We live in a world full of dreams. As a species, humans have dreamed of enhancing their lives and breaking boundaries. It is because of these dreams that we managed to create the luxuries we have. Today, though, it feels as if we take a lot of what human effort has been able to do for granted. Every time you fly on an aircraft, do you wonder and marvel at the technology that allows you to do so? Do you wonder how the heck a 200-ton piece of metal can fly 30,000 feet in the sky at 600 mph? We have become so familiar with the technology that we forget all the effort that has gone into it.
Let’s come back to the ground now and talk about motorcycles. In the past three years, I have personally ridden some of the most technologically advanced motorcycles on the planet. The BMW S1000RR, the Kawasaki H2R, and the Ducati Panigale V4S are just a few examples. Each of these motorcycles can easily pump out more than 200 hp, and if you just so happen to ride them on a closed-circuit, you will be able to fully understand their potential. Now, I am no professional rider, and while these machines do offer otherworldly performance, I will confess that they scare the living daylights out of me. It’s my job to push these bikes as far as I comfortably can, and there comes a point where trying to look like a hero is just not worth it.
The key here is confidence. When we ride motorcycles one of the most important feelings we must have is being in control all the time. A 200-hp motorcycle is something that very few people will feel totally confident on. It seems that once again, technology and a spec sheet will dictate just how good or bad a motorcycle should be. The 200-hp race is certainly one I am not a fan of and there really isn’t any need for a bike with that much power to be on public roads. The age-old saying of “riding a slow motorcycle fast” has always been my mantra. The good thing here though is that I am not alone. While we do live in a world where a 200-hp motorcycle is almost normal, it just so happens that the middleweight segment of motorcycles is growing rapidly. It could be that people are starting to ride for the first time, or old-timers are trying to get back on the saddle, but no matter what it is, every bike maker in the world is focusing heavily on entry-level performance bikes. A case in point is this beautiful Triumph Trident 660 I got my hands on last month.
The Trident 660 Is Entry-Level Perfection
If there ever was a motorcycle that had the best of everything in it, the Trident is it. It's got no fancy tech, but it gets a few nice features. It has non-adjustable front and rear suspension, but they come with a Showa badge on them. There is only 80 hp, but it’s pumped out by a beautifully engineered British triple. It weighs only 417 lbs, but then it’s built as tough as nails with no plastic components. It also looks pretty darn good thanks to its retro style. The Trident 660 hits the sweet spot of motorcycles where it has everything you need and nothing that makes no sense. If you are familiar with Triumph, then you know that the Street Triple was the bike maker’s entry-level offering earlier. The Street Triple, though, was still considered to be a little too aggressive for first-timers. It was also too sporty for older riders who wanted a more soothing sports bike that could be useful as well. Triumph has been working on the Trident for four years now and taking notes from everywhere. The Trident 660 is their new baby motorcycle but it’s got the attitude of a mature street-fighter.
The Trident 660 is something that is approachable from all angles. When you first lay eyes on it you might think it’s a little small, but then you swing a leg over it and it feels just right: I’m six foot three and it felt just right. The ergonomics are upright with the handlebar a little closer to your body compared to the Street Triple. The footpegs are rear-set so you do have the ability to jump into a sporty stance when you want. The bike feels great, and the overall quality has not been compromised one bit. Turn on the ignition and you hear that sweet thump from the three-cylinder unit. Because everything feels light and easy, your confidence levels are up and you are ready to twist that throttle silly. That’s the feeling a motorcycle should instill in its riders, and that’s why the Trident is a perfect first road bike for anybody.
Ride Of Your Life
Once you start to ride the Trident, you will begin to feel the sportiness and agility of the bike almost immediately. While the Showa forks and monoshock are non-adjustable, they still feel just right on any road surface. The bike feels light on its feet at all times. The front-end has great feedback and has light steering when you are riding through traffic or urban areas. This makes it a great city bike. It’s incredibly easy to maneuver around town with and it also feels comfortable.
When you want to head out of town and carve some canyons, the Trident unleashes itself beautifully. Everything is predictable about the bike and you won’t feel uneasy about anything. The throttle response is fantastic. I have always loved the ride-by-wire system from Triumph, and it's incredibly responsive in the Trident as well. The engine feels very good and punches you forward with great gusto. You obviously can’t expect neck-breaking acceleration, but you definitely will have enough sensation for a wide grin to be stuck on your face. The bike pulls forward very well that you might think it has more than the claimed 47 lb-ft of torque. It’s a relatively low torque curve so the bike doesn’t need to be revved too high either and the gearing is perfect for all riding conditions.
Now, let’s talk about the best thing about the Trident 660: the handling. Triumph is known for making some sweet-handling machines. I mean, if you can make the Rocket III and the Tiger 900 dance around corners, you sure as hell can bet that the Trident can twirl itself pretty well.
Once again it’s the seating position that has really allowed the rider to feel in control when attacking corners. There is enough space for you to move around and the handlebars are placed perfectly for you to tuck your body. The Trident has an incredibly quick turn-in and it follows the line you want to take without hesitating. If you are a novice or beginner, you will absolutely love the way the Trident feels. Once you learn in, the bike feels great, and exiting and powering out of a corner feels even better because the torque kicks in no matter where in the rev range you are. You can flick the bike with ease and really enjoy the easy sportiness of the machine. I guarantee you that fatigue will not kick in for hours. You can ride the bike aggressively and feel no strain on your body. The slipper clutch also enhances the ride when you want to push the bike hard.
The only downside the Trident has is that it will not play the right chords to appease a professional rider’s heart. Again, I am no professional circuit racer, but I have enough experience with bikes to know when they can’t be pushed too far. While the Trident is fun and athletic, it still has its limits. In some instances, the traction control kicks in and it feels a little too invasive. Turn it off and the rear starts to slip out if you become overly ambitious. The tires are at no fault here though and do a pretty good job of offering great grip. The brakes too are pretty solid and have a pretty good bite. Once again, you can’t expect superbike performance, but it’s pretty incredible how the Trident 660 turns out to be a great overall package.
Triumph's Cheapest Offering Is Bang For One's Buck
The Triumph Trident 660 is now the cheapest motorcycle you can buy from the legendary British bike maker. With a starting price of just $8,195 you really can’t ask for anything better. In fact, the Trident sits in a lonely market space. You either have much milder bikes in the 500cc category, or you have bikes that are a little too eager in the 750cc to 900cc category. The Kawasaki Z650 or the Honda CB650R are perhaps its closest competitor.
The Trident, however, stands out in terms of design, performance, features, and price. It’s the little but highly capable Machine. It’s accessible to one and all and it’s a great introduction motorcycle for first-timers. Folks like me who love the sporty nature of the machine while also maintaining our sanity and using every ounce of the 80 available horses will appreciate this bike a whole lot more than a 100-hp plus machine. After all, motorcycling is about the experience, and I would much rather experience a motorcycle that allows me to push it and myself with confidence and control.
As I said before, we tend to take things for granted. While high-tech features and new-age gadgetry on super-powerful machines might sound great on paper, it’s not always the case. Sometimes you need to settle for something simpler and enjoy the little things. The Trident might not have the right specs on paper, but it’s got the human effort behind it to make it a wonderful motorcycle.