Spending 2021 with the Triumph Trident 660 | MCN

#Triumph#trident#660
MCN's Online Editor, Gareth talks to Chief Road Tester, Neevesy about his year with the Triumph Trident 660. Find out how he's got on in the video and read our full bike review here: www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-r...
You can also read our full long-term test here, too: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-mo...
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section.
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[@ubergregmoto]

Gareth looking a bit nervous at first, but his enthusiasm for riding shone through in the end-love to see it. Would be great to document a second track day with Neevesy to see how you progress 🙌🏽

[@martinmackye9865]

He wasn't talking at first. He was listening I hate weird ineffectual comments like yours

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks, I'm hoping to do more track riding in 2022. Best, Gareth

[@stilldajoker]

one plus about living in the States is not having to hang a billboard size license plate on the bike

[@dyoung4184]

Had mine for 12 months , 8000 miles. Fitted nearly all the Triumph accessories. Quick shifter Upshifts and downshifts are sublime, making every gear change positive , which is brilliant at 9000rpm +. Quick Downshifts and slipper clutch work well The engine sounds beautiful from 5000rpm , definitely don’t need an aftermarket. If you do , don’t be surprised if you get noticed. Suspension, I adjusted up the preload 2 notches from base. Felt a little soft as miles increased. Front still feels planted. Put new PR 5 after 7000 miles, front and rear. Still had 2mm left , the profile had flattened and the tyres follow every poor surface. Brakes are great and pads still good. Rear brake is bloody brilliant, really useful and its so powerful. This bike pulls up fast and the ABS is not super sensitive , perfect set up. Bike used quite a bit of oil in the early miles , at least 750ml, but from 4000 hardly a drop. Engine must be settled in. Fixtures and fittings covered in ACF 50 and holding up well in the winter months. OE Chain needs TLC and keep adjusted to manufacture settings. Still loads of life in it. Should get 12000 out of it, the benefits of only 80 Bhp. LED Lights are fantastic, never felt safer on winter commutes. Scrolling indicators definitely get you noticed . No more worries on a blown bulb problem. Annoying bits. Scrolling the menu to turn off TC every start up. Low fuel and TC light removes a line from the display, which then removes a line of information when you scroll through menus. Twice the dash display has reset to 2001 and time to 1200. No idea why and it disables quick shifter function. 5 minutes to re enter info and enable QS. Really odd fault. Battery good and terminals tight. Optimate used daily. This bike wants to be ridden daily and ridden hard. ( if you want) 4th gear is my go to gear , it’s revs matches the speed . 3000 30 , 4000 40 , etc great for attacking B roads , rev range /power , it’s perfect. Then you have the QS for playing a perfect tune with gears/ revs. 👍

[@GrumpyGarry121]

Love mine, came without quick shifter but soon had one added as the gearing is very very short. Transformed it to be honest from a very nice bike to a fantastic bike.

[@leewatkeys9065]

Nice review both. The tail tidy has made a massive difference to the look. It look new including the exhaust headers so your cleaning regime clearly works. Ride safe

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks! 👍

[@MrPranjalsingh1]

Well I've had my Trident 🔱 for more than a year now and have absolutely loved riding it. For me, nearing 50 now, probably not going to upgrade to higher capacity. But I feel this much power is definitely good enough, especially on Indian roads. N yes, it has been absolutely trouble free till now. I forgot to add, that here in India the Trident 🔱 is the weapon of choice for Lord Shiva too!!

[@jackgirote9132]

I commute on my trident quite often. I do about 10 miles one way on the highway during my commute. I fitted a dart classic flyscreen in smoke on the bike. It fits the style of the bike perfectly. The fly screen does help with deflecting the wind quite a bit. I would say it reduces the wind buffering by 10-20%. it deflects the wind that would normally hit your midsection/lower chest area. I don't get any additional buffeting at the helmet level. I also think as you spend more time on the highway you get more comfortable with the wind buffeting. I spend most of my time on the highway hanging out in the slow lane, keeping an eye on the traffic coming up to pass.

[@tlong9812]

Such a great bike. Soon to be my first ride.

