The Triumph Daytona 955i is an extremely rapid, sweet handling superbike. Unfortunately it was about four years too late in a fiercely competitive class. The R1, GSX-R1000 and FireBlade are lighter and faster. The Triumph Daytona 955i’s saving grace is its character from its gruff three-cylinder engine, distinctive understated looks and the fact few riders can use anything like all the performance any of these motorcycles offer.Love the Triumph Daytona 955i's syncopated rumble at tickover – and there’s no shortage of low down drive. As it builds more power comes rushing and rushing until almost too soon it’s time to change up a gear. The Triumph Daytona's triple can never match the Japanese fours for top end power but it aces them on personality and sound. It's motorcycling aural poetry with a race can.
Ride the Triumph Daytona 955i on the road and you’ll be hard pushed to fault it. Likewise on a race track. But try it back to back with the lighter, more powerful Japanese competition and the Triumph Daytona 955i feels slightly crude by comparison. Still a thrilling, rapid motorcycle and plenty stable enough for uneven uk roads. Brakes superb if in good condition.With the Triumph Daytona 955i there are few luxuries but that’s par for the course. Comfort’s not bad – much better than some of the more extreme motorcycles like Honda’s CBR1000RR and the early ZX-10R. You can tour quite well one-up on the Triumph Daytona 955i too. The headlights are ace, mirrors are pants. Loads of official extras include alarm, luggage rack, grab rail and a high-level silencer.
Problems with the Triumph Daytona T595 and early T955s had been ironed out by the time the Daytona 955i was released. Triumph finish seems to be more durable than on Japanese motorcycles although when the crinkly black surfaces start to go, they deteriorate fast. Owners tend to be more mature than other big sports motorcycles too which is a plus.At the end of its life the Triumph Daytona 955i had a bargain new price. Used motorcycles hold their money pretty well but it’s often justified by excellent condition. The Triumph Daytona 955i is an insurance group lower than almost every other motorcycle in the class (two lower than some) which can make a huge difference. Triumph’s own insurance scheme can be reasonable too – reason alone to buy one if you’re deemed a high-risk.
