Triumph Daytona & Sprint ST

[sparky3008]

I am always looking at bikes. It is a curse I guess.

I was at my local Yamaha Triumph dealer last night and started talking to the salesman about the Triumphs.

Of course he kept mentioning HP but I am more interested in real world handling, comfort, handling, comfort, power.

Any experiences with this line of bikes. Are they really worth their price tag or is it part buying a name?

 

[rickysnickers]

My old riding friend had a Daytona. HE let me ride it. This was quite a few years ago. I thought it was a really nice bike. I liked it a lot. But in spite of that, when I got a crotch pocket I bought a TL1000R. I love those V-twins.

Rick

 

[sparky3008]

My old riding friend had a Daytona. HE let me ride it. This was quite a few years ago. I thought it was a really nice bike. I liked it a lot. But in spite of that, when I got a crotch pocket I bought a TL1000R. I love those V-twins.
Rick

I was looking for one of those a while back do they still make them?

 

[chipset]

Funny you mention that. I was talking to a friend about the Sprint today.

I have been hounding a friend of mine for years to get a bike. I told him he'd love it. Sure enough, this summer he did and he loves it. He is going to be in CA next week and is renting a GS or an RS to ride while he's out there.

Anyway, he has a Vulcan 750. He likes it, but now he wants something more.

So, I suggeted the FJR. He likes it, but he won't own unless he can ride one. Well, that's a no go for him (as I live a couple thousand miles away). He has sat on one, but that's it. He went to the BMW shop last weekend and test rode some bikes. The BMWs, while he said they were nice, didn't cause him the immediate urge to buy one.

So, he went to a Triumph dealership. He rode the Sprint and he really liked it. Sounds like he wants the Silver one with ABS. He will probably plunk down his money this weekend.

He said the riding position was worse than the FJR, but he would buy risers. The bags had issues, but have been fixed so they are back-ordered. He liked the speed and handling. Of course, this is a guy who owns a vn750. They do have heat issues, but the dealer can address them. Mainly at the ankles and undertail exhaust.

I love the looks of the Sprint. I wish I had spent more time looking at them before I bought. I figured they would cost more than they do. I still love my bike tho.

So, we will probably have a ride together next year and will take bikes for a little bit. But, until then, that's all I know about the riding and handling.

 

[rickysnickers]

My old riding friend had a Daytona.  HE let me ride it.  This was quite a few years ago.  I thought it was a really nice bike.  I liked it a lot.  But in spite of that, when I got a crotch pocket I bought a TL1000R.  I love those V-twins.
Rick

I was looking for one of those a while back do they still make them?

No. They stopped making the TLs in '03. The replacement is the SV.

Rick

 

[nusman68]

Sorry...haven't ridden one either...considered a Sprint (was the older version) before ordering my FJR, was less expensive and Triumph was throwing in the luggage for free at that time; just didn't like the 'rounded style' of the front end. Then the new version came out with the sharp/angular front end; looked great. Sat on one, (already had the FJR anyway by then..) I thought the ergos of the FJR were significantly better for me. As you probably saw, when Cycle World recently rated it, it got bad marks for heat/luggage. Interesting to see that they are (apparently) already correcting the luggage problem from what Chipset said...that's great response. That new 675 Daytona looks promising...the ads say they're 'taking orders' for it? <_< they better have some to sit on if they expect to compete against the 'usual suspects'...

 

[Bounce]

My future SiL just recently picked up a 2004 Daytona 600 (new at a dealership). I rode it back home and a little extra (~300 miles) so have some break in miles on it. Impressions versus a Kaw 636 I rode the weekend before.

The Daytona is more comfortable with both seating position and air flow than the 636. The 636 was typical "sport bike torture" for the riding position (feet touching your butt cheeks and said cheeks whistling Dixie in the air as you ride). The 636 air flow supported you at 40 but by 70 was fighting to push you over backwards and tossed my helmet around quite a bit in the process. The air over the Daytona was clean and supportive up to the 75 mph limit that the break in rpm's allowed at the time I rode it (no worries about feeling pushed backward and no helmet jostling thanks to the double-bubble sheild design).

The Daytona 600 is a little gutless off the line compared to the 636, but winds up well and is a much better "street" bike in its nature. The 636 is twitchy and you can tell it's for track wannabes and track days compared to the Daytona. By its nature the Daytona wants to be wound way up but then the clutch wants to grab quickly. An interesting combination until after a few miles to familiarize yourself with the way the friction zone works.

The Daytona's clutch was "there" right off the grip while the 636's friction zone was a little farther out so held less surprises for me until I got used to the Daytona.

In 2003 and 2004 the Datona was a 600 (when not talking about the liter-class version). In 2005 they went to a 650. In 2006 it will be a 675 and, iirc, a triple instead of a IL4. Not bad and reports are that, starting with the 650, Triumph out the CC's into the low and middle range for better responsiveness where it's needed on the street. I'd be surprised if they didn't apply the increased 675 in a similar, wide RPM range for street focus.

The "street fighter" versions of the 600 were Speed Fours up until 2006 when it may become a 675 Speed Triple.

And, yes, the Sprint is a more aggressive riding position than the FJR while the Daytona 955(?)/Speed Triple is even more so.