Return of the Triumph Daytona! Iconic sportsbike returns as 660cc triple middleweight

Triumph’s Daytona name has once again returned to the Hinckley firm’s line-up, with the iconic badge now fronting a new middleweight sportsbike, based on the highly popular Trident 660cc triple platform. 

• We’ve ridden it! Triumph Daytona 660 review

Teased officially by Triumph in mid-December 2023, and seen prior to that in spy shots during development rides, the much anticipated Daytona 660 uses an updated version of the company’s existing 660cc triple to sit alongside the Trident 660 naked and Tiger Sport 660 tourer. 

Unlike other recently deceased Daytonas and the limited edition 765 Moto2, the 660 is not all about going around in circles as fast as possible. Instead, it’s set to offer a softer approach to sporty riding – providing a middleweight that can be used on a daily basis that Triumph themselves admit is less sporty than a Yamaha R7 and a close competitor of Honda’s CBR650R.

Whilst that stance won’t appeal to some fans of previous sportier Daytonas, it should prove to be a hit with riders jumping up to a bigger bike, as well as experienced pilots wanting a less-focussed riding experience for their wrists and knees who aren’t yet prepared to give up the sportsbike life. 

Available to order now and set to hit dealers at the end of March, it’s yours for £8595 OTR – directly in line with the likes of the £8899 Suzuki GSX-8R, £7555 Kawasaki Ninja 650, £8910 Yamaha R7, and £8599 Honda CBR650R. 

So, what makes the new Daytona tick? Well, starting with the engine, the bike uses the Trident naked as a base, with a number of internal revisions to provide an increase in performance without removing the ability for A2 licence restriction. 

Power sits at a claimed 93.7bhp at 11,250rpm (17% more than the Trident), with 50.9lbft of torque arriving at 8250rpm (9% extra over the naked). What’s more, 80% of this torque is on tap from just 3125rpm – making the bike more engaging at real-world speeds, without the need to be thrashed.

This has been achieved thanks to a series of upgraded engine internals, including a new crankshaft, new camshaft and cam profile, new cylinder head, new pistons, and new gudgeon pins. 

The valve gear is also new – as is the three into one exhaust, with compression also raised slightly to 12.05:1 (up from 11.95:1).

A quickshifter/autoblipper is also available as an optional extra, while three riding modes are provided as standard. The engine also benefits from 10,000-mile service intervals, and a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Triumph Daytona 660 frame

It’s not just the engine where changes have been made, with the tubular steel perimeter frame altered for greater agility. The pegs are 10mm higher, and 15mm further back than on the Trident, with the handlebars forward by 95mm and down by 110mm. 

These clip-on bars sit above the top yoke (much like the rival Suzuki and Honda) to create an engaging position without creating discomfort at slower speeds. 

Elsewhere, there’s a seat height of 810mm, which can be brought down to 785mm with a different seat. Suspension comes courtesy of 41mm Showa big piston forks, and a preload adjustable rear shock.

Gripping the road are a set of Michelin Power 6 tyres on 17in five-spoke cast aluminium wheels. These are bonded with dual 310mm discs upfront, gripped by four-piston radial calipers complete with braided lines and ABS. 

New Daytona, new technology

Away from the mechanics, the new machine gets a contemporary look, with a front-end that takes clear inspiration from the last of the ‘proper’ supersport Daytonas.

Available in three colours, you get LED lighting all round, with a flashing hazard warning under hard braking. Tucked in behind the screen is a part LCD, part TFT dash that is phone compatible for turn-by-turn navigation.  

To further personalise your Daytona, there are over 30 official accessories available including heated grips and a USB socket, as well as a race kit in development with Peter Hickman, to compete in the incoming National Sportsbike Championship series alongside BSB.

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A brief history of the Triumph Daytona

The Daytona name is taken from the 1966 Florida Daytona 200, which was won by Buddy Elmore on a prototype T100 from an unbelievable 46th on the grid. There were several rapidly released versions of the Daytona sportsbike through the nineties before the T595 and 955i versions struck a chord in 1996 and 1999 respectively.

What followed in the noughties was a succession of impressive supersport models that took the road and the racetrack by storm. Here are some of the greatest hits:

2003-2004 Triumph Daytona 600

599cc | 110bhp | 50.5lbft | 815mm seat height

The first modern supersport Daytona, taking over from the TT600. A great value used buy, this four-cylinder screamer took the Junior TT win with Bruce Anstey in 2003, as well as a BSS victory with Craig Jones in ’04.

2005 Triumph Daytona 650

646cc | 122bhp | 51lbft | 815mm seat height

The Daytona gained an extra 47cc in 2005 to become the 650. As well an increased capacity Triumph also adding a new silencer, clutch, gear linkage, and more, plus minor tweaks to the sharp-edged styling.

• Read our Triumph Daytona 650 review here

2006-2008 Triumph Daytona 675

675cc | 123bhp | 53lbft | 825mm seat height

Sharper, taller, and now equipped with a rasping three-cylinder engine, the first Daytona 675 looked worlds away from the previous 650. Punchy, and with a broad spread of power, it was the first Hinckley model to be a serious contender to the Japanese supersport offerings.

• Read our Triumph Daytona 675 review here

2013-2018 Triumph Daytona 675R

675cc | 126bhp | 55lbft | 820mm seat height

The last hoorah for the Daytona 675 was the second-gen R model. With a sharper focus and more bling, it was faster and better handling than any Daytona before it. It was also the model’s first major change since 2006!

• Read our Triumph Daytona 675R review here

2020 Triumph Daytona Moto2 765 Limited Edition

765cc | 126bhp | 58.6lbft | 822mm seat height

The 765 was a welcome return – albeit in limited numbers. With bags of grunt, and the roomiest riding position in class (at the time) it proved a hit with fans across the globe.

• Read our Triumph Daytona 765 Moto2 Limited Edition review here