Ya know one would think that the first they do when they get a new ride is to take a bazillion pictures and post 'em on the intarnets. Well, I didn't do that this time. I did it with the Buell, and the XR200R before that and my VFR before THAT. So what was different this go around? I've just been crazy busy with work, family, coaching soccer, church, etc. What little time I get to myself is used to ride the bike, not take oodles of pictures and brag about it on bike forums. That being said, I WILL get some pictures up sometime in the not too distant future. But if you've seen one red Triumph Daytona 675 you've just about seen 'em all.
I debated long and hard about going back with another 1125R or trying something else. In the end, the problems that folks have had getting Buell parts in a reasonable time frame as well as the desire to try something new one me over. I loved my 1125R and I think I got one that was built on a good day because I had none of the problems that normally crop up. But I had to wait 3 months for a new sub-harnes that was part of a recall. That is rediculous. There are so many cool bikes out there and so little opportunities to own them that I had to jump at the chance to try something different.
So how does the wee Triple stack up to the mighty Twin?
Motor: The triple is SMOOOOTH. At least as smooth as a baby's butt...maybe smoother. And
that is saying something since I have logged more than a few miles on my VFR, a bike renown for its refined motor. Despite the smoothness, the motor has loads up punch and likes to rev. I do miss the immediate hit that the torque laden 1125R had but getting to the meat of the power band on the 675 is not difficult or unpleasant. The Buell was ferocious from 4k rpm on up and I do miss that.
Chassis: Wow. Light and svelt is the best way I can describe it. It is eager to change direction and so far seems quite stable. I have not had the opportunity to really get some good cornering in but early indications are that this chassis is quite good.
Suspension: Ughh. Does everyone in bloody England weight 295lbs? Cuz that is what it feels like this bike is sprung for. I've got the preload backed off as far as it will go and the bike barely squats when I sit on it. Buell had better calibrated suspension for sure. I'll be re-springing the front and rear at a minimum and hopefully upgrading the rear shock to a penske or something.
Ergonomics: In stock trim, the Buell was more comfy. But I think I can make the Daytona pretty darn close...just needs bar risers and higher rearsets. Yes, I said
higher rearsets. My thighs rest on the bottom corner of the tank and part of the frame (which gets quite hot). I need to bring them up so they fit more in the leg cut-outs in the tank. Hence, the higher rearsets. Wind protection is pretty good and airflow over the screen is smooth.
Transmission: Triumph has a bit smoother action than the Buell. Neither bike are in suzuki or honda territory though. Gear ratios are really close together on the Daytona and 6th gear is too short for touring IMO. I might go down a tooth or two on the rear sprocket to lower the rpm's at cruising speed.
Other Stuff: Buell's headlights were better, way better. I will need to upgrade to HID on the Daytona. Switchgear seems less '1987' on the Daytona. The Daytona has a better instrument package. Although it lacks the ambient air temp and low fuel countdown that the Buell had, it does not lack the vibrating tach needle that the plagued the buell (and REALLY bothered me for some reason). While I didn't think the buell is as ugly as some say it is, the Triumph is downright beautiful from all angles and will hold its own in a beauty contest with just about any sport bike. Overall fit and finish is held to a slightly higher spec on the Triumph.
Planned Mods: I hope to tackle the suspension first. Followed shortly by bar risers and a better headlight. Adjustable rearsets will complete the ergo improvements. My buddy that built the VFR bag brackets for the Buell already has my bags and brackets and will be modifying them (sorry Cooter) for the Daytona. After all that, I hope the Triumph becomes the semi-comfy SPORT-tourer that the Buell was.
And yes, I know this thread is useless until...
Took these pictures after I stuck on some tech spec tank grips. I pulled the ones I had installed on the Buell before the insurance folks hauled it off and cut those up to fit the Daytona.
