[Sprint_ST_NYC]

First Post?



I liked the old styling better, but the new engine numbers are nice. I've seen one in person, and it does look better in person (as opposed to photos) but I'm a-keepin' my Sprint.

 

[3324]

Good choice keeping the sprint. The more I look at that double swingarm, the better the old one looks. That is just plain nasty!

 

[SlideR1]

I think Triumph took 1 step forward in technology and 2 steps backwards in design and character.The design looks like an attempt to copy the Japanese. It's a good thing they kept the 3 cylinder motor to give it some character.

I'll keep my 2000 955i.

 

[CBR1000F]

When are you guys getting a long-term tester? I wanna know if this one blows up on you TOO.

 

[7322]

I am craving a 955i... the old model.



The specs on the new one look very good and promise a very exciting ride, but the bike lost the overall immense sex appeal it had.



In my opinion looks totally japanese and I would find now harder to justify buying the Triumph over an R1 (for instance). The R1 very likely performs better, looks about the same (or better) and costs

less. Well, that's just my opinion.



Maybe taking it for a ride would help me change my mind, but for now I'm scouting for a 2000 or 2001 in good shape.



PLEASE: do an open class comparo that includes the R1, GSXR-1000, the 929RR and the new 955i Daytona. A two part (track/street) would be totally awesome.

 

[Smoker]

I'm really excited to see this machine in showrooms, but it seems that Triumph has contradicted themselves a bit. They say it's important to retain the triple because of brand identity and character yet go the way of the mainstream with the double-sided swingarm because it'll save a few pounds. Well, are they going one way or the other?

 

[BenjiH]

I'm happy to see that Triumph is continually striving to improve its sportbike lineup. They added a 600 last year and are now updating the Daytona. However, though they have improved the Daytona's function they have gone backwards in terms of style. Don't get me wrong, I think for the most part function should come before style, but now the Daytona has lost a bit of its uniqueness. Without the single-sided swing arm the bike looks somewhat bland. I would be willing to give up the weight savings for the single-sided look. Plus, I'm sure they could've redesigned the swingarm so that it would weigh less anyway. I'm also guessing this bike, in terms of performance, isn't going to unthrone any R1's or Gixxer 1000's any time soon. If Triumph were to really go all out and make it king of the open class, then I could get over it's appearance. Look at Ducati. On paper the RC51 and RSV Mille beat it. But, in my opinion, it tips the scales for overall appeal because it's close in performance (handling wise it may even be better) and it has so much more style. For me on the street I'm sure I wouldn't notice that much difference between the bikes anyway.

P.S. Unless Triumph starts racing I don't think they're ever going to lead the performance wars due to the fact that racing technology gets handed down to the consumer market.

 

[RS-Mike]

Personally I don´t mind the double-sided swingarm (I already own a Sprint RS which has a "double" ). It gives a stiffer chassi, lower weight and, in my humble opinion, it doesn´t look all THAT bad. For me the small sacrifice in looks, pays of big-time when it comes to handling and performance.



The new enginge seems like a really pretty package. If it keeps the low- and midrange grunt AND delivers 147 bhp there is only one question to ask: "Can I have some, please....". The only thing that could spoil the fun is the gearbox. I really hope Triumph has improved their box. The one i have on my Sprint is raw and the false neutral between 5th and 6th gear is a little too easy to find. But if this is solved, the new enginge will be a masterpiece.



Now over to my only real complaint, the front fairing. Why on earth did the designers ditch the twin head lights???!! To me those are the essence of Triumph sportbikes. The gorgeous, tilted twin headlights was one of the reasons I chose the Sprint over the Aprila Falco (even if it wasn't the only one). The new design looks too much like an R1 to suit me. But maybe they look better in real life...



I am definitively going to try one out as soon as they get to Sweden!!

 

[baker]

I think Triumph have taken a major step backwards in the styling of the new Daytona. The old model only needed modernized to bring it up to standard. They should have kept the single-sided swingarm, redesign the lights - make them smaller in keeping with current trends - like a MV Agusta, Tornado, or even just downsize the current ones and make it look like a 996. If you are going to copy a bike you may as well copy the nicest ones (like the MV or 996) instead of a TL1000R & ZX9R - which seems to be the case with the new Triumph. They also should have far more scoops and vents on the bike & an underseat exhaust system with three end cans (one for each cyl.) to make it truly individual.

 

[baker]

Re: Overlooked and Underrated

I had a look at this test and once I saw the three bikes that are being compared, (Daytona vs VTR vs YZF600 {Thunderdog})................end of story - it's a bloody forgone conclusion that the Yam would win as MO is a totally subjective, Yamaha biased publication that is soooooooo predictable. What a total scam of a dirty joke!! I posted comments about this before but no one ever replies, either to agree with me or to say a talking a pile of mooo. I looked through the archives - most tests have a Yamaha winner which goes against nearly all other publications - Firebade vs Thunderace etc - Yam wins, 97 600's Yam wins, even in the cruiser tests - Yam wins!!!!! This is a total scandal and MO seems to have no shame in continually doing this.....

