Triumph Tiger Sport 660: Detailed Technical Specifications and Honest Review

Triumph Motorcycles is best known for its iconic Bonneville motorcycles and ever-improving sportbike technology; however, recently the company has garnered attention for contributing immensely towards changing the face of the adventure motorcycle segment. Triumph is not a new entrant in the world of adventure bikes, as the British manufacturer entered the adventure motorcycle market in the 1990s. Over the years, Triumph has learned a lot through its experiences and the response evoked by its Street Triple, Speed Triple, and Tiger motorcycle lineups. After many experiments and a thorough study of the market trends, the British motorcycle manufacturer came up with yet another innovative concept, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 — a hybrid of adventure and sports motorcycles, best known as an urban adventurer.

Introduced in 2022, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 shares many features with its naked equivalent, the Triumph Trident 660, especially the in-line three-cylinder, four-stroke 660 cc engine that remains completely unchanged on both bikes and as a result, offers the same 81 hp horsepower and 47 ft-lb peak torque. From six-speed transmission to chain drive, Showa suspensions, ABS-equipped Nissin brakes, slip-and-assist clutch, and cast aluminum wheels, the spec sheets of both motorcycles are virtually identical. However, the styling, riding position, and fuel-tank capacity help make the two models distinguishable.

When discussing resemblance, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 also shares some features such as the side cowlings, front shape, and fuel tank capacity with the larger, heavier, off-road-focused members of the Triumph Tiger family. By adding these features, Triumph has solidified the Sport 660 as a member of the iconic Tiger series that has been around for over 85 years, introduced back around 1937. Though a lot has changed in terms of Triumph’s motorcycle engineering and technology ever since the company still markets some of its best-selling motorcycles as the Tiger models.

An impressive blend of advanced technology, simple yet sophisticated engineering, and playful styling, the Tiger Sport 660 seems to have something for a wide range of riders. Starting at just over $9,000, the Tiger Sport 660 is a highly compelling motorcycle, checking most of the preference boxes for many motorcycle enthusiasts. This article brings you all the details about the specifications, features, and performance of the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, helping you comprehend why it is one of the most hyped two-wheelers of this decade, how well it does its job compared to its competitors, and whether this bike makes for a worthwhile investment.

At first glance, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 appears to be a highly competent mid-sized adventure motorcycle, with its contemporary styling, practical ergonomics, perfectly contoured seat, impeccably-finished adventure-style fairing, wide handlebars, and ample ground clearance, which are enough to help the Tiger Sport 660 qualify as an adventure machine. However, the British motorcycle manufacturer achieved something else by designing the Tiger Sport 660.

Over the years, the British motorcycle brand had already mastered the art of designing capable two-wheelers and had also deciphered the reasons behind the growing popularity of adventure motorcycles: they were comfortable for highway travel, enjoyable over serpentine roads, had upright ergonomics that supported unhindered riding, and flaunted styling elements that dazzled everyone. Therefore, Triumph mustered all of the road-oriented qualities of an adventure motorcycle and assembled them in the form of the Tiger Sport 660, effectively filtering out any off-road-focused features from the bike’s spec sheet and profile.

By introducing the Tiger Sport 660 in 2022, Triumph helped fill the market gap by catering to the needs of riders who preferred adventure motorcycles minus their off-road functionalities. The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 also acted as a platform that many adventure enthusiasts utilized to learn to ride an adventure-style motorcycle before upgrading to larger and heavier dual-nature machines, as it handles the same way as any on-and-off-road ready adventure motorcycle would.

The 2022 Tiger Sport 660 stood out with its robust steel perimeter frame that was inspired by the Triumph Trident’s frame but outperformed it in terms of sturdiness, durability, and weight-bearing capacity, allowing riders to comfortably use this bike for pillion riding or transport luggage on it for motorcycle camping trips, long journeys, and similar motorcycle escapades. The resilient frame was designed to allow for customization as well; therefore, riders can mount luggage racks, tour packs, side panniers, saddlebags, and other motorcycle luggage pieces to curate a luggage system that works for them.

