Essex to Yorkshire, taking in the Buttertubs Pass, then back again. On a T120. The weather was awful on the upward leg. Not sure whether that counts as a big ride, but I knew I’d done it! Only passed my DAS at the end of 2021, so it was my first longer run!
Planning a trip right now in fact, up the California Pacific Coast Highway from Southern California upwards (~800 miles one way) on my BMW F900R. Certainly not the easiest bike to travel on for miles on end but I’ve only got room in the garage for one bike at a time, and I love Sabine, named after the “Queen of the Nordshleife” of course, RIP.
I picked mine up last week. I'm a 35+ years rider, and if my math is right, this is my 27th motorcycle. The TS660 joins my Tiger 1200 in the garage. My knees are too old to fold onto a 600 super-sport (owned; CBR600RR, ZX-6R, and Street Triple.) At 5'9", I find the seat/pegs/handlebar triangle to be darn-near perfect. Although not a powerful bike, this thing is a ton of fun on a twisty road. Don't let the "budget bike" moniker fool you---this thing will put a HUGE smile on your face! Because of the low price, I've nicknamed mine "Cheap Thrills." ;-)
Cheers for the feedback. I'm in a similar situation (although owned a lot fewer bikes). I'm about to turn 39 and I do get sore from being a mechanic, the occasional fall from when my ambitionhas surpassed my talent. I've owned Gixer 1000s, KTM 1090 and 1190 adventures, and a host of other bikes. The problem is I'm 5'9" also and I'm tired of contending with massive bikes when you want comfort, handling and a sporty feel. I like the fit and finish of the triumphs. Who doesn't like the sound of the triple so I've been considering one of these Tiger Sports. I think something that has put me off is the whole "budget" persona. However, it does seem that anyone who owns one or has ridden one says not to worry about that. They sound like they punch above their weight.
It’s such a pleasure watching MCN’s reviews in general, and Michael Neeves’ in particular. The commentary is positive and upbeat, even when discussing the downsides of a particular bike, and the videography (whether formal or do-it-yourself as in this review) is always fun to watch. We viewers get so caught up in details and comparisons that it is easy to forget the artistry and dedication of the people responsible for design, development, and construction of our modern two-wheeled companions. It’s cool to catch a glimpse of Triumph’s museum as a reminder of the storied history of one of the most important brands. We are certainly fortunate to have so many truly well designed, beautifully constructed modern motorcycles as we near the end of the ICE era.
Michael Neeves is one of my favorite testers. He is obviously a very fast rider and also has an amazingly pragmatic view on motorcycles and scooters. The Tiger Sport seems like a really good do it all bike.
One of the things that Triumph excels at is understanding their audience...their touring bikes all have high payload capacity (220 kgs+) that can take rider+pillion fully kitted out plus loaded panniers.
Making a bike which financialy suits this present market place is a breath of fresh air ,most of the bikes today much to complicated, expensive, and to run has taken the fun out of this beautiful industry that us motor cyclist love.
Got one in blue and love it , been riding 51 years . The bike is so light , throttle response is so smooth ( you don’t need cruise control) clutch is light and quick ( you don’t need a quick shifter , your on a motorbike , you know when it’s cold , outside temperature gauge , your having a laugh 😂. The new only thing I’ve changed is put a xscreen on made all the difference + changed the front footpegs to rubber ones ( triumph Daytonas fit ) . Great bike , good price 😊😊👍👍
I think this is one of the best bikes for UK road riding for sale at the moment. It really does everything most riders need and if I was to have just one bike this would be the one.
I am not one to comment too much on bike reviews and in all honesty since we lost my friend Kevin Ash, I also have not put as much credence in to journos reviews, as I did. That said Michael is the exception, and I enjoy everything that he puts out on this MCN channel. No longer living in the UK means I do not often get to see the paper. It is his enthusiasm for this bike that has grabbed me and made me sit up. I am seriously considering emptying out most of my garage and replacing what is there with one new machine to cover my riding needs. It is down to solely to these reviews that this Triumph is now very much on my radar. Please keep up the great level of content.
I just had to comment when I saw Kevin Ash referenced. Without doubt one of the best motorcycling journalists of all time. Michael Neeves is a brilliant reviewer. I’ve been thinking of buying this motorcycle to replace my bmw GS adv. looks like I would not regret it!
Great review! This is definitely a contender for someone like me who’s looking for a fairly cheap middleweight bike for pleasure riding. I prefer the looks to the Trident, though I’m not generally and ADV fan and prefer street bikes. Triumph has clearly done a very good job on this bike 👍
Has mine 3 weeks now. Same colour as this with panniers, bluetooth connection, heated grips and quickshifter. First service next week then off to Scotland with mates end of the month, so this was an excellent watch. Not worried about a centre stand, rather have the neat low slung exhaust and have the extra pannier space thats not wrapped around a silencer. That's what a paddock stand is for, and how hard is it to oil the chain when touring 🙄. Agree with all your comments. Brilliant bike.
Brilliant review from Mr Neeves. His experience and bike wisdom combine to deliver a very easy and enjoyable performance from my perspective. I have test-ridden this bike and together with detailed and upbeat review, I have placed an order for this bike.
