2025 Triumph Trident 660 Review – Motorcycle...

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Assessment

Launched in 2020, Triumph’s Trident 660 was a near-instant gross sales success. The retro-modern roadster from staff Hinckley was out there in Europe in each restricted and unrestricted guise, whereas Aussie punters had been very happy with the LAMS-restricted mannequin we had out there to us.

I mentioned at the Aussie launch back then, that it was arguably greatest at school. And that impression is backed up by strong numbers that sees the Trident accounting for round 15 per cent of Triumph’s gross sales quantity in Australia. Many might be stunned by that quantity, however anybody who’s ridden one will perceive why. It’s a gem of a motorcycle.

Roll on to 2024 and we now have its first replace. Mechanically there hasn’t been any actual enhancements, however that doesn’t imply it hasn’t been fettled. The main focus this time round is tech. A lot of new electronics have been added. And importantly, particularly for some riders, we now get entry to the unrestricted model…

So there are actually two variants we will go for. We nonetheless have the LAMS, learner-approved mannequin that Triumph count on to make up greater than three-quarters of Trident gross sales in Australia. And now we get the de-restricted full-fat model as properly.

Triumph inform us that abroad, the unrestricted model attracts each riders who’re stepping again down barely from extra focussed sports-bikes to one thing simpler to reside with – and people choosing this up as their second bike whereas they preserve the centered sports-bike. I can see why.

That new tech? Effectively it now comes loaded with cruise management, a quick-shifter, TFT connectivity together with turn-by-turn nav through the Triumph app and final however not least; Cornering optimised ABS and Traction Management – each managed through a brand new 6-axis IMU. We’ll get to every of these.

Mechanically and aesthetically the 2 variants are mainly an identical. Park two of them facet by facet and also you received’t have the ability to inform them aside. The distinction is just in engine restriction and tune. Whereas the LAMS model could ‘solely’ put out 54 hp, it produces its max torque of 59 Nm a little bit sooner at 5,000 rpm, in comparison with the 64 Nm at 6,250 for the full-fat spec’ that makes 81 hp.

On the highway, with that peak torque arriving decrease within the revs, lots of the journo’s on the Aussie launch commented that there wasn’t a lot in it for ‘common’ driving, which I agree with. However there may be actually an additional willingness of the engine in non-LAMS spec the place the grunt builds a little bit longer and it’s noticeably extra keen up prime.

Additional proof for that is present in the truth that I discovered it to be an absolute doddle to pop the entrance up in second gear, whereas the LAMS model took some work to do the identical. So that’s at all times going to get a large tick from yours actually. As soon as TC was turned off which requires a dive into the menu…

Each tunes are superbly fuelled. Energy supply is impeccably easy and mixed with an excellent quick-shifter as customary, it makes for a genuinely joyful trip. Torquey sufficient down low, it would fortunately pull solidly from round 3,000 rpm all the way in which to the redline when you so want. However doesn’t should be when you’re not within the temper. Stick with anyplace close to the center 50 per cent of revs and also you’re in for a deal with with over 90 per cent of most torque out there all through that vary.

It’s simply such a straightforward bike to trip. A low seat peak of 805 mm implies that it feels waaaaayyy lighter than the 190 kg spec suggests. And with that comes superbly balanced, intuitive cornering and dealing with, particularly communicative on nook entry. They didn’t want to alter a lot mechanically as a result of it was already rattling good. It simply feels so strong and refined.

That entrance finish particularly is a ripper. It’s a sublimely nimble machine with out being flighty. It’s at all times a balancing act to get each, however like many different Triumph’s in recent times – they’ve bought the dealing with recipe fairly properly bang on.

The non-adjustable entrance Showa suspension appears close to completely specced and the pre-load adjustable rear shock might be superb for 99 per cent of shoppers. We dialled up a little bit pre-load from the usual setting of 1 and located that someplace within the 4-6 vary can be superb for many punters, with a lot left in reserve when you want to throw some baggage onboard.

In reality, the rear shock might be the one aspect of the bike that’s simply ‘good’, whereas the remainder is nice. So technically that in all probability makes it a weak level. It’s not as properly specced and doesn’t provide as a lot bump management as what you’ll get in one thing like a Avenue Triple. However when you’re searching for that additional stage of sporty prowess, perhaps the Stripple is the bike you have to be taking a look at. For everybody else – this might be greater than sufficient.

