Daytona 650 as First Bike ?

[northwind]

FWIW I don't think it's any worse than the competition, mind, apart from the cost of parts if he bins it. But I personally reckon that a SS600 just isn't a good first bike.

Toypop's spot on about insurance btw, comp would be a very good idea IMO

Originally Posted by northwind

Toypop's spot on about insurance btw, comp would be a very EXPENSIVE idea IMO

Tell your friend to buy an SV. Powerful enough; forgiving, yet still involving.

This advice comes from a Triumph owner!

Don't buy anything that focused (like a Daytona) straight away.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Only looks expensive until you find out what it costs if you jump off a moving Daytona a couple of times I reckon if you can't afford comp as a learner on a really good bike, you can't afford a really good bike. Though that's a matter of opinion of course.

Originally Posted by northwind

fast handling, and powerful brakes, really can mess you up, and are harder to learn.

Oh yes the brakes - they are excellent - need treating with respect, as you say - it'll stop pretty quick - too quick maybe for some, especially the first few times. I'd got used to the Hornet's fairly spongy brakes, the Daytona's leave no room for error.

Not had a problem with the brakes on my 636? You can use one finger whereas on the SV you would use two and you don't have to squeeze it as hard but that takes all of 10 seconds (or one application of the brakes) to get used to and from then on its just like the brakes on any other vehicle.

Far easier than using the brakes on a Daewoo Matiz that I drove a while back which had such shocking tyres and no ABS that you could lock the wheels up by dropping a feather on the pedal!

I have a Daytona 650 too now.

I have to add that I picked up a Daytona 650 back in November and aside from the tin pot quality of some of the finishings on it (peg hangers need replacing already and it's only 6 months old). I think that it's a truely awesome bike and am very glad (if somewhat sad) that I chopped in the SV for it. It looks stunning, is very quick when you want it to be and makes a great touring machine too - much more comfortable than the SV for long periods, although your passenger may not appreciate the fact that it likes to point the nose skyward!

Personally I think that the D650 is an awesome bike, but as a first bike, I think that it's a little too hot, if you really do want to go for one as a first bike, pick up a cheap older 600, it's still got the fabulous handling and brakes of the 650, but with a bit less power, plus you can pick up some real bargains on the 600, although saying that I got the D650 for £5k brand new so it's hardly breaking the bank.

Either way, you can get either the 600 or 650 restricted in power if it's too much for next to nothing!

I had real issues trying to get reasonable insurance on the D650 as Triumph's are pricey to fix, but if you do got for one, I'd recommend Bike Team as they were fantastic at getting cover down and negotiating with underwriters, etc. Put it this way, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be riding it as the average price for a quote was £2k - £4k compared to the SV which came in a £250!! (For reference I ended up paying about £700 for the Daytona fully comp including commuting).

Good luck with whatever you chose but I still think that the SV takes some beating as a first bike.

Originally Posted by Toypop

If anything buying a brand new one that needs running in would be the best idea.

If you want an engine that is going to give you it's best you need to take it easy for 20 to 30 miles, change the oil and filter and then thrash the living daylights out of it for the next 600 miles to get the rings bedded in.

So perhaps not best to go for a new bike!

Kind regards
Tim

My mate has just gone from an RS125 to a brand new SV1000S which comes in 13 days, I think he will be fine juding on how he rode my bike, treated it with respect. Still wouldnt make that jump myself, because I want to put a lot of stepping stones in.

Originally Posted by Saint Matt

My mate has just gone from an RS125 to a brand new SV1000S which comes in 13 days, I think he will be fine juding on how he rode my bike, treated it with respect. Still wouldnt make that jump myself, because I want to put a lot of stepping stones in.

Haha you simply cannot find a bigger contrast in the world of bikes. 2 stroke 125 to a 1 litre V Twin, should be fun.

I know how scared I was first time I road a Bandit 600 after having 125's so I'd love to see his face although at least he has tried yours. Of course he would treat your bike with respect but once he gets his own its straight to the nearest dual carriageway and full throttle. I know cos thats what I would do!