Bike Files: Triumph Trident 660

Triumph’s budget roadster aims to prove that three is indeed the magic number

Tell us about the Triumph Trident 660 in 100 words….

Introduced in 2021, the Trident is Triumph’s answer to popular middleweight roadsters like the Kawasaki Z650 and Yamaha MT-07. Where those bikes are parallel twins, the Trident finds a point of differentiation with its three-cylinder motor – giving it more character and power than its rivals.

The spec is all rather basic, but what is there is good quality, and you can’t argue with a price which has always been competitive. The styling is a bit quirkier than its more aggressive looking rivals from Japan, but we think that’s part of the charm and makes it stand out from the crowd.

The Trident name’s got a bit of history, right?

The first Triumph Trident was a 750cc three-cylinder superbike launched in 1968, just a few weeks before the legendary Honda CB750.

Jointly developed alongside the BSA Rocket 3, the original Trident was one of the sportiest bikes of its day but suffered by being the wrong bike at the wrong time. Its arrival coincided with the coming of the new generation of Japanese superbike, like the CB750 and Kawasaki’s Z1, and against those it was simply outdated and poorly built.

The Trident soldiered on until the mid-1970s, when Triumph was really struggling, but it was one of the first names revived by the new Triumph company in the early 1990s.

The Trident was an unfaired three-cylinder roadster, the entry level bike in the Hinckley Triumph range, and proved popular. It eventually evolved into the Sprint, with the Trident name being dropped by the turn of the century… that was until the latest Trident arrived over 20 years later.

Like its predecessor, the latest Trident is an entry level model which majors on simplicity and value for money.

So what does the Triumph Trident 660 ride like?

The simplicity makes it a pleasure to ride. Triumph have worked hard to make the Trident accessible as well as affordable. It’s unintimidating for novices and while experienced riders might find themselves wanting a little bit more from a bike, it’s got more than enough performance and spec for those riders still gaining experience, or for those looking for a no nonsense all-rounder.

The three-cylinder engine is more powerful and more characterful than the parallel twins employed by the competition and it can happily get down and boogie when it needs to. It’s pretty comfortable and easy to ride around town, although experienced riders might find it a bit lacking when pushing on. It’s arguably not as sporting, especially in terms of the chassis, as the likes of the Aprilia Tuono 660 and Yamaha’s MT-07, but for its intended use it is more than capable.

Sounds good, but what about if you fancy something a bit sportier?

The Daytona 660 is a race replica style machine built on the Trident platform, while the Tiger 660 Sport also utilises the same engine and is a superb all-rounder. If you like the sound of the Trident but don’t fancy a naked roadster, these are excellent options for you to consider.

But is it better than the other bikes in the class?

By going down the three-cylinder route, Triumph have (in many ways) avoided direct comparison to the likes of the MT-07 and Suzuki GSX-8S. With 80bhp, it delivers more power than many others in the category.

The Yamaha mightn’t have as much top end, but it is lighter and feels a bit more playful. Meanwhile the Suzuki plays a slightly different game too, with that 800cc engine offering a bit more power than the Triumph while being full of torque and delivering a gloriously flat power delivery with characteristics akin to a V-twin engine. It’s got a bit more tech as standard too, giving it a slightly more modern feel.

To be honest, there’s no such thing as a bad bike these days and one of the good things about this category is that all the various manufacturers’ offerings bring their own flavour to proceedings. The Triumph’s got a character all of its own and can hold its own against the best of them.

Have there been any updates over the years?

Triumph updated the Trident in 2025 with a number of under-the-skin upgrades (not to mention new colours and graphics) to really up the spec levels. Cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control and Triumph Shift Assist (aka quickshifter) are all added, while an extra rider mode was added (taking it to three in total) 

In response to customer demand, the Trident 660 now features a host of new equipment that is unprecedented in this class, with Optimised Cornering ABS and Traction Control, Triumph Shift Assist and cruise control all fitted as standard.

The integrated TFT display and MyTriumph Bluetooth Connectivity system gives riders turn-by-turn navigation, calls and music control, and there are three rider modes, including a new Sport mode. The 2025 version also has modified front forks and together it makes for a slightly more refined package, even if the look is largely the same.

Who is likely to buy a Triumph Trident 660?

The Triumph Trident 660 is one of the most democratic motorcycles on sale today, in as much as it offers a bit of something for all kinds of riders.

Accessibility is its big thing, not only is it one of the lowest priced Triumphs on sale, its 805mm seat height means it can be comfortably ridden by riders of all shapes and sizes.

With an A2 kit available, it can make a great first big bike – while experienced riders can happily downsize to the Trident

Sounds good, but I want a bit more…

Fancy something a bit more powerful and sophisticated? Triumph’s Street Triple 765 could be the bike for you. It’s quite a bit more expensive, but brings that three-cylinder charm with a bigger hit and sharper chassis.

Why should I buy a Triumph Trident 660?

You’re looking for a no nonsense roadster that’s got a premium name on the tank, but which doesn’t make a big dent in your bank account.