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Looks vs performance

I for one love the single-sided swinger on my VFR, since I -and probably most of the readers here- will NEVER be able to push bikes to the limit and be able to say "yeah, these titanium lightweigth bolts really make a diffference " I go for and enjoy the looks.....

Have a look at:

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/specs/pics/95-vfr-high-right.jpg

and tell me it was wise of Triumph to ditch the single sider.....

 

[baker]

Re: Looks vs performance

Yeah,

The single sided swingarm is vital, as is a single seat or seat hump. Triumph will never be able to compete with the Fireblade/R1/GSXR1000 in term if performance and value, as they are only a small company with far less resources. So if they want to compete with the afore mentioned bikes in sales the new Daytona has to look the part. I think the Fireblade/R1/GSXR1000 all far nicer styled bikes than the new Daytona and it would be no contest in choosing any of these over the Triumph. The Ducati 996 may be not as fast, reliable, or easy to live with day to day than the Fireblade/R1/GSXR1000 but most people would overlook these short comings and pay more for the Duke because of the styling, character, noise and handling that the 996 offers - the Triumph should be the same but currently, sadly, is not.

 

[Not_Anonymous_Squid]

The gearbox on the y2k 955i was stiff for the first 2k miles. After that it was fine. 5th and 6th gears I only every use on the motorway and I've never noticed any problem - seems an 'odd' sort of problem.

 

[rvfrules]

I'm sure it's a better handling, more powerful bike than the old model. But as some here have commented, in its effort to gain on the Japanese class leaders, Triumph has sacrificed the cool looks (now looks like the ZX-12's dorky little brother) and nice touches of craftmanship--like the single swingarm--that set it apart from the competition and attracted buyers in the first place. Nobody ever bought a Triumph for outright performance. They bought it to be different. If it's going to look Japanese, might as well just buy the superior Japanese bike in the first place.

 

[christianl]

well put benji,i see alot of honda styling cues.i thought the single sided swingarm set this bike apart from the crowd and as far as power goes 145 is definetly more than enough for the street.when are all these street riders gonna admit that all you really need is a good 600 and well honed riding skills.a big bike is nice dont get me wrong but keep it real,we really dont need any government officials that are getting paid off by insurance cos. to step in and regulate our sport

 

[surfnm]

Re: Looks vs performance

Gotta agree,

Some bikes should be more than just a collection of numbers. The 'old' Daytona in silver was breath-taking. The new one has had an application of the ugly stick. The single-sided swing arm group that includes Massimo Tamburini's Ducati 996/748 & Augusta F4/Brutale, and David Robb's BMW's is poorer for the loss.

 

[RS-Mike]

Your reply gives me hope. As I bought my new Sprint late last year it hasn´t gone 2k miles yet. Unfortunately winter forced me of the road in November. Just to damn cold to ride.



Just hopes the false neutral dissapears as well. On bigger two-lane roads (common in Sweden) it is nice to cruise on the higest gear but overtaking demands a lower gear. When shifting back up I often find a false neutral. You never experienced this? Maybe I should get my gearbox checked.

 

[dirtybmxr]

First of all, squids will get us regulated, not hp, and a lot more squids ride 600's than $10k+ bikes.

The reason why everyone isn't going to run out and get 600's is simple; TORQUE!! 600's have none, and it is arguably the most enjoyable tool to have when riding on the street. Not everyone lives with their driveway three miles from the Angeles Crest Highway, or Deal's Gap (or whatever curvy road you like). Day-in and day-out, torquey motors generally make for more fun.



ps - look for the real rear wheel hp of this thing to be 115-120 at the most.

 

[RS-Mike]

Hmmm. Smaller twin headlights, underseat exhaust, single swingarm, etc. To me it sounds like you are describing a MV Augusta. Even if I agree on the headlight thing, I can't understand how the Triumph would become more individual by copying a MV? Maybe it would become better looking, but not more individual.



And don´t get me wrong. I like the looks of the single-sided swingarm. But if Triumph can create a better bike by choosing the double side alternative I think it is worth it. But like I stated before. I want to see it (and drive it) before I pass final judgement. But right now I think people are unecessary negative.

 

[dirtybmxr]

Note to Triumph:



The swingarm set you apart from everyone else, before the ride, which is where most people shop. Sure the engine is different, but other than that, the bike is just another japanese-looking sportbike. That is good, except that the japanese models all outperform the T. I sure hope they don't do this to the naked version, 'cause that's the only Triumph I would seriously consider anymore.