Triumph is introducing a new derivative of its Trident roadster, with an 798cc version set to zoom onto our roads in 2026.
Although enthusiastically billed by Triumph’s marketeers as an ‘all-new’ model, with an ‘all-new’ engine, the Trident 800 looks to be more an evolution of the current Trident 660 than a ground up new design, much in the way the Tiger Sport 800 (which was introduced 12 months ago) grew out of the Tiger Sport 660.
And that would be a good thing. The Tiger Sport 800 has been one of our favourite bikes of 2025 and following a similar formula with the Trident was only to be expected, considering the two models share the same basic platform. A quick look at the tech specs of the ‘all-new’ engine suggests that Triumph have simply lifted the unit found on the excellent sports tourer, which was announced this time last year, while the chassis appears to be a modified version of the one found on the Trident 660.
The Tiger Sport 800’s three-cylinder engine is a real cracker, with Insidebikes’ Phil West describing it as ‘intoxicatingly flexible’. Based on the Trident 660 unit, it’s bored and stroked to punch out the capacity, while smaller engine’s single throttle body is replaced with three individual bodies to improve airflow into the engine. Peak power for both the Trident and Tiger Sport 800 is claimed to be 113bhp at 10,750rpm, but it’s the juicy mid-range that’s the Triumph’s trump card. It’s a brilliant unit and should translate well to a lighter and more agile roadster.
Where the Trident 660 squares up against the likes of the Kawasaki Z650 and Yamaha MT-07, the 800 gives Triumph a credible alternative to more expensive alternatives. Although not quite as powerful or highly specified as Yamaha’s MT-09, the Honda Hornet 1000 or Triumph’s own Street Triple 765 RS, we fully expect the cheaper Trident 800 to steal sales from more expensive middleweight offerings by providing ‘just enough’ for everyday riders.
The Trident 800 uses the same basic tubular steel perimeter frame set-up found on the other Trident and Tiger Sport models and, while there’s nothing groundbreaking about the cycle parts, history suggests it will be greater than the sum of its parts and should all perform more than adequately on real world roads. Unlike the 660, the 800 gets adjustable front forks, while there’s also lean sensitive ABS, quickshifter and traction control.
The only obvious downside we can see is the rather basic dashboard, which has a dated LCD display handling the main functions, with a tiny TFT insert looking after connectivity features like the smartphone control and turn by turn navigation. Despite the ‘all-new’ billing it looks like very similar to the one found on the Trident 660, and although it should work well enough it does look a little budget and dated at a time when full TFT displays are the norm.
The Triumph Trident 800 is expected to arrive in showrooms in March, priced from £9,195, or £1,300 more than the 660. It takes the place of the discontinued Street Triple R in the Triumph range, slotting in between the entry level Trident 660 and the sporty Street Triple RS, and while it might not be the ‘all-new’ motorcycle Triumph’s marketing blurb suggests, if it’s anything like as good as the Tiger Sport 800 it’ll be an absolute cracker.
It looks like being a busy 2026 for the team at Triumph, with the Trident 800 being one of many new or updated models coming in the next few months. The British owned manufacturer has already announced its first electric trials bike range and has updated its seven-bike Modern Classics range, with a number of refinements and electronics updates to the Bonneville and Scrambler models, and they say they will have a total of 29 new or updated products coming over the next six months.
Speaking of their decision to launch so many new products during a very challenging period for the motorcycle industry, a Triumph spokesperson said: “The momentum we’ve achieved over recent years is extraordinary. Our record sales, expansion into new segments, and the number of upcoming product launches all reflect the quiet optimism we feel about the future. While the market remains challenging for many, Triumph’s focus is clear. We are committed to delivering a range of motorcycles that are exciting, innovative, and built to the highest quality standards, for our customers around the world.”
With motorcycle launch and show season now very much upon us, we expect to see at least five more ‘new’ Triumphs to be unveiled in November and on display at Milan’s EICMA show, as well as Motorcycle Live – which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC between 15-23 November.