This approach by Triumph's team is reflected in the bike’s tail design which features integrated pannier mounts to facilitate installation of Triumph luggage. With all its special features and character, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 emerged as the best-selling model by the British manufacturer.

However, in August 2023, Triumph Motorcycle U.S.A. filed a recall report with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the Tiger Sport 660, as 7,500 motorcycles sold in the country between February 2022 and July 2023 were affected by the hose obstruction and malfunctioning Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) sensor, which caused engine control unit to receive incorrect data input from the sensors, leading to engine stall and rough idle. This malfunction significantly increased the risk of a crash. The issue was addressed timely, allowing the company to continue the Triumph Tiger Sport 660’s production for the year 2024.

The 2024 model of the award-winning Tiger Sport 660 is mechanically the same versatile bike it was at the time of its launch in 2022 but without the MAP malfunction reported in 2023. The 2024 models of the triple-powered bike come in three new striking colorways, including the all-new bold and intimidating Jet Black and Graphite or chic Snowdonia White and Jet Black.

• Snonwdonia White paint job on fairing, cockpit, and fuel tank.
• Jet Black paint job on the front mudguard, radiator cowl, and rear panel

• Jet Black paint job on cockpit, rear panel, fuel tank, and fairing
• Graphite paint job on radiator cowl and front mudguard

The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is powered by the manufacturer’s signature in-line three-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 660 cc engine that has the remarkable capacity to generate 81 hp/ 59.6 kW of horsepower at 10,250 rpm and 47.2 ft-lb/ 64 Nm peak torque at 6,250 rpm. The Trimble-cylinder in-line motor has a compression ratio of approximately 12:1 — 11.95:1 to be exact. Designed to be highly user-friendly, the Tiger Sport 660 motor is claimed to generate about 90 percent of its peak torque between 3,600-9,750 rpm.

The Tiger Sport 660’s in-line three-cylinder power plant is not only renowned for its performance but is also popular for its soul-satisfying sound at idle and at higher revs. As for the engine performance, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660’s three-cylinder engine is known for its linear power and a flat torque curve, so you get excellent response and smooth acceleration, whether you pull away at 3,000 rpm or 5,000 or above rpm. Though the power at 80 hp might not seem too much or ruthlessly fast for beginners; however, the smooth power delivery ensures an interesting and entertaining ride even for more experienced riders. In other words, the Tiger Sport 660’s engine produces just the right amount of power and torque, eliminating the need for more.

The high-performance engine is matched with a smooth-shifting six-speed transmission and a slip-and-assist clutch, and true to its adventure aesthetic, the bike uses a chain final drive. The slip-assist clutch is carefully selected and combined with a span-optimized lever to ensure effortless clutch action, allowing riders to ride continuously for long hours without feeling traces of fatigue. Immobilizer and Ride-by-Wire throttle systems, along with the clutch, work in perfect sync to control the power delivery and engine performance of the Tiger Sport 660.

Due to the fuel-injected engine and Euro-5 compliant exhaust system, Triumph claims approximately 52.2 mpg on paper for the Tiger Sport 660; however, the fuel mileage depends on the individual’s riding style and riding conditions the motorcycle is subjected to.

The main reason why this bike appeals to a broad range of riders, with varying riding skills and experience levels, is because of its ease of riding. The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a super agile bike, offering effortless handling and remarkable maneuverability for urban action. The Tiger Sport 660’s Showa front and rear suspensions have just under 6 inches of wheel travel — 150 mm/ 5.9 in to be exact. The front suspension does not come with any adjustments, while on the rear there is only remote preload adjustment. When riding with a passenger or luggage, you can use the remote preload adjustment knob to crank up the hydraulic preload assist.