Good evening Mr. Neeves, this is content that strongly brings up memories to a german motorcycle journalist and his way of testing and showing the core of any motorcycle he tested. Ernst Leverkus, called Klacks, was a man testing motorcycles by hard and his reports were really unbiased and told the truth. Like you he was living in R-E-A-L-I-T-Y, an attitude needed today more than ever. Kudos and respect Stay safe, ride safe Cheers Michael by the way, nice bike that Triumph😄
Thanks Michael. I have been looking for a new bike out in Spain as my SP1 is hard on the wrists at my age around the mountain roads in Almeria. The 660 looks ideal for the money.
I have this Tiger in blue and love it! I'm a new rider and have had to make modifications to get it to fit me, but it's so easy to handle when it's moving!!! I did drop it after executing a beautiful u-turn... Newbie mistake, didn't get the wheel straight as I slowed to a stop. I'm not used to it yet, it's a bit top heavy compared to my other bike, but that's just going to take me time to increase my comfort level. I wanted a bike that took turns like a Speed Twin, but also one that offered a bit of wind protection for longer rides. The 660 is perfect for what I wanted!
Neeves is my all time favourite reviewer. He's same height as me. And I like the way he rides. Very smooth. He pointed out how flawed the ergonomics on Tracer are. And he takes his time before making up his mind. I find it hard to own just one bike but this looks like a real Swiss army knife machine. Coming off a pan 1300 I will worry about grunt and addiction to cc size but light is the way to go.
Great real world review Michael, nice to see you testing a “ normal “ bike instead of exotica for a change,…although I am considering pulling the trigger on a new Tuono V4 factory, bit of a drinker though? Bang on about the Michelin PR 5s, great tyre, been using them for ages, 80% of people that don’t do track days would be better off using these on the road than Supercorsa’s or something, even used them on my Panigale when on tour, worked great and only looked half worn after a 2,800 mile trip 👍 Bearing in mind the cost of fuel these days, I can see a lot more people opting for a small economical bike like this as a second form of transport , good job Triumph, absolute winner 👍
Wife and I did 1800miles on my Thruxton 1200R. Two up from PCH 1 CA into Washington and back. I was surprised the bike did so well, we did it all with two backpacks and random Air BNBs each day!
Approaching 10k miles on mine and my only complaint is lack of cruise control. Excellent daily commuter for slicing through traffic (California, filtering/splitting is legal) as well as weekend jaunts into the mountains. Not rip-your-arms-off fast, but plenty of fun when revved out. The light, sharp handling is a dream! Owned maybe 15 bikes over the years, and this is definitely a top 3 fave.
just got one here in the states. 45 years riding and just wanted something fun to ride. I love the engine on the 660. last bike was a V strom 1000 and the tiger feels quicker and handles amazing.
Thanks Mike, great review as always. Been struggling for a while with something to replace my light,good handling, surprisingly quick and good weather protection Hornet S (faired model) Plus its sensible price and not full of electronics you don't need.
As an owner of two bikes this size ( CBR600F4 and Husky 701 Sumo) I must say that I love the look of this 660 and now Neevesy has tested it's touring capability I'm certain I'll pick one of these up in time to come. A perfect all rounder and cruise control can be popped on as an aftermarket option I'm sure.
The Reason why it doesn't have the items you mentioned is because triumph wanted a budget priced bike , put all the addons like quick shifter cruse control exetra then it becomes a premium priced motorcycle.
I just bought mine here in Ottawa, Canada. What a refined piece of kit. Strange that you didn't have the panniers for the loop - they can store a full faced thermometer and the entire VHS series of Faulty Towers. I find the windscreen and faring a little too flimsy but built to a budget of £6250.00 (1£ = 1.68 CAN), forgivable.
Intresting review. About cruise control... man, if I find myself anytime missing a cruise control in a bike.. It means I have chosen the wrong road for sure!
Looking forward to test riding this motorcycle. I have a Meteor 350 and love that for what it does. Triumph is great. Looked at a more expensive 2015 Ducati with 7000 miles. The Ducati service and mileage is scary for their asking price. Of course i would not offer their Retail price
I like the idea of taking some time and doing some distance for a review so I really enjoyed this video, but, I must be the odd one out here because having taken a Tiger 660 out over the Mendip Hills looking at it as a possible replacement for my VStrom 650, I decided it was not for me, mostly because I found the foot controls (especially the gear lever) cramped, with both levers feeling too short. Downward gear shifts were a real issue and for the first half an hour I found myself even looking down, although to be fair I found a technique which worked in the end. I also didn't find the seat or ride as comfortable as you did. I am just over 6' 1" tall and weigh just over 11 stone, so I'm no fat lad but I am tallish. Engine, gearbox, handling, brakes, lightness are all superb but I'll be hanging on to my Suzuki for a while longer. Long trips: 220 miles down to the New Forest for the day last week, 260 miles to the Elan Valley and Devils Bridge on another day trip a couple of weeks ago and 500 to Lowestoft (cos it's East) in a couple of weeks time.
