We caught up with Bob Pickett to get his thoughts on Triumph’s sporty 660:
Triumph shook up the middleweight naked market in 2021 when it launched the Trident.
The 660cc triple had a great engine, powerful brakes and sharp handling, yet managed to work for both new and experienced riders. 2022 saw the launch of its half-faired sibling, the Tiger Sport 660. Featuring the same engine, suspension and brakes, was it just the Trident with longer legs and a posh frock?
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Give me some spec
A 660cc inline three-cylinder engine putting out 80bhp/60kW @10,250rpm with 47lb-ft/64Nm torque at 6,250rpm is housed in a steel tubular perimeter frame.
For a bike in the middleweight class, money is spent in the right places: suspension courtesy of Showa (41mm unadjustable USD front, pre-load adjustable single rear shock) with stopping power supplied by twin 310mm, two-piston caliper Nissin up front supported by a single 255mm single disc, single-piston caliper rear. Seat height is 835mm, wet weight 206kg.
Any updates from last year?
Brand new model for 2022/3.
So what is it like to ride?
The seat height was a concern: 835mm, potentially too tall for my 737mm legs. Wearing my thickest soled boots, squished against the tank, feet just touched flat (leading to a comedy moment back at the dealer where I parked too close to another bike and couldn’t get off!). Bars are wide and high, and pegs are low with a gentle rear-set (given the mile-munching potential, I’d have liked them more neutral).
The 660cc triple is unchanged from the Trident. It’s so flexible; it can roll gently under 20mph (though it would like to get a move on), but works hard when needed with buckets of torque seemingly everywhere. The first four gears are close-ratio, stretching to the tall 5th and 6th.
The handling is superb. Longer legs mean a slight loss in precision, but the front end fills you with confidence, gripping and holding the line no matter how hard you push. Suspension is just right; it soaked up pretty much everything but gave the right level of feedback. Brakes are powerful but with bags of feel.
With a 17-litre tank, the Tiger Sport suggests big mileage rides. The high, wide bars mean no pressure on your shoulders or wrists but the slightly tucked-in leg placement began to tell after a time. The firm but supportive seat was fine for ages, but after a two-hour ride, I was ready to give my legs and backside a break.
The multifunction TFT screen is clear and easy to operate with toggle switches on the bars. Left/right toggles switch between modes (rain/road). I liked the gear indicator; this with the flashing rev counter (once you moved out of ‘eco’ and into ‘performance’) was a good pairing. Niggles? The indicator and horn were awkward, moved down the controls by the toggles and the mirrors could have given more feedback.
This is a great bike. Just hug the tank with your knees, relax and let the 660 Sport do its thing. And that’s a Very Fine Thing indeed.
How much does it cost?
£7,945 inc. VAT.
Want to try one?
To test a Tiger Sport 660, contact:
Triumph East London
249 London Road
Romford, Essex RM7 9NB
Tel: 01708 752 111
Web: https://www.lind.co.uk/triumph/east-london
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