As for the handling, the Tiger Sport 660 is rightly termed agile and highly maneuverable. True to all the claims, as soon as you hit the road, the first thing you’ll notice is how seamlessly this bike moves with a gentle flick of your wrist. Despite weighing about 455 lbs on a fully-fueled tank, this bike feels light, small, and flickable, characteristics made possible by the combination of 17-inch wheels, chassis, suspension setup, and a 1418 mm wheelbase.

The 4.4 US gal fuel tank makes this motorcycle dependable for everyday commutes and long hauls. Ensuring fewer refills between extended rides, the Tiger Sport 660’s generous fuel tank ensures that you never have to cut short your journey due to running out of fuel.

The Tiger Sport 660 features twin 310 mm disc brakes with Nissin two-piston sliding calipers at the front and a single 255 mm disc brake with Nissin single-piston sliding caliper at the rear. Both front and rear brakes are ABS-equipped. Though the Tiger Sport 660’s braking system is a cost-control/budget feature to regulate the overall price point of the bike, luckily, it offers decent stopping power due to the low weight of the bike. Had the bike been heavier than its original fully-fueled 455 lbs, then the braking system might have been a matter of concern for some riders.

When testing the ABS-equipped braking system of the Tiger Sport 660 on the streets, you will notice that the ABS promptly engages with your braking inputs. No matter the speed at which you are riding, the Tiger Sport 660’s brakes will provide a strong halting force to bring your motorcycle to a safe and timely stop. However, make sure not to overly rely on this braking system for track racing as you will overheat the brakes, compromising the bike’s braking performance and jeopardizing your safety.

The Tiger Sport 660 is rightfully equipped with road-compliant 17-inch front and rear wheels, with 120 mm front and 180 mm rear Michelin Road 5 tires, which are high-quality street tires. The Tiger Sport 660, with its 17-inch wheels, handles far better than any grand adventure motorcycle with bigger wheels.

The Tiger Sport 660 comes with a 32.8 in seat height, which is reasonably low considering the bike’s adventure styling; however, in comparison with other road-focused bikes, the seat height may appear a bit high to short riders. Riders who are 5 ft 9 in tall or taller can easily touch both their feet flat on the ground. Riders who are under 5 ft 6 in might find the bike a bit taller for their preferences. Average riders who are about 5 ft 6-8 in tall should have no problem riding and handling this stable bike.

When you swing your leg over the bike and take a position, you will notice that your legs will not be fully bent, indicating adequate legroom. Moreover, the handlebars are wide and positioned at just the right distance from the seat, offering a naturally upright riding position with a slight forward lean for sport riding and relaxed long-distance touring. Even when riding the motorcycle, the ergonomics feel perfectly neutral with a subtle forward lean with the seat holding you securely in place. The handlebars are also placed backward — towards the rider — improving reachability.

Since the bike comes with a single-piece seat for both rider and passenger, there is usually not much room for the passenger on the bike. Hence, the Tiger Sport 660’s pillion cannot be deemed as a comfortable passenger seat. The lack of a proper pillion is a typical feature in most sporty, adventure-style street motorcycles; hence, it cannot be deemed as the Tiger Sport 660’s exclusive design glitch. Removable passenger footpegs are installed on this bike, allowing riders to easily take them off when riding solo.

Undeniably, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 has loud adventure-inspired styling. From its eye-catching and sporty demeanor to a dynamic stance, minimalist and organized cockpit, sleek and crisp bodywork, sculpted fairing, and an unadorned screen, everything about this bike confirms its adventure-ready character.

Available in various vibrant and sophisticated two-tone paint schemes, almost every colorway has a touch of black in its frame. The striking twin LED headlights combined with the sculpted fairing, hint at the bike’s sharp handling and capability to handle extreme on-road adventure.

The stylish full-front fender features a Triumph logo, while the rear fender is sleek, short, and quite sturdy. Moreover, the prominent fuel tank not only boasts an impeccable paint finish but is also decorated with decals under the paint so they won’t come off. The side radiator covers are part of the sleek bodywork and also feature a classy Tiger Sport script.