Hi Neil, I also thought the Tiger 660 would be a good replacement for my V-Strom 650 (2010 model), but not for me as well. Just like yourself I'm just over 6' 1" tall and I feel the Tiger 660 is just to smallish compared to my V-Strom which is a much more spacious. I would also miss a centerstand on the Tiger 660, which isn't an option strangely. Problem also is that the V-Strom 650 is quite capable and reliable bike, so that holds me back also. For now I can only hope that Suzuki will come with a successor of the V-Strom 650 within a year or so. Perhaps the Tiger 850 is a good alternative for the V-Strom 650, but a haven't ridden that one.......
@@robertdobbelaer8503 someone else described the Tiger 660 as a sports bike with higher bars and I think that is fair. There is a lot to like about the 660, but I did over 5,000 touring and day trip miles on my VStrom last year and I just couldn't envisage doing the same on the Tiger. I am also hoping for a VStrom update in late 2022 / early 2023. Tiger 850's are a little hard to come by right now, I have been told by two different dealers that every bike they get in is already sold.
Hi Neil, I took the Tiger 660 out for a test ride and found the same as you with the foot controls, I was missing gear changes as the gear lever was too short and ended up adopting a technique of twisting my foot inwards to 'find' it. I'm taking it out again this week to see how I get on, thinking of replacing my fabulous Bonneville T120 for something a lighter and more manageable.
@@sachachristine6149 yes, I did the twisting in thing, but come the end of the ride I found using the ball of my foot worked, even though it felt very odd.
Another excellent video. Michael, I’m curious about your wet weather gear. Do you wear a rain over suit or just waterproof bike gear? From sunny Tasmania, where as you know, it also rains :)Thanks, Geoff
What a bike!!!!! Amazing, just felt in love with!!! Do you think it is beginner friendly? I am a 52 years beginner with 1,82cm high and 100kg weight looking for my first bike. I sold my maxi scooter, it is time for proper motorcycles :) Thanx for the lovely video and cheers from Serbia :)
Totally agree michael re the road 5s ive gone through 4 sets and love them , currently testing the roadtech 01s on my fjr but seem to notice all the little bumps in the road . As for cruise control if i was doing any sort of distance i wouldnt buy a bike without it now , weird because i’ve never used it in the car. Thanks for your usual concise no bullshit review on the little tiger 👍🏻
The road 6 and 6gt (for heavy bikes) are out now. I love the Michelin brand for standard road riding and touring. With Pirelli as my favorite for super aggressive riding and track days.
@@TylerTron21 yeh i use the the gt on the fjr , didnt know a 6 series had come out yet , here in oz its hard to get want u want unless you order a few months ahead , i’m told its still covid backlog , i think covid is the default excuse for everything now
@@Secularworld60 yeah. My company (major car company) shut down for 6 months and has had production issues for two years now. I was laid off so long I just quit. Anyways, I'm sure the 6s are amazing. I was going to put them on my wife's bike but I couldn't beat the price of the newest Dunlop roadtechs (I think they are called).
Excellent video! It’s clearly a good bike, but would you have it over the 850 Sport for the extra £850 base price? I’ve ridden neither, but on paper I’d struggle to pass up the 850 for the 660 given that price difference.
Thanks a lot for the great video. Always enjoy your content. Quick question, which do you recon is better for two up touring with some luggage between the Tiger sport 660 and the BMW F750GS?
I test rode the 660 trident and those tyres are unbelievable and that engine. How they get that much fun out of a 660 I’ll never know. I’m getting the 660 tiger I’ve just got to sell 2 litre bikes first to make room.
Great bike and a great review, but as someone who always tours 2-up please bear this in mind when you pronounce any bike is all the tourer you need. I stand to be corrected but currently believe only John Milbank takes pillion capability seriously in his reviews. Having said all that a great admirer of your work. Respect!
Thanks for the review of the 660 sport Mick. Will be looking at a smaller, lighter bike, with good comfort levels in the near future. Major back problems are intruding upon my passion for riding large capacity and somewhat heavy bikes. My beloved fjr1300 is just brilliant in every regard, but, its a bloody strain on my back when moving it around the garage and other places that require me to physicaly push/move the girl. Distance riding is a thing of the past now, so about a 150km round trip is my current limit. This good looking bike certainly appears to tick all of the boxes. Those optional extra's would certainly be included, thats for sure. Once again, thanks for putting in the effort to make this video. All the best from Oz.
Good review, as per usual Mr Neeves. 👍 Yourself and Simon Hargreaves come across as being the best to convey what a bike is really like. I completely disagree with your view regarding of lack of centre stand, especially for such an all round bike, but each to their own. Any reason why you didn't use their luggage? I found the service light and fuel light are annoying when they come on as they override some of the display. Also, out of warranty if you undertake your own servicing my local Triumph dealer charges half an hour labour costs to reset the service light.
Hi, i think you can do that yourself. You, connect the + with the - of the accu for a 10 minutes of so and it reset hisself. What a horrible dealer you have, shame to him. Greats Alexander
Only problem with the Road 5,s is a lot of owners say they puncture easy . Mine didn’t BUT scrubbed out on the sides VERY quickly. ( to soft ) after all my years with Pirelli - pilots, roads, Dunlops , Metzler’s, ( most of the best wet weather tyres ) I reckon the Metzler Roadtec 01 rear and Dunlop Roadsmart 4 BEST TYRE COMBO
Looks like a nice bike. A little small for us American blokes with our long Highways! I ride a 1330 BRP Spyder F-3S Spyder. My last bike was Honda Valkyrie! As you see I prefer bigger bikes! 😉🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Trump 2024!!!!
