Triumph’s Trident 660 is that all-too-rare motorcycle in that it is near-perfect; a great chassis, sparkling performance from a smooth and characterful three-cylinder engine, compact dimensions that are neither too small for tall riders nor too large for those of a shorter persuasion, excellent build quality and just excellent all-round ability no matter the riding situation.
However, there will always be those who demand more, usually in the performance stakes and, to its credit, Triumph has listened, and the result is the new Trident 800.
At its heart is an all-new 798 cc triple-cylinder engine, which continues the convincing argument that this configuration is the best of both worlds: in this case, the best attributes of a parallel twin and an inline four. There’s torque all the way through the rev range, a muscular, throaty sound from the exhaust at low revs and a screaming top end at 11,500 rpm.
Power is around 115 horsepower, and torque sits at 84 Nm at 8,500 rpm. If you really want to know, inside the engine, you’ll find a twist-forged crankshaft, a unique camshaft and balancer, forged conrods and high-compression pistons.
Suspension is by Showa – big-piston separate function damping at the front, featuring full adjustability, with a fully-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Triumph-branded twin four-piston callipers gripping 310 mm rotors at the front, fed by braided steel pipes, giving it strong and progressive stopping power. Seat height is 810 mm.
Technology is impressive, with lean-sensitive cornering ABS and traction control, three riding modes – Road, Sport and Rain, quick shifter, cruise control, full LED lighting and Bluetooth connectivity all come as standard.
As with all Triumphs, it looks fantastic, with the right combination of subtlety and aggression in the styling and stance. Three colour schemes are available: Ash Grey with Diablo Red detailing, Carnival Red with Graphite accents, and Jet black.
The bikes are expected to arrive towards the end of March 2026. Triumph has informed us that there might be a homologation process to go through, but interested customers can send an enquiry form via the Triumph SA website. The price has been announced at R199,000.
