When great care and precise craftsmanship are used to create a product, the outcome can be special. Even the most ordinary products and machines can be improved.

Take for instance the bicycle. Some think that a bicycle is simply a bicycle no matter what. But if you have ever ridden a good bicycle, a really good bicycle, you know that there is a difference.

Over the years I have ridden bicycles and been familiar with good and bad ones. However, after training on a Specialized Roubaix road bike, my perception of how good a bike can get was changed.

Although motorcycles are far more complex than bicycles, some people think that there isn’t much difference between motorcycles, especially sportbikes.

No doubt this reasoning is due to how most sportbikes are designed. Sportbikes, for the most part, have two primary strong suits, exhilarating design and exhilarating performance. As you will soon read, English motorcycle manufacturer Triumph did not subscribe to this way of thinking when they created the Daytona 675 sportbike. Similar to another English manufacturer, Triumph also added an element of quality and a touch of luxury.

The fit and finish of the Daytona 675 and build quality is top-notch. Even the leather used on the seat is nice to the touch and is pleasantly aromatic. The model is a beautiful sportbike with the visual flavor of a European and Japanese design.

Two-wheeled Jag?

Think of the Triumph Daytona 675 as the two-wheeled version of the Jaguar XKR. It has quality, luxury and performance, complete in one handsome package.

The Daytona 675 driver layout is thoughtfully designed with the handle bar and major controls all in the right places. And the seating position works well for short trips or longer ones, like the trek that I took to Atlanta from Charlotte. Overall the Daytona 675 was a blast and was comfortable during the trip and did not leave me overly fatigued as some sportbikes can. Just starting the Daytona 675 is a pleasure, especially on a cool or cold morning. The exhaust note has a deep baseline with a mechanical undertone and is perfect for “hyping” the mood up before a ride.

Twist the throttle and the bike takes off easy, as a lightweight bike would instead of the middleweight bike. But get into the upper rev band and the easy, laid-back nature of the Daytona 675 is transformed. Acceleration is swift but does not have an out-of-control feel that some sportbikes tend to have. Steering and overall balance are very high, among the best that I have experienced. Braking for the 356-pound Daytona 675 was very impressive.

Many overlook the Triumph Daytona 675 in favor of bikes from Buell, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha. Take it from me, don’t be a victim and check out the Triumph Daytona 675 before you buy anything else.

This is the perfect time of the year for buying and a great time for riding. Manufacturers are looking to get rid of inventory that was slow to move this summer due to the economy. So some excellent deals can be found.

The fall can also be a great time to ride because the temperature is good most days. And even the winter can be very enjoyable on two wheels when wearing the proper gear.

Larry Cornwell is an automotive journalist with Speedracer Syndication. He is based in the Charlotte area.

BY THE NUMBERS:

TYPE: Triumph Daytona 675 motorcycle

PRICE: $10,000

ENGINE: 675cc, 12v four-stroke, in-line three cylinder producing 126 horsepower and 53 pounds-feet of torque

WEIGHT: 356 lbs.

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