2021 Triumph Trident 660: Top Ten Highlights!

The late 1960s witnessed a new dawn in the history of motorcycling with the Triumph Trident being one that kick-started the superbike era of motorcycles. With its high performance, 750cc inline-three motor that cranked out 58 bhp- the Triumph Trident was regarded as a highly sophisticated motorcycle of its times.

However, the financial crisis marked the end of the road for the Trident that ceased production in 1974. It was indeed surprising that Triumph kept the Trident moniker under hibernation for long considering it held a prestigious admiration amongst motorcycle enthusiasts and journalists alike. Being better late than never – Triumph Motorcycles decided to put an end to the Trident’s near five-decade slumber.

The 2021 Triumph Trident is finally unveiled and looks to wield its arsenal against the likes of Ducati Monster 821, Yamaha MT-07, Honda CB650R, etc. But does it have what it takes to disrupt the well-established competition? Here are the top ten highlights of the 2021 Triumph Trident 600 to gauge its worth on the merit chart.

Styling

Triumph has adopted a neo-retro styling for the Trident and though it might not be winning any beauty pageants- it looks compact and well-proportioned for a roadster without being too outlandish. Except for the transformer-ish styled Yamaha MT-07, it slots well among the competition following a modern-classic design template.

Engine

Before the official unveiling- it was widely slated the engine to be a scaled-down unit from the Street Triple. Contrary to the prevailing speculations, Triumph claims that the 660cc inline-three hosts a bunch of 67 new components. Producing a maximum of 81 ps- the 2021 Triumph Trident 660 has enough grunt in its guts for a thrilling riding experience.

I remember riding the Triumph Street Triple 675 that was detuned to 79 ps for the Indian market- and it felt like a 100 bhp motorcycle on a wild chase. Peak torque is rated at 64 nm sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission mated to a slip and assist clutch.

What makes it remarkable is that the new Trident 660 has a 16,000 kilometers service interval showcasing Triumph’s confidence in the motor. If that’s not all, Triumph is offering a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. Seriously impressive! Seems the Moto2 engine program is paying off rich dividends for the Hinckley based manufacturer.

Chassis

The tubular steel perimeter frame is all-new designed for comfort, convenience, and agility while keeping costs under check. No aluminum on the twin sided swing-arm either that’s constructed out of fabricated steel.

Suspension

Being an affordable middleweight, the 2021 Triumph Trident ditches scope of an adjustable suspension but makes up with 41mm Showa Separate Function forks. The rear springer consists of a preload-adjustable Showa mono-shock RSU. Expect both units to be tuned for street comfort than outright performance.

Dashboard

The dashboard has been treated to a classical round shape but houses a modern TFT display. Despite a constrained space- all the tell-tale signs have been neatly integrated. There’s also a host of connectivity features covered ahead in this article.

Electronic Rider Aids

The Triumph Trident 660 offers an electronics package by way of Ride-by-wire throttle, two ride modes i.e. Road and Rain, and a switchable traction control system. Doesn’t sound ground-breaking? Do consider that the competition isn’t offering any!

Connectivity

The digital TFT display offers an optional My Triumph Connectivity System integrating navigation, music, and call controls. There’s also a GoPro connectivity feature again as an option eliminating the inconvenience of controlling the action-cam through a mobile phone or remote control.

Brakes

Stopping power is provided by two-piston sliding Nissin front calipers mounted over twin front 310mm steel discs and a single pot caliper grabbing a 255mm single rear disc.

Ergonomics

Anchoring points on the new Triumph Trident have been tuned for comfortable rider ergos. Deep knee recesses, raised wide handlebars, a slender middle profile, and a broad saddle with a low 805mm ride height- all reek of a relaxed riding position for both streets and the highways.

Optional Extras

Triumph is offering a long list of accessories to amplify your experience on the 2021 Triumph Trident 660 that reads:

• Bi-directional quick shifter
• GPS enabled Track+ security system
• Trident Luggage
• Under-seat USB Charger
• Color matching fly-screens
• Aluminum belly pan
• Classic bar end mirrors
• Engine, Frame, and front axle protectors
• Tank pad (sigh!)

In conclusion, we’d say that while the 2021 Triumph Trident has been built to a cost- it certainly doesn’t give a point to complain. It betters the competition by a decent margin and should find appeal with buyers looking for an entry-level middleweight that offers a good mix of performance and comfort.