Triumph Trident 660 (2025 – ) review

New paint colours and graphics aside little has changed visually for this updated Triumph 660, which is no bad thing for the fact the mash-up of retro and modern retro styling was already a handsome combination. And a distinctive one, the round headlight standing out among the angrier, street fighter vibes of many rivals. The 660cc three-cylinder engine is also carried over, and pretty much unique in a class otherwise dominated by parallel-twins of various sizes. It’s now got a ride-by-wire throttle to hit those Euro5+ emissions rules, this also opening the door to welcome new tech like cornering ABS/traction control, cruise, a quickshifter and an extra riding mode. All of which is included as standard.

The Trident’s size is perfectly judged for new riders taking their first steps from a 125cc or smaller single, being substantial enough to feel serious but not so large as to be overwhelming or scary. The seat height is actually relatively tall but never feels it, and Triumph says the Trident has been a real hit with younger riders and, in particular, women. Sporty enough to feel purposeful but sufficiently upright to be comfortable and easy to handle in town, the Trident will be comfortable for riders of all shapes and sizes, with only the tallest likely to feel scrunched up.

Roadster, naked … whatever you want to call it the Trident obviously doesn’t offer anything in the way of protection from wind, rain, spray or anything of that sort, and probably isn’t a bike for racking up big motorway miles. The optional flyscreen on the blue bike pictured looks good but doesn’t offer much beyond that, though the accessories range does at least include a tank bag and tail pack for commuting, longer days out or weekends away if you can pack (very) light. If the engine and character appeal but you need something more all-round usable there is, of course, the option of the Tiger Sport 660 based on the same foundations, and now featuring the same electronic upgrades.

81 horsepower might not sound a lot in ‘big bike’ terms but if this is your first step up from a 125 or similar it certainly feels like a lot, and delivered in a way that’s more exciting than terrifying. You can also have it in restricted A2 trim if required, the Trident perfectly suited to upgrading as your licence allows. Most of all it’s a wonderfully charismatic engine, the triple spinning up with a free-revving verve the parallel-twins in most rivals simply can’t match and running all the way out to over 10,000rpm. But it’s also torquey and flexible, meaning you don’t have to ride at maximum attack to make decent progress, the fuelling and throttle response nicely matched to the slick gearbox. There’s a standard quickshifter now but, frankly, the process of working through the gears manually is so fun we generally left that for ‘special occasions’ like overtaking when your mind is full of other things. Braking-wise your riding buddies might sniff at axial rather than radial mount two-pot calipers, though there are no complaints about the power to the lever and the addition of lean-sensitive ABS is a more important selling point than how hardware bolts to the forks.

Spot the recurring theme but the Trident strikes a lovely balance between the reassurance you’d want out of your first big bike and the excitement you’ll also be craving. Small enough to be chuckable but with the substance to feel like a serious machine, the riding position puts enough weight through your arms to have confidence in grip on the front tyre without the more ‘wristy’ riding position of the sportier Daytona 660. With a Triumph you get the added benefit of a bike developed on British roads, meaning the suspension strikes a perfect balance of bump absorption and support over all manner of road surfaces and imperfections, further boosting confidence. The more sophisticated cornering traction control also means interventions when they come are subtle enough that you won’t notice them, the new Sport mode relaxing the electronic reins for more confident or experienced riders.

The Trident 660 is one of the more expensive bikes of its type, but you feel that in the quality of the fit, finish and parts used. Features like the quickshifter that were previously cost options are now included as standard, too. The relatively small engine should, meanwhile, help on fuel costs and – especially important for new riders – insurance.

The fundamentals of the Trident are well-proven, and bar the new electronics haven’t really changed since the bike first launched. So, we’d be reasonably confident it will prove a reliable choice.

Triumph’s two-year factory warranty is standard stuff, but can be extended by up to two years within the first 18 months of ownership at extra cost if you feel you need to. The 10,000-mile service intervals are, meanwhile, a Triumph signature and, while probably more than what most owners will need, a reassuring sign of the brand’s faith in its engineering.

There are snazzier displays than Triumph’s part-TFT, part-LCD cluster but it’s clear and relatively easy to use and now features app-powered connectivity if you want to pair with your phone for calls, music or navigation. Kit-wise the Trident’s real USP is that fabulous triple engine, and anything else feels like a bit of a bonus. The new electronics do mean more in the way of rider assistance, though, cruise control and quickshifter now among the standard features. There’s a wide range of accessories if required – at a minimum we’d be ticking the box for heated grips.

With the arrival of the cheaper and more powerful Honda CB750 Hornet and recent upgrades to the ever-popular Yamaha MT-07 the Trident 660 needed a bit of a boost to keep pace, even if the fundamentals of those handsome retro-modern looks and that stand-out engine remained as appealing as ever. Among these and other tempting options the Triumph still stands out for its charismatic power delivery, the rasp of that triple engine and the fact it is as appealing to new riders as it is experienced ones. The perfect first big bike? It’s a strong contender!