Brilliant review as always. I sold my 2019 Ninja sx1000 last week. I will probably get this now . I live in the Darjeeling Himalayas . The problem with the ninja was that it was a tad too big and heavy ., not to mention the super low ground clearance!
@@floraexoticsfloraexotics if you get one I'd be interested to hear how you think it compares. I have a Ninja 1000 from 2012 and am thinking about something a bit lighter as a 2nd bike.
Love the bike!!! Do you think it is beginner friendly!? Looking for a good all rounder, city, work and some touring... And this beauty can be the one!!? Thanx and regards from Serbia 🇷🇸✌️
I got this bike as a beginner, and it has served me very well for a year and 6500 miles. Done touring on it, commuting to work, fast leisure rides, and have my first track day next month on it. This bike inspires confidence. I'm very happy with it.
I used to have a Tiger Sport 1050 2014 a great bike. It was a Speed Triple on stilts! Triumph dropped the model due to poor sales apparently? Maybe it was before its time. 👍
I'm between this, trident and mt07 (no tracer7 in the USA) starting to think the tiger maybe a better bike but I really like how the trident looks. On a separate note is the header showing signs of rust 👀
If I was to get back into the biking world I think that after a 10 year lay off then this would be suitable. Especially now I'm getting on a bit. Ps nice shots of thanet's corkscrew. Nice one 👍
The lack of air temperature gauge and at least optional cruise control is hard to describe in a polite way. It's a deal-breaker for me in 2022. Ah, my search for a less-powerful, more touring/adventure-oriented, yet LIGHT bike, after a few years on the S1000R, continues.
Looks like a great little bike and certainly on my 'next bike' list. Would have been a better test with some panniers/luggage on the bike, as many will want those. I don't have a problem with it being made in Thailand (like some Hondas, Kawasakis, BMWs and Ducatis,) but I do have a problem with Triumph using union jack styled badges over their bikes/showrooms pretending they're all made in the UK.
![Triumph TIGER 660 - Better than my TRIDENT? [QuickTest#18]](/img/n.gif)
Have you been on any big rides this year so far? Let us know below!
Essex to Yorkshire, taking in the Buttertubs Pass, then back again. On a T120. The weather was awful on the upward leg. Not sure whether that counts as a big ride, but I knew I’d done it! Only passed my DAS at the end of 2021, so it was my first longer run!
Yeees! From Lisbon to Barcelona and back :-) On my old Triumph Tiger 955i
Planning a trip right now in fact, up the California Pacific Coast Highway from Southern California upwards (~800 miles one way) on my BMW F900R. Certainly not the easiest bike to travel on for miles on end but I’ve only got room in the garage for one bike at a time, and I love Sabine, named after the “Queen of the Nordshleife” of course, RIP.
@@benwells2338 Excellent name for the bike. I’d love to ride or drive that road one day …
Brasilia (central Brazil) to Sao Paulo and back, in march/april of 2022. Honda cb500f, equipped with a top case, givi saddlebags and givi fly screen.
I picked mine up last week. I'm a 35+ years rider, and if my math is right, this is my 27th motorcycle. The TS660 joins my Tiger 1200 in the garage. My knees are too old to fold onto a 600 super-sport (owned; CBR600RR, ZX-6R, and Street Triple.) At 5'9", I find the seat/pegs/handlebar triangle to be darn-near perfect. Although not a powerful bike, this thing is a ton of fun on a twisty road. Don't let the "budget bike" moniker fool you---this thing will put a HUGE smile on your face! Because of the low price, I've nicknamed mine "Cheap Thrills." ;-)
Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your new bike!
Cheers for the feedback. I'm in a similar situation (although owned a lot fewer bikes). I'm about to turn 39 and I do get sore from being a mechanic, the occasional fall from when my ambitionhas surpassed my talent. I've owned Gixer 1000s, KTM 1090 and 1190 adventures, and a host of other bikes. The problem is I'm 5'9" also and I'm tired of contending with massive bikes when you want comfort, handling and a sporty feel. I like the fit and finish of the triumphs. Who doesn't like the sound of the triple so I've been considering one of these Tiger Sports. I think something that has put me off is the whole "budget" persona. However, it does seem that anyone who owns one or has ridden one says not to worry about that. They sound like they punch above their weight.
It’s such a pleasure watching MCN’s reviews in general, and Michael Neeves’ in particular. The commentary is positive and upbeat, even when discussing the downsides of a particular bike, and the videography (whether formal or do-it-yourself as in this review) is always fun to watch. We viewers get so caught up in details and comparisons that it is easy to forget the artistry and dedication of the people responsible for design, development, and construction of our modern two-wheeled companions. It’s cool to catch a glimpse of Triumph’s museum as a reminder of the storied history of one of the most important brands. We are certainly fortunate to have so many truly well designed, beautifully constructed modern motorcycles as we near the end of the ICE era.
