Bike Files: Triumph Tiger Sport 660/800

It’s an all-round adventure with Triumph’s tremendous triples…

Tiger? That’s Triumph’s adventure bike range, right?

It sure is, although the Tiger Sport is sports tourer than full on adventure bike. The two bike range is more of a competitor to Yamaha’s fine selling Tracer 7 (660) and Tracer 9 (800) sports tourers than they are a Tenere or Transalp.

With 17” cast wheels and road biassed tyres, combined with relaxed ergonomics and reasonably short travel suspension, it’s real all rounder that’s as happy commuting to work as it is scratching on a Sunday morning or taking in a Highland tour.

It’s Triumph doing what Triumph does best, and has been well received by press and public alike. Other Tigers still roam in the Triumph range though, and those without the ‘Sport’ moniker are of the more rugged adventure bike type.

What’s the difference between the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and the 800?

Aside from the larger, more powerful, engine the 800 has higher specification chassis components and some detail changes, which all add up to create a motorcycle which is surprisingly different to ride.

So what do they ride like?

The 660 was already well received when it arrived in 2022.

Based on the Trident 660 roadster, this ‘all-new’ model, as Triumph dubbed it, was praised for its agile handling and characterful three-cylinder 80bhp engine, which helped it stand out against two-cylinder competition like the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Yamaha Tracer 7. It was good value too, and its pseudo adventure bike look perhaps gave it a wider appeal than if it was marketed as a straight up sports tourer.

The 800 arrived in 2025 (along with a refresh to the 660, which saw spec like cornering ABS and cruise control added as standard) and took the concept to a new level. With 113bhp on tap, it offers much more performance – while the front forks are upgraded to include adjustable rebound and compression damping.

The Tiger Sport is far more than just a Trident with a fairing and different handlebars. Yamaha’s Tracer is a mighty benchmark to beat but, in almost every aspect, reviews of the Triumph have been very favourable.

It’s just one of those ‘Jack of all Trades’ machines which is excellent at so many things, but especially having fun on fast A and B roads. Triumph is known for its ability to make a motorcycle which handles well and the Tiger Sport (especially in 800 form) delivers a sporting ride.

The more ‘street’ chassis set-up creates a composed ride and, while taller adventure bikes with their longer travel suspension can sometimes pitch under braking and acceleration, the feeling from the saddle is tighter and more engaging.

The 660 is a very decent motorcycle which is more engaging than you’d expect from a ‘budget’ motorcycle, but the 800’s extra performance, plusher suspension, better brakes and slightly different geometry create a riding experience which is significantly different and elevates it right into the same circles as the previously class-defining Tracer 9.

It’s just a shame that Triumph chose to endow the Tiger Sports with a slightly cheap looking LCD dashboard (with TFT insert). In a world where most middleweights have large full colour TFTs, the cockpit-eye view from the Tiger Sport feels a bit budget. Which is a shame, because the riding experience is anything but….

But are they budget bikes?

We’re not sure we’d describe them as budget, but they are definitely good value middleweights. Triumph is usually pretty sharp with their pricing and the 660 is definitely priced to sell. It came to market competitively priced against the Tracer and although it’s clear some corners have been cut in order to achieve that, it’s not come at the expense of quality.

The frame, for example, is made from steel and is of a basic design, the suspension lacks adjustability and the brakes are really quite low end twin sliding caliper jobbies. As we’ve mentioned already, the 800 has a higher spec (and a £2k higher price tag at the time of writing) but still isn’t in top-of-the-range territory either.

The suspension is better, as are the four-piston caliper brakes, but it’s still mid-range stuff and not close to the gadget laden technological masterpiece that is the top-spec Tracer 9 GT+. In a way it doesn’t need all the tech, that’s a big part of the appeal, but equally it’s very much a motorcycle which knows what it is… and what it isn’t! It’s just a great solid all-rounder.

Is there a proper ‘adventure’ spec Tiger?

Sure! In many ways the Tiger Sport is closer to the old Sprint ST Triumph used to make, rather than a rufty-tufty Tiger, and although the old Tiger 850 has been dropped as the entry level model in the range, the Tiger 900 series continues to develop and get better and better with each generation.

This is a completely different model and a ‘proper’ adventure bike, which is much taller and more rugged thanks to bigger wheels and longer travel suspension. It comes in two main specs (called ‘GT’ and ‘Rally’) with the latter having a 21” front wheel, spokes and some genuine off-road ability. These are also a good chunk more expensive than the Sport version.

Who is likely to buy a Triumph Tiger Sport?

Few motorcycles have as broad appeal as the Triumph Tiger Sport. Whether you’re a new rider looking at your first big bike, an older rider looking to downsize to something lighter and more manageable (without sacrificing fun) or just somebody looking for a motorcycle that can get you to work, tour and have a bit of weekend fun it’s genuinely got something for everyone. It really does roll everything into one neat package and is all most people will ever need.

Jeez, it sounds like we’re Triumph’s ad agency!

Are there any good modifications for the Triumph Tiger Sport?

Triumph offer a huge range of accessories for the Tiger Sport models, including a low seat, a ‘comfort’ seat (which has thicker padding and raises the seat height), USB charger, an Akrapovic slip on silencer and some touring orientated options including heated handlebar grips and a three-box luggage system. They all add to the practicality but can quickly add a few grand to the standard bike’s screen price.

Which model of Triumph Tiger Sport should I buy?

Both offer the same seat height and are roughly the same weight (the extra equipment of the 800 means it weighs in at 214kg, 7kg more than the 660) so there’s not really anything in it in terms of manageability.

Whether you choose the 660 or the 800, you can’t really go wrong, but if your budget and licence will allow, the 800 definitely offers a step up in class over the 660 and would be our choice.