OFFICIAL | Triumph Trident, all the specs, features, and details

2021 sees the return of a rather iconic name to one manufacturer’s range, as the Triumph Trident returns to the Hinckley factory’s line-up. The name brings with it a new entry point into Triumph triple ownership, and what Triumph hopes will be a new benchmark in the middle-weight naked segment.

The bike features a revised version of the 660cc three-cylinder engine that used to reside in the A2 compatible Street Triple S, although nestling within the Trident’s frame is an engine with significant updates to suit the current application.

Triumph Trident specs, features, and details

In a segment that currently dominated by bikes like the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650, Triumph is hoping that the lure of a sexier three-cylinder engine, and the exhaust note that accompanies it, can put the Trident at the top of new rider’s shopping lists in 2021.

Here are all the specs, features, and details of what could be the most important new bike launched by Triumph in recent years…

Engine specs

• Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder
• 660 cc
• 81 PS / 80 bhp (60 kW) @ 10,250 rpm
• 47 PS / 46 bhp (35 kW) @ 8,750 rpm (A2 restriction)
• 64 Nm (47 lb-ft) @ 6,250 rpm
• 59 Nm @ 5,250 rpm (A2 restriction)

At the heart of the machine is a 660cc liquid-cooled, 12 valve inline three-cylinder engine. As mentioned above the bike is available as an A2 friendly 46bhp version. In its full power version the bike will produce 80bhp and 47lb-ft of torque.

Of the 67 internal changes made to the engine, the main update made to the unit is the adaption to the bore and stroke over the Street Triple S unit it evolved from. The previously peaky engine now produces 90% of its torque from 3,600rpm right the way up to 9,750rpm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox that features an assisted slipper clutch and a quickshifter system available as an aftermarket option. Having sat on the bike at a PR event at the factory last week, I can confirm the clutch is super light, with the adjustable span lever making it comfortable to use for those of us blessed with smaller hands.

Hardware aside, Triumph has worked hard to reduce the post-sale cost of Triumph Trident ownership, with servicing being the most obvious area for refinement. Triumph claims that over three years the Trident should require only 8.3 hours of service time, compared to the 11 and 15.8 hours of the competition.

Chassis specs

• Tubular steel perimeter frame
• Twin-sided, fabricated steel
• Showa 41mm upside down separate function forks (SFF)
• Showa mono-shock RSU, with preload adjustment
• Nissin two-piston sliding calipers, twin 310mm floating discs, ABS
• Nissin single-piston sliding caliper, single 255mm disc, ABS

The frame of the Trident is an all-new tubular steel affair. It’s a design that bears no resemblance to any other model in the current Triumph range, although it could easily be adapted for other applications further down the line. The aim of this frame is to provide accessible ergonomics and exciting handling.

The suspension is taken care of by Showa with 41mm USD forks which are a refreshing sight on a middle-weight naked. They give the bike an air of class, especially given that most of the other bikes the Triumph must do battle with are shod with lower-spec telescopic items. The rear shock is a Showa unit too, with manual preload adjustment only.

The braking system is supplied by Nissin with two-piston calipers and 310mm discs up front and a single-piston sliding caliper at the rear.

ABS is a two-channel set-up with no ability to adjust the level of intervention or to turn the system off. There were some corners of the industry asking for IMU controlled cornering ABS on the bike but in truth, I don’t think it’ll need it. I missed cornering ABS on the top-spec Street Triple RS when riding on road or track!

Equipment

• Two riding modes – Rain and Road
• Two-channel ABS
• Optional quickshifter, scrolling LED indicators, Bluetooth connectivity module

Crowning the cockpit of the Triumph is a stunning looking hybrid TFT screen that features a reverse LCD rev-counter and speedo at the top. Within the TFT the rider can select between Rain and Road modes, each of which adjusts the throttle map and traction control intervention. The traction control can also be adjusted manually or turned off altogether for when the mood takes you. As you’d expect, the Trident features LED lighting throughout, from the headlight to the indicators.

With a host of aftermarket parts on offer, riders will be able to fettle their bikes until their heart is content, with both styling and performance parts on offer.

Triumph Trident vs the rivals

So, how does the new challenger from Hinckley shape up against the competition? First off, let's take a look at the bikes it must do battle with - the Yamaha MT-07 (£6,697), Kawasaki Z650 (from £6,649), Suzuki SV650 (£5,649), and the Honda CB650R (£7,199).

So yes, the Triumph is the most expensive of the middle-weight crop of bikes that can be A2 licence compatible. But Triumph will claim compared to the competition it’s a premium product featuring premium kit.

It’s not the only bike here with a TFT, the Kawasaki has the clearest and best looking TFT on two-wheels in our opinion, and the other two bikes mentioned above are ready for a makeover which will likely improve some TFT action.

On the hardware front, the Triumph is the only bike that gets proper USD forks, and while that won’t actually make any difference to how the bike handles for most people, it does add to the premium feel of the machine. Is it enough to steal sales from the assembled Japanese forces? Only time will tell.

Colours and pricing

The new 2021 Trident will be available in Silver Ice and Diablo Red, Matt Jet, and Matt Ice Silver, Crystal White, and Sapphire Black.

The bikes should be in dealerships by the end of January and it’ll have a price of £7,195.

Triumph Trident specs