Living with a promise to myself. My first real contact with a Triumph was at the age of 17. The first one I threw a leg over was a Trident, one of the last Meridens, with left hand gearchange. Probably the last ditch effort to compete by putting the gearchange on the wrong side (pre sexual revolution) or the right side (post sex, drugs & rock 'n roll). But to me the only thing that keeps this memory from being erased into mundaness is that charismatic noise that only a triple can scream at you. So loud it would probably get the last word in on a Jerry Springer re-union show. But looks wise my only Meriden maiden of desire has to be a 650 US spec Bonnie.

Then having spent the next 15 years on a staple diet of twin cams, quad carbs and sixteen valves very little things manage to rock the boat these days. Then out of the blue a shock to the system; a chance to change lanes on the BHP adrenaline highway. The next exit sign was to unknown territory; it also involved a change of scenery in the form of a Spondon Ducati. All of a sudden goodbye to BHP, hello to torque curves that start below 9000 RPM. Hello to the kind of power which will drive you hard out of a corner, without sliding highside being the only words uttered from your clenched cheeks (tick box applicable; A. buttocks, B. facial). This was all very nice except specials, projects , hybrids, always seem to have a fly in the ointment.

Then a vision in Strontium Yellow; a 595 Daytona. Well, I'd always promised myself a Triumph, here was my chance. Yeah, yeah, but it had to be a compromise didn't it; after all it was British. My first ride on a 595 was a very cold but sunny January Sunday. I rode to the dealers on my GSXR1100 (you know the deal; 140BHP, six-pot brakes etc.). The Daytona I rode had a carbon race can. As I set off the roads were white with dried salt. Carefully away out of sight (and earshot) of the dealers, out of town, open roads here I come. here goes. First impressions; not quite a Vee Twin on drive, wait a minute this bloody things missing! Ah well, change up; WOW! What a rush! Wait - more misfiring; a glance at the rev-counter reveals the misfire - it's called the rev limiter! The motor pulls strongley from about 6000 but the real surprise come in just how fast and freely it revs.

The six speed box is more akin to a race bike than a road bike. It has a very tall first gear and the other five are so closely spaced when short shifting it almost gets tedious. Yet when on song it's marvellous; amost two-stroke-esque. Moving on swiftly (as you tend to), the brakes are out and out magnificent. Braided hoses are standard but there is still an amount of spongey feeling at the lever. This does allow a great deal of feel, the more you need it's always ther with a good degree of precision. Comfort wise the footrests seem quite low and forward compared to the Japanese offerings yet never seem to get too near to terra firma, and it's not too much of a stretch to the low, wide clip-ons.

The real icing on Triumph's cake for me really has to be the handling. Now in real world terms the 595/955 is not the sharpest superbike on the block, BUT (a very, very BIG BUT), for carrying a little more weight, just being a few millemetres longer in the wheelbase, what Triumph have managed to produce is a very, very competent road bike that is user friendly and confidence inspiring. Not something that devours raw meat, pisses testosterone, and bites your ass when you least expect it.

My first ride on a Daytona, as I said, was on a dry winters day and when my 20 minute test ride was up the entire surface of the rear tyre was utilised, and for some strage reason the exhaust header had a shiny scuff on the lowest point. I was impressed for sure, just how much was drummed home when I set off home on my GSXR11. It felt heavy, slow revving, and the brakes didn't work. This was not the case obviously but that';s how different the fuel injected Triumph Triple feels - a break from the norm.

Words: Dobber

Photos: Dr.Rod

Many thanks to Dobber for the loan of his bike for an hour I'll never forget; I can confirm that this thing really motors!

Dr.Rod.