Fast Bikes reader Adam tells us what it’s like to own and love a 2012 Triumph Daytona 675.

WORDS: ADAM OATS IMAGES: CHAPPO

2012 TRIUMPH DAYTONA 675

The Triumph Daytona 675 will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first ever bike I rode on a track. Ever since I was a kid I’d wanted to ride on the track so when I got my first track bike I was like a dog with two… erm, bones. It was a 2008 model that I had bought off a local lad who had raced it (so it had a few trick bits on) and I fell head over heels in love with it. I couldn’t believe how good it was and it made it so easy for me to keep up with my mates on faster, newer bikes – they all hated it when I’d ride round the outside of them in the corners, which is probably why I liked it so much!

Unfortunately that had to go years ago and, although my tears soon dried, I never forgot the way it made me feel. So, three years ago, I bought myself a newer 675, this time a road bike and the 2012 version.

Because my first 675 had been a little bit trick, I wasn’t sure if my new one, being a road bike, was going to live up to my high expectations. As soon as I rode it though I could tell it was every bit as good as my last one. I wasn’t at all disappointed. I have a constant smile on my face every time I ride it and although it isn’t fully tricked up, it does have some lovely parts on it. It’s an ex-demo bike so everything is from the Genuine Triumph Accessories range, which is nice. It’s got an Arrow end can, billet levers, a carbon fibre tank pad, Triumph brake reservoirs, anodised oil filler cap and dipstick, LED indicators and a seat cowl to tidy the arse end up. I think the dealer I bought it off wanted it out of their showroom as I only paid £4,995 which I thought was an absolute steal; I reckon if I sold it now I’d get at least my money back.