2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Review

Sometimes a motorcycle just makes sense, and the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is one such example. It’s fast, fun, practical, learner-friendly, and affordable. What more do you need?

Born from the same platform as the award-winning Triumph Trident 660, the new Triumph Tiger Sport 660 was always going to be a good thing, but we weren’t to know just how good until we got our mitts on one.

Falling under the adventure sport category, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a mid-capacity, road-orientated machine with adventure styling and ergonomics, and a beautiful learner-approved three-cylinder 660cc engine.

On that note – don’t make the mistake of viewing the Tiger Sport 660 as a dual-sport machine. It’s not. Sure, you can ride in on dirt roads if you wish, but that is not what it’s designed for, even if people tell you it is. Now that bit of housekeeping is out of the way, let’s continue.

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Triumph unveiled its popular Trident 660 in late 2020. Reviving an iconic moniker and bringing its trademark triple-cylinder performance to the LAMS category, Triumph made a big song and dance when the Trident was revealed. And, to British marque’s credit, the hype was justified.

The Trident 660 is an absolute gem of a machine. It was awarded the inaugural 2021 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year award for its simplicity, practicality, elegance, and performance. There aren’t too many other boxes it needs to tick.

Now, if you’re a close follower of the motorcycle industry, you’ll know that when a company releases a new engine platform, it’s likely that it will appear in more than one model. And it’s also likely that it will feature in both road and adventure machines. Look at Yamaha’s CP3 platform or KTM’s LC8 engine or, more recently, Aprilia’s 660 range for proof.

So, with that in mind, it made total sense when Triumph announced it would be putting the Trident’s three-cylinder donk into the new Tiger Sport 660. Okay, so I personally would have loved a full-blown adventure bike to rival the Tenere or KTM 890, but the Tiger Sport 660 is a pretty good compromise.

As mentioned earlier, the new 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is powered by a LAMS-approved, liquid-cooled 660cc inline three-cylinder engine. It puts out figures 55.5bhp at 8750rpm and 62Nm at 6250rpm. And yes, there is a full power version, and no, that version isn’t coming to Australia.

But the LAMS designation is important. As a motorcycle, the Tiger Sport 660 is solid, but as a learner motorcycle, it is the cream of the crop. And yes, that includes the Trident.

Other key metrics you should know about include the 835mm seat height, the 206kg wet weight, the 17.2L fuel capacity, and, of course, the $14,990 ride away price tag.

The Tiger Sport 660 also features 150mm suspension travel front and rear, 17-inch wheels front and rear, a 6-speed gear box with wet multi-plate clutch, twin 310mm brake discs up the front, a single 255mm disc at the rear, and some handy electronic features.

The Tiger Sport 660 is at the upper end of the LAMS scale – both in terms of capacity and price – so, naturally, it has enough on tap to satisfy experienced riders as well as beginners.

With a typical triple-cylinder feel, the Tiger’s 660cc power plant is an absolute beauty. It gets off the line quickly and smoothly, and accelerates quickly but in a very linear and user-friendly way. Put simply: this bike offers plenty of thrills but won’t rip your arms off or get beginners into trouble.

Of course, the inevitable question is why the full-power version isn’t coming to Australia. The answer is that Triumph is well aware that the LAMS market is much more fruitful. There will be loads of horsepower junkies that will stomp their feet and complain, but how many would actually buy the bike if it came to Oz? Truthfully, not many. You only have to look at past sales figures of the MT-07 compared to its LAMS sibling for evidence.

And besides, the Tiger Sport 660 is still an absolute blast, even with the slightly-lower HP and torque numbers. Yes, it drops off a bit at the top-end of the rev range, but you'll have more fun in the mid-range anyway.

While the overall ride position is upright, the footpegs are high and setback slightly, making for a great compromise between and comfort and sportiness. As mentioned earlier, this machine might carry the Tiger moniker and look adventure-ish, but it is all about long tarmac miles and some sporty fun on the side.