The brand new cruise management is fascinating. It’s actually extra of a ‘pace lock’, in that there’s a single button to activate the system, then tapping it once more locks the pace in. There isn’t any adjustment up or down like most techniques. This received’t be an issue for riders out driving on their very own, however matching site visitors or different riders in teams is likely to be difficult. I’d argue that in these circumstances – except you’re actually out on the open highway, you in all probability shouldn’t be utilizing cruise anyway…

The up to date cornering ABS and TC is a welcome addition. Not that there was any problem with the previous system, however time waits for no man and tech marches on. Curiously the UK Triumph boys had been telling us that one of many stunning advantages of cornering optimised ABS is that it really permits for the engineers to dial up efficiency in a straight line.

This is because of the truth that the system is ready to totally exploit out there grip and never make allowances for ‘simply in case’ eventualities the place it will possibly’t inform when you’re leant over or not. I’d like to do a side-by-side check underneath the identical circumstances to confirm, however I’ve no motive to doubt it.

We didn’t get an actual likelihood to make use of the turn-by-turn nav or TFT integration, however the sprint is sweet and clear general and the design suits in with the remainder of the stying. I did get a little bit pissed off by the variety of steps it took to show TC off when pulling wheelies for the snappers, however was reminded that 99 per cent of punters will go away that on – that I’m the outlier right here for the purchasers taking a look at these bikes. I’ve by no means been so politely referred to as ‘odd’ earlier than, however I’ll take it as a badge of honour.

A straightforward resolution there can be for it to only bear in mind which settings the rider chooses for every mode and permit modes to be switched on the fly. Sadly, that isn’t the case. That’s one change I’d prefer to see made that I feel all riders would take pleasure in.

Talking of modes – we now get a Sports activities mode added to Highway and Rain. No further bump in energy, however a barely extra aggressive throttle map (that means you don’t have to twist the throttle hand as far to get the identical response), and what felt like a extra aggressive quick-shift additionally.

Each good maps. For something however your favorite twisty highway, I’d in all probability go away it in Highway map. Actually when taking within the superior Eildon-Jamieson highway on the launch, Sport map with TC left on was sensible. With loads of leaf litter on the highway after some wild latest climate, the information that I had TC there to again me up had me comfortably in go mode.

The OEM Michelin highway rubber proved greater than as much as the duty when pushed right here. As did the twin Nissin twin-piston stoppers up entrance. Terrific lever really feel, loads of energy and simply the correct quantity of chew. Beautiful.

That highway particularly may be arduous work on a much bigger extra highly effective bike. 60 odd kilometres of corners with only a few straight sections for respite. It’s relentless. Bumpy at occasions with tightening corners, the occasional rock, stick, Kangaroo or Lyrebird on the highway to dodge. However it’s so, so rewarding.

And on the little Trident, it was an absolute pleasure. I wasn’t left wanting for extra. And it highlighted simply how straightforward it’s to trip. For me – that’s the takeaway right here. Right here is an all-rounder that’s simply nearly as good as a commuter as it’s firing down considered one of your favorite roads chasing a mate.

A motorcycle that’s keen to alter strains with minimal effort. Path the brakes as deep as you want. Wind on the throttle mid-corner and revel within the music that’s the fantastic little triple, singing its music. And do all of it with minimal effort.

It’s a ripper. At nearly the identical worth because the outgoing mannequin you may get yours for $14,290 for the Sapphire Black, or $14,590 for the Cosmic Yellow, Cobalt Blue or Diablo Crimson. Which mainly means you’re now getting all that tech for nothing.

Cash properly spent for a motorcycle of this high quality. One of the best within the LAMS class simply bought even higher.

I’d go the yellow. They’re in shops now.

Hits:

• A superbly balanced, cohesive, great-handling package deal
• Great little triple engine and candy quick-shifter
• Really easy and confidence-inspiring to trip
• Suprisingly good wheelie bike too! Bonus!

Misses:

• I’d favor trip modes to have the ability to be modified on the fly
• And for every mode to recollect the chosen settings (together with TC)
• If there’s a weak level it’s that the rear shock is ‘good’, simply not as ‘nice’ as the remainder of the bike (add 4 or 5 clicks of pre-load and it’s shut sufficient at this worth for many of us – together with me)

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Specs

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Pictures