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Welcome
to 1997 !
3
years ago, the Hinckley based company Triumph wheeled out the new Daytona.
T595 ? what's that? It's the code name used during development of the
bike (T5 for the engine version and 95 for the engine size, 955 cc)
Triumph bikes were different, nice but pretty much mid-pack on the fonctionnality
plan.....until now.
It looks, feels and perform like a Duke 916. High praise? check this
out ....
A polished aluminum perimeter frame uses oval-section aluminum extrusions
and the engine is a stressed structural member. Total weight of the
frame is just 10 kilos, significantly lighter than the old spine frame
of the Daytona and all other Triumphs. More importantly, the new frame
gives Triumph more flexibility in designing bike ergonomics and seat
height.
A reasonably long wheelbase and
sharpish steering (not enuff for my
liking) combine to provide stability
without loosing the ability to flick the
bike into corners.
I will try a 180 size tyre to try and
improve its sharp steering again.
I will also lower the front hand by
rising the forks through the yokes
and tell you all about it next time
(you can always mail
me
and ask
if I forget to put it up on the site) |
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This
is a nice view of one of the reason I got this bike. The single
sided swingarm just has this look that other bikes can't claim.
It is a matter of taste but also technology. Patented by ELF for
their endurance bikes in the 80's, single swinger offer an easy
maintenance of the bike a quick rear wheel removal while maintening
a proper rigidity, needed for correct handling.
The shocker provides a stiff ride and while being correct by most
riders standard, it will be ideally replaced by a WP unit or better
again, an Ohlins. This is planned for the next future. ;o) |
Now,
on to the best part: The brakes
Known to be one of the best street-bike
brake system available to date, braided
steel lines (straight out of the box! yes
sir!) feed Triumph badged Nissin four-
pot calipers, can bring to a halt the
198 kg dry weight bike over a VERY
short distance. The feel is kinda weird:
the lever is kinda soft for the 1st 1/4th
of the travel, getting steadily rigid as ur
eyeballs start popping out. Great power
great feel under rainy weather. By far
the best brakes I ever experienced...
On the other hand do not expect
anything from the back braker,
it is useless to a point where I
simply gave up using it on that bike !!!
Forks and dampers are both made by Showa in Japan, and can be adjusted
in every ways. If you find them too rigid for you, Maxton in the
UK, designed a kit to improve them. |
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