2021 Triumph Trident 660 First Look Preview

Triumph Motorcycles announces the expansion of its roadster naked bike line with the addition of the 2021 Trident 660 ($7,995). The inline-three-powered 660 resurrects the Trident nameplate, first used for the 1968 model year. It is positioned below the Speed Triple 1050 ($14,350) and Street Triple R 765 ($10,800).

“What we wanted with the new Trident 660 was to give the riders in this really exciting middleweight roadster world all of the things they want from their bike, with a genuine set of real advantages that set a new benchmark for choice,” tells Steve Sargent, chief product officer, Triumph Motorcycles.

“From the competitive price to the triple power and performance, plus the benefits of class-leading handling and technology, we believe the Trident 660 is a real milestone in the category, and introduces the Triumph brand and the advantages of a triple engine to a whole new generation of riders across the world,” he says.

In typical Triumph form, the Trident uses the English brand’s sensational liquid-cooled triple with a displacement of 660cc. Known for its playful nature and mesmerizing engine and exhaust note, the powertrain is sure to be a hit among riders seeking a charismatic ride. Ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable maps and traction control are standard, as is ABS and full-LED lighting.

With a full tank of fuel, the Trident is claimed to weigh 417 pounds and rides on Showa sourced suspension. Instead of an alloy frame and swingarm, as used on the more premium Street and Speed models, the Trident employs a steel chassis and less costly separate function fork from Showa (as compared to the more pricey big-piston setup which employs independent spring and damping cartridges in each fork leg). Braking components are also more budget-minded with nonradial front disc brakes from Nissin. A single-piston Nissin brake is used at the rear.

Similarly to its competition (think Honda CB650R and the Yamaha XSR900), the Trident has a clean and tidy minimalist neo-café-type design with a round-face LED headlamp and digital instrumentation. But most importantly, it boasts a more competitive MSRP with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Triumph says the Trident will arrive at US dealers beginning January 2021.