Michael Neeves is one of my favorite testers. He is obviously a very fast rider and also has an amazingly pragmatic view on motorcycles and scooters. The Tiger Sport seems like a really good do it all bike.
One of the things that Triumph excels at is understanding their audience...their touring bikes all have high payload capacity (220 kgs+) that can take rider+pillion fully kitted out plus loaded panniers.
This is looking like an instant classic
Triumph have absolutely nailed it
Making a bike which financialy suits this present market place is a breath of fresh air ,most of the bikes today much to complicated, expensive, and to run has taken the fun out of this beautiful industry that us motor cyclist love.
That was one of a hell's road test report, it makes you think who pays twenty k for a bike when you can have this little beauty.
A ringing endorsement from one of the best journalists in the business!
Got one in blue and love it , been riding 51 years . The bike is so light , throttle response is so smooth ( you don’t need cruise control) clutch is light and quick ( you don’t need a quick shifter , your on a motorbike , you know when it’s cold , outside temperature gauge , your having a laugh 😂. The new only thing I’ve changed is put a xscreen on made all the difference + changed the front footpegs to rubber ones ( triumph Daytonas fit ) . Great bike , good price 😊😊👍👍
Thank you for the info! Could you possibly give details on where to get the screen and foot pegs you referenced?
I would like to know where to buy a good extra screen and foot rubber pegs?
I think this is one of the best bikes for UK road riding for sale at the moment. It really does everything most riders need and if I was to have just one bike this would be the one.
What a great review of real world UK riding. Thank you 👍
I was scared sitting in my living room when you were riding through the storm from Wales. Praise indeed for the bike. Excellent review.
I am not one to comment too much on bike reviews and in all honesty since we lost my friend Kevin Ash, I also have not put as much credence in to journos reviews, as I did. That said Michael is the exception, and I enjoy everything that he puts out on this MCN channel. No longer living in the UK means I do not often get to see the paper. It is his enthusiasm for this bike that has grabbed me and made me sit up. I am seriously considering emptying out most of my garage and replacing what is there with one new machine to cover my riding needs. It is down to solely to these reviews that this Triumph is now very much on my radar. Please keep up the great level of content.
I just had to comment when I saw Kevin Ash referenced. Without doubt one of the best motorcycling journalists of all time. Michael Neeves is a brilliant reviewer. I’ve been thinking of buying this motorcycle to replace my bmw GS adv. looks like I would not regret it!
Great review! This is definitely a contender for someone like me who’s looking for a fairly cheap middleweight bike for pleasure riding. I prefer the looks to the Trident, though I’m not generally and ADV fan and prefer street bikes. Triumph has clearly done a very good job on this bike 👍
Has mine 3 weeks now. Same colour as this with panniers, bluetooth connection, heated grips and quickshifter. First service next week then off to Scotland with mates end of the month, so this was an excellent watch. Not worried about a centre stand, rather have the neat low slung exhaust and have the extra pannier space thats not wrapped around a silencer. That's what a paddock stand is for, and how hard is it to oil the chain when touring 🙄. Agree with all your comments. Brilliant bike.
Brilliant review from Mr Neeves. His experience and bike wisdom combine to deliver a very easy and enjoyable performance from my perspective. I have test-ridden this bike and together with detailed and upbeat review, I have placed an order for this bike.
Good evening Mr. Neeves,
this is content that strongly brings up memories to a german motorcycle journalist and his way of testing and showing the core of any motorcycle he tested. Ernst Leverkus, called Klacks, was a man testing motorcycles by hard and his reports were really unbiased and told the truth. Like you he was living in R-E-A-L-I-T-Y, an attitude needed today more than ever.
Kudos and respect
Stay safe, ride safe
Cheers
Michael
by the way, nice bike that Triumph😄
When I see one of these without side cases it makes my brain explode. Why wouldn't you use such a practical well integrated piece of gear?
No matter how many amateur and professional reviews I watch, none come close to Michael Neeves' videos. Love MCN!
Really liking this bike from all the positive reviews. To me sounds like the Versys 650, but better in all aspects.
great review from neeves as always, sounds like an amazing bike
Thanks Michael. I have been looking for a new bike out in Spain as my SP1 is hard on the wrists at my age around the mountain roads in Almeria. The 660 looks ideal for the money.
I have this Tiger in blue and love it! I'm a new rider and have had to make modifications to get it to fit me, but it's so easy to handle when it's moving!!! I did drop it after executing a beautiful u-turn... Newbie mistake, didn't get the wheel straight as I slowed to a stop. I'm not used to it yet, it's a bit top heavy compared to my other bike, but that's just going to take me time to increase my comfort level. I wanted a bike that took turns like a Speed Twin, but also one that offered a bit of wind protection for longer rides. The 660 is perfect for what I wanted!
Neeves is my all time favourite reviewer. He's same height as me. And I like the way he rides. Very smooth. He pointed out how flawed the ergonomics on Tracer are. And he takes his time before making up his mind. I find it hard to own just one bike but this looks like a real Swiss army knife machine. Coming off a pan 1300 I will worry about grunt and addiction to cc size but light is the way to go.
