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Sportbikes

1997Triumph Daytona 1200

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The 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200 is a sport-touring motorcycle powered by a 1180cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine producing 147 horsepower. Best suited for experienced riders seeking aggressive performance with touring capability, it delivers genuine sportbike handling with practical comfort. Known for blending British heritage with modern Japanese-inspired engineering, the Daytona offers genuine thrills without sacrificing everyday usability.

Capacity: 1180.0 ccm
Engine: In-line four
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 225.0 kg
Seat height: 790 mm
Power: 147.0 HP (108.1 kW) @ 9500 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (1)

What’s new for the 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200

vs the 1996

Spec	1996	1997
Top speed	—	270.0 km/h (167.8 mph)

Other years 1995 1996 1997

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail5%

Cornering70%

City riding45%

Daily riding55%

Touring68%

Two-up55%

Track75%

Best for: Built as a muscular sport tourer, it prioritizes brutal top-end speed and long-distance stability over nimble city maneuvering.
Built for: The Daytona 1200 has a raw, muscular character defined by its huge in-line four powerplant and relentless straight-line pull rather than razor-sharp cornering agility.
Not ideal for: This is not the right bike for new riders, off-road use, or anyone seeking a lightweight, flickable machine for tight urban streets.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

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Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 790mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200, with a cramped knee angle of around 70 degrees and a forward-leaning riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1180.0 ccm
Power: 147.0 HP (108.1 kW) @ 9500 RPM
Torque: 115.0 Nm (11.7 kgf-m)
Engine type: In-line four
Power/weight ratio: 0.6533 HP/kg (dry)
Cooling system: Liquid
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Chain

Performance

Top speed: 270.0 km/h (167.8 mph)

Dimensions & weight

Seat height: 790 mm
Dry weight: 225.0 kg

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Dual disc
Rear brakes: Single disc

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	1995	1996	1997
Capacity	1180 cc	1180 cc	1180 cc
Dry weight	247 kg	225 kg	225 kg
Seat height	790 mm	790 mm	790 mm

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 1 recall may apply

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSSep 1997 · 97V164000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT IMPACT, WELD FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE MAIN FRAME IN THE HEAD STOCK AREA.

Risk: THIS MAIN FRAME SHOULD NOT FRACTURE BUT BEND AFTER AN IMPACT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FRAMES WITH NEWLY MANUFACTURED FRAMES.

These recalls cover some 1997 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all Triumph recalls →