The Tiger is super comfy, with plenty of space, a plush seat and a light and slim chassis. It sounds like a cliché, but you can ride this bike all day without breaking a sweat. For reference, I’m 6’1ft and felt right at home on the bike.

Another big plus is the suspension which is basic, but effective in achieving its mission statement. The Showa fork allows you to turn with confidence while maintaining stability and comfort levels, while the shock also presents no issues. Actually, the shock is a lot better than it was in the Trident. While easily adjustable, the Trident’s stock shock settings were brutally harsh. No such problem with the Tiger 660 though.

Head for the hills, and you’ll find the Tiger to be incredibly sporty with great agility and stability, and an overall package that gives you confidence to push that little bit harder than you might expect for a learner-friendly bike.

In the tech department, the Tiger Sport 660 offers more than most LAMS bikes, but is still beautifully simple and easy to use. The bike features just two ride modes – Rain and Road – as well as switchable traction control.

The TFT display is easy to read and use, and provides all the necessary information. You can also add ride-by-wire throttle, a slip-and-assist clutch, and full LED lighting to the equipment list, while Bluetooth connectivity and a quick shifter are optional.

Yep, nice and simple. Though there is one slightly-annoying omission.

I’m being picky in finding any gripes with the Tiger Sport 660, but the lack of cruise control is a little confusing. Okay, so adding cruise would raise the price tag even further, and I’m sure some will argue that learner riders don’t need the added distraction, but this is a tourer after all.

Cruise control, in my opinion at least, is something of a safety feature these days. On long jaunts up the highway, the ability to give your arms a momentary rest can go a long way to keeping you fresh, alert, and awake. And this is a bike that you’ll want to do long miles on.

While there aren’t many learner bikes that have cruise, there also aren’t many learner bikes that check in at nearly $15k. It’s not the end of the world, but it would have been a nice addition.

Likewise, some hand guards would have been good. On long riders and early-morning commutes, your hands will get pretty cold. And, like cruise control, some protection from the cold can be a life-saver (literally). Fortunately both hand guards and heated grips are available as accessories.

My only other real complaint is a bit superficial. The TFT display is a tad ugly in my opinion. I know, I know – who cares what the TFT looks like, as long as it does its job, right? Well, yes…but I’ve always admired Triumph’s impeccable British style and attention to detail, and the TFT’s aesthetic is a bit too outdated for a bike of this price and calibre. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was being picky.

Those minor gripes aside, the Tiger Sport 660 really is an excellent piece of kit. I wrote in my Trident 660 review that it might be the ultimate learner bike. But, if I’m being honest, the Tiger Sport is a better overall package. Do the maths.

Perhaps where the Tiger lets itself down slightly is with its price tag. At $14,990 ride away, it is over $2000 more than the Trident, and is definitely one of the more expensive LAMS models out there. Still, you get a lot of value for your money, and few other learner bikes feel this refined and well-equipped. In short, if you’ve got the coin, you won’t regret the purchase.

A beautiful, rider-friendly engine, excellent ergonomics and handling, and simple but effective technology – is there anything else you need on a bike? Triumph has hit a home run with the new Tiger Sport 660. Now, Triumph, can you please make an off-road capable version?

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 12-valve, inline 3-cylinder
Capacity: 660cc
Bore x stroke: 74.0mm x 51.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.95:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 55hp at 8750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 62Nm at 6250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular steel perimeter frame
Front suspension: Showa 41mm upside down separate function fork
Rear suspension: Showa monoshock with preload adjustment
Front brakes: Dual 310mm discs with twin-piston Nissin calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 255mm disc with single-piston Nissin caliper, ABS
Tyres: 120/70 ZR 17 (58W) front, 180/55 ZR 17 (73W) rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 206kg
Seat height: 835mm
Wheelbase: 1418mm
Fuel capacity: 17.2 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $14,690 ride away
Colours: Crystal White, Sapphire Black, Matte Jet Black/Silver Ice, Silver Ice/Diablo Red
Bike supplied by: Triumph Motorcycles Australia
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited km