Triumph Trident 660: Purchase & ownership experience

Trident has enough torque to be a city happy bike, frequent gear changes are not required and it is comfortable at 50km/h in 4th/5th gear.

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Introduction

Every boy dreams about their first bicycle, their first bike and their first car. This is the story of my first superbike.

Like everyone else in this forum, I have always been fascinated with automobiles right from a young age. Maybe it runs in the family (my father owned a Yezdi Roadking, Kawasaki KB100). Nope I do not have any pictures of those bikes we did not own a camera.

Coming to my bikes, my first bike was a TVS apache RTR 180. Some would say it was a powerful bike back then. Yes everyone has to go step by step from 100cc to 150 cc and so on but I took the leap directly to 180cc. These days it seems like everyone starts with much more powerful bikes.

Have spent more than half the value of a new bike on modifications. Had changed the headlights first to a powerful halogen and then later something called angel lights which in turn became demon lights right now. Also, believe it or not I also had a music system fitted to it.

Later on, when everyone else moved on to bigger biker and the need for power had begun to play in my mind. So I got the Apache Big Bore kit From NMW Bangalore. Though there was a noticeable increase in power it was not much.

Couple of years later Benelli was launched in India, and so I went to go have a look. Fell in love with the TNT 300. Decided to go for it as I was not looking for a big weekend bike but more of an everyday powerful city bike. (Was not interested in KTM as I wanted a more refined and unique bike)

As was I wanted to make it more unique, I had got a custom wrap done on it.

Coming to present decided to take the next leap and sold the Benelli as I just got bored of the bike and started looking for my next vehicle.

Alternatives

• Kawasaki Z650
• Kawasaki Z900
• Triumph Street Triple
• Suzuki GSX750
• Ducati Scrambler

I was not looking for a fully-faired superbike and only naked, hence the above options.

The Kawasaki was struck off the list because I simply did not like how it looked.

Ducati was an Italian exotic brand and cost of maintaining was too high for my liking.

The Suzuki GSX was discontinued as it did not have a BS6 motor.

And so all my eyes were set on the Street triple R.

Around the same time the triumph Trident was unveiled and decided to wait for that as it was a more retro modern design with the old de-tuned Street Triple engine.

Booking Process:

November 2020: the pre-bookings were opened for the trident and so went ahead and booked the bike even without seeing it in flesh and not knowing the prices as it was not yet announced, only because they promised to refund the booking amount if I changed my mind.

December 2020: The International first ride media event was organized by Triumph UK. After watching every single review on YouTube decided to go for it.

April 2021: The Bike was officially launched in India and the prices were announced. Rs 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom). I was promised the delivery of my bike in few weeks as I was the first few who had booked the bike.

Around the same time, India had entered the second lockdown and every nonessential stores were shut.

Towards the end of April since the Logistic services were still open. The showroom representative called me to inform that my bike had arrived and I requested to be there while it was unboxed.

June 2021: The lockdown was partially lifted. And so finance paper work began and was still processing slowly because there was a partial lockdown. Meanwhile, I was asked to finalize the accessories if i wanted any.

Decided to go for the paddock spools and belly pan. Triumph Accessories are expensive.

The Delivery

Completing the finance paperwork and after paying the balance amount. The bike was ready for RTO formalities. I pushed for Delivery on July 1st as it was my daughter's birthday.

July 2021: Was told the bike would be ready for delivery by 4pm and I was there at sharp 4. Found one bike covered for delivery. But it was not my trident but in fact the new 2021 Speed triple 1200. Which was waiting for delivery but the customer was late.

They asked me to complete the delivery paperwork while they bring out my bike and prep for delivery. They also gave the mandatory explanation of features on their test ride bike instead of my bike.

