will really like your bike. Best of luck with it.
-sbp
My new old Daytona 955i
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Great article. I like to read these "real world experiences" pieces. A local Triumph dealer near me has several Daytonas for thousands off MSRP too. I have always liked the looks of them and the fact that there aren't many of them out there since they aren't the archetype choice of the squid. Anybody know what the valve adjustment interval of Daytonas are? Maybe I need to start looking for another bike to keep my SV company in the garage?
Great article. I like to read these "real world experiences" pieces. A local Triumph dealer near me has several Daytonas for thousands off MSRP too. I have always liked the looks of them and the fact that there aren't many of them out there since they aren't the archetype choice of the squid. Anybody know what the valve adjustment interval of Daytonas are? Maybe I need to start looking for another bike to keep my SV company in the garage?
My new "old" Daytona 955i
pdad, these "real-world" reviews are terrific. The journos rarely have the time with a bike to get a feel for how it holds up over time; by "holds up" I'm not talking about just reliability, but the entire ownership experience.
Is the dealer a schmuck? Does the bike hit the right sensory buttons? Can you read the instruments at night during a rainstorm when you're 150 miles from home and tired? Do people walk up to you at gas stations and ask what you're riding? Stuff like that.
So anyhow thanks for taking the time for "therapy".
I'm particularly fond of the 1999-2001 Daytona and Speed Triples. One peculiarity of these Daytonas is that you had to disassemble the fairing to change the headlight bulb! Is your 2002 similar?
The Speed 3's just kick a$s. I'd love to find a cheap clean '99 someday.
pdad, these "real-world" reviews are terrific. The journos rarely have the time with a bike to get a feel for how it holds up over time; by "holds up" I'm not talking about just reliability, but the entire ownership experience.
Is the dealer a schmuck? Does the bike hit the right sensory buttons? Can you read the instruments at night during a rainstorm when you're 150 miles from home and tired? Do people walk up to you at gas stations and ask what you're riding? Stuff like that.
So anyhow thanks for taking the time for "therapy".
I'm particularly fond of the 1999-2001 Daytona and Speed Triples. One peculiarity of these Daytonas is that you had to disassemble the fairing to change the headlight bulb! Is your 2002 similar?
The Speed 3's just kick a$s. I'd love to find a cheap clean '99 someday.
Damn Good Read
Great job! Your shopping experience was a hoot and your review was very much needed. No offense, but it is about time that a motorcycle review was published from the "Hack" perspective. Hey, I could relate especially about sitting at a red light, fantasizing about being interviewed (that one got a wry, knowing grin). Now, wouldnt it be cool if MO included a "Hack Report" with every shoot-out. Id certainly be willing to volunteer and embarrass myself, if it meant a chance at getting my hands on a KTM RC-8 (what can I say, I have no pride).
Great job! Your shopping experience was a hoot and your review was very much needed. No offense, but it is about time that a motorcycle review was published from the "Hack" perspective. Hey, I could relate especially about sitting at a red light, fantasizing about being interviewed (that one got a wry, knowing grin). Now, wouldnt it be cool if MO included a "Hack Report" with every shoot-out. Id certainly be willing to volunteer and embarrass myself, if it meant a chance at getting my hands on a KTM RC-8 (what can I say, I have no pride).
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1,754 Posts
Please ignore the typos
Before RonXX chimes in, let me just thank Sean for catching a couple of typos and fixing them, (my typing still leaves a bit to be desired) but I see a couple of more. Obviously, this is no reflection on MO. I feel sorry for the poor MO staffer (Sean?) that actually had to sift through this monstrosity.
Hey, when I'm off the clock, you don't actually expect me to re-read what I've belched up, do you?
"Never, ever, proof your own work."
-Some famous ad guy.
Before RonXX chimes in, let me just thank Sean for catching a couple of typos and fixing them, (my typing still leaves a bit to be desired) but I see a couple of more. Obviously, this is no reflection on MO. I feel sorry for the poor MO staffer (Sean?) that actually had to sift through this monstrosity.
