Triumph’s range expansion will continue in 2022 with a new Trident-based adventure tourer set to take on the popular Yamaha Tracer 7 and the upcoming Aprilia Tuareg 660.
The budget Trident 660 has been a big success for Triumph since its introduction at the start of the year, proving popular with new and experienced riders alike. Based around a 660cc development of the previous 675cc three-cylinder it is no surprise to see a new variant hitting showrooms less than 12 months after the launch of the roadster.
Faired middleweights have been proving popular in recent years. Yamaha’s Tracer 7 leads the way as an A2 friendly adventure tourer, combining the upright stance of an adventure bike with a sportier and more road focussed set-up, such as pure roadgoing 17” wheels and geometry. Aprilia are set to get in on the act in 2022 as well, with the (likely) pricier Tuareg 660, while other contenders include the Kawasaki Versys 650 and even the BMW F750GS.
Triumph’s current entry in the class is the Tiger Sport 850 and the British brand will again take on the two-cylinder competition with a three-cylinder alternative. Although Triumph have announced the upcoming arrival of its new model, and even released some shots and a video of a prototype in snazzy Triumph branded testing livery, they’re being a little shy on actual details of the final product.
It’s unlikely that the 80bhp Trident motor will be modified in the Tiger Sport 660, which also looks to share its basic chassis with the roadster. There will be some modifications though. Most obvious from the pictures is the fairing, which looks not dissimilar to that on the 850 and the effervescent Tiger 1050 of old, but with more modern headlights. The fuel tank design is also different (and most likely bigger) to the one the Trident.
Triumph’s ‘spy’ shots also show the Tiger Sport 660 sporting panniers, which are likely to be extra cost accessories but would suggest that the Trident chassis has been given a beefed up subframe to cope with the extra weight. Suspension also looks to be slightly longer travel, which will raise the seat height and modify the geometry. It may be that the Tiger will adopt a more comprehensive set of instruments than the Trident, and potentially additional riding aids.
In a class where price is key, we expect Triumph’s accountants to pitch the Tiger Sport 660 right alongside the £8200 Tracer 7, with the £9400 Tiger Sport 850 likely to remain in the range for riders looking for a little more performance and spec.
