Triumph Daytona 600 (2004) reviews

I've ridden all different types of sport bikes, Ninja's, CBR's, Katana's Ducati's and my feelings on this bike is that it's the most comfortable best handling sporty middleweight bike out there! When I was shopping for a bike early this summer I was looking at bikes from each of the Big 4. Not finding what I wanted and there it was, a silver Daytona 600 sitting there! I started talking to the dealer about the bike they gave me a bunch of literature to read. I went home, did a bunch of research on the bike's performance and returned the next day and bought it! I put 600 miles on the bike in the first 2 weeks! I look forward to riding that bike every chance I get! Show less

Triumph has created a truly dynamic 600. In a field of me-to's, this bike screams, I'm not afraid to be me. The body work is very nice, and without all the crazy graphics and tri-color paint schemes, it makes a new look an instant classic. It is this savage gentleman's opinion that Triumph and Ducati have created the only bikes that I could feel good being seen on at my high school reunion. The Triumph is fresh, classic, fast, and ridable all at once; a feet not seen since the Vincent Black Shadow made dreamers of us all. I will soon be seen on one of these bikes and feeling good. Even while the stock market remains in the dumps and people jump at their own shadows, I will feel like the monster second coming of R.P McMurphy. If you can't have it all, be selective. Sean Show less

I nearly bought a TT600. Twice. When I was planning the demise of my first 'big' bike, a Suzuki GS500e, the UK press was abundant with artist's impressions, spy photos, and impressive sounding draft specifications. It was apparent the bike wouldn't be in showrooms for some time so I bough the SV650 as a 'filler' before the TT was readily available in showrooms. Then it was launched, and bike jounalists the world over killed it stone dead, before it even reached the showrooms. Abyssmal fuel injection (who cares that Triumph was first?), dodgy paint schemes (who cares that Triumph dared to be different?), dated styling (who cares that Triumph went against the trend?) and that Y-Fronts headlamp (who cares that the headlamp was pants?). The public cared. The public wanted it to be a good bike and although many journalists hailed it as "The best handling production bike ever!" it was like the plain-Jane girlfriend that you didn't want to have to explain to your mates. I was gutted. On returning from a tour of Europe with friends all on 100 bhp plus bikes, I needed to upgrade from my 70 bhp SV to something will a little more stomp. I wanted the TT600 to be a contender, by now Triumph had improved (but not banished) that dodgy fuel injection glitch at low revs, but in my heart of hearts it wasn't enough. I bought a Triumph Sprint RS instead. The Sprint was a fine machine. Remarkably easy to ride for a 1000cc fuel-injected bike, and capable of continent crossing as well as track-day hoonery. That trippple cylinder engine makes gear choice almost redundant, in fact I'm convinced the only reason they fit gearboxes is to give the rider something to do. At any speed, any revs, there's gobs of creamy midrange power to stretch your arm joints. However, the 955i-engined Triumphs could never be described as lightweight, or middleweight. Heavyweight would be much more accurate in fact. Nearer lard than low fat spread, closer to creme caramel than natural yogurt. On fast A roads or autobahns, it rocked. On twisty country lanes or knotted race tracks, it rolled. 18 months of struggling to push it around my garage was enough, and now that I had a car again I could afford a 'less sensible' machine. "What's that, the Daytona 600 is actually released?". It's Test Ride time and there's a party in my credit card! You've all seen the pics by now, so I won't bore you with my views on the styling except to say "I love it!". Those horns on the tank, which looked so out of place to me at first, are very very clever. They not only stop your wedding tackle from being crushed under extreme braking, but they're a ledge to lock you leg under when doing your Xaus impression around Brands Hatch. But let me give you my first impressions. When I first climbed onboard the 'barely run-in' Daytona 600 demonstrator, my first impression was high seat, close handlebars, light weight. As I pulled away, I was expecting to have to goose that throttle to get moving, but it actually felt very torquey for a SuperSports 600. I since learned that the only bike in it's class with more torque is the Kawasaki - which has an extra 36cc's capacity (and increased insurance group to match). Nice one Triumph! I quickly bolted down the road (always two gears two high!) and out of the City into the relative freedom of the M25. Winding the bike open to almost legal speeds, the weight dissapeared from my wrists and the induction roar filled my senses. I headed south into Kent, my only problem was trying to keep the bike at least within sight of the speed limit. Bloody hell this thing is quick! Leaving the motorway for the joy of Kent's A & B roads was a revelation. On the motorway the bike was rock solid, comfy and quiet. But on 'proper roads' it showed it's true pedigree. To quote one UK bike magazine "Christ this bike handles". Throw it as hard as you dare into corners and it just looks up at you as if to say "Sorry, did you think that was fast?". On an unfamiliar bike I was riding my favourite corners 10mph than I do on my Sprint ... and it felt like 20mph slower. Effortless? Confidence inspiring? Razor sharp? - the English language lacks the platitudes to adequately describe the experience. And that engine - my oh my! Keep her below 5k and she's a relative pussy cat. Pulling better than almost all the competition, but not the nightmare you'd expect around town. SuperSports and SuperBikes are often either flat as a pancake at low revs - or snatchy and grabby as you wrestle around Mondeo-man at the traffic light Grand Prix. No so this puppy. It pully cleanly and evenly from tickover all the way until 6k - at which point she hitches up her skirts and dissapears over the horizon. Not an off-putting powerband like some Yamaha's I won't mention, just a predictable but progressive race to the redline. Intoxicating. The brakes exceed the now familiar high standard we've come to expect from Triumph. Due to the serious diet this bike has been on they seem to have acquired even more power and feel. Expect radials to be an upgrade for future models, but for now this must be the best 'normal' brakes set-up out there. Stoppies are almost mandetory! After a couple of hours with the Daytona 600 I reluctantly returned to the Dealer and was ready to place my deposit. However, part of me had to try the 2003 TT600. After all, could it really be that different from the Daytona? I managed to bag a ride 'around the block' before I signed on the dotted line. I wanted to buy the TT, again. But it was not to be. Well, apologies to all you TT owners out there, but the Daytona is not only a different kettle of fish, it's actually a different fish. If the TT is Cod's Roe, the Daytona is Caviar. Not that the TT is the box of spanners the press made it out to be, and Triumph are virtually giving away their stocks as the TT will shortly be discontinued. But compared to the Daytona the TT just missed the mark, in all areas. If I, on the Daytona went up against a merely 'good' rider on a TT, I'm sure he would eat me up and spit me out, but he'd have to try to ride fast. And I wouldn't. I bought the Daytona of course, and we build on our relationship on every ride. With a decent race can fitted (on the way back from the dealer!) she screams like a tortured race horse. I'm not sure what makes my senses swim more, the induction roar from the front or the scream from the rear, but I know I like it. A lot. Show less

