WANT the last word in high-octane biking thrills? Then the Triumph Daytona 675 may just be the answer. put it through its paces and found it came up trumps.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s Triumph attempted to steal the motorcycling world crown by producing a triple cylinder machine, only to be upstaged as Honda released an in-line four 750cc bike that took the market by storm and more or less put the final nail in Triumph’s coffin. The rest is history.

However, John Bloor, owner of the marque, has poured millions into making Triumph once again a real force in the world market of two wheels and the phoenix has truly risen in the guise of Triumph’s triple Daytona 675.

Produced at Hinkley - the plant is one of the most up-to-date in the world with the finest of British workmanship, know-how and materials - it has once again put the name of Triumph at the forefront of cutting-edge motorcycles.

Laguna Motorcycles of Maidstone loaned me a 675cc triple and it was a machine I had been looking forward to because of the mystique of the triple cylinder configuration, supposedly the optimum setting for balance, control and engine efficiency.

Visually the Daytona’s rear end rises quite high, the saddle height tops out at 32ins (81cm), however once on the open road with the footpegs set back slightly and with a ground clearance of some 14ins (35cm) everything fell into place, spot on.

The clip-on handlebars are narrow at 24ins (61cm) and this aids when riding fairly fast as you’re not offering much in the way of wind resistance.

This is not a touring bike, it deserves early morning fast riding, twisty roads devoid of traffic. With the six-speed gearbox giving oodles of power as the revs rise above 5,000rpm and the motor coming onto song, it’s a pure, pure motorcycle.

Handling is precise, with that hackneyed phrase "it runs as though on tram lines" being more than appropriate as bend after bend is taken with absolute confidence and ease, no waggle or twitching from the bike, a pure adrenalin manufacturer.

Triumph have bought in what I consider the best brakes available on current road bikes, Nissin; with twin floating discs and four-pot pistons at the front and a single rear, this is a stoppie king’s machine, fitted as standard are braided hoses, which improve braking efficiency no end.

They’re not vicious, but you know that in any sort of emergency you will be able to stop, imperative if you’re trying to utilise the 675cc of power available.

This is an ultra-competitive market with all the main Japanese manufacturers pitching in with the best they can offer in the 600cc range, Triumph are there flying the flag and from what you read in the specialist press, in a lot of cases trouncing the opposition.

Viewed from the front the "shark-nose" feature with the dip light constantly on and remaining on when main beam is selected looks very aggressive in its styling, it evokes fast riding and that’s its forte.

With 17in wheels the handling and roadholding are excellent.

There are multiple adjustments on the Kayaba 41mm upside-down front forks and rear single suspension unit to get the bike to just how you want it.

The clutch operating the six-speed gearbox is cable-operated and makes for ease of maintenance and replacement, although as with most modern-day machinery there isn’t too much that a home mechanic can do. You can check the oil level, however. Curiously there’s a separate dip stick to the oil filler; one sits lower than the other.

In the cockpit there are lots of things to play with: lap counter; clock; fastest lap; fastest speed; two trip gauges; mpg counter; temperature gauge; gear indicator and a digital speedo, that should be enough for even the most hardy gadget man.

The tacho is a conventional analogue clock which redlines at 14,000-16,000 rpm.

Finish and attention to detail are very high. The frame is a work of art with bracing and welds that ooze class, paintwork is really deep (this particular machine was finished in metallic grey), underseat storage is nil, just a battery sitting there.

Fuel consumption from the 4.84 gall (22 litre) tank ran out at 113 miles for the first tankful with a best figure of 135 miles per tank.

At £7,200 on the road you are buying top-class machinery backed up by years of experience, a pedigree that stretches way, way back – and it’s British!

Just one criticism: Triumph don’t fit either an immobiliser or alarm. Why not?

It’s a lot of bike and very desirable... I guess it’s a throwback to the old days of buying a car when the heater was extra. Strange thinking!

Factfile:

Triumph Daytona 675

Tech spec: 675cc 4-stroke 3-cylinder; 4 valves per cylinder; 6-speed gearbox
Weight: 363lbs dry (165kg)
Test rides available from: Laguna Motorcycles, Hart Street. Telephone: 01622 681765. E-mail: info@laguna.co.uk.