The scoop-shaped wide seat, gleaming foot pegs, premium engine casing with black finish, and stainless steel brake lines also add a unique aesthetic touch to the bike. Collectively, all the styling elements testify to the bike’s sporty character, refined performance, durability, versatility, and capability for on-road adventures.

In the main controller, you find the clutch cable with no adjustment for reach, but the brake lever comes with a five-position adjustment lever for improved reach. The class-leading, full-color TFT display is a little small for some riders; however, it provides all the information from the tachometer to the fuel gauge, speedometer, gear position indicator, and different trip meters at one glance. The cutting-edge TFT display is ready for the integration of the accessory/optional My Triumph Connectivity System for navigation, Go Pro control and phone connectivity.

Furthermore, the Tiger Sport 660 is equipped with state-of-the-art technological features for enhanced safety, exceptional control, and a fearless riding experience. The bike comes with switchable traction control and ABS, making it a dependable companion for all sorts of on-road adventures. Whether you are riding on twisties, zooming past traffic, speeding down the highways, or making a sharp turn, these high-end tech features will ensure the bike does not rebel against your control.

Moreover, to help the rider better adapt to the changing riding conditions, the bike comes with two standard riding modes, Rain and Road, that quickly change the traction intervention and throttle sensitivity for enhanced control.

When discussing safety, it is worth mentioning that the Tiger Sport 660 boasts full LED lighting despite its low price point. From its sharp twin-LED headlights with position lights to hazard lights, turn signals, and tail signals, the bike’s lighting system is designed for increased visibility, safety, and peace of mind. Furthermore, the distinctive Triumph LED lighting package is claimed to be maintenance-free.

The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 comes with a large manually adjustable windshield with a vent that offers adequate wind protection and mitigates wind buffeting. The stock windshield comes with a bar that allows you to pull the windshield up or down to adjust the wind flow. When you move the windshield up, you experience slight wind buffeting, but a lot of the wind is effectively deflected above the helmet. On the other hand, moving the windshield down offers a controlled amount of airflow necessary for a cooling effect. Either way, the windshield adjustability range offers an appreciable air flow and deflection.

Due to the Triumph Tiger Sport 660’s adventure-dedicated styling, many riders confuse it for a dual-sport bike despite Triumph marketing it as an urban/ street bike with hardcore on-road mannerisms. Simply put, Tiger Sport 660 is not an off-road capable bike, and its 17-inch wheels, street-worthy tires, exhaust installed under the engine without any protection, and low seat height confirm this fact. However, there might arise a situation where you have to go off-road, such as when planning motorcycle camping in remote BLM lands, accessing rural areas, or looking for an alternate route during road closures.

In these situations, you can ride this small and agile bike off-road, specifically on smooth gravel paths with ruts and small rocks, without encountering any major issues. You can easily get through 10-15 miles off-road on this bike just to reach your destination. However, if you plan to engage in extended off-roading or explorations on the Tiger Sport 660, you may end up stranded in the middle of nowhere due to a hole in the engine exhaust, flat tire, or damaged wheels.

When riding off-road, the traction control will hinder you from sliding around on the dirt or gravel despite its adjustability. Even if you ride at full throttle while traversing rocky trails, the bike will not accelerate to its full potential. This is because when the traction control senses that the bike is slipping or the tire is unable to grip the gravel path, it cuts the power. The suspension is also too stiff and bouncy off-roads, compelling you to keep your speed low.

Riding the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 off-road tends to magnify the huge gap in the market as many riders need a bike as lightweight, agile, and reasonably powered as the Tiger Sport 660 for off-roading purposes. Though there are mid-sized adventure motorcycles that are highly off-road capable, such as the Yamaha Tenere 700, the Aprilia Tuareg 660, the KTM 790 Duke, and the KTM 890 Adventure, but for Triumph enthusiasts, these bikes fail to provide a solution.

