Originally Posted by Derek, the Daytona owner;
2005 Triumph Daytona 650. Bought Oct 2006 with 4.6k on the clock. Now showing 16.6k.
I loved the Daytona’s looks when it was launched. A couple of years down the line I love their second hand prices. It never won the group tests in the magazines. Combine that with a nation where the majority of riders seem to be obsessed with the latest, fastest, highest bhp sports bike available, means second hand prices are keen, relative to competitor models. I bought the bike for £3.7k, at just over a year old, with 4.6k on the clock, in mint condition. I collected it & rode the 350 miles home, stopping only for fuel, having never tested a Daytona. First impressions on that ride home were that it was fast and comfortable. There’s enough power for a single rider. I use the Daytona for commuting. It’s a daily round trip of 60 miles on ‘A’ & ‘B’ roads, taken in all weathers, pretty much year round. Having spent two years with it, I can honestly say my first impressions haven’t changed.
The Daytona, as a package, is a great balance of virtues. The suspension is compliant enough to make it a comfortable journey when you feel like taking it easy. Out on the open road, there’s enough power to cleave through any flowing traffic, without having to absolutely thrash it. Although compliant, the suspension is still up to the job for hurried road-riding. The brakes are good enough. It’s a stable, predictable, forgiving ride. And one that you can use all day long without aches & pains. The fairing gives decent protection, with only hands left out in the cold & rain. The mirrors are excellent. They seem higher & sit out wider than those on similar bikes. It also has a good headlight and an excellent full-beam. Throttle response is smooth from very low revs, making filtering through town traffic a doddle. Just leave it in first or second, with no need to feather the clutch, even when almost stationary.
I also regularly ride a 2006 ZX636. Although an amazing machine, it’s greater track-bias makes it less comfortable on the road, having a firmer ride. Primarily being a commuter, wanting a jack-of-all-trades package for daily use, I’d stick to the Daytona. If I had the front brakes from the ZX on the Daytona, I wouldn’t hesitate – for a daily, all-weather ride. If it was purely a Sunday afternoon toy, or for regular track use, I’d have to pick the ZX.
I always get over 36mpg, without trying & without hanging about. Pirelli Diablo rear tyres were lasting me just about 3.5k. I’ve just changed to Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs and only covered 2k since, so I’ve yet to see how long the dual compound will last. Even if it doesn’t match the Diablo for miles, I’ll be sticking to the Michelins. I cannot overstate how positively they have transformed the bike. Confidence inspiring in the dry and confident in the wet. They cost the same as the Diablos. If you have 650, stick a set of 2CT’s on it – you won’t regret it. Servicing isn’t cheap, but is it ever? £391 for a major service at an authorized dealer. Always starts on the button. The only thing to go wrong in the 12k I’ve had it, was the pin thread on the gear linkage rod shearing off. I waited ten days for a replacement part to arrive at the dealer, to find they’d ordered the wrong item. I wasn’t happy at the thought of being off the road another ten days, so sorted it myself, saving the wait & £60 to boot. Not impressed by a ten-day lead time on items ordered through an authorized dealer.
It’s not the best for pillions, sitting up high, into the wind-blast. If they’re over 12st, it’s not the best for riders either, but then it’s not the best style of bike to buy if you take a pillion regularly.
It gets a quick wash & lube every weekend, is garaged & despite all-weather use, has remained in good nick, with only minor surface corrosion on some of the fasteners.
I like the fact it’s not a common sight on the road, but the trade-off comes if you try to buy second-hand parts. With a short production life and comparatively few of these bikes sold, there’s little choice for second-hand parts.
It’ll probably get replaced in about 18 months and if I could then buy another year-old model, I would. The worst thing I can say about the bike, is simply that they don’t make it any more. The Daytona 650 – a great all-round package, made better by it’s value for money & distinctive styling.
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