f3d

Thursday or friday a good friend calls me up and asks if i can take him to get his bike out of storage. no prob. I figured it's be a couple hrs..the storage place we were picking it up from was the triumph dealer he bought it at. We just needed to take it to his friends garage about 20 mins drive away from the dealer.

I walk into the dealer with him and right in front of me is this gorgeous metallic blue daytona 675...almost identical looking to my 01 ZX6R i gave up many years back albeit a bit sportier. i almost signed for the damn thing on the spot.

While at the dealer we learn the destination isnt 20 mins away but a good hrs drive on the highway. My friend's a new rider and not that comfortable with his 700+lb (forgive me i forgot the name..its one of the victory cruisers iirc) bike. The guy at the dealer was hands down the best guy i've come across at a dealership. Made sure my friend had all his paperwork, that the bike was safe, double checked everything. Then when faced with the daunting highway ride the guy asks me how much ive ridden... (MX since 7th grade, a ZX6r, all the jeetskis/snowmobiles and other toys you can have) though i hadn't ridden in 8 years. The guy asked me to ride the bike.

I jumped on it... took a spin around the parking lot to get a feel for the weight (its like a damn subzero fridge, maybe worse) and we were off. I rode a solid hour. Including about 15 mins in rain from a passing storm which scared the crap out of me (new bike, not mine, fresh out of the mold tires). Despite the raised footpegs (my friend is alot shorter than i am) and slight lower back pain from the cramped position i dont think i've had that much fun on the road since i got rid of the last bike in 2001. Its totally impractical for me to have a bike and a car in nyc but i dont really need the car anymore and a bike would be a great escape on sat mornings. i think i might be making a return to riding at the end of the summer when it cools down a bit.

i got some crappy blackberry pics of his bike and the daytona

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5574/675.jpg">

friend on his bike.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5574/abike.jpg">

tpierce

a few guys here have them. I'd love to have one.

EDness

sad to say...my riding season's over this year.

trying to sell the bike but it seems like i have a hard time letting it go...might just keep it for now.

PhaZeIII

People say its starting to feel a little "dated" since Triumph doesn't update their bikes every 2yrs like the big four...

I personally would not trade it for any other bike in its class.

Do it!

PhaZeIII

What happened??

MonkeyLover

...the earlier models had a small fueling issue with a choppy throttle through on/off transitions. That one looks to be new or a current model. One of the lightest and thinnest bikes around.

You said you had a Ninja before...was that your first and only motorcycle? I just have a hard time watching someone who is new (or coming back) to motorcycles hopping on a 120hp/400lb bike. A naked bike like a SV650 or FZ6 would be a better decision, IMO.

s.carder

hit. sexy, great performance and not japanese.

MonkeyLover

<center><img src="http://cdn-3.psndealer.com/e2/dealersite/images/NewVehicles/nv59912_1_400.jpg"></center><p>...I guess visually naked bikes aren't for everyone. How about a fully-faired SV650S? Plenty of power and the aftermarket is HUGE for them. Which means you could find plenty of accessories like bar risers and rearsets that would give you a much more comfortable position. We sell 2008s for $5999 brand new. Cheaper than the Triumph at $8999 ; )

BTW, I was referring to the light weight of the bike as a negative because it's an extremely high power to weight ratio. A 400lb bike is good for a beginner, but not when it's got 120hp as well...IMO, at least. Also, the SV would be a lot more comfortable.

[ej257]

I'm in the market for an SV650.

[ej257]

Alex smiling?! What a ***!

Were you guys up by Bear Mountain?