Powered by a 798cc three-cylinder engine producing a claimed 113bhp, the new-for-2026 Triumph Trident 800 parachutes slap bang in the middle of one of the most hotly contested classes in motorcycling. Yamaha’s MT-09 and Kawasaki’s Z900 are firmly in its sights and, on paper at least, Triumph has come armed.

The engine is lifted directly from last year’s excellent Tiger Sport 800, housed in a new chassis package with adjustable Showa suspension, lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, plus Triumph’s Shift Assist quick shifter as standard. The geometry and proportions are similar to the well-proven Trident 660 and it costs just over £9,000.

Having seen the Trident 800 unveiled in Hinckley late last year, Triumph’s thinking made perfect sense. The Street Triple 765 RS and RX have evolved into sportier propositions and now start at around £12,000. They make 128bhp and come loaded with track-focused hardware. The updated Trident 660, meanwhile, sits at just over £8,000, produces 95bhp and keeps things relatively simple. There was clearly room for something in between. So here it is, the Trident 800!

Although the 798cc triple shares its bore with the Street Triple 765, it runs a longer stroke and prioritises torque over top-end fireworks. Peak power of 113bhp arrives at 10,750rpm, with 84Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. Those same figures made the sports touring Tiger Sport 800 a huge amount of fun to ride, so expectations were already high for the 7kg lighter Trident before a leg had even been thrown over its relatively low seat.

Much of our test ride took place on greasy and unpredictable roads, but that’s not always a bad thing – especially on a real world roadster like this. The conditions encouraged a gentler, real world, introduction, and the Trident immediately felt friendly in these less than ideal conditions. The dash is a simple 3.5” TFT, the switchgear intuitive, and the electronics limited to three riding modes: Road, Rain and Sport.

I like the simplicity. There’s no deep menu-diving or unnecessary tech, although the standard quick shifter is a welcome inclusion. That said, there’s no constant on-screen reminder of which mode you’re in. And while you can turn off the traction control, you have to stop first in order to disable it – something other bikes in the class allow you to do on the move.

Ergonomically, the Trident 800 is spot on. The 810mm seat height is low and welcoming, the bars are wide and the peg position relaxed. It’s only 3kg heavier than the 660 and 9kg heavier than the 189kg 765 RS and, despite its solid feel, it never feels heavy.

In town, the Trident is a joy. Rain mode softens the throttle but still delivers full power, though Road mode is so well judged it’s the one you’ll use most. The fuelling is excellent, the torque plentiful, and the exhaust note has real character that’s deeper and more assertive than the 660, and genuinely impressive for a stock system.

Out of the city and into the mountains, the Trident really comes alive. You don’t need to chase the redline, the sweet spot lives between 4,000 and 7,000rpm, where the drive is strong, smooth and utterly addictive. With the traction control disengaged, the bike will happily lift the front wheel with minimal effort, thanks to its light feel and superb throttle control.

Poor conditions meant we couldn’t fully explore its limits, but the fundamentals are clearly sound. Michelin Road 6 tyres impressed in the wet, warming quickly and offering excellent feedback, while the Showa suspension delivered confidence and composure. On rougher roads it occasionally felt a touch under-damped, but nothing alarming.

Peak power arrives just shy of 11,000rpm, with the limiter stepping in at around 11,500rpm. While the MT-09 and Z900 offer slightly more outright performance, 113bhp feels like a sweet spot for this class, fast enough to thrill without becoming intimidating.

Braking is handled by Triumph-branded radial calipers with cornering ABS. They worked well in the conditions, though hard use might expose some limitations. The electronics are much more safety-focused rather than performance-enhancing, intervening smoothly and not too unobtrusively when required.

Comfort is excellent, even for longer stints, and there’s enough space for a pillion. Triumph claims 60mpg, which from the 14-litre tank suggests a useful real-world range of around 180 miles. For a naked roadster, it more than delivers – and for those looking for more protection, more practicality, more range and more comfort the Tiger Sport 800 will tick even more of the boxes.

Styling is understated and mature. The flyscreen is more aesthetic than functional but, combined with the belly pan, it gives the Trident a classic stance. It feels more grown-up than its Japanese rivals, though the floating rear number plate may divide opinion.

Ultimately Triumph has done exactly what it set out to do. The Trident 800 slots neatly between the 660 and the Street Triple, rekindling some of the simplicity and charm that made the original Street Triple 675 such a hit.

It’s an approachable, playful and hugely usable bike that encourages you to ride it every day, in all conditions, just for the sheer fun of it. The engine is the star: torquey, characterful and backed up by a genuinely entertaining soundtrack.

For just over £9,000, with cruise control and a quick shifter included, it represents strong value. It may not shout as loudly as some of its rivals, but it doesn’t need to. Quietly and confidently, the Trident 800 makes a very strong case for itself and should do good business for Triumph.

Words: Adam ‘Chad’ Child

Photography: Gareth Hartford/Chippy Wood

Triumph Trident 800 specification

Price:                                            £9,195

Engine:                                      798cc triple, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power:                                          113bhp (84.6kW) @ 10,750rpm

Torque:                                         84Nm (62lb-ft) @ 8500rpm

Transmission:                  Six-speed, chain

Frame:                                          Tubular steel perimeter

Suspension:                                 (F) 41mm USD Showa forks, rebound and compression damping adjust (R) remote preload and rebound adjustable Showa single shock.

Wheels:                                        Cast aluminium, (F) 17 x 3.5in/ (R) 17 x 5.5in

Tyres:                                        Michelin Road 5 (F) 120/70 x 17, (R) 180/55 x 17

Brakes:                                         (F) 310mm disc, Triumph four-piston radial caliper, (R) 220mm disc, single-piston caliper. Cornering ABS

Weight:                                     198kg (kerb)

Wheelbase:                                  1,402mm

Seat height:                               810mm

Fuel tank:                                     14 litres

Fuel consumption:                     60.1mpg (claimed)

Service intervals:                       10,000 miles/12 months

Warranty:                                      24 months unlimited mileage

Contact:                                    https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk