I didn't know what to expect when Triumph invited me out to test the all-new Trident 800 in Alicante, Spain. But I knew I felt sad that the Street Triple R had given up its place in the brand's lineup to make way for the new model. Still, I can't tell you how quickly I forgot about that issue once I got rolling on the beautiful, although damp and sometimes soaked, roads around the region, as you'll see in the review.
Powering the Trident 800 is a 798cc inline triple pumping out 113 hp and 61.9 lb-ft of torque, and it couldn't be more in tune with what Triumph thinks people who want the Trident will need. The Trident 800 is meant to be a bike you can use every day, but still has the power to slap a grin on your face whenever the mood strikes. All of the components are fitted to this end.
The bike rolls on Michelin Road 6 rubber, and they embody what the bike is about. I had the pleasure of experiencing them in both the wet and semi-dry, and the confidence that a quick-warming sport-touring tire adds to your ride can't be understated. Also coming in handy, given the oodles of torque and wet conditions, was the bike's lean-sensitive electronic suite, which lit up the dash on more than one occasion.
Giving the Trident a comfy but sporty ride is a Showa 41mm USD fork with adjustable compression and rebound, and a Showa rear shock with preload and rebound adjustability. The brakes are Triumph-branded 4-piston calipers, which bite into dual 310mm discs at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear.
On paper, the Trident 800 doesn't have any stand-out features compared to the competition, except for its price. This bike will set you back just $9,995, making it the cheapest in its class, and, as I alluded to in my intro, it left an impression on me.
How much? Watch the review to find out.