The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a one-of-its-kind two-wheeler, especially at the price point it is being offered, hence, there is not much to complain about this bike. The bike’s biggest highlight and award-winning feature is its engine technology that creates brilliant sound while complying with the Euro 5 emission standards, offers excellent fuel economy, generates linear power and torque, and provides just the right amount of power and acceleration for a wide range of riders.

The next best thing about this bike is its agile handling, made possible through lightweight chassis, 17-inch wheels, short wheelbase, and wide handlebars. The precision reflected in the handling of this motorcycle is outstanding, to say the least. The comfortable ergonomics, reliable braking system, and adequate suspension setup intelligently combined with adventure bike styling sum up what this bike aims to achieve when out on paved roads.

On the other hand, many Triumph fans complain that the bike lacks essential features and accessories such as heated grips, cruise control, a standard quick shifter, heated seats, cornering ABS, etc. While quick-shifter is available as an optional feature, others are not. It is worth considering that adding all these features will certainly tip the price point towards the higher side.

Therefore, if you are looking for a motorcycle that comes with all the electronics and advanced safety features, it is better to shop for an upscale bike. But if you are looking for a fun motorcycle that can carry you to long distances in comfort and offer a great sense of recreation each time you ride it, then no other machine can beat the charm and performance of the Tiger Sport 660.

The Tiger Sport 660 is a great bike to own, but if you want to weigh out your options, you should also consider its following two direct competitors:

• The Suzuki V-Strom 650
• The Kawasaki Versys 650

Both of these bikes have more or less similar styling elements, engine size, features, and riding position as the Tiger Sport 660. The Versys 650 generates 63 bhp of horsepower while the V-Strom 650 produces bhp of horsepower at 8,000 rpm. In quick comparison, the Tiger Sport 660 generates about 80 bhp at 10,250 rpm.

Compared to the Tiger Sport 660, the Versys 650 creates an uninspiring exhaust note. The Versys is a highly comfortable bike with great ergonomics, good handling, and reliable functionalities for urban riding; however, its handling and overall riding experience are not as thrilling or exciting as the Tiger Sport 660. Moreover, compared to the Tiger Sport 660’s 206 kg weight, the Versys 650 weighs about 214 kg, and the extra weight can be felt when riding the Versys 650 in comparison with the Tiger Sport 660. The Kawasaki Versys 650 is much more affordable, but out of the two, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a markedly advanced and modern platform.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 has become a cult classic as the bike has developed quite a loyal fanbase over the years. However, compared to the Tiger Sport 660, the V-Strom 650 requires a lot of improvement in terms of suspension and braking performance. Weighing approximately 213 kg, the V-Strom 650 is bulkier and heavier than the Tiger Sport 660. However, the V-Strom 650 is more rugged, features a 19-inch front wheel, and offers more ground clearance than the Tiger Sport 660. Furthermore, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 is certainly more off-road capable compared to the strictly on-road-centric Triumph Tiger Sport 660.

Therefore, if you are looking for a stylish, smooth, modern street bike with an adventure bike aesthetic, then the Tiger Sport 660 is the right bike for you. If you want to add mild off-road capability to the mix, then the Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a more suitable motorcycle, if you are interested in a more touring-capable bike, the Kawasaki Versys 650 is the ideal fit.

The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a unique two-wheeler that does not get launched in the market every year. With this bike, Triumph has managed to strike the perfect balance between premium technological features, consistent performance, simplicity, and futuristic characteristics. All the features on the Tiger Sport 660, from its engine to chassis, windshield, traction control, riding modes, and bodywork, are carefully selected to keep the price within a certain range without compromising performance and ride quality.

If you are an experienced rider, you will find the power adequate to enjoy the ride. On the other hand, beginners need not worry about managing abrupt power on this bike. The ergonomics, sharp handling, and just enough power make the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 an inviting two-wheeler. For general street riding, including commuting, sport touring, highway travels, light adventure riding, canyon carving, and short around-town rides, there is currently no competition that can put down the Tiger Sport 660. Therefore, if you are looking for your first or next mid-sized street motorcycle, make sure you test this phenomenal two-wheeler.