Photo ou archives : M. Montange
3903
TRIUMPH
1000 Daytona - 1990
A great sports tourer
The new Triumph range, which returned to the scene in 1990, consisted of six models with three- or four-cylinder engines of up to 1200cc, and were available in more or less sporty trim. The flagship of the, sporty range was the 1000ce Daytona four, and a 750 differing only in the use of a. three-cylinder power unit.
Sportster or Road Bike?
The Daytona was certainly a sports mount due to its riding position with high-set foot rests and low-set dropped handlebars (which incidentally imposed an excessively large turning circle). The picture was enhanced by its wide range of suspension adjustments and its four-piston front brake calipers. But apart from this equipment, the Daytona was above all an excellent road machine. It lacked nothing to qualify it as a rival to the brilliant – and far more exclusive – Japanese supersport bikes like the Yamaha EZR and Suzuki GSXR.
Comfortable Suspension
With comfortable suspension (which compensated for the riding position) and a highly flexible power unit bursting with torque, the 1000 Daytona is better suited to long journeys than the racetrack. Its roadholding is tight and precise, and only a succession of rapid S-curves will reveal the fact that it suffers from a little too much top-weight.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 998cc (76x55mm) water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 100 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Valves: twin overhead-camshafts; 16 valves
Fuel System: four carburetors
Transmission: 6-speed, chain, final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm with single damper (rear)
Brakes: twin discs with four-piston calipers (front); disc (rear)
Wheels: 17 inch (front); 18 inch (rear}
Weight: 518 lb
Sober and without any unnecessary gimmicks, the flagship of the 1990 Triumph range was a modern, well-balanced touring machine.