[@6arethevan5]

Another nice vid thanks for sharing, oh and awesome name there Evansie 😁🏍️👍

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Thanks :D best, Gareth

[@mrsilbo6499]

Looks *so much better* with the tail tidy!

[@StolenID73]

I'm still really impressed with my Trident 660, have ridden Suzuki sv650 (2014) and Yamaha mt07 (2018) and I can say that there is a little lag on the throttle but that's the ecu map kicking in, but like any new bike, once you get use to it, it's really good, much more continuous power right through the rev range. Feels a little lighter, more agile than the SV. I feel it is a little easier to ride in heavy traffic but I bought mine as a daily commuter, but covid, not much traveling into the office right now. The MT07 was also really good, but very touchy on the throttle and the brakes on the older model weren't as good but it was the handling on the Trident that won me over.

[@pookiewookie7679]

How does the size and seating compare to the SV?

[@tonydare7614]

Test rode one yesterday and noticed a lag in the throttle in first gear. I wasn't sure whether it just where the clutch bites or whether it was the mapping. But otherwise it seems like a great little machine.

[@ThePowerMoves]

When you get used to a defect, it means you're leaving on the table pleasure and fun. Unluckily the throttle lag is the only thing holding me back from this bike right now

[@ThePowerMoves]

@@tonydare7614 Looking to test ride one soon, and reading about that lag is what worries me most. I think one of the pleasures of driving is a reactive bike

[@tonydare7614]

@@ThePowerMoves I've ordered one and will receive it next week. I'll see how it feels over time.

[@fussyvegan3048]

Those commenting about the “throttle lag” are being a bit dramatic. It is a ride by wire throttle and almost all ride by wire bikes have a slight throttle lag. I have put over 6,000km on my 2023 Trident and I honestly don’t even notice the throttle lag anymore. I have had to quickly punch up the power to avoid getting hit by a car a few times and have never had any issue. Love the bike.

[@briansteele2723]

I love mine having moved from a Ducati scrambler the throttle is so smooth. I made similar upgrades to your tester plus heated grips. The only negs so far. For small hands the clutch reach doesnt seem adjustable. The little throttle lag means you cant make a quick blip to warn folk of you presence but it is good to have that lag when bouncing along rougher roads as therr is no jerkiness.

[@craiggraham2638]

The Triumph OEM Street Triple R adjustable clutch lever fits the Trident (had one fitted by the dealer before mine was delivered, £50, works a treat).

[@shaun374]

No one notices idiots who blip their throttle. Learn how to actually ride a motorcycle and safer techniques.

[@michaeltyler3765]

These reviews are great.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

Had mine a month as my first bike and I was interested in the race day / circuit tips improving Gareth’s road riding technique. Are there videos on this too? Cheers

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Sure, here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYO6kp-an7SWj5Y

[@yodaiam1000]

Love the look of the bike and the flat black and white partial union jack on the tank. I like my bike to be a bit more useful for longer journeys and going to the shop. Places to strap down luggage, carry bags etc would be good. But for what it is, it at least looks good.

[@visordownn]

Take a look at Tiger sport 660

[@yodaiam1000]

@@visordownn Thanks

[@dgw1970]

Love my Trident 660

[@Sheltemz]

me too

[@scottmitchell6371]

Would be interesting if Gareth's next long termer was the Triumph 660 Sport. Do you all get to choose your next bike or are they dished out by the boss?

[@Infamisozer]

There's a noticeable delay in the Trident's throttle response. However, MCN does not mention this in any of its reviews. I'm very curious the reason about it.

[@chirag4]

i own the Trident since April, and can vouch for this fact, the throttle response is delayed, late, slow, ... has a Lapse / Lag, and also, the bike hangs if you apply sudden throttle in 2nd gear, as the electronics kick in (take control), which i hate, i don't want any of such issues whatsoever. We can call it a GLiTch or MaLFunction, & i can assure you it's not a minor one, it should be addressed with software upgrade etc. if possible

[@sv650nyc7]

Don't expect the more popular motorcycle channels to have unbiased reviews. They are compromised by relying on the good will of the manufacturers to be invited to press launches and to get loaner bikes. The exception being FortNine, but he never gets the latest bikes to review and is not invited to press launches, which proves my point. For truly unbiased reviews and to find out quirks and reliability issues I only trust the owners' long-term reviews and model specific online forums.

