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2011–2012 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
Öhlins Edge, Triple Soul
The 675 cc inline-three is the whole argument here. It pulls with real mid-range shove where a four would still be clearing its throat, then keeps stacking revs to 126 hp at 12,600 rpm without ever feeling like it's straining. Wrapped around it is an aluminum twin-spar frame, 407 lb wet, and on the R the good stuff: Öhlins damping front and rear, Brembo stoppers on 308 mm discs. That combination puts this generation at the sharp end of the supersport class, and it earns that spot with hardware rather than badges.
Lean clearance is effectively unlimited on the road, high-speed stability is rock solid, and the chassis gives you the feedback to place the bike exactly where you meant to put it. Ride it hard and it rewards you. Ride it in traffic and the 32.7 in seat, the committed reach, and 32 mpg from a 4.6 gal tank remind you what it was built for. The honest caveat: there is no ABS and no traction control on this bike. Nothing catches you. That suits a skilled rider and punishes everyone else.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 126 hp (94 kW) @ 12,600 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) |
| Displacement | 675 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 308 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55 ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 54.9 in (1394 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.7 in (831 mm) |
| Wet weight | 407 lb (185 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 gal (17.4 L) |
| Top speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 32 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Drivetrain
The triple sounds like nothing else in this class. Below 5,000 rpm it's a low mechanical growl through the airbox, and above that it turns into a hard, metallic wail that arrives right at your chest. Vibration stays fine-grained rather than numbing, so after an hour your hands still read the bars properly. And they need to, because the riding position is a genuine sportbike crouch: weight forward through the wrists, knees folded high, the 32.7 in seat putting you over the front wheel. At a real road pace the fairing does little for you above 70 mph and your neck knows it. The Öhlins is firm without being brittle, letting broken pavement pass under you as information instead of impact. Everything you touch feels expensive, machined, considered. This is a bike that tells you constantly what it is.
Regulator/rectifier failure
The regulator/rectifier can overheat and fail, leading to charging system issues and potentially damaging the battery and ECU. Many owners replace it proactively with a MOSFET unit or relocate it for better cooling.
Cam chain tensioner wear
The cam chain tensioner may wear prematurely, causing a rattling noise and potential timing issues. Replacement is sometimes recommended around 32,000 km.
EXUP valve seizing
The exhaust valve (EXUP) can seize due to carbon buildup, reducing performance and causing poor low-speed running. Many owners either remove it or wire it open.
Oil/water heat exchanger failure
The oil cooler (heat exchanger) can develop internal leaks, allowing coolant and oil to mix. Many owners replace it with a dedicated air/oil cooler to eliminate the risk.
Engine cover bolts backing out
Engine cover bolts can loosen after a few thousand miles, leading to oil leaks. Applying threadlocker during maintenance prevents this.
Where this Triumph Daytona 675 R pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Daytona 675 R is actually built for.
On Angeles Crest this thing is in its element: light, stable at speed, and honest about what the front tire is doing. Just know that nothing electronic is watching your back.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
It arrives track-capable. The Öhlins and Brembo package means your setup time goes into tires and clicks, not into replacing hardware that was never good enough.
Made for Barber Motorsports Park · WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Circuit of the Americas
For the Dragon and Cherohala it turns in fast and holds a tight line all day. The reward is precision, not comfort, and the ride out from Knoxville will remind you of that.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph Daytona 675 R. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2013–2017
The Triple That Corners Hardest
Competitor · 2008–2016
Track Weapon, Street Optional
Same Platform · 2013–2017
Triple Soul, Serious Corners
Similar Character · 2007–2012
Triple Soul, Razor Handling