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Triumph Daytona 675 - "MD" (better known to his friends as Mark) from Kiwibiker, test rides Triumph's superb new sportsbike. So is it as good as the media hype? Read on and find out…

Triumph Daytona 675 - THE star of the 2006 London Motorcycle Show - but does it go as well as it looks? The Triumph Daytona 675 has been mooted as THE bike that has finally put Triumph on the map, outshining everything else in it's (almost) class. Why almost? Well to be honest it is the only 675cc, three-cylinder sportsbike out there!

But lets face it, this was the direction that Triumph needed to take. Their previous efforts at matching the Japanese were always going to face an uphill battle; take the CBR600F for example; by the time Triumph brought out the much -maligned TT600 (which even Triumph admitted was based on Honda's sales star), the CBR had been developing and improving for years. Even the Daytona 600 - thought by everyone to be a huge improvement on the TT - was lacking in the power stakes, even if the handling was universally praised. So finally Triumph got the message - stop trying to take on the Japanese at their own game and go your own way. And Triumph's way, since the re-launch of the company by John Bloor has been triples. Up the capacity to 675cc to compensate for being one cylinder down (and stop the endless "Will they race it?" questions) - then sit back and watch the press go wild. The Daytona 675 has earned rave reviews from just about everyone that has slung a leg over one. So was I to be any different?

I was given the chance to take a demonstrator out for a ride and provide my own, totally neutral verdict. So does it match up to all the rave reviews in the glossy mags? Without wanting to give the game away totally and stop you from reading on, yes it is a fantastic bike.

It felt more track than road bike to me. Very firm suspension kicks your bum off the seat far too easy for road use, but maybe that can be dialled out. Mid and upper rev range power didn't feel any stronger than the Kawasaki 636 I currently own. But the road testers stats prove it is.

I did some roll-ons in Third at 2,000rpm (on both bikes) and that showed the Triumph's torque advantage big time. What really impressed was the smooth clutch take up and acceleration from stop. NEVER EVER try and drag one of these from the lights! Nothing would beat the Triumph. OK, maybe a Rocket III. I reckon if I took one of these to the Quarter-mile sprints I'd really clean up.

At first I was a bit disappointed with the cornering but that was because I was putting along all careful like. So I repeated a short stretch of curves. Once I decide to put more aggression into my efforts, knee out a bit, slide bum a bit to the side- WHOOHAA The whole experience transformed. Ride it like a sports bike and it feels soooo good.

The Daytona also has great brakes. For scientific purposes only you understand, I can confirm it stoppies better than anything else I've tried. As for wheelies, well the front wheel can be lifted if you must, but it is not as willing as the Kwak.

My only real gripe was the power train snatch when closing and opening the throttle. It's a very abrupt hit when you open or close the throttle. A slipper clutch would be nice. Close off mid corner and it stands up suddenly. Twist the wrist at full lean at your peril I would suspect. But nothing that getting to know the beast wouldn't sort.

Other than that? I love the blue lights and layout of the dials. The dealer hadn't bothered to set the clock or rev lights yet, so all seven rev lights came on between 4000 and 5000 rpm, which is a shame as it would be fun watching them come on progressing and faster as you near the redline.

I also Liked the grey colour (Editorial Note: Sorry, but we had to use our stock photo, so no pix of the grey one here). The engine whine and exhaust note is also addictive and I just loved listening to it.

Verdict: This is a classy piece of kit. If I could turn back time then I would have taken a 675 over the 636 (if they had been around when I bought it!)

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