[@craiggraham2638]

@@chirag4 that 2nd gear thing sounds like yours is faulty - have you had the dealer take a look?

[@chirag4]

@@craiggraham2638 i will take up the issue with them soon & revert back here

[@jamesbrunskow6680]

My 2022 Trident 660 has now been in service for 3 weeks for warranty work(stalling problems). Dealer says not to expect it back until end of January. That will be nearly 2 months in service.

[@NudaMan]

@Paul B lol it’s honestly all up to the manufacturer, dealers can only look and fix the problem 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@edgarrider2842]

What do you mean to say about stalling problem? Delay on throttle response?

[@jonathanloveday153]

I loved mine as well, it rides so smoothly and the low down torque is great to use. I specked it up to keep longer with quickshifter, bar end mirrors, scrolling indicators and engine protection, but have found it physically a little small, I'm 6'2", didn't think it would be too small for me but mates say I look to big for it. If only I were 5'10"!!

[@DankoStojanovic]

Find better mates and enjoy your ride

[@jamesXely]

Great bike. Originally bought as a commuter and daily workhorse but pretty much choose this over my Fireblade for all road riding. Such a confidence inspiring bike that is easy to ride hard. I know this bike is aimed at new riders but if you know what you're doing with it, you can embarrass sports bikes which is always great fun. Suspension is pretty decent for something that's non-adjustable at the front. On typical British roads it's very firm but I wouldn't have it any other way as it needs to be when you start pushing on. Cheap to run, chassis is spot on and engine in tuned to perfection for the road. Quick shifter is a really impressive bit of kit. One of the better ones I've used. Finish all round is pretty impressive for a 'budget bike' as well. By far the best in its class in my opinion. A pretty little thing to look at and great accessories available to really enhance its asthetics. I have a full Scopion system on mine that sounds utterly incredible, coupled with a DNA filter you really notice an increase in performance (IMO). At the very least I'd ditch the stick system for weight saving purposes alone as that will be the thing that gets you more gains than the added power itself. Aftermarket parts I've fitted... not that anyone asked! - Fly screen (Triumph) - Seat cowl (powerbronze) - Tank pad (Triumph) - Rad guard (Triumph) - Engine rash bungs (Evotech) - Fork protectors (Evotech) - Swingarm protectors (Evotech) - Levers (Evotech) - Barend mirrors (Triumph) - Quickshifter (Triumph) - Tail tidy (Powerbronze) - Full system (Scorpion) - Paniers (SW Motech) - Air filter (DNA) - Wireless charge and anti-vibration phone mount (Quadlock) - Front and rear fender extenders (Pyramid) Bad points: - Turning circle is rubbish, but not the end of the world. - TC is way too sensitive and can only be turned off when stationary and will always come back on when you turn the bike on so annoying if you forget to turn it off before you get on the move. - Ride by wire throttle feels a little disconnected when stationary (I'm being picky) - My miles on dash have gone awol!? (need to speak with Triumph) And there's my review that no one asked for!

[@HuskySwe]

These are genuinely beautiful, I’ve a CB650R and seriously thinking of changing it for one of these, only put off is going down about 14BHP

[@bondjovi4595]

When shopping for a bicycle, it has to fit you. When shopping for a motorcycle, it has to fit you.

[@salisburyplain998]

My wife loves this bike but it's to tall for her 5ft frame ,looking at lowering kits and low seat options ,any links ?

[@jomc310]

I ride my trident hard and get consistently 160 miles per tank. 47mpg over 7000 miles. New Michelin road 5s at 6k miles. Other than that, 0 issues, other than scheduled maintenance.

[@TR5T]

76, 65 bikes ,4 continents, 62 years riding. younger riders have no idea how long we rode bikes you would now have nothing to do with , nothing but engine ,frame, lights , brakes. No gear indicators, fuel gauge, modes, ABS, etc etc. the 660 is rolling art, as is the Triumph lineup.

