The Triumph TT600 was a middleweight sport bike produced from 2000 to 2003 and designed in 1996. It was Triumph’s first in-line four-cylinder 600 and its entry into the most competitive class in motorcycling.
Triumph TT600 at a glance
| Maker | Triumph Motorcycles, Hinckley |
|---|---|
| Designed | 1996 |
| Production | 2000–2003 |
| Engine | 600 cc in-line four, fuel injected |
| Dry weight | 170 kg |
| Suspension | adjustable Kayaba |
| Riding position | upright, high-mounted handlebars, plush seat |
| Known issue | choppy throttle response on the 2000 model |
| Successor | Triumph Daytona (2003) |
Based on the English Wikipedia article on the TT600.
History of the Triumph TT600
Entering the 600 class
Shortly after Triumph returned to the American market, its designers set their sights on the 600 cc class. The TT600 was designed in 1996 and built between 2000 and 2003. It was Triumph’s first in-line four-cylinder 600 cc sport bike, aimed at the fuel-injected middleweight category, the most competitive class in the world.
What the press liked
With a lightweight frame and chassis and a dry weight of only 170 kg, plus adjustable Kayaba suspension, the TT600’s handling and braking were widely praised as well balanced and agile. The adjustable suspension, plush seat, upright position and high-mounted handlebars gave it a feel and comfort similar to its rivals.
What went wrong
The TT600 was marked by two problems. As the company’s first fuel-injected 600, the 2000 model had choppy throttle response and poor fuel mapping, producing harsh on/off transitions. Those issues were fixed for 2001, but some bikes lost two or three horsepower at the top of the rev range. The 2002 model restored that power with more ECU reprogramming, by which time the bike could compete properly on horsepower. Its successor was the 2003 Triumph Daytona.
Design and features
- First Triumph 600 four — the firm’s debut in the fuel-injected middleweight class.
- Light chassis — 170 kg dry with adjustable Kayaba suspension.
- Comfortable riding position — upright bars and a plush seat for a sport bike.
- Fuel-injection teething troubles — fixed over three model years.
Triumph TT600 versions
- 2000 model: the original, with the harshest throttle mapping.
- 2001 model: smoother injection, slightly less top-end power.
- 2002 model: power restored through revised ECU mapping.
The TT600 led to the three-cylinder Daytona 675; other Hinckley models are in the Sprint and the Triumph collection.
Sources
- Triumph TT600, English Wikipedia: development, handling, injection problems, successor