Great real world review Michael, nice to see you testing a “ normal “ bike instead of exotica for a change,…although I am considering pulling the trigger on a new Tuono V4 factory, bit of a drinker though?
Bang on about the Michelin PR 5s, great tyre, been using them for ages, 80% of people that don’t do track days would be better off using these on the road than Supercorsa’s or something, even used them on my Panigale when on tour, worked great and only looked half worn after a 2,800 mile trip 👍
Bearing in mind the cost of fuel these days, I can see a lot more people opting for a small economical bike like this as a second form of transport , good job Triumph, absolute winner 👍
Sounds like a winner for Triumph. Great video!
Michael thank you for this review!
I didn’t watch this video for the bike, I just like watching Michael do his thing, having now watched the video I do actually like the bike now 👍
Wife and I did 1800miles on my Thruxton 1200R. Two up from PCH 1 CA into Washington and back. I was surprised the bike did so well, we did it all with two backpacks and random Air BNBs each day!
Approaching 10k miles on mine and my only complaint is lack of cruise control. Excellent daily commuter for slicing through traffic (California, filtering/splitting is legal) as well as weekend jaunts into the mountains. Not rip-your-arms-off fast, but plenty of fun when revved out. The light, sharp handling is a dream! Owned maybe 15 bikes over the years, and this is definitely a top 3 fave.
Thank you for such a awesome review, it’s also reassuring coming from you! 🙏🏼👍🏼
just got one here in the states. 45 years riding and just wanted something fun to ride. I love the engine on the 660. last bike was a V strom 1000 and the tiger feels quicker and handles amazing.
I enjoyed this video. It reminds me of all the trips I’ve taken when it rains every day
Thanks Mike, great review as always. Been struggling for a while with something to replace my light,good handling, surprisingly quick and good weather protection Hornet S (faired model) Plus its sensible price and not full of electronics you don't need.
excellent video seams a great all rounder
Great review Neevesy… sounds like a great bike as an all rounder.. and you rode to all my favourite places … 🤙
As an owner of two bikes this size ( CBR600F4 and Husky 701 Sumo) I must say that I love the look of this 660 and now Neevesy has tested it's touring capability I'm certain I'll pick one of these up in time to come. A perfect all rounder and cruise control can be popped on as an aftermarket option I'm sure.
High praise indeed. Good test
Really enjoy these real world reviews by you mate thanks for sharing 👍
Just about done breaking mine in! Traded my trident on this and LOVING it… can’t wait to go over 5k 😬 Got mine in the Rocketman blue 😆
The Reason why it doesn't have the items you mentioned is because triumph wanted a budget priced bike , put all the addons like quick shifter cruse control exetra then it becomes a premium priced motorcycle.
Loved the review you picked up a passenger 😊
I just bought mine here in Ottawa, Canada. What a refined piece of kit. Strange that you didn't have the panniers for the loop - they can store a full faced thermometer and the entire VHS series of Faulty Towers. I find the windscreen and faring a little too flimsy but built to a budget of £6250.00 (1£ = 1.68 CAN), forgivable.
Intresting review. About cruise control... man, if I find myself anytime missing a cruise control in a bike.. It means I have chosen the wrong road for sure!
Always respect your opinion.
Great video Michael, loved watching it...
Sounds like a similar recipe to the old Fazer FZS 600?
Nice, thanks. This ride would've made a great opportunity to review the luggage too.
That was a great review. Great bike.
Thanks for the great review! One question: those headers look very discolored. Is that rust?
Looking forward to test riding this motorcycle. I have a Meteor 350 and love that for what it does.
Triumph is great. Looked at a more expensive 2015 Ducati with 7000 miles. The Ducati service and mileage is scary for their asking price. Of course i would not offer their Retail price
Firstly great review unfortunately in Australia these bikes engines are limited
Thanks, MCN, for the “unbiased” review. The cheque’s in the mail. - Triumph marketing department.
A centre stand doesn't have to ruin ground clearance. I scraped the pegs on my cbr600f, knee planted but the stand was still clear of the ground.
I like the idea of taking some time and doing some distance for a review so I really enjoyed this video, but, I must be the odd one out here because having taken a Tiger 660 out over the Mendip Hills looking at it as a possible replacement for my VStrom 650, I decided it was not for me, mostly because I found the foot controls (especially the gear lever) cramped, with both levers feeling too short. Downward gear shifts were a real issue and for the first half an hour I found myself even looking down, although to be fair I found a technique which worked in the end. I also didn't find the seat or ride as comfortable as you did. I am just over 6' 1" tall and weigh just over 11 stone, so I'm no fat lad but I am tallish. Engine, gearbox, handling, brakes, lightness are all superb but I'll be hanging on to my Suzuki for a while longer. Long trips: 220 miles down to the New Forest for the day last week, 260 miles to the Elan Valley and Devils Bridge on another day trip a couple of weeks ago and 500 to Lowestoft (cos it's East) in a couple of weeks time.