[@SSS-mp8th]

I came back to riding a year ago after a 17 year lapse. Had this been available I think I would have gotten it. Seems like a really good 1st or 2nd. Bike.

[@chrisis1989]

Whats this license plate modification??? Looks nice!!!

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

It's an Evotech tail tidy: evotech-performance.com/products/ep-triumph-trident-tail-tidy-2021

[@rebman5150]

First thing I noticed on this bike at the dealer is the lag when revving. It’s a serious delay and could be dangerous if you’re trying to accelerate out of a dangerous situation. And the front of the seat squeaks loudly against the bottom of the tank. And the plastic sides on the tank mean you can’t put real tank skins on it. Nice infomercial, though. 🤙🏻

[@5tevieb954]

Why have you moved the ref plate? It looks loads better in the original spot IMO.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

It moved as part of the tail tidy fitment

[@LeeCasey]

agreed, dont think the tail tidy has tidied anything up at all.

[@5tevieb954]

@@LeeCasey weird move IMO- I love the swing arm mounted ones

[@Sheltemz]

@@5tevieb954 me too

[@Lvdw1999]

No way. The swingarm mount looks like something off of a grom

[@JoeAnton420]

Base Trident is cool but its only the first production year. Maybe in a few years they will make the Trident RS or Trident 765?

[@eldiablo9311]

Don't see a logic in that, it would be more interesting to build Trident 900 to compete with BMW F900, Kawasaki Z900RS, Yamaha XSR900.....

[@JoeAnton420]

@@eldiablo9311 765 or 900 or 1200 its the same. More power is the logic. Or are you saying the RS with upgraded handling is a bad idea? Dont need to discredit my idea to make your point

[@eldiablo9311]

@@JoeAnton420 just saying there is no logic to have a street triple just in a different skin. Triumph has a sporty naked triples, a super sporty naked triples and a muscle cruiser triples. Now with Trident they have universal roadster triple that is accessible to a wider population. In their current catalogue there is a 660cc roadster and touring bike, a 1200cc roadster and touring bike, but in 900cc there is only touring bike. So in my opinion this future Trident 900 does not need to be a sporty bike, Triumph has plenty of those, but more powerful universal roadster. Something with around 100HP,100 Nm, with similar torque curve as Trident 600,but with adjustable suspension, Brembo radial front calipers, possible aluminium swingarm, and some other premium details to distinguish itself from smaller brother.

[@JoeAnton420]

@@eldiablo9311 triumph is all about building modular platforms. They probably would not rework the frame structure to put in the larger 900/1050/1200 series triples in a bike designed for 660/675/765 triples. The chassis may not be able to handle the torque output a liter sized engine makes regardless of peak HP. A 765 already makes more power than kawi z900rs. You argument only makes sense from a marketing perspective.

[@eldiablo9311]

Don't know why people are so obsessed with power. It's not important how much power bike have but where those number are. For average rider fun zone is between 3000-9000 rpm, above that starts speed zone. 765 have max. torque and max power outside fun zone, but Z900RS have both figures inside fun zone, which means average rider can use full potential of the engine on daily basis. Power is important for top speed, torque is important for acceleration. For me torque equals fun. People who tested Trident and have much more experience than me said that this chassis probably can handle 20HP more.

[@scottmitchell6371]

It'll be interesting

[@divexplore71]

Go for an older lower mileage street triple, brilliant bike, cheaper more power!

[@petertran3057]

Can someone link the phone mount?

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Sure, here: www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-motorcycle

[@seankirk333]

👍

[@Greenmachine305]

You guys in the UK gotta get those licence plate laws changed. It looks like a road sign.

[@craiggraham2638]

The guys in the USA gotta get those turn signal laws changed. It looks like a Viking Longship with those paddles stuck out the side. 😜

[@WynterK]

😂😂

[@VinnigsSpinTheBlock]

@@craiggraham2638 you really got offended by the license plate comment?…. They’re huge and not needed.

[@HolmsOnBikes]

@Craig Graham I don't think turn signals are quite at the same level as having to put a giant highway sign on the back of your nice motorcycle. Those license plates are ridiculous!

