The middleweight segment is brimming with options and Triumph Motorcycles aims to dominate this space with its bikes. For motorcyclists looking to upgrade to their first big bike, the Trident 660 was launched last year. It offers easy ride-ability with ample performance and lots of character, which is also why is it was crowned the 2022 CNB Premium Performance Motorcycle of the Year. And now, the Triumph is all set to expand its middleweight lineup with the upcoming Triumph Tiger Sport 660 sports tourer. The all-new offering promises touring capabilities coupled with the likeness of the Trident 660. Both bikes share the same underpinnings but there are plenty of differences on the Tiger to set it apart. So how different are the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and Trident 660 from each other? Let's take look.
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The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 borrows cues from the bigger Tiger offerings but the underpinnings and wheels come from the Trident 660
The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and the Trident 660 are completely opposite in design and it's little that brings them together visually. The Tiger Sport 660 borrows cues from its older siblings in the "Tiger" family with the twin-headlamp design and a tall windscreen. The rear gets a sharper appearance too, while the faired look offers a protective encasing around the rider. Meanwhile, the Trident 660 gets a neo-retro theme mixing old and new beautifully. The retro-styled round headlamp blends well with the muscular fuel tank, while the circular theme extends to the seat design as well. The Trident also gets a swingarm-mounted rear fender to hold the registration plate, as opposed to a conventional unit on the Tiger Sport 660.
The fairing also adds to the weight of the Tiger Sport 660 that tips the scales at 206 kg (kerb), which makes it about 16 kg heavier than its naked sibling. The wheelbase too is longer by 17 mm on the Tiger which makes for a longer and more comfortable seat, while the fuel tank is larger too at 17.2 litres, as against 14 litres on the Trident. Both bikes ride on 17-inch alloy wheels.
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The Triumph Trident 660 gets a slightly more aggressive riding posture but the Tiger Sport 660 will be more comfortable over long tours
Another big difference on each bike is the ergonomics. The Triumph Trident is slightly sportier with its rear-set footpegs, lower seat height and a slightly aggressive riding posture. It's absolutely comfortable but when you would want to compare it with the Tiger Sport 660, the latter offers centre-set footpegs, a 40 mm wider handlebar than the Trident, and a slightly taller seat at 835 mm, up by 30 mm. All of these are aimed to improve comfort over long distances. The rake and trail are sharper at 23.1-degrees and 97.1 mm, as opposed to the Trident's 24.6-degrees and 107.3 mm.
The front and rear suspension travel have been extended to 150 mm. Braking performance is shared with the Trident
The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 gets the same frame as the Trident 660 but the subframe has been changed to accommodate extra mounting pounds and load. The suspension too has been increased by 30 mm at the front and 16.5 mm at the rear. Both the front and rear suspensions offer travel of 150 mm, which should make the Tiger far more plush over the Trident. The Tiger Sport 660 also benefits from a longer steel swingarm that offers better weight management. Braking power comes from the same Nissin-sourced units on the Triumph 660 motorcycles.
The circular TFT instrument console is simple and clear on the Trident while the Tiger Sport 660 gets the split-screen version with a different design
The Trident 660 gets an all-digital TFT instrument console in the neo-retro circular dial. Instead, the Tiger Sport 660's instrument cluster gets an LCD panel and a TFT display and gets a more conventional shape. The unit also gets two split screens with the tachometer, fuel bar, and speedometer in the LCD unit, while the gear position indicator and clock are a part of the TFT screen at the bottom. Both models offer Road and Rain riding modes.
Both bikes use the same 660 cc in-line three-cylinder motor with 80 bhp and 64 Nm. The unit could be tuned on the Tiger Sport for more low-end grunt
Both the Tiger Sport and the Trident 660 get the same 660 cc mill that belts out 80 bhp at 10,250 rpm and 64 Nm of peak torque at 6,250 rpm. The motor is paired with a 6-speed unit. Triumph is expected to re-tune the engine on the Tiger Sport 660 for more low-end grunt over the Trident.
The Tiger Sport 660 is expected to be priced between Rs. 8.5-9 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Trident 660 is Triumph's most accessible motorcycle in India at Rs. 7.45 lakh and the bike does manage to offer plenty of goodies for the price. It's also the brand's second-most selling model in India after the Street Twin. With the Tiger Sport 660, the bike maker not only promises a more capable package but also makes its famed Tiger family more accessible to customers. And while the Tiger Sport 660 may be a sports tourer and not an out-and-out ADV, those starting off with their big bike experience will particularly like the 660 cc's behaviour. Moreover, prices for the Tiger Sport 660 are expected to be around Rs. 8.5-9 lakh (ex-showroom) and that will attract a new set of riders to Triumph showrooms.
