2000 Triumph 955i
Written: Jul 05 '02 (Updated Jul 05 '02)
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Pros: Incredible amounts of locomotive-style torque, and ohhh, that exhaust note!
Cons: Comfort (in stock form).
The Bottom Line: Lots of power, torque, and a gorgeous triple sound. Won't get lost in the parking lot, nor will it be missed riding down the street.
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| msh441's Full Review: 2000 Triumph Daytona 955i |
I bought my 200 Daytona 955i used for what I felt was an excellent price ($7500). It's the silver one (just like the pic on e-pinions.com), and came with several accessories including the following: Triumph carbon pipe, Heli-bars, and a great rear wheel paddock stand. All stock parts were included as well. The bike had 6200 miles on the clock and was maticulously maintained.
I added a Corbin seat, a Triumph tank bag, and the metal inlet grills on the tail section. Since purchasing the Daytona four months ago, I have got it up to 9900 miles, and have loved every minute of it. Here are some specifics:
Engine/Transmission reliability (5)- The engine is INCREDIBLE!!! If there was a 6-7 rating I would give it that! If you haven't experienced a sporting triple, you are missing a sheer pleasure. Tons more torque than an in-line four, revs higher than a twin, and that sound... it cannot be adequately described in mear words. Quality is terrific. I have seen one opened up on display at a local shop. Triumph even powder coated the inside of the crank case, just like you would see in a high quality industrial machine. The things are rock solid. Virtually bulletproof. The transmission is good, though it's got a very heavy clutch. The missed shifts/false neutrals experienced with the pre-2000 models seem to be a thing of the past. The new shifter seems to have made the difference. Overall great... I tell you, that sound gets some attention. Even those who know nothing about bikes turn to look, as it just sounds so different than anything else out there.
Comfort (3-4)- In stock form, comfort is above average for a sport bike. Good for loger commutes, and spirited weekend rides. The bars are low, and the seat is somewhat sloped toward the tank. With aftermarket Heli-Bars (raising the bars about 2-inches, and bring them back towards the rider about 1-inch), I found the position to be similar to a Sprint RS, and comfortable for more extended periods. Once I added the Corbin seat, the bike is as comfortable as any sport-tourer I have ever ridden (and tougher looking, too). Now if it would only take hard bags... hmmm...
Suspention/Frame (4-5)- Loads of adjustments. Front and rear preload (the manual says the rear is not adjustable, but it is if you have the proper tools and knowledge). Front/rear dampening and rebound. Heavier or more agressive riders may need to look into stiffer springs in the front, but I found them to be perfect for 99.9% of the riding that I have done (commuting, weekend riding, and some seriously sport-minded touring). On the track, I have read that exhaust headers have a tendency to deck out, scraping before anything else under hard (read VERY HARD) cornering forces. Like I said, new Race Tech or other springs up front will solve this problem. As for the frame... It's a work of art. I cannot confirm, but I heard Triumph payed Harris or Spondon engineers to design the thing for them, and it shows. Makes the Ducati trellis frame (which IS beautiful) look like some kid's tinker toys... and the single sided swingarm. Is there anything more gorgeous. It really shows off the three spoke rear wheel. The newer 2002 bikes have the standard swingarm, and actually offer more rigidity when cornering, but I wouldn't trade for the world. Some have mentioned that this bike is heavy for it's class... well at 436 lbs dry, that's not a noticable amount over any other liter size sport bike ... and the stability of the frame/suspention makes those extra 25lbs. seem to disappear.
Body/Plastics/General Craftsmanship (5)- Everything fits together nicely and works as expected. Oil Temp gague fogs up a little when it gets cold, but I have found that to be an issue on other bikes as well. A fix is availible online (see sites below). The bodystyle changes for 2002, but I find the 1997-2001 T595 bodywork to be more unique and attractive. There's no mistaking what you are on. It looks like nothing else out there.
Not catagorized - Brakes stop on a dime and the FI is top notch.
Overall the 955i is a bike for someone who is looking for something just a little different. Different sounding. Different looking. Not you run of the mill japanese in-line four or v-twin. It's the bike for those who considered a Ducati, or a Guzzi, but wanted something a little more durable/reliable... without the steep service costs. If there was a "Charactor" section, this bike would be a 7 or 8 on a scale of 5!
I've owned more than a few bikes over the past 18 years. Each one I could envision as a stepping stone to something else bigger, better, faster. This is the first bike I have owned that I can't forsee ever selling. It will stay with me for many years to come.
For more info, check out the following sites:
http://t5net.com/
http://www.triumphridersite.com/
http://www.t595.net/
http://portal.t955i.net/portal/DesktopDefault.aspx
http://www.triumphrat.net/
http://www.triumphnet.com/
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 7500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
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Epinions.com ID:
msh441
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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