Hi Neil, I also thought the Tiger 660 would be a good replacement for my V-Strom 650 (2010 model), but not for me as well. Just like yourself I'm just over 6' 1" tall and I feel the Tiger 660 is just to smallish compared to my V-Strom which is a much more spacious. I would also miss a centerstand on the Tiger 660, which isn't an option strangely. Problem also is that the V-Strom 650 is quite capable and reliable bike, so that holds me back also. For now I can only hope that Suzuki will come with a successor of the V-Strom 650 within a year or so. Perhaps the Tiger 850 is a good alternative for the V-Strom 650, but a haven't ridden that one.......
@@robertdobbelaer8503 someone else described the Tiger 660 as a sports bike with higher bars and I think that is fair. There is a lot to like about the 660, but I did over 5,000 touring and day trip miles on my VStrom last year and I just couldn't envisage doing the same on the Tiger. I am also hoping for a VStrom update in late 2022 / early 2023. Tiger 850's are a little hard to come by right now, I have been told by two different dealers that every bike they get in is already sold.
Hi Neil, I took the Tiger 660 out for a test ride and found the same as you with the foot controls, I was missing gear changes as the gear lever was too short and ended up adopting a technique of twisting my foot inwards to 'find' it. I'm taking it out again this week to see how I get on, thinking of replacing my fabulous Bonneville T120 for something a lighter and more manageable.
@@sachachristine6149 yes, I did the twisting in thing, but come the end of the ride I found using the ball of my foot worked, even though it felt very odd.
Another excellent video. Michael, I’m curious about your wet weather gear. Do you wear a rain over suit or just waterproof bike gear? From sunny Tasmania, where as you know, it also rains :)Thanks, Geoff
What a bike!!!!! Amazing, just felt in love with!!! Do you think it is beginner friendly? I am a 52 years beginner with 1,82cm high and 100kg weight looking for my first bike. I sold my maxi scooter, it is time for proper motorcycles :) Thanx for the lovely video and cheers from Serbia :)
Those road 5s are good,I found them slow to turn in on my Z1000sx but probably not an issue on the lighter Triumph Nice review.👍
Totally agree michael re the road 5s ive gone through 4 sets and love them , currently testing the roadtech 01s on my fjr but seem to notice all the little bumps in the road . As for cruise control if i was doing any sort of distance i wouldnt buy a bike without it now , weird because i’ve never used it in the car. Thanks for your usual concise no bullshit review on the little tiger 👍🏻
The road 6 and 6gt (for heavy bikes) are out now. I love the Michelin brand for standard road riding and touring. With Pirelli as my favorite for super aggressive riding and track days.
@@TylerTron21 yeh i use the the gt on the fjr , didnt know a 6 series had come out yet , here in oz its hard to get want u want unless you order a few months ahead , i’m told its still covid backlog , i think covid is the default excuse for everything now
@@Secularworld60 yeah. My company (major car company) shut down for 6 months and has had production issues for two years now. I was laid off so long I just quit. Anyways, I'm sure the 6s are amazing. I was going to put them on my wife's bike but I couldn't beat the price of the newest Dunlop roadtechs (I think they are called).
Excellent video! It’s clearly a good bike, but would you have it over the 850 Sport for the extra £850 base price? I’ve ridden neither, but on paper I’d struggle to pass up the 850 for the 660 given that price difference.
14:40 The one that I’d rather have for that trip is the Tiger 900 GT, but it’s several thousand more expensive.
Thanks a lot for the great video. Always enjoy your content.
Quick question, which do you recon is better for two up touring with some luggage between the Tiger sport 660 and the BMW F750GS?
I know it's a older review, but one thing I was wondering, how are the vibrations on the bike? Do you have any issues with hands going numb?
How does it compare to the long test you did on the Ducati Hyperstrada a few years back? Shorter rider looking for mostly a commuter in the US
I test rode the 660 trident and those tyres are unbelievable and that engine. How they get that much fun out of a 660 I’ll never know. I’m getting the 660 tiger I’ve just got to sell 2 litre bikes first to make room.
Great bike and a great review, but as someone who always tours 2-up please bear this in mind when you pronounce any bike is all the tourer you need. I stand to be corrected but currently believe only John Milbank takes pillion capability seriously in his reviews. Having said all that a great admirer of your work. Respect!
Thanks for the review of the 660 sport Mick. Will be looking at a smaller, lighter bike, with good comfort levels in the near future. Major back problems are intruding upon my passion for riding large capacity and somewhat heavy bikes. My beloved fjr1300 is just brilliant in every regard, but, its a bloody strain on my back when moving it around the garage and other places that require me to physicaly push/move the girl. Distance riding is a thing of the past now, so about a 150km round trip is my current limit. This good looking bike certainly appears to tick all of the boxes. Those optional extra's would certainly be included, thats for sure. Once again, thanks for putting in the effort to make this video. All the best from Oz.
Epic ride! 💪🏻👍🏻
Good review, as per usual Mr Neeves. 👍 Yourself and Simon Hargreaves come across as being the best to convey what a bike is really like. I completely disagree with your view regarding of lack of centre stand, especially for such an all round bike, but each to their own. Any reason why you didn't use their luggage?
I found the service light and fuel light are annoying when they come on as they override some of the display. Also, out of warranty if you undertake your own servicing my local Triumph dealer charges half an hour labour costs to reset the service light.
