Triumph Daytona 600; 2002 - 2005; £3000 - £4500; Insurance NU14
In 2002 Triumph released the Daytona 600 sportsbike. A 599cc in-line four engine with 103bhp and 59ft.lb of torque.
The Daytona was the evolution of the TT600 model which was loved and hatd at the same time by all those ... Read review
In 2002 Triumph released the Daytona 600 sportsbike. A 599cc in-line four engine with 103bhp and 59ft.lb of torque.
The Daytona was the evolution of the TT600 model which was loved and hatd at the same time by all those that rode it. The styling on the tt was questionable and the fuel injection was as rough as sandpaper but, thanks to an incrediblely developed ... ...where phenomenal.
Although the Daytona was an evolution of a current model it was clear from the off that this was a very different beast. The chassis and brakes were largely unchanged except for a few minor tweaks that improved on an already very capable package but the rest of the bike was a completely different story. Gone was the ugly, bulbous styling, replaced with sharp modern lines and a purpousful presence. The fueling was ... more
In 2002 Triumph released the Daytona 600 sportsbike. A 599cc in-line four engine with 103bhp and 59ft.lb of torque.
The Daytona was the evolution of the TT600 model which was loved and hatd at the same time by all those that rode it. The styling on the tt was questionable and the fuel injection was as rough as sandpaper but, thanks to an incrediblely developed chassis the TT handled like nothing else and the brakes where phenomenal.
Although the Daytona was an evolution of a current model it was clear from the off that this was a very different beast. The chassis and brakes were largely unchanged except for a few minor tweaks that improved on an already very capable package but the rest of the bike was a completely different story. Gone was the ugly, bulbous styling, replaced with sharp modern lines and a purpousful presence. The fueling was completely overhauled and the end result was a near perfect power curve with vastly improved response. Power was up and although the bike was larger than most of it's competition in the ultra competitive 600 sports class the Daytona could clearly cut it with the rest on road and track. This was emphasised by the fact that the Daytona won the Isle of Man TT race for it's class in 2004. Even the change of name from the TT to the Daytona moniker (sitting beside a plethora of previous successes within Triumphs historical Daytona range) pointed to the new bike being more than 'a bit special'.
I bought my 2004 Daytona 600 in February of this year and have so far put about 10,000 miles on the clock from commuting to and from work every day, riding for pleasure whenever I can and even taking it on a 1500 mile riding holiday to Strasbourg and the Vosges mountains in northern France.
Being 6"2 I find that the current crop of supersports bikes, although fantastically exciting, can be very hard work on my knees and back over long periods and this is one of the reasons why I bought the Triumph. Being a three year old model and slightly larger than most of the competition makes it much easier to live with on a day to day basis. The Daytona is tall with a high seat-height giving a comanding view of the road ahead and although the bars are low, it being a sportsbike, the riding position is comfortable enough to endure long bouts of riding without too much fatigue.
The tank range is about 120 miles at a stretch, depending on how you ride and I found that on the way to and through France the fuel light would come on around about the same time as by bum would start to go numb from the slightly hard seat. Incidentally Triumph do a gel seat for the Daytona that can be picked up for about £40 but as I havn't tried it I cant comment on it.
On the return journey from Stasbourg I did the whole 600 mile trip to calais in one, about eight and a half hours riding and then the last 50 miles home after just 35 minutes rest on the euroshuttle and by the time I hit the M11 my knees felt like they were going to explode and I was getting cramp in my wrists. I commented on this to a friend who owns a BMW GS a couple of days after and he told me I should have a tourer like his for that kind of riding. My reply? Fair comment but when I got to Strasbourg and hit the Mountains the next day with my girlfriends dad, I knew the slog had been worth it!
What a motorcycle! Off the motorways and on the twisties, this bike rules. The aforementioned seat height and visibility combined with a willingness to eat any corner you can throw at it with complete ease and still ask for more make this one of the best cornering bikes of all time. I could happily ride 650 miles of corners on this bike and beg for more sunlight to carry on, no question. It's just so composed and you get so much feedback from the bike it inspires Rossi like levels of confidence and even if you start to get a bit over excited, instead of rearing and biting off your entire arm like a rotweiler that hasn't been fed for two weeks it will simply bare it's teeth and ask you to remember that although you may feel like it, you are in actual fact not he of the number 46.
As I said earlier I also use this bike for my daily commute as I only have a bike licence and can't afford to run two bikes. The easy riding position and the fairly spacious seat ally themselves to make the daily slog a doddle and the ferocity with wich it accelerates can turn a simple overtake into blasting past three or four cars without realising if your not careful. Relax though, should you happen to twist the throttle open a tad too much those brakes are there to sort you out and under hard braking the chassis is always completely compliant and never shakes it head (or tail!)
The Daytona is not completely without fault though. My main point of contention is the notorius price of Triumph spares. I recently had to replace one of the rear pillion peg hangars as someone kindly reversed into the bike in Tesco's car park (even though I was parked in the bike bay!). It cost me £70 to replace and didn't even come with the peg, just the hanger. The electrics, as on most Triumphs are easily damaged by the slightest hint of water and the fuel pump and ignition relays are placed under the seat in such a way as to fall down the gap in front of the battery tray and hang between the rear shock and rear wheel soaking up any water in the general area. A couple of cable ties sorted this problem and in spite of having been out in monsoon grade weather I've had no further problems with the electrics.
All in, this is a cracking bike. A good comfy ride, awe inspiring handling and the perfect machine for anybody who's looking for a 'first sportsbike'. Just make sure you give it lots of love and attention or Triumph might force you to pay a visit to your bank manager with a pleading look on your face.
Thanks for reading. As always, if there's anything you think I've missed or would like to know about please leave a comment and I will address it as soon as I can.
