What this lineage proves
A2 sport-touring is new
A genuine A2-restrictable sport-tourer at this price point did not exist before 2022. The Tiger Sport 660 (and rivals like the Tracer 7, Versys 650) are products of post-2014 A2 license rules in Europe. Modern licensing created a new market category.
Why Triumph killed the Sprint
Adventure-touring won
Triumph killed the Sprint GT 1050 in 2018 — the same trend that killed the FJR1300 and GTR1400. Adventure-touring took over from classic sport-touring across the industry. Triumph replaced the Sprint with the Tiger 1050 Sport (2017-2021), then killed that too.
Engine architecture
Triple throughout
Both bikes on this page are inline triples. Triumph signature engine layout — every Sprint, every Tiger Sport, every Speed Triple has been a triple. The 745 motor is essentially the Trident 660 engine in tourer-friendly tune.
Power change vs Sprint
−48bhp
128bhp Sprint GT 1050 → 80bhp Tiger Sport 660. Modern bike makes 38% LESS power. Different bike, different role — the 660 is for new riders and A2 licenses; the Sprint was for experienced tourers.
Real cost change
−£4.3k
Sprint GT 1050 was £10,500 in 2016 (£13,650 today). Tiger Sport 660 is £9,295 — about 32% cheaper in real terms. Triumph priced the Tiger Sport 660 aggressively as the entry point to sport-touring.
Rider aids count
5 → 6
2016 Sprint GT: ABS, traction control, fuel injection, ride-by-wire, panniers. 2026 Tiger Sport 660: ABS, traction control, ride modes, ride-by-wire, smartphone, TFT. Modern bike has slightly more electronic suite at much lower price.
Cheapest way in
£5k
A clean Sprint GT 1050 from 2010-2017. Bigger bike, more comfortable on long tours, full fairing, hard panniers standard. Different bike to the Tiger Sport 660 but the spiritual predecessor in the Triumph sport-touring lineage.
