Triumph daytona 675R

Triumph has labeled the 675R as a track day weapon/fast road riding tool, and MCN can’t argue with this. The stiff Ohlins suspension and lithesome, agile nature of the 675R chassis gives the impression it is a sorted race bike. Couple this with impressive midrange from of the triple-cylinder engine and you have a bike that allows devastating corner speed at the track. Although for the road the suspension as standard is bloody hard and necessitates softening off. Simple touches of a red subframe, carbon front mudguard and fairing infill panels make the 675R special and instantly recognisable. Nice one, Triumph. Now can we have a 1000cc version, please.

Engine

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Owners' rating

It is the same powerplant as the standard Daytona 675. Forget about peak power – although 115bhp at the wheel is not to be sneezed at – it’s the legendary flat but fat torque curve coupled with a midrange horsepower that makes the Daytona a breeze to ride day-in, day out without working up a sweat.
If you want to rip it up then the 675R will easily pump your adrenaline – especially on a trackday – simply by working the throttle harder. Something done very easily because the fitment of a plug and play quickshifter means it’s a case of simply opening and closing the throttle and foot tapping the gear lever.

Ride and Handling

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Owners' rating

Again, exactly the same as the Daytona 675 and is pure supersport. The seat’s high and has low-set clip-on bars but isn’t uncomfortable, just intimidating at first. The ride is exemplary on track thanks to the Ohlins fully adjustable front forks and TTX36 rear shock. Both systems make the gap between road and track use easier to cross by being fully adjustable. Because of its track-bias, the firm set up can cause the bars to occasionally waggle. While this is not a problem for the steering damper to take control, it would have been good if Triumph had kitted the 675R with a fully adjustable unit to make the ‘R’ transformation complete.

Equipment

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Owners' rating

It is the same powerplant as the standard Daytona 675. Forget about peak power – although 115bhp at the wheel is not to be sneezed at – it’s the legendary flat but fat torque curve coupled with a midrange horsepower that makes the Daytona a breeze to ride day-in, day out without working up a sweat. If you want to rip it up then the 675R will easily pump your adrenaline – especially on a trackday – simply by working the throttle harder. Something done very easily because the fitment of a plug and play quickshifter means it’s a case of simply opening and closing the throttle and foot tapping the gear lever.

Quality and Reliability

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Owners' rating

Chassis components are no different to Japanese counterparts. This leaves the powertrain open to discussion, of which there are few web-based grumbles about the previous version (2006-2008), but nothing but good news has been said about this latest model. Racing has thrown up a few blown motors, but then this happens with Japanese and European bikes – it is the nature of the racing beast.

Value

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Owners' rating

The 675 is a brilliant middleweight in standard guise and worth the money, no problem. Add up the cost of the race-spec goodies and you are getting a good deal when buying the 675R with them fitted as standard.

Insurance

Insurance group: 16

Model History

2003-2004: Daytona 600 – 599cc 4-cylinder, 110bhp
2005-2006: Daytona 650 – 646cc, 4-cylinder, 112bhp
2006-2008: Daytona 675 – 675cc, 3-cylinder, 123bhp
2009- to date: Daytona 675 – 675cc 3-cylinder, 124bhp

Other Versions

Specifications

Top speed	mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	126bhp
Torque	54ftlb
Weight	162kg
Seat height	825mm
Fuel capacity	17.4 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group	16

Engine size	675cc
Engine specification	Liquid-cooled, 12v, inline-triple, four-stroke. Six gears
Frame	Aluminium twin spar
Front suspension adjustment	Rebound and high/low compression damping, spring preload
Rear suspension adjustment	Rebound and high/low compression damping, spring preload
Front brakes	2 x 308 discs with 4-piston monoblock calipers
Rear brake	220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	180/55 x 17