Triumphrat

Schmitty · 09-20-2005

Does anybody know what Triumph plans to do with the Daytona 650 now that the 675 has hit the scene? Are they planning on running the two side by side or will they axe it after only one year?

Jared26 · 09-20-2005

My GUESS, 650 gets the axe. Sorry.

Treehugger · 09-20-2005

i heard a dealer say axe, i dont get it tho, why spend time developing a bike for such a short period, waste of R&D to me

BudGT · 09-20-2005

I don't think R&D was too wasteful because the 650 is just an evolution of the 600. I think it is better business planning to have developed a unique triple than to waste money trying to compete in the oversaturated middleweight-fours class.

Jared26 · 09-20-2005

I don't think R&D costs were too high on the Daytona. The Daytona was essentially a jazzed up version of the TT600. The D650 as I understand just got an extra 3mil of stroke to get the extra displacement. Basically not much time or money invested.

09-20-2005

Re differences between 600 and 650, they are significant, not just a bore job. Ride the two back to back, as I have, and you'll know. Also, in a drag race, the 650 really trounces the 600. Plus, the power comes on sooner and it has a ... whatchyacallit ... "device" so that when you downshift too soon, it won't pitch you off (Tuesday is too early in the week for thinking). With the extra torque, you need less brakes and can power through curves better. I could go on but I don't want the 600 lads to think I'm belittling their bikes because I'm not. The only reason I didn't get a 600 when they became available was because I had seven broken bones in my left arm and a torn rotator cuff (thank you, Ducati).
My very good friend Victor who is REALLY fast (much more than me, for sure) rides a 600 with the Brit flag on the nose (probably adds an extra 5 hp) and waxes just about everything short of an R-1. As always, 90% is the rider.

WHAT · 09-20-2005

I thought pretty much everyone assumed the 650 would be a one year only bike. The baby triple engine has been rumored for 3 years now. The 650 changes are insignificant in terms of R&D. Add about 3mm of stroke. Put in a remote shifter linkage. Add a "backlash eliminator" gear to the clutch. Reprogram the EFI.

TTsixxer · 09-21-2005

I'm very curious how a 675 triple sounds at 14000 rpm's.

Will · 09-21-2005

There are probably a lot of us with the same question!

Triumph stated that they wanted to get a minimum of five years production out of a given engine. I cannot remember exactly where I read that, since it was six years ago or more. Their intention with the basic TT600 architecture was to produce bikes like that for five years, evolving the design over that time. Then they would build a new one. That is how they did the financial calculations to decide whether to tool up for production or not. They got six years of production out of the four cylinder and its frame. My guess is that the 650 more than paid for itself, especially since there are still unsold 600s around but no 650s that I am aware of. The Speed 4's success in the marketplace, as small as it seems to us, was probably a pleasant surprise for Triumph.

I would like to see them keep building a four, just to make the tooling more profitable, and also to continue to trounce the competition in the naked 600 class. Every comparison that includes the S4 pronounces it an amazing bike for the price. I don't see a reason for Triumph to drop it, but I am not their marketing department.

djr · 09-22-2005

If you read the blurb in the Bike supplement Triumphs reps state they see themselves as doing twins and triples, thats why they shelved the 1300/4 project.

Come 06 the 600/650 fours will be virtually gone. I would expect a naked baby triple next year