My next bike; a Daytona 955i?

[cheesewotsit]

Not had a bike for 9 years, previous had a NC30 then a Z750.

I’ve ummed and arrred about lots of bikes. I want to spend £~3k on something fun, more road based, but something that I can do a track day or two on. Something a bit different, interesting; ie, not a sports 600.

I’ve paused at a 2002+ Triumph Daytona 955i. Preferably a later one with the single swing arm, but I’m not that bothered. They aren’t pretty, but they sound fantastic, look like they could storm along at whatever pace I wanted, and provide some fun whilst I get back into biking.

Wise choice? Any experience with the above? Short of looking (again) at Z750/1000s, seems like a nice mix of a bit-of-everything kinda bike.

ETA: keen on a Suzuki SV1000S, too.

Edited by cheesewotsit on Thursday 1st October 12:42

[cheesewotsit]

Thanks guys. Be interesting to read your thoughts later, neely.

re: test rides. I've been away from bikes for such a long time, I don't really have anything to base any experiences from. My '04 Z750 was comfortable, agile (for my talent) and had enough power. However, I can't see how after wobbling around on anything for 30 minutes I'll be able to tell what it'll be like further down the line. Willing to make a decision and stick with it for a while, but the 955i just came up on my ebay/trader searching as a lot of bike for not much money.

Thanks, Renn. Weight will be ok. I think my 750 was over 200kg iirc. And it'll be used for weekend pleasure riding, so no commuting into London! I do love the blue one, but there is a dealer near me with one for £1995 that is a Cat D with 25k miles, but I'll have a look at it and maybe offer something low to start with. Ideally, I'd have a nice blue one tho'.

[cheesewotsit]

conkerman said:

For £3k, track down a 954 blade, or maybe a late zx9r. Better bikes imho.

I’ve actually looked at 929 and 954’s. I like them, but the insurance is double that of the Daytona 955 and I’m not sure whether they are a bit too full on for a welcome back to biking?

Not looked at a ZX9R yet, but know about them. Good shout. Think I’d rather a FI bike if I’m going to leave it for periods unused, but yes – a thing for sure.

[cheesewotsit]

Thank you both. The first one I'll be seeing as a Cat D repaired 25,000+ 5+ owner version, so, a benchmark for others certainly. And it does seem like it's a bike that would suit me. I'm in no hurry, so when I find a minty one I will go for it. I love the single swing arm thing (hence the NC30 in my historuy) but the blue normal swing arm versions look fantastic.

Thanks again, all. Feel confident it's a good choice now.

[cheesewotsit]

Went to see the bike on the weekend, and…it won’t be for me, sadly. Appreciative of all the effort and replies in this thread, but it felt a very physically big bike, and the reach to the bars was not comfortable for me (I must have midget arms…) – stonking great big thing tho’, that sounded fantastic.

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