Suitable Partners
Triumph Trident Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
There’s a lot of competition in the middleweight segment of Australian LAMS market. Think Yamaha MT-07, Honda CB650R and Kawasaki Z650. And while Triumph’s entry is aimed at the ever-expanding Learner category, this bike and any one of its competitors make damn fine road machines for riders of all ages and experience.
Of this quartet, the Trident has the most power and torque – 40kW and 59Nm respectively. Naturally Triumph is quick to invoke the Trident heritage, but in reality this one owes little to the legend except the name, and is built in Thailand to boot. That’s in no way a criticism, it oozes class and the finish is excellent.
I’d reckon that the majority of the k’s racked up by the new Trident will be urban or semi-urban, and the new model is bang in its element there. The delightful, smooth 660cc triple has gobs of mid-range power, with close-ratio spacing for the lower gears, which is perfect for congested roads. Once clear of the humdrum, click into fifth and sixth and you’ll experience a whole new animal. LAMS or not, the Trident’s acceleration really is impressive, and coupled to a slick-shifting transmission, it’s a very willing package. Somehow, Triumph has managed to produce a Euro 5 compliant exhaust system that does not feel or sound strangled – there’s a lovely typically triple-cylinder growl when the throttle is opened. ‚
After a few runs in the traffic, I was looking forward to a bit of a fang on the back roads around Sydney’s Hawkesbury region, and the Trident just laps up this sort of riding. The bike feels small, and there’s nothing in front of you except the single instrument. It also feels light, and can be flicked around effortlessly. The upright riding position dictates that this is not the sort of bike that cries out to be belted through fast corners with toes skimming the tarmac, but the Trident easily handled everything that I could throw at it.
As we’ve come to expect from the new generation of middleweights, suspension, brakes and handling are exceptional. The Showa USD front fork has fat 41mm stanchions, although is not adjustable, while the rear single shock has preload adjustment and a generous 133.5mm of travel. There is ample stopping power from the twopiston Nissin calipers gripping twin 310mm discs up front.
Like all the models in this category, price is paramount, and at $12,690 rideaway the Trident is very competitive, although at the top of the list. For this money, you get a surprising list of standard features, including the obligatory ABS, LED lighting throughout, two riding modes (Road and Rain), switchable Traction Control, a big, clear single TFT instrument that has Bluetooth connectivity, with gear position indicator, fuel gauge, a clock and mode messages in addition to speedo/tacho readings – everything you need and nothing more. There is also an extremely comprehensive range of genuine options from which to select.
These include what the maker calls My Triumph Connectivity System to access phone and personal entertainment, a colour-matched flyscreen, USB charging port, luggage, security system and a clip-on belly pan, to name just a few. There is also a two-way Quickshifter which can be very handy.
Styling wise, the Trident follows the minimal naked look that is very much in vogue at present. For me, the rear end looks a bit louche; a motorcycle without a conventional rear mudguard/tail light always seems awkward looking. That’s just a personal observation, but there’s an awful lot of this about, and the Trident is merely in step with the opposition in this respect. Oh well. The seat is also on the minimal side when it comes to padding, but it is adequate, and at 805mm height, Triumph would have been mindful that extra foam would naturally have added to the challenge. I actually found the riding position and the relationship of all the controls very comfortable.
So while the new Trident is pitched squarely at the learner market, it is also a fine choice for experienced riders who want minimal weight, maximum manoeuvrability, and bags of torque in exactly the right place. Everything you need really.