Kiwi Rider November Vol.2 2022 | Page 42

for Rain and Road and a colour TFT display . Service intervals are every 16,000km ( or every 12 months , whichever comes first ). So , as you can see it ’ s a well-considered and complete machine .
HEART OF THE TIGER The 660 engine is a double overhead camshaft , 12 valve , three-cylinder , liquid-cooled lump with a 240-degree firing order , producing 41.5kW at 8750rpm and 62Nm of torque at 6250rpm . The gearbox is six-speed and power is sent to the rear wheel initially by fly-by-wire fuel injection and lastly via a quality X-ring chain .
Now , with the details covered , let ’ s get back to the engine ’ s feel . Excellent responsive grunt from idle , with oodles of torque belie the LAMS moniker . It is only as the revs rise past the two thirds mark that an obviously subdued topend becomes apparent . It ’ s not that the power delivery drops off a cliff or anything like that , it just doesn ’ t snow ball in to the normal frenzied and super strong top-end that these triples are normally known for . Of course , the top-end power still grows , but in a modest way that will not intimidate the rider , while offering enough grunt to easily complete passing manoeuvers etc . Honestly , because low and midrange grunt is excellent , short shifting is the way to go for
42 KIWI RIDER