handles like a dream, looks like its doing a ton standing still Show less

This spring I traded a Jap bike for a 2002 Daytona 2002 CE, deal was awsome. I was going to buy a CBR600 or FZ1 but at this price I couldn;t resist. wasn't sure at first. But ever since I have had it, I just cannot get enough. The sond of the engine is fantastic, and will eventually get me into deep trouble as I keep twisting the throttle! Only issue was the FI system, even after remapping, still chuncky below 3000 rpm. Looking to add a PowerMax under the seat to show that beautiful single side swingarm. Traded the stock clip ons for 2 Bros adjustable, if I ride it up to Canada I adjust them... otherwise I put them back in an aggressive stance. Every weekend I put a more than 100 miles on it just riding around on back roads. I'd love to cross the continent on it... how fast (with some comfort)? Show less

recently aquired a Daytona and was not disapointed at all. Awesome midrange power. true sport by all accounts. forget the jap bikes when you have real quality in europe that is of a reasonable price range. not to mention that sound you only get from a triple. no regrets at all this bike is all adrenaline. (GET ONE!) Show less

I don't like bikes i see coming and going (Cbr,Gsxr,Zx,R1) there a dime a dozen.I traded my loved 2000 VTR1000(gotta love twins) that had all the toys on her for the 955i because of a blowout deal.Good suspension, great brakes and exclusivity.Two Brothers ti slip on made it run lean even with Triumph remap,had to get a power commander now its all good. Show less

BEING 40ISH, AND HAVING HAD BIKES TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION, THIS BIKE IS THE EPITOMY OF POWER, HANDLING, GREAT LOOKS, AND MOST OF ALL, CLASS. THE LATER BEING SOMETHING A JAP BIKE COULD NEVER HAVE. IF YOU LOVE TO RIDE, BUT STILL HAVE TO GO TO WORK ON MONDAY, THIS BIKES FOR YOU! IF YOU WANT TO RACE 20 YEAR OLD KIDS ON THE STREET, GET A RICE BURNER, AND SAVE A GOOD TRIUMPH FROM DESTRUCTION. Show less

I recently purchased the Daytona and on the road it is a real jem. I ride with a few friends and we are quite evenly matched. The Triumph stays with them ('01 Fireblade, '02 GSXR750) in the straights and corners. On the track it is still quite good and I certainly don't lose sight of the others. Its stability whilst cornering is a big plus which fills you with the confidence to push harder. Having owned most of the current crop of sports bikes over the last few years I can honestly say the Triumph can hold its own. You don't actually feel like you're going as quick as you are. In one word - deceptive. Show less

The 2002 Daytona is a sweet looking and sounding bike. Performance wise, it has to be upgraded with a new pipe and a power commander unit. Other wise, it do not compete very well against a jap bike. Other than that, the bike is an eye catcher, because there are not many riders who own this bike. If you are just about riding and looking good...this is the bike Show less