Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The 2004 Triumph Daytona is a great road bike, combining good handling and braking with a reasonably comfortable riding position for longer runs and regular use. For comparison purposes my previous bike was a Honda VFR750. I wanted something bigger, faster and newer, and that's exactly what I got!

The engine has loads of torque fairly low down the rev range, which is useful for rapid acceleration i.e. when overtaking.

The bike is sometimes criticised in the press because of its looks, but then I don't really care what it looks like as I'm a rider not a poseur!

I am a little concerned that the bodywork and paintwork are not as durable as they might be, a carelessley placed luggage strap managed to wear through the paint on a 40 mile run: My old Honda survived similar abuse virtually unscathed.

The bike is physically large compared with most of its sports rivals, this is one of the reasons I bought it as I am 6'2" and find Fireblades and R1s uncomfortably small. Even so, the Daytona has a fairly sporty riding position and I am considering fitting risers.

One thing that annoys me is the absence of a fuel gauge. The range of the bike varies widely depending on how hard you ride it - 130 to 160 miles approx - but you just can't keep an eye on the level as you go along, it's a case of wait for the light then start looking for a station. I tend to watch the odometer then fill up around 100 miles to be on the safe side, another downer with this & most modern bikes is the absence of a fuel tap.

The 'riding experience' is excellent, I ride a fantastic 80 mile 'A' road transpennine route once a week and the bike is ideally suited to rapid bendslinging, hard braking (Sheeeep!!!) and 'variable' road surfaces that seem to deter hardcore sports bikes from this particular route. The return journey is after dark and the headlights are very good for fast night riding. The gearbox isn't as slick as the Honda's was, this may free up a bit as the bike ages, but it pays to have a positive left foot. Finally the throttle grip has a long travel and you often find yourself shifting grip as you go. Minor points however - it just takes a little getting used to.

The bike has only let me down once, my fault, I drained the battery by leaving the parking light on overnight (why such a thing is ever fitted to a bike is beyond me). It's very easy to accidentally activate the parking light when turning the key round to the steering lock position. Needless to say I will not be making that mistake again, fortunately the bike was easily jump started.

Much is made of the fact that the bike is UK manufactured, however although I am pleased to have supported a UK firm, I was pretty objective about my selection of bike; I was considering a new VFR, but persistent reports about the alleged VTEC midrange flat spot, and an instinctive dislike of the idea of linked brakes, put me off.

1200 miles isn't a lot, but so far I am very happy with the bike which I aspired to ever since they first appeared.