Triumph Trident 660

[Supermofo]

Yeah that sounds like a annual/minor service. Sounds like par for the course price from a dealer.

The 690 was around 200 for a minor and £320-500 for a major.

[tricol]

So Saturday was one year to the day that I collected the Trident. The year has gone by quick enough, but winter was a drag and I missed getting out.

I thought I would give a bit of a summary of my first year of ownership after passing my test in Dec 2020. I'll stick to the bike really, as it's fair to say I'm still very much a beginner and learning every time I go out.

Good bits:
- The handling. It's firm, it's light, and it gives me confidence. Easy to change direction and it gives me lots of feedback so I can feel how it is behaving.
- The looks. Almost. Few bits I don't like, the swingarm plate holder for example, but overall I like how it looks. Retro features, modern design.
- Running costs. I average around 55mpg, although the onboard computer always seems to show a bit more, but my own calculations work it out at around 55. That is a mixture of town riding, and b-road blasts. First annual service is £190. Insurance, well that's big negative but not down to the bike.
- The engine. It's torquey from low down, and it pulls hard through most of the rev range. Staying in 3rd and 4th is all you need when you're having fun. 80hp has not got boring, yet. More than enough for how I ride.
- The brakes. Really nice, considering they are old sliding type calipers. Not loads of feel through the lever, but powerful enough and good bite.
- The tyres. The Road 5's have been great. Still loads of life in them after 3300 miles. Warm up quickly.
- Build quality. I'll say this is mostly good, but you can tell where they have kept costs down. Rear brake pedal is really cheap, and some of the plastics are a bit rough, but it's well screwed together, and no corroding from any of the fixings.

Bad bits:
- Gearbox. I just can't get on with it. It did improve after about 500/600 miles, but it feels very clunky in most gears, despite adjusting cable tension to keep it right.
- The engine. Yes, it's mostly great, but does get buzzy at certain revs, especially through the bars
- Long distance comfort. My skinny arse suffers after about 1hr 30 on the bike.

So overall, I've really enjoyed owning it. I think I will keep it for another year. Who knows what next, something like a Street Triple R, or an MT09. I think I'll stick with a naked bikes for having fun on the weekends, but long term plan is to get something a bit bigger that I can potentially tour on but still have fun with.

[weeksy]

So Saturday was one year to the day that I collected the Trident. The year has gone by quick enough, but winter was a drag and I missed getting out.

I thought I would give a bit of a summary of my first year of ownership after passing my test in Dec 2020. I'll stick to the bike really, as it's fair to say I'm still very much a beginner and learning every time I go out.

Good bits:
- The handling. It's firm, it's light, and it gives me confidence. Easy to change direction and it gives me lots of feedback so I can feel how it is behaving.
- The looks. Almost. Few bits I don't like, the swingarm plate holder for example, but overall I like how it looks. Retro features, modern design.
- Running costs. I average around 55mpg, although the onboard computer always seems to show a bit more, but my own calculations work it out at around 55. That is a mixture of town riding, and b-road blasts. First annual service is £190. Insurance, well that's big negative but not down to the bike.
- The engine. It's torquey from low down, and it pulls hard through most of the rev range. Staying in 3rd and 4th is all you need when you're having fun. 80hp has not got boring, yet. More than enough for how I ride.
- The brakes. Really nice, considering they are old sliding type calipers. Not loads of feel through the lever, but powerful enough and good bite.
- The tyres. The Road 5's have been great. Still loads of life in them after 3300 miles. Warm up quickly.
- Build quality. I'll say this is mostly good, but you can tell where they have kept costs down. Rear brake pedal is really cheap, and some of the plastics are a bit rough, but it's well screwed together, and no corroding from any of the fixings.

Bad bits:
- Gearbox. I just can't get on with it. It did improve after about 500/600 miles, but it feels very clunky in most gears, despite adjusting cable tension to keep it right.
- The engine. Yes, it's mostly great, but does get buzzy at certain revs, especially through the bars
- Long distance comfort. My skinny arse suffers after about 1hr 30 on the bike.

So overall, I've really enjoyed owning it. I think I will keep it for another year. Who knows what next, something like a Street Triple R, or an MT09. I think I'll stick with a naked bikes for having fun on the weekends, but long term plan is to get something a bit bigger that I can potentially tour on but still have fun with.

The gearbox is an interesting one. KTM690s for example have 7-8 gears, N,1,2,3,4,4,5,N,6,N.

But some like the MT-07 i barely have to even touch the lever and it's into gear. I've missed dozens upon dozens of 5>6 changes on 690s, but never missed a single gear on the MT07. Even the XSR900, sometimes coming to a standstill and trying for 1st was a challenge. The ZX6R is a lovely gearbox.

I'll be very interested to see what you go for.

[Dodgy69]

The bad bit's are quite important bit's...

[Bustaspoke]

Regarding the gearbox,I have a 675R Street Triple & the box is great,but I've read on the forums that they're quite sensitive to chain adjustmenr.
Maybe experiment with the chain tension & see if it makes a difference?

[tricol]

I've not got the tools or the confidence to do the chain adjustment myself. It's going in for a service next week so perhaps they will adjust it.

[weeksy]

I've not got the tools or the confidence to do the chain adjustment myself. It's going in for a service next week so perhaps they will adjust it.

We'll address that technical issue at Pembrey and give you some teaching. (obviously they'll need to adjust it before Sept though lol)

[Supermofo]

Def get the dealer or someone to show you how to adjust your chain. Got any mate with the tools and ability to show you?

[tricol]

Well that's the Trident back from its first annual service. Got myself a Street Triple R courtesy bike for the day. What a bike! It's a real step up from the Trident pretty much everywhere. The induction howl is addictive, and the extra torque in the mid range and the screaming top end really make it cover ground quickly. It had a quick shifter, which was nice, but didn't use it all the time. Suspension was better damped, although a firmer, it didn't feel harsh. Brakes felt similar to the Trident, although I didn't really test them out. Slightly more forward riding position but still relaxed like the most nakeds. Overall quality is better too, from the pegs, to the frame and the paint.

I can definitely see myself on one of these....Took a few photos. Would probably go black if I did though.

Triumph Street Triple R by Colin, on Flickr

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

[tricol]

The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

haha I actually asked for a courtesy bike, and was given 3 options, a ST, a Tiger 900, or another Trident. The choice was easy Although I was a little curious about the Tiger.

I had to try really hard not to make too much noise about liking the ST with the sales guy at the desk.

[Supermofo]

The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

Tends to work too.

Well until KTM gave me a 790 Adv. Really didn't get on with that.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I suspect I'll be getting either a Z900RS or GSX-S1000 when my 750 goes in for a service

[Ditchfinder]

I got given a Gladius when my Duke went in for a service - I don't think they ever wanted to see me again

[Supermofo]

I suspect I'll be getting either a Z900RS or GSX-S1000 when my 750 goes in for a service

Them RS's are so good looking.

[Skub]

The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

They gave me a ZH2 nearly two years ago and I still think about it.....

[Druid]

I have only had my bike serviced at a dealer once, the first service on a new Firestorm in 2004. They gave me a CB500 as a loan bike

[KungFooBob]

When my R6 had it's first service the sales man took to the bus station as pillion on a TL1000S

[Ditchfinder]

Maybe 'Best Loaners' needs a thread of it's own....

[weeksy]

Maybe 'Best Loaners' needs a thread of it's own....

Why not. Although mine is basically 'any KTM you want'