Finally, I took the delivery of the bike and was really disappointed with Keerthi Triumph as they did not even offer a complimentary keychain, Forget cake. Spending 4 lakhs on a Maruti and I would have got a list of gifts from chocolates to idols to pillows. Also, in spite of paying for the belly pan in advance, they told me that they did not have stock of the belly pan during delivery. I have no idea why they asked me to pay if they dint have stock or at least could have informed before and not at the very last minute.

Decided to not spoil my mood and move on as I had just bought myself a Superbike.

Likes:

• Neo Retro design
• Riding Modes
• Superb Handling
• Refined Engine
• Triple Cylinder Exhaust Note
• Compact, Good for City
• 16000 KM Service Interval

Dislikes:

• New Bike, Many glitches in software
• Cannot fit a slip-on on exhaust, stock exhaust has to be cut and welded
• Compact, No Superbike Feel
• Pillion is strictly for city rides

Initial Review

The bike is definitely a hoot to ride as long as you don't ride other big bikes. It handles so well and the Michelin tyres grip the road so well. There is a noticeable difference between the two riding modes (Rain, Road). The bike is 189kg wet and does not feel too heavy. The suspension is firm, it has no problem soaking up mild bumps. It is only in very bad patches of road you will find the need for a softer tune. The engine is smooth and feels very refined even in higher RPM.

The bike does run a little hot and hot air hits the left shin but it's not unbearable. There is a mild vibration felt in the handlebars.

Trident has enough torque to be a city happy bike, frequent gear changes are not required and it is comfortable at 50km/h in 4th/5th gear. The gear changes are a little clunky hoping it will improve over time. The gearing ratio is short, many might not like it as it is 600 cc bike and one would expect more

The LED headlight set up from the factory is set a little too high. It blinds the on-coming traffic, it has to be lowered. Once the headlight is lowered it is good enough for city and highways. Although I would still recommend additional pilot lamps for touring.

The turning radius is not the best and taking U-Turns requires a bigger radius. The seating ergonomics is set not too forward and one can say its perfect balance between sport and comfort. The seat height is not too high for a sports bikes and people who are short also would be comfortable riding this bike. But being a compact bike anyone above 6ft 2inch would look awkward in this bike.

The ground clearance is not the best but I have not scrapped once riding solo even in the highest bumps but with a pillion the bike scrapes every time even in smaller bumps. The pillion seat also is very small and is not going to very comfortable

The 14-litre fuel tank is not the biggest but should be sufficient. The bike gives a mileage of 22-24 km/l under casual highway riding style and drops under spirited riding. The bike can easily do 300 km in a full tank. The exhaust note is music to the ears, it's loud enough for the city but in the open highway, one would like an aftermarket exhaust.

The bike has a break-in program in built and hence the rev limiter flashes at 4000 rpm for the first 500 km and then 5000 rpm at 800 km and the program is completed at 1600 km or 1000 miles. The bike definitely opens up once each milestone is completed.

The first service feels always the longest as there is an eagerness to complete it so that we can open the throttle more, unfortunately the Bangalore weather was chaotic and unpredictable forcing me to take the car more than the bike. But once the bike completed 1000km and the first service was completed, the bike feels much better. It's smoother and it runs cooler. (the radiator kicks in early after a software update). They kept the bike for two full days for the first service which was surprising as they were only servicing 5-6 bikes each day.

The first service costed me around Rs 7.5 - 8k.

After the first service the bike comfortably cruises at 140 and there is no strain felt in the engine. Higher speeds require an aftermarket screen as the wind blast is high. The temp gauge has not crossed 4 bars after the service, even in traffic.

Accessories

I have still not got many accessories, just the paddock spools and a custom Radiator grille.

Recently got a ppf done on my bike as one of my close friends runs a detailing studio and i got a pretty good deal.

Conclusion

I am very happy with the bike so far. It just seems perfect for someone like me, who mainly uses it in the city and the occasional weekend getaway. Many advise that you cannot tour in this bike, but there are many who tour with a Honda Activa. So the bike cannot put a full stop to your Travel diaries but it should be the next chapter.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.