Triumph Daytona 675

Introduced in 2006, the Daytona 675 is a middleweight sport bike built by Triumph Motorcycles to replace the Daytona 650.

The 2008 model has a tested dry weight of and wet weight of . Tested power output is rated at @ 12,100 rpm with @ 10,400 rpm.

History and development

Triumph Daytona 675 development started in 2000 following the launch of the TT600. The TT600 represented Triumph's first modern foray into the middle weight sports motorcycle market. A decision was made to manufacture a machine closer aligned with traditional Triumph values. A notable technical decision was the selection of a three cylinder engine as the power plant, instead of the four cylinder used by the TT600 and the other 600 cc supersport motorcycles.

In 2001, soon after the completion of the similarly three cylinder powered Triumph Daytona 955i, Triumph began engineering analysis to work out weight, engine performance in horsepower and torque. Pleased with the figures, the project moved to the full concept phase in March 2002.

Initial chassis development work was done using a chopped Daytona 600 chassis. Triumph moved the wheelbase, adjusted the head angle, and modified the tank. This new configuration exhibited better performance than the original Daytona 600, forming a basis to compare against competitive bikes such as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and Honda CBR600RR. While engine development had not been completed, computer aided chassis development continued with the data collected from these tests.

Design work for the Daytona 675 proceeded, producing a primarily black design based on the Daytona 600. However, this initial design was discarded as great British designs of the 1960s had "a flowing curved design - no sharp angular aggressive edges". A member of the engineering team produced a concept drawing of the 675 as a naked bike. Styling was based upon this concept drawing and that of the earlier T595 model. Styling development continued in house, staying close to spirit of earlier Triumph design. Market research groups made up of a variety of different classes of sportbike riders choose the latter design of bike which was refined and adopted for production.

The newly developed engine was first tested on a dynamometer in May 2003. Final development combining styling, engine, chassis into a prototype quickly followed. Prototype testing started in late 2004.

The Daytona 675 was officially launched at the NEC International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in 2005. An UK based Bike Magazine was given an exclusive test ride prior to the official launch, impressing the magazine test rider. The magazine declared it "the best British sportsbike ever" and "possibly one of the greatest sportsbikes of all time".

The Daytona 675 won the Supersport category for the Masterbike 2006 (finishing 3rd overall), and won again in 2007.

A 24 hour race track test by Performance Bikes Magazine in the February 2007 edition placed a Daytona 675 against a Suzuki GSX-R750 over a 24 hour period which did not yield a positive result for the Daytona. The Daytona 675 did not complete the race test due to a severe mechanical failure. Later analysis indicated that the engine had suffered a broken valve which is thought to have occurred due to incorrect servicing. Prior to the failure the Daytona had been consistently outpacing the Suzuki on the course, averaging 0.7 seconds a lap faster (despite lower engine capacity and horsepower). The magazine concludes (as suggested by Triumph) that this appeared to be an isolated case attributable most likely to incorrect assembly during pre-race servicing.

No significant revisions have been made since the bike's release in 2006. Color schemes have been revised for 2008, options for "Scorched Yellow" and "Graphite" have been removed and replaced with "neon blue" in addition to the previous "tornado red" and "jet black". In addition to minor decal changes on the standard Daytona 675, Triumph is offering the Daytona 675 Special Edition. This version features a "Phantom Black" paint scheme, black engine cases with gold wheels, decals and steering nut.

Production

Triumph intended to build only 4000 Daytona 675's for 2006, with 1000 marked for the UK, 2000 for the US, and 1000 for the rest of the world. Production may have been increased slightly from these numbers due to demand.

Sales

Even before the initial launch, it was not unusual to see waiting lists of three months in the US and UK (many customers in the UK had to wait six months), and even longer in several other parts of the world. Several dealerships in the US started taking orders for the 2007 models (due September 2006) as early as July 2006.

