Complete beginner considering a Daytona 660 – looking for some honest advice
EDIT: test rode it and bought it on the spot!
The test ride was brilliant, bike wasn’t heavy (I’m 135 pounds / 60 kgs) and was very easy to control. Didn’t take it on high speed, but I can say this is a very beginner friendly bike.
Thank you all for those who answered
Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking here for a while and finally decided to post because I’m very close to putting a deposit down on a brand-new Daytona 660.
A bit about me:
- I’m a complete beginner rider and have recently acquired my motorcycle license.
- I can comfortably flat-foot the Daytona, and of all the bikes I’ve sat on so far, it just felt… right.
- I’ve only sat on an MT-07 and an R7, as the other bikes I wanted to try weren’t available, but I really liked how the Daytona felt. I also preferred how relatively slim the tank felt between my legs compared with some other bikes I’ve looked at.
The bike won’t be my primary mode of transport. I’m buying it because I’ve always wanted to get into motorcycling, and I see it as a hobby first and foremost.
I’ll mainly be riding during the cooler months, with the occasional ride to work (around a 20-minute commute each way) and weekend rides.
The roads where I live are generally wide, well maintained and in excellent condition, so I’m fortunate that I won’t be dealing with poor road surfaces or potholes very often.
The only thing holding me back at the moment is the test ride.
I genuinely felt comfortable sitting on the Daytona, but of course that’s very different from actually riding it. I’m petrified of dropping it during my test ride (this Saturday).
For those of you who own a Daytona 660:
- Was it your first bike?
- How forgiving is it at low speeds?
- Did it inspire confidence fairly quickly?
- Is there anything you wish someone had told you before your first ride?
I’m probably overthinking all of this, but I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been in a similar position.
TL;DR: Complete beginner looking at a Daytona 660 as a first bike. It felt right the moment I sat on it, but I’m nervous about the test ride—especially slow-speed manoeuvres and the possibility of dropping the bike. Looking for honest advice and reassurance from Daytona owners.