Triumph has released an exciting new middleweight sport-tourer, the 2022 Tiger Sport 660. The new Tiger Sport will share the engine from the new Trident released earlier this year, and Triumph claims this is the first triple to make its way into the middleweight sport-touring segment.
Triumph sees the new model appealing to two groups of motorcyclists, newer riders moving up to a bigger bike, and veteran riders looking for a thrilling all-rounder. It says the new Tiger Sport has a narrow stand-over feel and the seat is on the low side at 32.8 inches, which should make it accessible to a broad range of riders in terms of height and experience.
The 660cc triple-cylinder engine is designed to provide a broad torque band across a wide rev range and strong top-end horsepower.
The 660 Sport has a full-size windscreen that should be ideal for long-haul excursions, whereas the rest of the sleek design has a tall but sporty influence, including a stubby stainless-steel silencer. A slip/assist clutch should make for a slick work of the 6-speed gearbox and an up/down quickshifter is available as a factory option.
Triumph says the 660 Sport has exceptional handling, and on paper at least, the bike appears to live up to the claim. The Sport is fitted with Showa’s lightweight 41mm separate function fork (SFF), where each fork leg performs a separate function, one side for damping and the other for spring, and at the rear, a Showa dual-rate monoshock is adjustable for preload. Claimed peak power is 80 horses at 8,750 rpm, 5% more than the V-Strom, and claimed peak torque is 47.2 lb-ft, on par with the Versys, and yet the Tiger Sport weighs 20 pounds less than either.
The Tiger Sport 660 has stats that promise sports performance, but the tall, adjustable screen, 4.7-gallon gas tank, integrated side case mounts, and pillion grab handles cater to riders looking to make longer excursions with or without a passenger. Side cases, with a combined capacity of 57 liters, and a 47-liter top box (and cast aluminum luggage rack) are available options and can be color-matched.
Braking is supplied by Nissin, 2-piston calipers on twin 310mm discs, with a single-piston rear caliper on a 255mm disc. Standard tires are Michelin Road 5, which promise versatility in riding conditions and styles. ABS is fitted as standard, and the brake lever is adjustable for reach.
Throttle-by-wire allows for two riding modes, Road and Rain, as well as switchable traction control. A small TFT color display is integrated into a larger LCD and shows all the key information, and allows for menu selections and connectivity. All-around LED lighting, self-canceling indicators, and key fob immobilizer are all standard.
The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is available in three color schemes: Lucerne Blue & Sapphire Black, Graphite & Sapphire Black, or Korosi Red & Graphite (for an extra $125), which also comes with sporty graphics. The standard version has an MSRP of $9,295 and will be available in dealers starting in February 2022.
2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Specs
Base Price: $9,295
Website: triumphmotorcycles.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, inline triple, DOHC w/ 4 vpc.
Displacement: 660cc
Bore x Stroke: 74 x 57.7mm
Horsepower: 80 hp @ 8,750 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Torque: 47.2 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch
Final Drive: X-ring chain
Wheelbase: 55.8 in.
Rake/Trail: 23.7 degrees/3.8 in.
Seat Height: 32.8 in.
Wet Weight: 454 lbs. (claimed)
Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gals.
Throttle by wire and no cruise? Silly! Thats a show stopper for me.
Really? Would you have honestly bought it otherwise? Or is this just a comment based on reading rather than trying the bike out? There are MANY aspects other than just cruise control, so this does not appear to be a well considered opinion to me.
At one point not long ago, I put together a list of desirable characteristics for my “dream next bike”. I want a middleweight sport-tourer with an engine in the 75-90 hp range with some character, good fuel economy, ability to carry hard bags and a top case, cruise control, and good looks. This bike checks all boxes except one. I believe that any modern motorcycle with hard bags should have cruise available, even if just as an option. Given this bike has throttle-by-wire, it would be a HUGE mistake to not offer cruise with it.
So, I’ve been VERY interested in this bike since it was announced, and if it has cruise, I will buy it – presuming there are no fatal flaws. Without cruise, I’ll look elsewhere. To me, it would be an inexcusable omission.
So, to me, Craig Goldstein is spot-on.
Lack of cruise control makes you not want the motorcycle? That’s a pretty silly “must have” for a real motorcyclist…
All the cruise features and no cruise control. I’ll wait.
Hope they have cruise control by Feb. 2022 and cases that are NOT expensive. Past owner of several Triumphs
Torsten Jacobsen
Yup .. Once you’ve had cruise control on a bike you tour with, you won’t want to go without. I also am skeptical about their fuel/mileage claim. A FI bike will quit running with approx. .5 gallons of fuel in the tank to protect the fuel pump. That likely leaves 4 gallons of useable fuel. 230/4=57.5 mpg. I doubt the 660 motor will be that frugal if interstate runs are in the equation. I’ll be interested in the Aprilia Taureg 660’s price tag.
A bike I have been hoping for, but like other readers, I want cruise and would be happy to pay for it. Otherwise, I’ll give the Yamaha the nod. Past owner of both brands.
Cornering ABS and Cruise control missing. Triumph has developed a winner here by bridging many gaps. Not 2, not 4 but 3 cylinders. Not pure street not pure adv but a sports tourer. I always felt funny seeing riders buy the bigger tigers when all they did was inter city touring and mild off roading. Why pay a premium for overpowered Ninjas and Ducatis when most will never use that power. A 600-700 cc bike with all the electronics is what most require. I will wait for the second generation of this bike.
Seriously thinking of test riding one in February or March of 2022. Great review, ridden since 1994 and never had cruise control before
No test rides available anywhere in the 300 miles vicinity of where i live. I booked one while i was considering the Trident 660 (dropped it as it does not have a usable rear seat)
I also am not buying without cruise control. I may wind up with a CFMoto because of this alone. 10 hours on the expressway without cruise is not fun even if you’re gatekeeping who is a ‘real motorcyclist’
ive never even used the cruise control in my Lexus RX450 so i’m pretty sure i wouldn’t be bothered that this hasn’t got cruise control.