Triumph Trident India Review: First Ride

The hotly anticipated Triumph Trident has finally made its way to India and we got to ride it on some beautiful roads to see just what it can do. 

You might be wondering why Triumph decided to launch a brand-new new entry-level motorcycle. They already have the Street Triple, which is currently one of the most amazing naked roadsters in the sub-750cc segment. But, for many riders, it's a bit too sporty and aggressive, and expensive as well. That is especially true for new riders looking to get their hands on their very first big bike. That's where the Trident comes in. It's a smaller, lighter and more easily manageable motorcycle that promises top quality, performance and features. Most importantly though, it's much more affordable. I got to spend the entire day with the Trident on the beautiful mountain roads of Uttrakhand and here is what I found out. 

Design

From many angles, the Trident looks like it's heavily influenced by Italian naked sports bikes. That could be true because the designer was an Italian himself. But, the bike still looks like a British roadster. The round classic headlight, the retro fuel tank design and the short rear-end make it a proper British roadster. The Trident gets a brand new steel frame to cut costs, but make no mistake, the cost-cutting has not affected the overall quality. The bike looks premium from every angle. While it is now the most affordable Triumph on the market, the rearview mirrors are probably the only component that gives that away as they do look a little poor. 

But then, the Trident has got some amazing features such as the Showa suspension kit and Nissin brakes. It also gets a beautiful single round fully digital instrument dial as well as full LED lighting. The Trident certainly has a great road presence but it's not the most eye-catching bike in the segment. It also looks small, but that has been done to keep the bike accessible for all riders. The Trident weighs just 189kgs ready to go, and its seat height is only 805mm, which is very inviting. 

Engine

The engine of the Trident is a 660cc triple that has been carried over from the legendary Daytona. It has been heavily reworked as it now has more than 64 new parts. The engine is good for 80bhp and 64Nm and I think that's the perfect power output for anyone to play around with. To keep new riders in mind, more than 90 per cent of the torque is available throughout the entire rev range. This flat torque curve really gives the engine great acceleration power no matter where you are in the revs. The 6-speed transmission also works very well with the engine as the ratios are a bit short, and so you can really get good power delivery whenever you need it. Triumph also has one of the best ride-by-wire throttles in the business and the Trident does not miss out on this. The slightest twist of the throttle gives you instant delivery and it's not going to scare you either. It certainly is a fun and easy engine that does not compromise on performance. It does run out of breath towards the top-end though and it's also not as refined and smooth as the other triples that Triumph offers. 

Ride and Handling

I started out the ride on some straight forest roads and I did feel that the legroom was a bit cramped for tall riders like myself. The seat is fairly comfortable but not suited for long-distance touring. The ergonomics are also better suited for sporty everyday city riding and for taking on twisty sections of road. When I did finally hit the twisty mountain roads, I didn't want to get off the bike. What really makes the Trident such a wonderful motorcycle is the way it handles. The chassis really matches well with the engine. The front is light and easy to manage with great feedback. Turn-in is very quick and you can lean in very deep and take on the sharpest corners with decent speed. The engine has enough torque to shoot you out of the corner as well no matter what gear you are in. This really adds confidence to your riding and it's something new riders will find very enjoyable. The bike can be pushed hard, but not too hard. The traction control has a habit of kicking in when you don't need it, and when you disengage it then the rear-end feels a bit clumsy when you take on corners with a lot of lean angle and speed. 

The Trident felt very stable though when taking on corners and it was such a fun machine to ride on those mountain roads. The bike takes the intended line you want and you can turn it side to side and change direction very easily. The Michelin Road Pro tyres also do a great job for traction. I didn't engage Rain mode even once because the weather was beautiful and the bike was just so much fun to ride. The legroom didn't feel cramped and I was enjoying the semi-sporty nature of the seating position. Not once did I feel strained or lethargic. You can grab on the fuel tank with your knees and feel in complete control of the bike all throughout and I guarantee you will be smiling. 

The Trident also gets a slipper/assist clutch that works wonders when you are enjoying a sporty ride through the mountains. The brakes also do a pretty good job and you can't really ask for much more keeping the price point of the Trident in mind. It also comes with dual-channel ABS as standard and it's non-intrusive. 

Verdict

The Trident is truly a phenomenal motorcycle. Triumph has managed to create a motorcycle that is light, powerful and exhilarating to ride. They have kept the price low and they have made sure there is no compromise on quality. There are also some added features such as phone connectivity and navigation, which other bikes in the segment do not offer. In the Indian market, the Trident will go head to head against the much higher priced Honda CB650 and the feature deprived Kawasaki Z650. The Trident might not have the power or refinement as the Japanese competitors, but it does offer you a whole lot more as a total package and for a lower price. The Trident then is perhaps one of the most usable and accessible premium sports bikes available in the market today and I am sure that all riders, beginners and pros alike, will really enjoy this motorcycle. 

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