TRIUMPH DAYTONA 650 (2003 - 2005) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £30
Power: 110 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.1 in / 815 mm)
Weight: Low (364 lbs / 165 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £3,200

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Triumph Daytona 600/650 is lighter, smoother, faster and infinitely prettier than the TT600. What’s more, Bruce Anstey won the Junior TT on one in 2003 which goes to show what improvements Triumph made to their 600cc sports middleweight contender. The Triumph Daytona 600/650 is a beauty: an involved ride with excellent handling, amazing brakes and it’s good value.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Taking the excellent handling and brakes from its predecessor, the Triumph Daytona 600/650’s road manners are hard to fault. Suspension’s a treat too: sharp enough for the track yet smooth enough to deal with any potholes. The gearbox is a bit snatchy, though. Comfort’s better than you’d expect given the Triumph Daytona 600/650's bigger (for a sports 600) dimensions.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

After the injection problems that let the TT600 down, the Triumph Daytona 600/650's Keihin system is much better. There’s still a bit of a flat spot in the midrange, but it’s bearable and the bulk of the Triumph Daytona 600/650's power is still very much up top. The power band’s wide and accessible for most riders though and has a smooth delivery.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

With a selection of decent components, the Triumph Daytona 600/650’s beautifully put together. Show it some bad weather and it’ll suffer a bit with corrosion, the paint’s not great either. Triumph Daytona 600/650 mechanical parts are sound though.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

When new, the Triumph Daytona 600 was sensibly priced against its rivals, coming in at nearly a grand under Yamaha’s R6. Triumph Daytona 600/650s keep their value pretty well, too, and aren’t quite as ubiquitous as the Japanese fours. Some owners pay a premium for buying British.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Triumph Daytona 600/650 dash includes a digital speedo, clock and trips, analogue rev counter and a fuel light. Head lamp and mirrors are good but pillions will suffer on a high perch with no grabrail. A seat cowl was included with the bike. The standard Daytona screen is low and won’t provide much protection on the motorway.

Specs

Engine size 599cc
Engine type 16v inline four, 6 gears
Frame type Aluminium twin spar
Fuel capacity 18 litres
Seat height 815mm
Bike weight 165kg
Front suspension Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension Preload, rebound, compression
Front brake Twin 308mm discs
Rear brake 220mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 35 mpg
Annual road tax £80
Annual service cost £30
New price -
Used price £3,200
Insurance group 15 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 110 bhp
Max torque 51 ft-lb
Top speed 160 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 11.58 secs
Tank range 140 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2003: Triumph Daytona 600 takes over where the TT600 left off… But with better results. Morphed in to the Triumph Daytona 650 in 2004 (see Other Versions).

Other versions

Triumph Daytona 650: The engine was bored out to 646cc, it got a new silencer and clutch, improved gear linkage, more power, more torque and revised fuel injection. Cosmetic tweaks too. Discontinued after a year to make way for the Triumph Daytona 675 triple.

Owners' reviews for the TRIUMPH DAYTONA 650 (2003 - 2005)

7 owners have reviewed their TRIUMPH DAYTONA 650 (2003 - 2005) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your TRIUMPH DAYTONA 650 (2003 - 2005)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Engine: 4.9 out of 5 (4.9/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.9 out of 5 (4.9/5)
Equipment: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Annual servicing cost: £30
5 out of 5 Brilliant British Bike
18 October 2020 by Luke Wiltshire

Year: 2005

Bought my Tornado red Daytona 650 in Feb this year. This is the second one I’ve owned. It had spent over 10 years in storage and only had 2000 miles on the clock. Starts and rides like a new bike, handles brilliantly and more than enough power for U.K. roads. Pillion pad and extra seat cowl is a nice touch. If you want something a bit different to all the Japanese sports bikes out there then this is a brilliant choice if you can pick one up with low mileage in good condition. It’s comfortable, quick and easy to ride plus looks absolutely beautiful. For me it’s the best looking of the mid-2000’s sport 600s. My single gripe is removal of the seat to fit a trickle charger to the battery pack was a real pain but this is only a one off. I wouldn’t have bought a second if it wasn’t such a great bike! If you’re looking for a sports bike which will get envious looks for reasonable price and you don’t want to follow the crowd and buy a Japanese bike then keep your eyes open for a Daytona 650.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5

Fuel warning light is adequate but if I’m being fussy a fuel gauge would be useful but this wasn’t such a common thing 15 years ago

Buying experience: Paid £3300 for a 2005 mint condition with 2000 miles on the clock. Sold a yellow 2005 in 2018 with 9000+ miles on the clock For £2900

5 out of 5 Loved every minute of my 5yrs with my 650!
21 July 2020 by Paul DeAngelis

Year: 2005

Sized like a big 1ltr bike and very comfy. Very cool angular styling that doesn’t look dated. ALWAYS pulls good comments!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Very comfortable as you don’t lean too forward and the seating position is fairly low. Suspension and brakes perform well

Engine 4 out of 5

If I was being ultra picky it vibrates more than some but a great unit

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Never let me down in 5yrs of ownership

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5

Buying experience: Bought privately with super low miles and so so cheap compared to the mass of Jap bikes

5 out of 5
25 November 2016 by james 600

Year: 2004

great bike very fast many extras as std never had a triumph before very happy with it so far

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Excellent Bike
20 November 2016 by Peter Triumph Fan

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £30

Definitely

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5

Great performance

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Built well no problems

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Do own sevicing so just mot costs

Equipment 4 out of 5

Lovely looking bike

Buying experience: Dealer

5 out of 5 Fantastico!
21 June 2012 by matthewdaytona

After passing my A2 licence test i was struggling to find the right bike for me. I was having to restrict the bike to 33bhp, i was lucky that Triumph made this for the bike when it was released. The bike is amazing, i have a set of pilot roads on it and they work a treat! they heat up pretty quickly but last quite a long time! (i have done about 1500 miles now and they have only just got the shine off them!) Engine is fantastic even restricted, its free flowing all the way round the rev range with a slight dip in mid range however i have the 600 model and the 650 apparently has solved this. The only issue i have found is that it overheats alot when in traffic or at a standstill. this is normal of a sports bike but this will heat up to 120 degrees and as a result cut out on me when i tried to pull away. Apart from that this is an amazing machine, both for the new riders and for more experienced. i managed to pick mine up for £1900 with 19,000 miles on the clock and it doesn't batter an eye lid. i will make sure it has the major service at 24,000 but i have not had any problems with it so far. (touch wood!)

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 truely amazing
05 September 2011 by mxtomb

i got my daytona 600 in may and have not looked back since. it is my first big bike. the power is great and the handling is truely outstanding. whould recommend to anyone how is after a sports bike that you wont see many of.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 A Little Gem
10 September 2007 by yournamehere

Bought an 04 daytona 600 last week, after letting it stretch its legs a bit i can honestly say that I'm in love. Awesomely fast for my first big bike yet still as comfy as the gs 500 I part exed to get this baby. Brakes are great, handles beautifully and sounds gorgeous. Plus it gets all the love when you stop. My only real gripes are the slightly clunky gearbox and the fact theres nowhere to put my gps. Otherwise, BUY ONE! Preferably in yellow cos thats the fastest colour

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
Back to top