DAYTO... NAH?

So, it's not the Daytona we hoped for, but is that reason enough to write it off?

- Manaal Mahatme

The new Triumph Daytona 660 was quickly dismissed by many, including me, as unworthy of the iconic the Daytona badge, Keyboard warriors went all guns blazing on how the new bike fell short on performance, its underpinnings and even styling for some, compared to the last one - the Daytona 675. But it's not entirely our fault, is it? After all, Hinckley did tease us with the limited-run Daytona 765 Moto2. So, if you are seeking validation for your assumption that the Daytona 660 is not a step up from the previous model, here it is yes, the new Daytona is not more powerful, nor is it sharp or stiff enough like the old one. Perhaps it was not meant to be that way, at all.

But it seemed like the pressure to be a 'true' Daytona got to the 660. To me, it's a visually appealing motorcycle from almost all angles. The aggressive-looking headlights, the chiselled fuel tank, the sharp, layered fairing and the compact tail made this Daytona's sporty intentions very clear. But then there were some parts that came across as Triumph's desperate attempt to assert this bike's lineage. For starters, the air intake that sits between the headlights is purely an aesthetic detail. Then there are the covers near the rider footrests that are meant to replicate the look of an aluminium perimeter frame. Triumph didn't have to do that to make the 660 look like a Daytona.