And what did Oli think?

Images of the new Triumph Trident 660 had intrigued me, so I signed up for the test day. I've been considering upgrading my little 401 Husqvarna for something a little more capable for longer rides, and the Triumph looked like it might be just the thing. In the flesh it was a vast improvement on the prototype images, with a tank that bears a little resemblance to the T140, and the bike lacks the plumber's nightmare of pipes and wires and tubes that burden its main rival, the Yamaha MT-07.

The front end of the Trident looks great, with everything neatly tucked away. All the paint schemes are spot-on and the build quality excellent. The back end I was less keen on. The exhaust is an ugly thing, and the rear wheel huggers – with one protecting the shock absorber and the other to hang the rear light and numberplate on at the back – leave a big gap and exposed tyre. Any pillion would, I suspect, get covered in crud in inclement conditions.

A 660cc naked motorcycle should be usable two-up, and while the rider's seat is big and comfy, the pillion gets a small perch. There are hidden handholds under the seat, but I couldn't see any way of attaching anything to the bike apart from a small tail-pack. Without some guards, throw-over panniers would flop about.

Switchgear was big and blocky, and I liked the self-cancelling indicators, which should be compulsory – for me at least.

Unlike the Triumph twins, which seem a little low, the Trident did seem to fit me. Feet were flat on the floor. Start it up and sadly it doesn't have an old-school triple's off-beat bark, but it is a nicer noise than most modern twins or fours. The gearbox is as good as any modern bike, and the power take-up was decent rather than earth-shattering.

The Trident is quite light and easy to chuck about, shrugging off road imperfections and gravel. It is rapid rather than fast. The grips sat at an odd angle for me, putting pressure on the wrists. Front brake is excellent, the rear brake felt a bit grabby, and I found the rear suspension a little rough. While the speedo is nice and clear, the rev counter display was hard to follow at a glance.

The big problem for me was that the Trident lacked that indefinable thing: character. It was just a motorcycle that went well but was hard to engage with.

It's worth mentioning that almost everyone else on the ride loved the

Trident with one exception; an older chap who didn't think it was powerful enough.

The Trident is a decent ride but not for me, even at its bargain price. I think I'd be more likely to spend my money on a used Triumph Street Cup or a V7 Guzzi.

coming up, and had the security of the tail rider behind me. We stopped at a mini roundabout at one point and I checked my mirror, and the tail rider gave me a thumbs-up which I reciprocated.

When we all got back safe and sound, we had a chat and discussed what we thought. I heard only good things about this bike.

I wanted to find the tail rider to thank him, but he found me first. He complimented both Dad and I on our smooth, relaxed riding. To hear someone I have never met before compliment my riding made my day, as I don’t feel the most confident rider at times. I found the Triumph Trident tour was very professional and very well organised, and all the staff were helpful, kind and welcoming.

And the bike?

The Trident is a great bike at a competitive price and sounds good, too. Dad has been riding forever and currently has a 2019 Honda CB500. I ride the B31, my GS500, the Benelli off-road, and I have a Honda Grom (MSX125), so the Trident was big at first – but then I used to ride an ER-6f Kawasaki before having a break from bikes.

Different experience levels, wants, and even sizes, yet we both got on well with the Trident. Dad preferred the power and the seat to his Honda, though he thought the Triumph suspension a little too firm for Norfolk roads. I admit I was concentrating more on where the riders in front were going and my riding, so the impressions of the bike are less.

Despite this, I could deal with riding in a group, with strangers, on unfamiliar roads with no worries about the bike – a positive sign of a good bike.

The roadshow was great. Now Dad would like to go out on a Trident on his own, on roads he knows, and at his pace. Then he can decide if it’s for him.

I really liked it, but the old ones are still what I prefer.