Triumph has brought a sportsbike to market which will definitely appeal to the masses. But, does the Daytona 660 really hit the sports mark?
Big, fire breathing hardcore sports bikes are completely on the nose in the worldwide marketplace. But there is showroom room for bikes offering a sporty stance and capable, high-revving, sport-oriented engines. Price is super important right now too.
With all this market research in hand, Triumph has delivered the Daytona 660. Competitively priced and let loose at a time that sees middleweights rule, the bike has one big difference to the current crop out there. And it’s a Triumph’s calling card – a three cylinder engine. And that on its own delivers a ton of street appeal.
It’s slightly soft in its dynamic for a sports offering, quick enough, and pretty damned comfortable. An eclectic mix, but one that is perfectly focussed on just what the contemporary sports rider is demanding, according to Snaggy.
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Triumph Daytona 660 price and specs
Triumph has launched its new Daytona 660 middleweight sportsbike from $14,790 rideaway, undercutting key rivals in the Yamaha YZF-R7 and Suzuki GSX-8R.
The Triumph Daytona 660 is available in both LAMS and full-power configurations, both at the same price, making it less expensive than the Yamaha YZF-R7 which is sold from $14,849 in LAMS guise, and $15,949 in its high-output form.
Similarly, the Daytona undercuts the Suzuki GSX-8R which will launch in April priced from $14,990, though this model does not qualify for LAMS accreditation due to its 776cc engine (660cc is the capacity limit).
For comparison, the Daytona 660 generates 70kW and 69Nm from its 660cc triple-cylinder engine (LAMS: 42kW and 62Nm), while the Yamaha R7 uses a 689ccc mill outputting 54kW and 67Nm.
The Suzuki GSX-8R features a 776cc parallel-twin engine generating 61kW and 78Nm, which is comparable to the Daytona 660’s figures, although it does benefit from a more advanced electronics suite and comes standard with an up/down quickshifter.
As previously reported, the Triumph Daytona 660 builds on its ‘660’ triple-cylinder platform as debuted with the Trident naked bike, but gains a number of key upgrades including a 17 per cent boost to power and a nine per cent increase in torque.
The bike presents as a fully faired sportsbike with neutral forward leaning ergonomics to strike a balance between sportiness and comfort. A seat height of 810mm should make it comfortable for most new and experienced riders.
Suspension is handled by Showa, with 41mm upside-down forks damping the front end, while 310mm twin brake discs and new Michelin Power 6 tyres round out the major handling features.
Technology features extend to three rider modes (no six-axis IMU) and a TFT dash, while an up/down quickshifter and smartphone connectivity must be purchased as an option.
Snag’s career in motoring journalism spans 30 years with stints at major bike mags Australian Road Rider, Motorcycle Trader and AMCN along with contributions to just about every other outlet worth a hill of beans. He was editor of Unique Cars magazine and hosts his legendary podcast ‘Snag Says’ when he gets off his date.
