Triumph Trident 660 2021 — Specifications

How to attract young riders to a brand that, until now, has primarily played in the big leagues? Triumph has long lacked an entry-level machine, a true first step into its universe. The Street Triple, even in its 660 version, remains too assertive an animal for a novice. The idea was therefore to create a gateway, a motorcycle that bears the badge without being intimidating. That’s exactly the role of this new Triumph Trident 660, a roadster that comes to challenge the very competitive mid-size segment.

This little Brit exudes an immediate charm. Its design is round, almost timid, but with a touch of provocation in its lines. The rear end is particularly well-executed, with this license plate holder integrated into the swingarm, avoiding the unsightly added luggage rack. It’s a motorcycle with good manners, far from the raw and rugged look of some competitors. To keep the announced price of €7,995, choices were made. The frame is a new tubular steel assembly, more economical than the aluminum of the Street Triple, but which seems perfectly suited to its use. The 41mm Showa SFF inverted fork and the rear mono shock are well-made, even if the front end offers no adjustments. The braking, with its two 310mm front discs and dual-piston Nissin calipers, is sufficient without being excessive. It should also be noted that production is outsourced to Thailand, as with most modern Triumphs, a purely economic decision.

The heart of the battle, and the real argument of the Trident 660, is located under its 14-liter fuel tank. It is the only one in this category to offer a three-cylinder engine, an architecture that brings a distinct musicality and progressiveness. This engine, developing 81 horsepower at 10,250 rpm and 63.7 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm, is an intelligent evolution of the Street Triple engine. Triumph reworked nearly 70 components, modified the dimensions (74 x 51.1 mm) to favor mid-range torque. The result is an engine where 90% of the torque is available between 3,600 and 9,750 rpm, perfect for the road. It is also designed for simple A2 restriction, losing little of its character in the limited version. Faced with a Yamaha MT-07 (75 hp) or a Kawasaki Z 650 (68 hp), the Triumph offers more power and a unique sound signature, without directly conflicting with its big sister Street Triple S.

Modernity is present with a ride-by-wire throttle, two riding modes (Road and Rain), switchable traction control, and ABS. The dashboard mixes an LCD screen for essential information and a small color TFT for secondary data. Connectivity allows you to add telephone management, basic GPS navigation, or GoPro control. We just regret the absence of a USB socket as standard, a detail for a young, always-connected audience. With a seat height of 805mm and a wet weight of 189 kg, access is easy and maneuverability is promised. Its price, although higher than that of an MT-07, is justified by the triple, the richer electronics, and long maintenance intervals (16,000 km). A used Triumph Trident 660 could therefore be a good deal to amortize the initial investment.

This Trident 660 is not a perfect machine. Some will criticize its sometimes marginal braking, its non-adjustable front end, or its somewhat small fuel tank for long journeys. But it succeeds in its challenge: to be an authentic, accessible, and different Triumph. It targets the young traveler who wants character without complexity, or the older rider looking for a modern and lightweight triple. It also reinvents a glorious name, that of the historic Trident, and poses a simple question: why choose a twin when you can have a triple for almost the same price? In the sometimes monotonous universe of mid-size roadsters, this little English motorcycle finally brings a real alternative.