TESTED: Triumph Trident 660

Bob Pickett has been riding the Trident. Here’s what you need to know:

This cost-effective roadster was a big deal at the time of its launch and has won over plenty of riders with its punchy motor and sharp handling 

The Trident is the bold move by Triumph that paid off. Moving into the packed middleweight sector was a gamble, but the combination of specs, price and performance paid off, sales success leading Triumph to create the 660 Tiger Sport.

I’d ridden the Trident as part of a group ride on the launch tour in April 2021 but was never left to my own devices until now. Triumph East London kindly loaned me its demo bike, beautifully decked out in Essex/Herts Air Ambulance colours (with a clever ‘Donate Here’ QR code on the tank).

GIVE ME SOME SPEC

A 660cc three-cylinder engine putting out 80bhp (60kW) @ 10,250rpm with maximum torque 64Nm @ 6250rpm is held in a tubular steel perimeter frame. Seat height is 805mm; wheelbase is 1401mm. Supporting the 189kg wet weight are front Showa 41mm upside-down separate function forks and rear Showa monoshock. Stopping it are Nissin two-piston sliding calipers, twin 310mm discs up front with rear Nissin single-piston sliding caliper, single 255mm disc.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO RIDE? 

It’s miniscule but feels roomy with an appealing roadster look. It’s narrow, meaning my 29-inch legs found the ground easily. 

The early gears are notably short ratio; grab a handful of throttle and you feel the front wanting to lift. The specs above don’t tell the whole story. Ninety per cent torque comes in under 4k – this bike punches hard. I found the best way to ride the Trident was short shift to the taller, higher gears and feed the power, allowing the 660cc triple to stretch its legs.

It will do the in-town, commuter thing, though it’s a bit fluffy at this pace. Like all triples, it’s at its best in the midrange so back roads and A roads are its natural habitat. Motorways aren’t a challenge (utter lack of wind protection aside, I was leaning low and over the bars) with the engine having more than enough power, even top gear overtakes proving effortless.

Brakes are very much up to the job, with bags of power and a good feel. Suspension? Showa, but I’m guessing from their more budget range. On back roads every lump, bump and ripple translated through the bars, but I was always certain I’d stay planted, aided by the light, easy handling. The Trident is fun here, but it’s on smoother A roads that everything comes together to reward.

I like the simple TFT display. Revs and speed are on constant (and glance-friendly) display, with minimal information on each screen operated by chunky buttons on the left cluster. The horn and (Rain/Road) mode switches sit next to each other, the horn usefully coloured red (though I did manage to change mode rather than hit the horn early on!).

I wouldn’t fancy touring on the Trident. After a couple of hours aboard the firm seat, both backside and legs let me know how achy they were when I got off. And the mirrors are a bit of a mixed bag. Despite being quite large they suffer from vibrations.

WHAT’S IT COST? 

From £7895 OTR

WANT TO TRY ONE? 

To test this bike, give the folks at Triumph East London a shout. 01708 752 111 / www.lind.co.uk/triumph/east-london