QUICK SPIN: Triumph Tiger Sport 660

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?

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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