Hi, i think you can do that yourself.
You, connect the + with the - of the accu for a 10 minutes of so and it reset hisself.
What a horrible dealer you have, shame to him.
Greats Alexander
Hi quick question . Two up do you need to be up & down the gears more ?. Does it fell a little under powered with the extra weight ?
I got one. Just need some saddlebags now and were off on some road trips.
Only problem with the Road 5,s is a lot of owners say they puncture easy . Mine didn’t BUT scrubbed out on the sides VERY quickly. ( to soft ) after all my years with Pirelli - pilots, roads, Dunlops , Metzler’s, ( most of the best wet weather tyres ) I reckon the Metzler Roadtec 01 rear and Dunlop Roadsmart 4 BEST TYRE COMBO
Great review. Looks like Triumph has nailed it. To all those GS owners or potential owners why spend bother...
Nice one Neevsey... so would you take the Tiger 660 over the Tracer 9GT?
Definitely. The wind noise off the Yamaha's screen is too much for me.
@@neevesybikes I'm tall too so it's good to hear your views, plus with the cost saving can get extras like quick shifter, etc...
Good to hear more Triumphs will be made in Hinkley.
Excelent review thanks
Awesome I come from margate same sort of age as you , live in shitty old lincoln now tho . Have tiger sport 1050 cracking bike. Nice review 👌
When we they be made in the UK?
Hmm, this or the Tracer 7, what do you think? I've a test ride on the tracer next week, I cancelled this week's test 'cos of fog
I`v just bought a brand new 2022 Tiger 900 GT. Upto now, seems good, but i`v not done any real distance yet.
Looks like a nice bike. A little small for us American blokes with our long Highways! I ride a 1330 BRP Spyder F-3S Spyder. My last bike was Honda Valkyrie! As you see I prefer bigger bikes! 😉🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Trump 2024!!!!
Great vlog, the bike is a star too...
Why no front mud guard?.
Put a big smile on my face - one month 'til I pick up mine....
With the passenger does it feel like it needs extra power? My inline 4 600cc feels like it struggles a bit with a passenger
Brilliant review as always. I sold my 2019 Ninja sx1000 last week. I will probably get this now . I live in the Darjeeling Himalayas . The problem with the ninja was that it was a tad too big and heavy ., not to mention the super low ground clearance!
did you get one?
@@delasse3178 not yet. I am so torn between this and the Truimph speed twin . I will make a decision by the end of this month.
@@floraexoticsfloraexotics what a bout a Duke 890? XSR900? The Duke must be a pretty good price out there... the HP/kilo ratio is awesome!
@@delasse3178 not really a fan of the KTM. In love with the MV Brutale 800 how the prices here are unjustified. Wish we had more choices here :(
@@floraexoticsfloraexotics if you get one I'd be interested to hear how you think it compares. I have a Ninja 1000 from 2012 and am thinking about something a bit lighter as a 2nd bike.
Love the bike!!! Do you think it is beginner friendly!? Looking for a good all rounder, city, work and some touring... And this beauty can be the one!!? Thanx and regards from Serbia 🇷🇸✌️
I got this bike as a beginner, and it has served me very well for a year and 6500 miles. Done touring on it, commuting to work, fast leisure rides, and have my first track day next month on it. This bike inspires confidence. I'm very happy with it.
I used to have a Tiger Sport 1050 2014 a great bike. It was a Speed Triple on stilts! Triumph dropped the model due to poor sales apparently?
Maybe it was before its time. 👍
Is it big enough for a 6 footer, I thought the Trident was small.
Does screen give good protection - no buffeting or noise ?
I’m nearly 6’2” and this feels WAY more roomy than my Trident… love this seating position.
I'm between this, trident and mt07 (no tracer7 in the USA) starting to think the tiger maybe a better bike but I really like how the trident looks.
On a separate note is the header showing signs of rust 👀
Pretty much a Versys 650 with a higher revving triple and higher compression? Even the gauge design bears a resemblance.
Hi, a quick question all the way from India. How would this compare with the Versys 1000. Both similar prices here. Thanks in advance.
Versys 1000 cannot be compare to a 660 bike!
If I was to get back into the biking world I think that after a 10 year lay off then this would be suitable. Especially now I'm getting on a bit. Ps nice shots of thanet's corkscrew. Nice one 👍
What do you think compared to Yamaha Tracer 7 ?
The lack of air temperature gauge and at least optional cruise control is hard to describe in a polite way. It's a deal-breaker for me in 2022.
Ah, my search for a less-powerful, more touring/adventure-oriented, yet LIGHT bike, after a few years on the S1000R, continues.
Mine is blue!
Would not the Tiger 850 Sport be a better deal for pretty much the same price?
2 years later it comes standard with quickshifter and cruise control
Looks like a great little bike and certainly on my 'next bike' list. Would have been a better test with some panniers/luggage on the bike, as many will want those.
I don't have a problem with it being made in Thailand (like some Hondas, Kawasakis, BMWs and Ducatis,) but I do have a problem with Triumph using union jack styled badges over their bikes/showrooms pretending they're all made in the UK.
Better than a 1050 tiger sport ? Not sure I could be tempted away