Hey, when I'm off the clock, you don't actually expect me to re-read what I've belched up, do you?
"Never, ever, proof your own work."
-Some famous ad guy.
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Great "every mans" story of your buying experience pdad, except for the price. Hey for a bike that has that level of performance, and cool looks you stole it. Still trying to get that mental picture of your chaffed upper left thigh out of my mind though. Perhaps months of expensive therapy followed by a regimen of strong pharmaceutical products will help. VWW
Great "every mans" story of your buying experience pdad, except for the price. Hey for a bike that has that level of performance, and cool looks you stole it. Still trying to get that mental picture of your chaffed upper left thigh out of my mind though. Perhaps months of expensive therapy followed by a regimen of strong pharmaceutical products will help. VWW
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4 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
I own a silver 2002 Daytona 955i (double sided swingarm) with 16,000 miles on it, as well as a 2002 Sprint ST with 21,000 miles on it. I love both bikes, and have had only two problems with either of them: 1) the plastic fuel fittings failed on the Sprint. There is a factory recall on these plastic fittings for both the Sprint and the Daytona - be sure and get them replaced with the metal fittings, and 2) I had to have an updated program downloaded (at no charge) because the memory allocated for the speedometer was getting "corrupted", making it appear that the speedometer had stopped working. (there was no mechanical failure).
The valve adjustment interval is 12,000 miles.
A month ago I participated in my first track day, using the Daytona. I did two things: 1) I put on a set of Michelin Pilot Power tires, and 2) I modified the suspension settings in accordance with an article I found by surfing the internet. The article was written by a UK bike magazine, and was based on setting up the bike for the track.
The suspension adjustments basically softened the compression and rebound damping up front somewhat, softened the rear pre-load, and lowered the forks in the tripleclamp a bit. Being a novice at these things, I did exactly as the article instructed. Since I don't have experience on the track with other bikes, I can't give you a comparison, but I can tell you that the bike was absolutely rock solid. Even though I'm a novice track rider, I pushed it hard enough to grind off a good portion of the pegs with great confidence and no drama. So I guess the setup was pretty good. I'm sure the bike is slower and less nimble than the top liter bikes, but I think you'd have to be a really advanced rider to push the bike to the point where the differences become any sort of practical limitation. The bike was incredibly fast, very quick to turn, and amazingly stable. I was thrilled.
On the street, I also have had numerous positive comments about the looks of the bike. I particularly like the looks being a bit "understated" compared to most other sportbikes. I bought a set of Triumph softbags for it that work really well. I recommend them, as they make the bike much more versatile.
I like having something a bit different, and don't feel like I had to compromise to get it.
I own a silver 2002 Daytona 955i (double sided swingarm) with 16,000 miles on it, as well as a 2002 Sprint ST with 21,000 miles on it. I love both bikes, and have had only two problems with either of them: 1) the plastic fuel fittings failed on the Sprint. There is a factory recall on these plastic fittings for both the Sprint and the Daytona - be sure and get them replaced with the metal fittings, and 2) I had to have an updated program downloaded (at no charge) because the memory allocated for the speedometer was getting "corrupted", making it appear that the speedometer had stopped working. (there was no mechanical failure).
The valve adjustment interval is 12,000 miles.
A month ago I participated in my first track day, using the Daytona. I did two things: 1) I put on a set of Michelin Pilot Power tires, and 2) I modified the suspension settings in accordance with an article I found by surfing the internet. The article was written by a UK bike magazine, and was based on setting up the bike for the track.
The suspension adjustments basically softened the compression and rebound damping up front somewhat, softened the rear pre-load, and lowered the forks in the tripleclamp a bit. Being a novice at these things, I did exactly as the article instructed. Since I don't have experience on the track with other bikes, I can't give you a comparison, but I can tell you that the bike was absolutely rock solid. Even though I'm a novice track rider, I pushed it hard enough to grind off a good portion of the pegs with great confidence and no drama. So I guess the setup was pretty good. I'm sure the bike is slower and less nimble than the top liter bikes, but I think you'd have to be a really advanced rider to push the bike to the point where the differences become any sort of practical limitation. The bike was incredibly fast, very quick to turn, and amazingly stable. I was thrilled.
