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Does anyone know anything about Triumph bikes, good, bad or ugly? My brother in law and I were out today and looked at one that he is considering now. I don't know the model, but it was approx a 900 cc sportbike with fuel injection, a 2000 model with full fairings. Just looking to see if Triumphs are good bikes, trouble prone, etc. Thanks.

For the record, your brother in law was looking at a Daytona 955i.

We have two modern Triumphs in the family. I'd say the assembly quality is on par with Japanese big 4 bikes at the same price point. Design-wise, Triumph's strength is in their engines. Chassis design is so-so. Triumph engines seem to feature flat torque curves and lots of torque down low. Our Trophy is an inline-4, yet pulls hard and strong from below 2K RPMs, and just keeps pulling all the way up close to the redline.

Triumphs are entertaining for sure, they are not bland bikes.

the daytona 955i is a sexy bike, especially in race yellow. mmmmmm

Even thought I just started riding, I'm already drooling over the Street Triple 675. I cant figure out if it'd be too much for a 2nd bike in a year or so. Probably.

Pittance wrote:Even thought I just started riding, I'm already drooling over the Street Triple 675. I cant figure out if it'd be too much for a 2nd bike in a year or so. Probably.

I rode a Street Triple at the Triumph Demo days last month and was quite impressed with it. I've only been riding about a year or so now and I was confident that if I end up buying on that I'll be able to handle it. That's not to say that I don't think I could get myself in a lot of trouble with it, but I can do that with my Nighthawk right now. I did have it up to about 85 in 4th gear trying to catch up with the rest of the demo pack, so it does have potential, I think.

If it was a Triumph (Daytona) 955i, which it sounds like, lick you lips and say Mmmmmmmm!

Absolute dream of a roadbike. Not so hot on the track, though, I'm told.

If you want a bike 'with character' as they say in the magazines, a twitchy snorting monster that requires 100% full attention if you want to stay alive on it, then the 955i isn't it. The 955i is very forgiving and handles like a dream. For such a big bike it's amazingly sharp. It'll do whatever you want with no effort and no trouble.

It is is a bit of a license stealer, though. It cruises comfortably at about 120mph, so on a long road your speed can edge up without you even noticing it. But if 120+mph is where you want to be then - nothing easier.

Mine is a 2006 model so can't speak for reliability. Usually the later the model the more reliable it is. That goes as a general rule on any bike, though there are exceptions.

I know about a dozen people who have 955is and I've never heard any complaints, just lots of mmmmmmm! Triumphs are generally very reliable these days and their engines have always been extremely good. Triumph as a company have a reputation for being pig-headed if you have any unusual kind of problem but I've never found them anything but helpful.

With the older 955i's you get one hell of a lot of bike for what is often a small amount of cash. Not sure the situation over there, but when you are doing your calculations, remember, you are looking at a bike that originally sold new for about £10,000 ($18,000)

BTW. How long has your brother-in-law been riding?

Before I bought my Ducati Hypermotard, I was considering the Speed Triple. However when I checked insurance, the ST was about twice the cost of the HM to insure.

I couldn't understand it. They are both similar Hooligan bikes that make you do foolish things.

HYPERR wrote:Before I bought my Ducati Hypermotard, I was considering the Speed Triple. However when I checked insurance, the ST was about twice the cost of the HM to insure.

I couldn't understand it. They are both similar Hooligan bikes that make you do foolish things.

I wonder, maybe 'cause the HM is new? The companies haven't figured out yet what it is? SpeedTrip's been around since 1994, plenty of time to build up its hooligan rep!

jstark47 wrote:

HYPERR wrote:Before I bought my Ducati Hypermotard, I was considering the Speed Triple. However when I checked insurance, the ST was about twice the cost of the HM to insure.

I couldn't understand it. They are both similar Hooligan bikes that make you do foolish things.

I wonder, maybe the 'cause the HM is new? The companies haven't figured out yet what it is? SpeedTrip's been around since 1994, plenty of time to build up its hooligan rep!

Yeah you're probably right. The Speed Triple definitely has a reputation. It turns ordinary law abiding riders into total hooligans!

HYPERR wrote: Yeah you're probably right. The Speed Triple definitely has a reputation. It turns ordinary law abiding riders into total hooligans!

Amen to that!! My dealership still has 2 07s in inventory - as soon as I get a job, I'm giving my bf the cash to buy me one. With his employee discount and perks, it's going to be a wicked deal.

Then I, too, can finally unleash my inner Speedy-induced hooligan.