Triumph’s TT 600 was introduced three years ago and since that time has built an honest reputation as a very good middleweight road bike.

The TT600 was launched with Triumph making some big performance claims. Many in the British press heralded it as a racetrack challenger to the Japanese SuperSport machines, even though it didn’t exactly work out that way in the harsh light of day.  That is not to say the TT was a bad bike, far from it, but it was not quite up to the early performance claims that were made for the machine.

Triumph have responded by launching a new Daytona 600 which is due to land in Australian showrooms  in May for $14,990 plus on road costs.

Engineers set about screwing some more ponies from the engine room. A large new intake duct at the front of the fairing helps to pressurise the 8.5 litre airbox. Keihin have helped Triumph to develop the new 38mm dual-butterfly throttle bodies for the Daytona 600. From the technical details provided by Triumph the system seems essentially the same as Suzuki’s well proven SDTV system used on the successful GSX-R range.

A 32-bit ECM incorporates seven sensors; Manifold Air Pressure (MAP), barometric pressure, wheel speed, ignition, throttle and crankshaft, airbox temp’ and water temp’.

Port shape and size on the now CNC machined 16-valve cylinder head have been modified and Triumph are claiming an extra 2% inlet flow and a much more significant 11% more exhaust volume over the TT600.

A 4-2-1 exhaust system with balanced headers is made from 1.2mm stainless steel. Gearing has been changed to suit the claimed 110hp @ 12,750rpm. Claimed torque is 68 Nm.

Significant engine weight savings have been achieved through a lightened crankshaft and starter motor.

A new aluminium twin-spar frame looks similar to that seen on the TT600 but is a new design. Rake is 24.6° with trail set at 89.1mm combining on a 1,390mm wheelbase.

43mm forks now use single rate springs and all internals are manufactured from aluminium.  This adds up to another 1kg weight saving over the TT. They are fully adjustable for preload, rebound and compression. The remote reservoir shock is also fully adjustable.

A seat cowl is provided with the Daytona along with a colour matched rear hugger. Two colour options will be available, ‘Racing Yellow’ or ‘Aluminium Silver’. Both feature a black swingarm and frame.

Triumph Daytona 600 - 2003 - Specifications

• Engine - Liquid-cooled, DOHC in-line 4-cylinder
• Capacity - 599cc
• Bore / Stroke - 68 x 41.3 mm
• Compression Ratio - 12.5:1
• Induction - Twin-butterfly, multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with forced-air induction
• Ignition - Digital - inductive type - via electronic management system
• Claimed Power – 110hp @ 12,750rpm
• Claimed Torque – 68Nm @ 11,000rpm
• Gearbox – Six speed
• Frame – Aluminium beam perimeter
• Front Suspension - 43mm cartridge forks, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
• Rear Suspension - Monoshock with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
• Front Brakes - Twin 308mm floating discs, 4 piston calipers
• Rear Brake - Single 220mm disc, single piston caliper
• Length - 2050mm
• Width (handlebars) - 660mm
• Height - 1135mm
• Seat Height - 815mm
• Wheelbase - 1390 mm
• Rake / Trail - 24.6º / 89.1mm
• Weight (dry) - 165kg
• Colours – Racing Yellow, Aluminium Silver
• Available – May, 2003
• RRP - $14,990