Triumph Trident 660

The Triumph Trident 660 brings a refreshing change to the world of naked bikes. In a time when new models are becoming more powerful, complex, and expensive, the Trident 660 stands out with its simplicity and practicality. Sporting a modest yet satisfying 80bhp, it comes at a more affordable price compared to the base spec Street Triple S. Notably, its 10,000-mile service intervals contribute to keeping maintenance costs in check, making it wallet-friendly for riders.

What sets the Trident 660 apart is its mature and characterful demeanor, appealing to both commuting and spirited riding. It offers a comfortable and engaging experience, effortlessly accommodating riders of all levels. Novice riders will appreciate its approachability, while experienced ones will be impressed by its superior handling, outperforming its rivals in this aspect. The bike is swift without being intimidating, striking a perfect balance between power and manageability. Its low-end torque is impressive, although it may lack the playful nature of the parallel-twin cylinder Yamaha MT-07. Additionally, the Trident 660 boasts excellent build quality, thoughtful details, and economical running costs, further enhancing its appeal.

Moreover, the bike carries the sporty DNA found in its chassis and engine, akin to the renowned Street Triple, which has enjoyed immense popularity over the years. This infusion of sportiness ensures that the Trident 660 doesn't just offer practicality but also evokes excitement and leaves riders with a wide smile on their faces.

Overall, the Triumph Trident 660 is a well-rounded middleweight naked bike that strikes a harmonious balance between everyday usability and exhilarating performance, making it an enticing option for riders seeking both practicality and fun in their riding experience.

Based on the road test, the power of the Triumph Trident 660 can be described as lively and satisfying. While it may have 'only' 80bhp, there's no reason to underestimate it. The short gearing enables the bike to accelerate sharply through its six-speed gearbox, swiftly propelling the rider out of villages even when in higher gears.

At 10,250rpm, the Trident reaches its peak power of 80bhp, which is comparable to the revvy and more powerful Street Triple S at the same engine speed. However, thanks to its livelier gearing, the Trident feels even more spirited and exciting. When the TC (Traction Control) is deactivated, and the throttle is aggressively twisted in first gear, the bike responds with a strong surge, propelling the rider forward with a noticeable punch. Even in second gear, its acceleration remains impressive, comparable to the quick pull-away of a long-legged 765cc Street Triple in first gear.

In essence, the Triumph Trident 660's power delivery is well-tuned and provides a thrilling and engaging riding experience. Despite its 'modest' power figure, the bike feels lively and offers more than enough speed to keep riders entertained and satisfied on their journeys.

The handling performance of the Triumph Trident 660 receives high praise in the provided material. The suspension is well-tuned, offering excellent damping and springing, resulting in a smooth and controlled ride. There's no harsh jarring or wallowing, ensuring a comfortable and composed experience for the rider.

The steering is described as light and natural, which contributes to the bike's easy maneuverability. Furthermore, the brakes impress with their ample power, precise feel, and lack of unwanted ABS intervention, providing the rider with a strong sense of control and confidence.

The choice of Michelin Road 5 tires proves to be an excellent one, as they offer reliable grip in various conditions - wet or dry, and even across a wide temperature range. This reliability instills confidence in the rider, allowing them to push the bike with assurance.

The overall handling of the Triumph Trident 660 is commendable, making it an accessible and friendly bike for riders of all skill levels. It inspires confidence with its sure-footedness, and it takes quite an effort to push it to the limits and get it out of shape on the road. The bike's stability and responsiveness create an enjoyable and safe riding experience, encouraging riders to explore and have fun on various terrains.

The Triumph Trident 660 stands out for its impressive comfort aspects, making it a practical choice for everyday riding. Its engine performance is noteworthy, particularly for city commuting, as it delivers more low-end torque compared to the Street Triple S. With over 90% of its torque available from 3600rpm to 9750rpm, the bike provides strong and accessible power in the lower rev range, allowing for smooth and effortless acceleration during city traffic and urban riding.

To further enhance its comfort for everyday use, the Trident 660 features a new gearbox design. The shorter first to fourth gears offer enhanced low-end thrust, ideal for navigating through congested streets and traffic. Additionally, the slightly higher fifth and sixth gears contribute to more relaxed and comfortable cruising at higher speeds, making it suitable for longer journeys or highway riding.

In terms of technology and rider aids, the Trident 660 boasts a modern ride-by-wire system, effectively controlling various aspects of the bike, including fueling and rider modes (Road and Rain). This technology ensures a seamless and optimized riding experience, adapting to different road conditions and weather situations, thus enhancing comfort and safety for the rider.

That says, the Triumph Trident 660 strikes a favorable balance between performance and comfort, making it a well-suited choice for daily commuting and longer rides alike. Its user-friendly characteristics, strong low-end torque, and advanced technology features combine to create a pleasurable and comfortable riding experience for both urban and highway journeys.

The Triumph Trident 660 appears to excel in terms of reliability and ownership experience. The bike demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship, evident in its top-notch paint finishes, well-equipped features, and meticulous attention to detail. This level of quality is backed by a generous two-year unlimited mileage warranty, providing peace of mind for owners.

The motor's state of tune ensures a safe and reliable performance, leading to extended service intervals of 10,000 miles. This translates to lower maintenance costs, making the Trident 660 more economical to run over time. Following the recommended service schedule, owners can expect minimal workshop time, with only 8.3 hours needed for essential services over three years. In comparison to its rivals, the Trident 660 proves to be more time-efficient and cost-effective, giving owners a convenient and budget-friendly ownership experience.

Although there are no specific owners' reviews available at the moment, the bike has been tested and used by various riders, such as the Online Editor Gareth Evans who ran a Trident 660 on the MCN Fleet during 2021. The overall feedback has been positive, with no reported mechanical problems or significant issues during usage.

One minor concern that has been noted is the appearance of some corrosion on the exhausts after extended use during harsh weather conditions. However, this appears to be a relatively minor issue and doesn't seem to affect the bike's overall performance or reliability.

Triumph Trident 660 showcases impressive reliability and low-cost ownership. Its quality craftsmanship, extended service intervals, and positive user experiences make it a dependable and enjoyable motorcycle to own and ride.

The engine of the Triumph Trident 660 is a true gem, showcasing the best qualities of a three-cylinder configuration. As a result of its unique design, it combines the low-end grunt typically found in twin-cylinder engines with the high-revving excitement reminiscent of a four-cylinder engine. This blend of characteristics makes three-cylinder motorcycles popular for their versatility, and the Trident 660 is no exception.

For a bike of its displacement, the Trident 660 impresses with incredible thrust, providing a meaty yet user-friendly power delivery throughout the rev range. It's not picky about which gear you're in; the engine pulls cleanly and effortlessly, offering a smooth and enjoyable riding experience. Despite the era's obsession with high horsepower figures, the Trident's 80bhp is more than sufficient, especially considering its shorter first four gear ratios. When the rider gives the throttle a twist, the bike responds quickly, delivering ample acceleration.

The throttle, clutch action, and gearbox operation are all seamlessly executed, akin to enjoying a delightful afternoon tea. The riding experience is smooth, and riders will appreciate the intuitive and user-friendly nature of the bike.

Regarding fuel consumption, the Trident 660 achieves approximately 21.7 kilometers per liter (kml). While not class-leading, it is a reasonable figure for a middleweight motorcycle with 80bhp and considering its spirited performance capabilities.