Non Jap Bikes - pros and cons

**Mattyc** · 15th December 2005, 07:48

was at the lights at the top of nelson st today, there was a chap on a nice looking new yellow triumph daytona. at first i was really impressed about how the bike looked , until i looked down to see a tiny set of non USD forks , and only 4 pot calipers, WTF is up with that

didnt conventional forks go out a while back??, (my dad is english) but personally i dont like english machinery, to raw and behind the times IMHO

I accidently pulled a wheelie down nelson beside him (whoops)

Another example is a mate used to have a triumph daytona super 3 (came with CF pipes etc) but i remember it was a 1999 or close and only had 110hp at the back wheel - thats pus if you ask me

Now im not bashing triumphs , but just confused why anyone would buy a bike with old technology ??

**In The Breeze** · 15th December 2005, 07:54

I would definately own an old "classic" bike for sure. Love the old Dook's and Guz's from the mid late 70s. All Id need would be a bugger load of $$$ for the maintenace though. Well worth it for a cruiser IMHO tho. In saying that I'd need to have a late model beast too for blown my cobwebs out

**Eurodave** · 15th December 2005, 07:54

Real road riders dont need over 100 horsepower to have fun!!

**SimJen** · 15th December 2005, 07:55

check out the new Daytona 675 it looks mean and up to date. Probably not as quick as something similar and Jap but its all down to taste.
I mean your ZX9R is not exactly up to date anymore?

**Sniper** · 15th December 2005, 07:56

Same as someone owning a merc IMHO. It gives you status among some and scorn amongst others.

**skelstar** · 15th December 2005, 08:01

Horsepower and forks are only a small part of the equation. I would buy one because I think it looks farking awesome...its a triple, gets great reviews. Lets face it - you would have to be a great rider to get all the performance out of a bike like that in the twisties (I reckon). Straightline stuff aint that hard.

**James Deuce** · 15th December 2005, 08:09

The Daytona's suspension is sweet! USD forks only come ito their own under heavy braking whilst steering into a corner - on the racetrack. One of the strengths of the Triumph range is using technology a tenth of a step behind everyone else and making it work really well, thanks to the wealth of information available. The bigger manufacturers tend to cycle through technology upgrades quickly, particularly in the sporting sector, and probably only get 90% out of a piece of technology before moving onto the next great thing.

**skelstar** · 15th December 2005, 08:12

Originally Posted by Jim2

One of the strengths of the Triumph range is using technology a tenth of a step behind everyone else and making it work really well, thanks to the wealth of information available.

Reminds me of the car mechanic who, while working on a 1985 Honda CRX, told me that you should never buy a vehicle that is the first to adopt a technology. He was pit deep in a poorly designed fuel-injection system. I ignored his advice and bought a GT Turbo Cordia and paid for it BIG TIME!!!

**Mattyc** · 15th December 2005, 08:15

Originally Posted by SimJen

I mean your ZX9R is not exactly up to date anymore?

LOL yeah, but its 10 years old, and i dont claim it to be up to date, thing is it has USD forks and 4 pots , stops well.. the thing is this triumph i saw this morning has even older technology and its brand new !! lol

**Eurodave** · 15th December 2005, 08:17

Personally, Im not a slave to fashion, USD forks are just a passing fad, same as,a few years ago,16" wheels were. 4 pot calipers will get replaced sooner or later with something 'better' & newer to appeal to those with too much money & not enough sense or race bike inspired followers of fashion.
Anyway the speed limit is now rigidly enforced so what the hell is the point of owning a road bike that can exceed 100 kph in first gear???
Cruisers are starting to make A LOT of sense to me now.

**TLDV8** · 15th December 2005, 08:21

What modern performance bike doesn't have 4 piston calipers ?

**Motu** · 15th December 2005, 08:30

I'd LOVE a non Jap bike with old technology - a Ural,maybe a Chiang Jiang...an Indian Enfield for the wife,she's really like one of them.

**Mattyc** · 15th December 2005, 08:31

Originally Posted by Eurodave

Personally, Im not a slave to fashion, USD forks are just a passing fad, same as,a few years ago,16" wheels were. 4 pot calipers will get replaced sooner or later

a passing fad huh, a long fad...... 6 pots seem to be more the standard on late model bikes now, rather than 4 pots

I know for sure that under braking, my usd forks dont flex back under hard braking (which i do a lot) like conventionals used to on my older bikes ive owned. I wouldnt be without them on my MX bike..

**limbimtimwim** · 15th December 2005, 08:42

Originally Posted by Mattyc

was at the lights at the top of nelson st today, there was a chap on a nice looking new yellow triumph daytona. at first i was really impressed about how the bike looked , until i looked down to see a tiny set of non USD forks , and only 4 pot calipers, WTF is up with that

The Daytona has a rep for very sweet handing. The fireblade survived for years on RWUs as well.