Never thought I'd have three ownership threads on xbhp, but shit happens I guess. Those of you who have followed my threads know that my beloved 2010 R1 was stolen a few months ago. I was in kind of a funk when it happened. Just shocked and probably numb...cause I dint react like I usually do. I remember one time I couldn't find my iPod after a car wash and I flipped yelling out curses thinking it was stolen. Turned out my wife had taken it to keep it safe before taking it to the car wash. I just couldn't believe my bike could be stolen. I knew there is no way it will be found..and the Cop that showed up to take down the report told me the same. Bike's are usually dismantled almost immediately and sold for parts or shipped out and reassembled in other countries for sale.
The worst part is, I had almost paid of my loan. I had tastefully and carefully modded my R1 with the best parts out there. I had just recently moved to California, a state with some of the best roads in the world to ride a motorcycle on. And it just hurt on multiple levels. My wife cried and felt much worse than I was. I sort of kept it all inside and I think it showed on my face.


Thankfully I had full insurance and coverage for aftermarket parts. The insurance folks were actually very professional about how they handled everything. I sent them pictures of the bike, receipts for aftermarket parts etc. They valued the bike at its current market value and gave me MSRP for all the parts. So in the end I got back all the money I spent on the bike and parts. The process took 3 weeks and went on smooth.


A month passed and the International Motorcycle Show came to town. I was aware that Yamaha and Kawasaki were offering test rides at the show. I wanted to try out the Yamaha FZ-09/MT-09 and the Kawasaki ZX6R/10R. Unfortunately the Yamaha rides were all booked by the time I got there and so I went to the Kawasaki booth and signed up for the 2014 ZX-6R 636. The kawi guys had planned an awesome 25-30 mile ride on some real nice roads. So I got to push the bike and really get a sense of how it rides. I can tell you, my mind started working overtime after the ride. If you guys recall, the 2006 Kawasaki 636 was my 1st love. I was very impressed with the motor, comfort, suspension and fit/finish. I always thought Kawasaki ignored the fit/finish on their bikes. Coming from a liter bike, I was so thrilled to remember how easy a 600 cc bike was to throw into corners and how exploitable the power was. Before riding the 636, I had half a mind of getting another R1, or splurging on some Italian exotica (RSV4). After riding the 636, I felt instantly at home and just like that started contemplating downgrading to a 600 cc bike. I had a spirited discussion with one of my best buddies about it and he was egging me on to get the RSV4. I thought long and hard about it, and came to the following conclusions:


1. A liter bike was too much for the street...rather...it was too much for my skill level.

2. I loved my R1, but there is no hiding the fact that it was more work in the corners. A fact I had forgotten until I rode the 636.

3. It was not like I wasn't having fun on my R1, but the 636 was so much more fun.

Much to my buddies disappointment, I had 100% made up my mind to get my self a 600 cc bike. I was utterly hooked to the 636. Since the 2014 models had come out, the 2013 were being sold at a good discount as well. So I was all the more ready to pull the trigger. And then.....I decided to test ride a Triumph Daytona 675.


Unlike Japanese motorcycle dealerships, the European dealerships allow you to test ride their bikes. So I scheduled one at the local Triumph dealership. They rolled out a 2013 Black Daytona 675 and just gave me a run down of the bikes controls and some tips on what to expect out of the triumph based on my riding experience and past bikes. They pasted a map on the tank and told me to follow the map. I wasn't very keen on the looks of the Triumph after seeing pictures, but it looks so much nicer in person. Which is probably the case with most bikes that are not Italian.

Believe me, when I say, the triple motor is a GEM. Bottom end and mid range torque on a triple is to die for. Its not a kick in the rear like you would expect from a Twin like a Ducati, but its much more potent compared to an in-line four. At the same time, it is as smooth as an in-line four and not clunky like a twin at low revs. And man, my love for the 600 cc class came storming back and there was no looking back. Its just a joy throwing a 600 cc class bike into corners. Predictable power, lite weight and so much more easy to manage the power.


So the decision came down to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 or the Triumph Daytona 675. The 636 was definitely cheaper, most likely cheaper to maintain and modify. While the Triumph was exclusive, oozing with character and a step into European bikes. So I went with the Triumph ...that triple motor is just too hard to ignore. Enough of my sad story....time for pictures.









Thanks