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Triumph Trident 660 - Once perceived as the factory's entry level model, has Triumph's refreshed and re-teched Trident now moved up the standings?

- Dave Manning

While the 660 triple has been around for a few years, until now I'd not had chance to try it out, wondering how it'd compare to the original 675cc Street Triple I absolutely adored when I borrowed one to take over to the TT nigh on a decade and a half ago...

Given the Trident 660's spec, and the fact that when it was first introduced it was heralded as the Hinckley factory's entry bike into Triumph ownership, I was expecting a low spec, easy-to-use, A2-licence compliant machine that was pleasurable to ride, but maybe ultimately a little dull. I was right in one respect, and it wasn't the last...

The pseudo-retro styling cues on the Trident have appealed to me ever since I saw the first press release images six years ago, and the original version (that's the Hinckley original, not the actual T150 750cc original, the factory's top-of-the-range machine!) got some rave reviews on its launch, so I was rather keen to have a try, especially when the new 2025 version was announced.

While there are a few changes for the 2025 model, it is essentially the exact same bike as far as hardware is concerned. The upgrades come via the six axis IMU that allows cornering ABS and traction control, plus an additional rider mode (with Sport being added to the previous Road and Rain modes), cruise control, connectivity to the TFT screen (allowing turn-by-turn navigation, control of phone calls and music etc via the Triumph app) and the Triumph Shift Assist quickshifter.