The current 675 Triumph Daytona is generally rated at the top or near the top of the 600 class bikes for performance, although it might be a little more expensive than the Japanese bikes.
Back in 02 when they brought out the uprated 147 hp Daytona 955, it was equal to the Yamaha r1 in performance and was actually faster than both the R1 and GSXR 1000 for zero to sixty time (2.8 seconds). It was one of the fastest 0 to sixty bikes ever tested by Sport Rider. Suggested mrsp was $10,999 but actual selling prices were lower.
So Triumph has built some bikes that are very competitive with the Japanese for performance and price.
The Norton is quite a different animal, price is near double and the power output is about half of a 955 Daytona.
On the other hand,the Norton still has loads of power for real road use and looks like no other bike currently in production. It is very much like our Commandos in that regard. Perhaps the type of person who would purchase a 961 Commando is similar to those who would order a CNW Norton. I think the engine performance level of those is pretty much the same as our stock old Commandos but with a lot of improvements added for reliability and of course, some great styling. People purchasing those bikes aren't concerned about the performance/price equation at all, this is the bike they want, period.
It will be interesting to see if the orders for the 961 continue to pour in.
Glen