Racing

When the Daytona 675 was initially launched there were no factory backed racing teams. This changed in 2008 when MAP Embassy Racing struck a deal with Triumph and entered the 2008 British Supersport Championship. And on the 5th of may 2008 Glen Richards scored the first win for a Triumph backed team since 2004

Before 2008 several privateers were racing the Triumph Daytona 675.

In the British Supersport Championship 2006, Daytonas were raced by Paul Young and Christian Elkin.

On 11 August 2006, The Triumph Daytona 675 was cleared for entry into the AMA Formula Xtreme class for 2007.

The Daytona 675 will be used by Team SC in the 2008 Supersport World Championship. The factory supported team is called Triumph-SC and has Garry McCoy and Ilario Dionisi as riders.

There is also a Daytona 675 one make series called Triumph Triple Challenge. This is run in conjunction with Bemsee Race Club and operated under the MRO format. It is a series run over nine rounds and cost £12000 to enter in 2007. This cost included ownership of a Daytona 675. The series is being run by T3 Racing.

Reception

Upon its release, Daytona 675 was praised by numerous critics for its revolutionary engine and chassis design. It won several multi-bike "shoot-out" in different motorcycle publications, including:

Motorcyclist magazine's 2006 Motorcycle of the Year
2006 Masterbike Supersport Award (multi-publication Master Bike Supersport Shootout)
2007 Masterbike Supersport Award (multi-publication Master Bike Supersport Shootout)
Cycle World magazine's Best Middleweight Road Bike of 2006
Cycle World magazine's 2006 'Middleweight Greats' Shootout
MotorcycleUSA.com's 2006 Supersport Track Shootout
MotorcycleUSA.com's 2006 Supersport Street Shootout
Motorcyclist magazine's 2006 Supersport Shootout
Superbike magazine's 2006 Supersport Shootout
Cycle News2006 Supersport Shootout
MCN (US) 2006 Middleweight Shootout
Motorcycle Online's 2006 Middleweight Shootout
TWO magazine's 675 vs 750 vs 749 2006 comparo
Motorrad magazine's 2006 Supersport Shootout
Moto Journal (France) magazine's 2006 Supersport Shootout
Moto Jornal (Portugal) magazine's 2006 Major Test at Almeria
Motorcycle.com's Best Middleweight Sportbike and Best of the Best Sportbike for 2006
2006 Supertest World Association (SWA) Supersport winner (multi-publication shootout)
2007 Supertest World Association (SWA) Supersport winner (multi-publication shootout)

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed and estimated unless otherwise noted:

	2006	2007	2008
Engine
Type	Liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity
Bore/Stroke	x
Compression Ratio	12.65:1
Fuel System	Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with forced air induction
Ignition	Digital - inductive type - via electronic engine management system
Transmission
Primary Drive	Gear
Final Drive	O ring chain
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox	6-speed, close ratio
Cycle Parts
Frame	Aluminium beam twin spar
Swingarm	Braced, twin-sided, aluminium alloy with adjustable pivot position
Front Wheel	Alloy 5-spoke, x
Rear Wheel	Alloy 5-spoke, x
Front Tire	120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tire	180/55 ZR 17
Front Suspension	USD forks with adjustable pre-load, rebound and compression damping
Rear Suspension	Monoshock with piggy back reservoir adjustable for pre-load, rebound and compression damping
Front Brakes	Twin floating discs, 4 piston radial callipers with radial master cylinder
Rear Brakes	Single disc, single piston calliper
Dimensions
Length
Width
Height
Seat Height
Wheelbase
Rake/Trail	23.5°/
Weight (dry)
Weight (wet)
Fuel Tank Capacity
Performance
Maximum Power	@ 12,250 rpm	@ 12,100 rpm	@ 12,100 rpm
Maximum Torque	@ 9750 rpm		@ 10,400 rpm
Misc
Colours	Scorched Yellow, Tornado Red, Graphite	Scorched Yellow, Tornado Red, Graphite, Black	Neon Blue, Jet Black, Tornado Red, Phantom Black (SE exclusive)
Price	$8,999 USD, £7,199 GBP, $14,890 AUD