Review: 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Adventure style motorcycles tend to be more comfortable and versatile than most other machines. That’s part of the reason their popularity has skyrocketed in the last decade. We saw manufacturers enter a race for the biggest and baddest ADV on the market, but riders didn’t follow that logic for long. Most of us are just weekend warriors that want a comfortable and capable bike for commuting, light touring, and day rides.
Multipurpose middleweight bikes have been making a comeback in recent years, and rightfully so—they have enough power to cruise on the highways, less weight to manage than their liter-bike brethren, and a price point that appeals to newer and financially conscious riders.
Triumph took things a step further. They’ve taken their popular middleweight naked bike, the Trident 660, and given it a more versatile stance to fit into the ADV/Sport ADV segment. In doing so, they’ve created one of the most powerful bikes in this category, and the only triple at that.
Triumph’s 660cc liquid-cooled in-line three produces 80 horsepower. At only 455 pounds, this bike has plenty of get-up-and-go for its size. The ride-by-wire throttle delivers a linear power curve with a decent mid-range punch. Smooth power delivery allows the bike to be ridden in city conditions or with a passenger without causing any fuss. Two ride modes are available—Road and Rain. Each of the ride modes has preset traction control and throttle response. ABS comes on the bike, but unlike most ADV-oriented bikes, the rider can not switch it off. But this bike isn’t made for hardcore off-road riding, so that is hardly a quarrel. The only thing the Tiger Sport is missing is cruise control.
The comfortable, upright sitting position means long days in the saddle are no problem and the tall windshield keeps the windblast manageable at highway speeds. The windshield is adjustable with one hand, too, so you can make changes on the fly. The longer subframe will support a passenger, as well as luggage if needed. Plus, 4.5 gallons of fuel will keep you riding for nearly 200 miles.
The non-adjustable 41mm front fork and preload-adjustable shock from Showa provide 5.9 inches of suspension travel. While the stock suspension may feel a bit soft to most riders when braking hard, the 55.8-inch wheelbase keeps the bike steady in corners.
Side-to-side transitions are quick and nimble, feeling more like a sportbike than an ADV. The smooth and punchy power delivery makes handling tight corners incredibly easy with no need to shift all the time. Newer riders are able to focus on the ride rather than gear selection, and experienced riders will appreciate the simplicity.
The Tiger Sport 660’s biggest strength is its road riding versatility. It’s a great ride for commuting through town, carving the twisties, or riding two-up for a long weekend. The Tiger Sport 660 is currently a sleeper in the middleweight category for $9,000.