Middleweight Champion: Triumph Trident 660 On Test – Fraser Addecott

The British company’s naked 660cc Triple rides beautifully, has a great engine and comes at a very affordable price as the perfect first ‘proper’ bike, zippy commuter or fun all-rounder

Triumph’s Street Triple is the company’s first middleweight naked bike in a while – and with good reason.

It’s a great machine – powerful, fast, great handling and affordable – and available in an A2 license compliant version.

While it’s relatively easy to get on and drive, with 120+ horsepower on tap and a high-revving, spikey engine, it’s always had the ability to be a bit of a hooligan.

It’s in a particularly crowded area of ​​the market, with all the major manufacturers vying for customers looking to buy their first “real” bike, as well as those looking for a quality commuter.

Competitors include Yamaha’s excellent MT-07, Kawasaki’s Z650 and Honda’s CB650R.

Now the Hinckley, Leics-based company has thrown another competitor into the mix with the Trident 660, which we’re looking at here.

The first impression is very good.

Small, compact and sporty, it features a distinctive tank logo and is available in four attractive paint finishes with excellent build quality.

On board it feels light and manageable, and the driving position is relaxed but with a more hunched stance that’s easy to adopt.

The beautifully sculpted tank allows you to “grab” with your knees and thighs, increasing the sense of control.

The single round clock features a color TFT info display as well as a white-on-black LCD – both clear and easy to read.

The mirrors are well positioned and the switchgear is uncomplicated and gives a quality feel.

The liquid-cooled 660cc in-line triple engine is derived from the excellent Daytona 675, but with a shorter stroke.

Search more than 19,000 new and used bikes for sale at autotrader.co.uk/bikes

The power drop from 120hp to 80hp may sound like a lot, but the tinkerers at Triumph have managed to create an impressively wide, flat torque band, meaning there’s always plenty of power available in every gear.

This triple is a real beauty – super smooth power delivery even at low revs, plus super smooth shifts via the slipper and assist clutch and with an optional quick shift lever.

It’s economical too, getting around 60mpg, or about 180 miles on one tank.

The handling is great too.

The tubular steel frame combines perfectly with the Showa forks and rear shock absorber for controlled, precise, easy and above all enjoyable cornering.

Braking via Nissin calipers is sensitive yet powerful, and Michelin rubber keeps you connected to the tarmac.

The bike is fully equipped with LED lights, self-cancelling turn signals and a Bluetooth kit to connect to the Triumph app, giving you a turn-by-turn navigation system.

Triumph also offers almost 50 different accessories for the Trident.

Service intervals are only set every 10,000 km, so very good for your wallet.

Overall, this is a really excellent middleweight naked.

The engine is peachy, handles great and is fun and easy to drive – all for just over £7,000.

Highly recommended.