Triumph’s Street Triple has been the firm’s go-to naked middleweight first bike for some time now – and for good reason.
It’s a great machine – powerful, quick, great handling and affordable – and available in an A2 licence compliant version.
However, while relatively easy to get on and ride, with more than 120bhp on tap and a high-revving, peaky engine, it has always had the capacity to be a bit of a hooligan.
It sits in a particularly crowded section of the market where all the major manufacturers vie for customers looking to splash out on their first “proper” bike as well as those wanting a quality commuter.
Rivals include Yamaha’s excellent MT-07, Kawasaki’s Z650 and the Honda CB650R.
Now the the Hinckley, Leics-based company has thrown another contender into the mix in the form of the Trident 660 we are looking at here.
First impressions are very good.
It’s small, compact and sporty, with a distinctive tank logo, and comes in four attractive liveries, with an excellent finish quality.
On board, it feels light and manageable, and the ride position is relaxed but with a more tucked stance easily adoptable.
The beautifully sculpted tank allows you to “grip” with your knees and thighs, adding to the feeling of control.
The single round clock features a colour TFT info display as well as a white-on-black LCD – both clear and easy to read.
Mirrors are well positioned and the switchgear is straightforward and has a feeling of quality.
The 660cc, liquid-cooled inline triple engine is derived from the superb Daytona 675, but with a shorter stroke.
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The power reduction, from 120bhp to 80, may sound a lot, but the boffins at Triumph have managed to create an impressively wide, flat torque range, meaning there is always ample power on hand whatever gear you’re in.
This triple is a real beauty – super smooth power delivery, even at low revs, plus super smooth shifts via the slip and assist clutch, and with a quick-shifter available as an option.
It’s also frugal, achieving around 60mpg, or about 180 miles on a tank.
Handling, too, is superb.
The steel tubular frame combines perfectly with the Showa forks and rear shock to provide controlled, precise, easy and, above all, enjoyable, cornering.
Braking, via Nissin calipers, is sensitive yet powerful and Michelin rubber keeps you connected to the tarmac.
The bike has LED lights all round, self-cancelling indicators and a Bluetooth kit for connecting to the Triumph app, which gives you turn-by-turn SatNav.
Triumph also offers nearly 50 different accessories for the Trident.
Service intervals are set at just every 10,000 miles, so very good for your wallet.
Overall, this is a really excellent middleweight naked.
The engine is a peach, it handles superbly and it’s fun and easy to ride – and all for just over £7k.
Highly recommended.
Kabuto Aeroblade V
This rather fine looking helmet is by Japanese outfit Kabuto.
The “kabuto” is a type of ancient headgear worn for protection by Samurai warriors.
The firm produced its first lid back in 1992, the RS-1R, one of the first to use a top ventilation system to dispel warm air – and it has been innovating ever since.
This model is the Aeroblade 5.
It’s a light-weight helmet designed for touring and urban use.
It features two patented design features: The “Wake” stabiliser, for less pressure on the neck and smoother movement – and the DAF Shield system”, a dual-axis visor to provide better insulation and noise reduction.
This reviewer can report that both of these work excellently.
Visibility too, is very good.
The Aeroblade 5 features a micro ratchet buckle system and detachable and washable pads.
The helmet is available in a range of colours via Honda UK and the RRP is £320.