[@HuskySwe]

😂

[@daves6851]

Funny fuel light thing. Here in USA, a quarter tank is too late to realize you need gas in areas away from city and rural populations. Like a Brit said, there 100 miles is long, here a 100 Years is long 😅

[@mikefreedom8881]

Look wise, I just can't get used to the rear end. Too short looking with just a seat with nothing on the side/back of it. Makes the bike look very "stubby". I'm sure it's a love/hate thing so entirely subjective of course. Otherwise very nice looking machine.

[@dgw1970]

I have the puig screen. I'm 5ft 5 and the difference is enormous.

[@claretbuck1882]

👌🏻

[@checker3694]

Love it at 10.20, he said to him, do you think it's a good bike for a less experienced rider like you with 3 years riding 😜 . Hopefully after 10 years he will have enough experience to move onto a R1. and then leave home.

[@TheBezaleel]

The witnessed throttle lag is due to ride by wire, not sure that is progress.

[@Steve-motorcycles]

I thought the trident was quite dull and uninspiring to ride. It handles nicely but has throttle lag and is quite a lazy engine. I hear quite s few has had reliability issues. Is MCN beholden to some manufacturers, I strongly suspect so.. for a little less money, you could get the MT07 with that punchy CP2 engine and it renown reliability

[@SuperRider-RS]

an ECU tune fixes and would be beyond MT07

[@martinmackye9865]

Some people... and I would include me amongst them. Wouldn't be caught dead on an Mt 07... I would get it that's what you're picking up on more than anyting

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@martinmackye9865 That’s because your to cool 😂😂

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@SuperRider-RS possibly. I have not rode a ECU flashed Trident.

[@SuperRider-RS]

@@Steve-motorcycles people complain of throttle lag because they can’t do wheelies, turning off TC makes it happen, of course ECU flash will give you 1st 3 gears quicker response

[@moosen8024]

No talk about the lag in in throttle. These dudes just want to be invited back to the press release next year. Look at other KZbin channels for better, unbiased reviews of the trident 660.

[@bulthaosen1169]

I have seen some comments about it. Is it quite noticeable?

[@robertwilliams4486]

Royal Enfield to 660, give him a 790 Duke for 2022, keep leveling up.

[@RobVespa]

Bigger isn't necessarily better. I'd hide the RE in the garage. The more the merrier.

[@SuperRider-RS]

@@RobVespa RE is not my choice, though its locally made here

[@hwntwww]

its a motor bike, its black /end

[@hwntwww]

massive torque- Not

[@victorgonza4528]

Very nice looking bike , the Trident logo ,the placement isn't good thou .

[@labasrytas2876]

clearly advertising. not even mentioned ride by wire uncontrollable trottle!! also gear change lever travel is so annoyingly long!!! weak brakes i would say...

[@OldSkoolBiker62]

Nice review but would have been a lot better with a more experienced rider who as riden many bikes over at least a decade.

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

There's always Neevesy's review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpDLpqZojpKropY

[@anxiousappliance]

Shame he didn't like it. ahhh well

[@LeeCasey]

9:09 absolute nonsense comment. You just invalidated everything else you said. "bit strange that" - yes very mate....

[@shaunbills5318]

If you're given it back sell it to me 👍

[@icemanjondoe]

the annoying thing for me about this bike is it looks great but it’s not powerful enough. If they made a 1000cc version of this i would buy it in a heart beat

[@MeLikesPie]

This is Triumph entry level bike , they make a bigger bikes !

[@icemanjondoe]

Jason Maitner yeah i know…but o hate the way they look….owned a street triple 765 R for a bit was OK then had the speed trippe rs but couldn’t stand the look of it,

[@argieessex]

The crib cards... Hide them or remember them. Not sure if 44 teeth and fortnine has spoiled us but the cinematography is also a bit crap. Why the shadows and dodgy bike, human placement.

[@RobVespa]

Fortnite ranks among the best produced videos I've seen on KZbin. It just happens to be about motorcycles.

[@johnboardman5602]

Its a Q&A session so I'm not bothered about Cinematography. 44 Teeth have done plenty of static stuff over the years too.

[@TK-cl1jm]

Another gushing "review"... These commercials are getting long.