Let’s start at the heart of the Trident. Triumph’s new 798 cc, DOHC triple with 4 valves per cylinder motor is a ripper. I enjoyed it immensely in the new Tiger Sport 800. In the past, Triumph triples, excluding the T-plane engines, were rheostat smooth. So much so that I have always felt that they somehow lacked the character of Yamaha’s CP3 unit. The new 800 is a whole new ballgame. It’s like comparing One Direction’s music to Kaleo. Both huge talents, but there is a richness with Kaleo that is not there with One Direction. So it is with the new 800. 90% of the torque is woven into the midrange in a way that is just so rewarding.
On top of that, rich character is a triple cylinder symphony of sound that is as richly layered as the character of the motor. A belly growl that builds into a ripping crescendo as it nears the redline. Back off, and it gently burbles and pops till you grab another handful. Play it again, Sam! Helping harness that power is a 6-speed box with a sweet quickshifter. Keep it pinned while you bang through the box, and it is a seriously quick motorcycle. I am on record as stating that Honda’s Hornet 1000 has more than enough go, making the 200-plus-horsepower ‘Nakeds’ almost superfluous. Now I reflect on my time on the Trident and feel that it does so much with its 113 horsepower that I never feel shortchanged. It is somehow about the all-around balance of the bike that feels so right.
84 Nm of torque never fails to entertain, and the fun continues as the revs soar, with a ripping top-end rush typical of an over-square engine configuration. All of this without a chassis to match would simply be a frustration, but, in truth, I have never ridden a bad handling Triumph. The Trident sports Showa suspension at both ends. Their now familiar big piston SFF-BP fork has 120 mm of travel and is adjustable for compression and rebound damping, whilst the monoshock in the back is adjustable for preload and rebound.
Interestingly, the Tiger Sport, whilst boasting similar specs, has 150 mm of travel at each end. I found the Tiger more forgiving when pressing on, especially on bumpy surfaces. The Trident is a lot livelier, not to the point of instability, but it keeps you on your toes in a most engaging way. The extra travel on the Sport gives it a clear edge in overall ride quality over dodgy tar, as can be expected given the 30 mm of extra travel.
The Carnival Red test bike looked handsome with the gold five-spoke mag wheels. The seat, at 810 mm, is accessible to most and is nicely shaped to cosset your tail. The passenger accommodation is suitable for short hops to the local coffee haunt. The rider triangle is excellent, feeling natural and comfy. The bars are of medium width with a very comfortable bend and slight rise. The 120/70×17 front and 180/55×17 rear tyres are Michelin’s superb Road 6’s, which give great confidence and provide predictable neutral steering, complementing the Triumph’s steel chassis.
Interestingly, the Sport has a more aggressive head angle than the Trident by almost 1 degree; however, the Trident, at 1402 mm, has a 20 mm shorter wheelbase. With its 14-litre tank filled to the brim, it weighs in at 198 kg. Given the lower cruising speeds generally maintained on a naked bike, the tank should be good for 280 k’s plus.
Front brakes are identical to the 310 mm doubles with 4 pot callipers on the Tiger Sport, but the rear disc is slightly smaller than that of the Tiger at 220 mm, with a 1 pot calliper. They combine to work seamlessly, giving total braking confidence. The dash is almost minimalistic by modern TFT standards, combining an oval TFT display with LCD information to keep you fully informed.
Triumph has carried the cruise control from the Sport over to the Trident, which is excellent given that hanging on to the bars of a naked can tire the hands somewhat, so it’s great to have some respite. Similarly, the Trident has three engine modes, Rain, Road and Sport to match road conditions and mood. Fuelling is spot on. In typical Triumph fashion, the finish on the bike is beyond reproach.
So, what is the final word on Triumph’s evocative new Trident? As naked bikes go, it offers the most exhilarating ride per rand spent. At a current price of R199,000, it is incredible value. Its closest rival, Yamaha’s MT-09, starts at R234,950. Excluding price, the Trident can slug it out with the best of them. Its biggest competition may well come from within. The faired Tiger Sport offers a plusher ride and wind protection, and starts at R209,000. But, if you like yours naked, then you need to ride this bike. Adrenalin-pumping fun never came at such a keen price!
