[Overpaid Slacker]

Strange thing w/ the Triumphs (at least those I've been around) is build quality is stereotypically British. The rear lens didn't fit quite right in the bodywork, some of the fittings weren't 100%. And, at 3900 miles, a Daytona's shaft driving the water pump sheared inside the block. That is a PITA to get to.

Fortunately, they're also stereotypically British simple -- I had the Daytona's motor out, virtually alone, in 2 hours. Rather than hassle w/ cracking the case and getting all the way down to the water pump, the owner just picked up another motor on eBay and was back in business in 3 hours.

I'd pick up a Daytona cheap if I found one. It'd be a good first "big" bike for someone, as it has good but not insane power, is smooth w/o the idiosyncracies of a big twin and handles very well.

JP