On the street, I also have had numerous positive comments about the looks of the bike. I particularly like the looks being a bit "understated" compared to most other sportbikes. I bought a set of Triumph softbags for it that work really well. I recommend them, as they make the bike much more versatile.
I like having something a bit different, and don't feel like I had to compromise to get it.
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1,754 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Thanks, Jim. All of the recall work was done before the bike was delivered and the latest EFI mapping was uploaded.
As far as the looks go, I was out riding today and a couple of guys were talking to me from their cars. The Fex Ex guy at work drools over it. Someone always makes a positive comment. The funny thing is, when I first saw pictures of this model I thought it was okay, but paled in comparison to T595 style. It looks much better in person.
I, too, have heard that the Daytona actually works very well at the track with the right settings and the forks raised in the triple clamp about 5mm. I'm surprised that the recommended settings you used were softer, though. Seems like I can get a little too much fork dive at times and I might want to firm up the rear, so I was thinking about doing some tinkering soon using the Sport Rider recommended settings as a base.
I'll rethink that.
Thanks, Jim. All of the recall work was done before the bike was delivered and the latest EFI mapping was uploaded.
As far as the looks go, I was out riding today and a couple of guys were talking to me from their cars. The Fex Ex guy at work drools over it. Someone always makes a positive comment. The funny thing is, when I first saw pictures of this model I thought it was okay, but paled in comparison to T595 style. It looks much better in person.
I, too, have heard that the Daytona actually works very well at the track with the right settings and the forks raised in the triple clamp about 5mm. I'm surprised that the recommended settings you used were softer, though. Seems like I can get a little too much fork dive at times and I might want to firm up the rear, so I was thinking about doing some tinkering soon using the Sport Rider recommended settings as a base.
I'll rethink that.
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Intoxicating read...
Falling in love with a bike feels like falling in love with a woman.. that whoozy feeling!
I love my 2001 british racing green sprint... however I did take me a while to appreciate the turbo - winding sound emminating from behind.
Just yesterday I donned some race leathers rode 100miles to an airstrip to fly.. at the end of a days flying I did repeated passes down a 1 mile runway - easily reached 200km/h by half way.. and the sound... hmmm...then rode home with a smile on my face...
Intoxicating read...
Falling in love with a bike feels like falling in love with a woman.. that whoozy feeling!I love my 2001 british racing green sprint... however I did take me a while to appreciate the turbo - winding sound emminating from behind.
Just yesterday I donned some race leathers rode 100miles to an airstrip to fly.. at the end of a days flying I did repeated passes down a 1 mile runway - easily reached 200km/h by half way.. and the sound... hmmm...then rode home with a smile on my face...
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57 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
I miss my 1998 Triumph Thunderbird Sport very much. Amazingly that monster was my first bike. I had actually ordered another and the day I went to pick it up they had a leftover 98 t-bird sport on yellow and black with those beautiful twin upswept pipes. I jumped on it like a the quarterback on a drunk cheerleader and actually saved a lot of money in the process.
The dealer ship experience was great and many people just hung out there, unfortunately they went out of business because there wasn't much interest in Triumph. In all the time I owned that bike I never saw another on the road and still have not. I wish I could have kept it, but at the time money was tight so when I got a new bike I had to sell it. The triple made a sweet sounds and pulled like a runaway bull. No chopper or custom cruiser comes close to the unique beauty that was that bike.
She was sold to get a much more friendly but ultimately more boring SV-650 Yes, a sad, sad story.
I miss my 1998 Triumph Thunderbird Sport very much. Amazingly that monster was my first bike. I had actually ordered another and the day I went to pick it up they had a leftover 98 t-bird sport on yellow and black with those beautiful twin upswept pipes. I jumped on it like a the quarterback on a drunk cheerleader and actually saved a lot of money in the process.
