Triumph’s Daytona had long been regarded as one of the finest exponents of the middleweight supersports category until it left Indian shores in 2017. Its departure left a supersport-shaped hole in Triumph’s lineup and in the hearts of enthusiasts around the world. The much venerated Daytona returns in 2024 with the Trident’s 660cc triple, but can it live up to its predecessor?
The Daytona borrows the Trident’s 660cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-3 with a 240-degree crank, but makes 17 per cent more power and 9 per cent more torque. The figures stand at 93bhp at 11,250rpm and 69Nm at 8,250 rpm through a six-speed gearbox featuring a slip-and-assist clutch and an optional quickshifter. The Daytona also has a new exhaust which Triumph says suits its sportier character. Another feature of the Daytona is that more than 80 per cent of the torque is available from 3,125rpm, with the redline topping out at 12,650rpm.
The Daytona’s tubular steel perimeter frame lends it a wet weight of 201kg with 90 per cent fuel in the 14-litre tank. The 2084mm length houses a 1426mm wheelbase. Seat height is 810mm, but an optional low seat height of 785mm is also available. The 17-inch front alloy is wrapped in a 120/70 tyre and is suspended by a 41mm Showa Separate Function big piston USD fork with 110mm travel. The 17-inch rear alloy wears a 180/55 tyre and is suspended by a Showa preload-adjustable monoshock with 130mm of travel. Stopping power comes from twin 310mm discs with four-piston callipers in the front and a single 220mm disc with a single-piston calliper at the rear.
The Daytona’s ride-by-wire throttle offers three riding modes – sport, road, and rain. The rider modes vary in throttle response and traction control intervention. Traction control can also be turned off. The Daytona’s electronics are accessed through a full-colour TFT display integrated into a white-on-black LCD display, which is compatible with the My Triumph Connectivity System featuring turn-by-turn navigation alongside phone and music control. Optional accessories include the Triumph Protect+ alarm system, Triumph Track+ tracker, heated grips, a USB charging point under the seat, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
After a long hiatus, the new Triumph Daytona will return to a middleweight market bustling with competition. Although a launch date hasn’t been announced yet, an India launch might be on the cards given that the Trident 660 is already sold here. The Daytona will have the advantage of a triple against the likes of the twin-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja 650 but may lose revs to the inline-4 Honda CBR650R. Prices and launch dates haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for updates.