Throughout the nineties and noughties middleweight sportsbikes were big business. Supersport bikes were racewinning weapons and manufacturers, desperate to cash in on the ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ sales creed, developed increasingly sharp, track-focused machinery. There was only one problem – they weren’t necessarily very good roadbikes. The evolutionary arms race dictated a trend towards ever more aggressive riding positions that placed a lot of weight on the rider’s wrists, with leg room only small people could live with. Engines were tuned to produce as much top-end power as possible, at the expense of usable torque lower in the rev range, and supersport machines ended up in no-man’s land; too track-focused for newer riders and outgunned by litre-class superbikes for those looking for the ultimate road racer.
But the middleweight sports category is once again booming now that bike makers have belatedly cottoned on to the fact that attracting younger, less experienced riders is crucial. An affordable price tag is key, along with features and ergonomics that increase day-to-day utility; think Aprilia RS660, Yamaha R7 and Suzuki GSX-8R. Now Triumph’s in on the game, too, with a new 660cc version of its successful Daytona.
Triumph’s welterweight bikes have built a loyal following over the years for their good looks, lithe handling and charismatic