The dealer ship experience was great and many people just hung out there, unfortunately they went out of business because there wasn't much interest in Triumph. In all the time I owned that bike I never saw another on the road and still have not. I wish I could have kept it, but at the time money was tight so when I got a new bike I had to sell it. The triple made a sweet sounds and pulled like a runaway bull. No chopper or custom cruiser comes close to the unique beauty that was that bike.
She was sold to get a much more friendly but ultimately more boring SV-650
Yes, a sad, sad story.
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1,754 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
No, you don't have to disassemble the fairing. In fact, the upside of the sort of unfinished looking interior of the top fairing is that it gives you direct access to the lights.
As for your S3, check ebay. There are usually a few examples of that era bike on there pretty regularly. If you can find one that's fairly local, you're in.
No, you don't have to disassemble the fairing. In fact, the upside of the sort of unfinished looking interior of the top fairing is that it gives you direct access to the lights.
As for your S3, check ebay. There are usually a few examples of that era bike on there pretty regularly. If you can find one that's fairly local, you're in.
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3,415 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Great story pdad13, it's not just the 3's that sound "industrial" My 4cyl. Trophy sounds like a diesel at idle as well, I think it's because Triumph uses thinner castings to reduce weight. who knows... I think it sounds cool, I'd like to get a Bonnieville because I like the classic look, but a Tiger would be cool as well.
Great story pdad13, it's not just the 3's that sound "industrial" My 4cyl. Trophy sounds like a diesel at idle as well, I think it's because Triumph uses thinner castings to reduce weight. who knows... I think it sounds cool, I'd like to get a Bonnieville because I like the classic look, but a Tiger would be cool as well.
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Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
Nice article pdad13. The Daytona is a pretty bike. I wish you the best of luck.
Nice article pdad13. The Daytona is a pretty bike. I wish you the best of luck.
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1,754 Posts
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
I think that has to do with the fact that your 4 cylinder engine is a derivative of the old Daytona 1200 engine. And I believe the 1200 was basically the 900cc triple with an extra cylinder grafted on. So you've just got a bigger freakin' diesel! That is so cool.
I don't think the reason is thinner castings, though. I heard one of the service techs at my dealer complaining about how overbuilt the Triumphs were compared with the more elegant Ducati designs. Actually, one of the articles I read on the new Sprint ST--the same one that coined "Kenworth Effect"--gave a reason for it. I don't remember what it was, but it was mechanical. Of course, I don't know if they were correct. I'll have to look it up.
I posted this on the Triumph sales thread, but I'm not sure you caught it: Triumph is said to be developing a 1500cc Bonneville with a derivative of the Rocket 3 motor. They apparently lopped off one cylinder, turned the whole thing ninety degrees and, voila, a parallel twin. A prototype has been seen running around in England.
I think that has to do with the fact that your 4 cylinder engine is a derivative of the old Daytona 1200 engine. And I believe the 1200 was basically the 900cc triple with an extra cylinder grafted on. So you've just got a bigger freakin' diesel! That is so cool.
I don't think the reason is thinner castings, though. I heard one of the service techs at my dealer complaining about how overbuilt the Triumphs were compared with the more elegant Ducati designs. Actually, one of the articles I read on the new Sprint ST--the same one that coined "Kenworth Effect"--gave a reason for it. I don't remember what it was, but it was mechanical. Of course, I don't know if they were correct. I'll have to look it up.
I posted this on the Triumph sales thread, but I'm not sure you caught it: Triumph is said to be developing a 1500cc Bonneville with a derivative of the Rocket 3 motor. They apparently lopped off one cylinder, turned the whole thing ninety degrees and, voila, a parallel twin. A prototype has been seen running around in England.
Re: My new "old" Daytona 955i
I must agree with all the other respondents in saying that this is a great "real life" story.
I have never personally ridden a Daytona, but I recently had the privelege of having a ride on the new Sprint ST 1050. This is truely a great bike with tremendous sound effects...
I hope you enjoy the 955i!
I must agree with all the other respondents in saying that this is a great "real life" story.
I have never personally ridden a Daytona, but I recently had the privelege of having a ride on the new Sprint ST 1050. This is truely a great bike with tremendous sound effects...
I hope you enjoy the 955i!
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