Old Guy Considering A Trident 660

[mcat]

Hi all. I'm not on here much but mostly when I run into a problem with my '73 Tiger. Mostly it's pretty damn reliable.

I have 5 bikes, most of them old, but those I commute on are a '08 Gold Wing and a '13 Rocket Touring.
I'd like to maybe trade in or sell the Rocket and get a Trident. But the riding position scares me when I watch the vids.

I had one knee replaced and it works well but the other gets stiff. I'm 64, a cancer survivor and current cancer fighter (PC) and I'm ready for fun in a smaller package. I do ride my '73 Tiger 750 quite a bit, and an '80 LTD 1000, which are both standards. I suppose the Trident more approaches a standard set up than embraces it.

I think there's no moving the pegs around on the 660.
Best,
MCat

 

[tobyb]

Hi all. I'm not on here much but mostly when I run into a problem with my '73 Tiger. Mostly it's pretty damn reliable.

I have 5 bikes, most of them old, but those I commute on are a '08 Gold Wing and a '13 Rocket Touring.
I'd like to maybe trade in or sell the Rocket and get a Trident. But the riding position scares me when I watch the vids.

I had one knee replaced and it works well but the other gets stiff. I'm 64, a cancer survivor and current cancer fighter (PC) and I'm ready for fun in a smaller package. I do ride my '73 Tiger 750 quite a bit, and an '80 LTD 1000, which are both standards. I suppose the Trident more approaches a standard set up than embraces it.

I think there's no moving the pegs around on the 660.
Best,
MCat

Have you had a look at the Street Twin?

 

[mcat]

Have you had a look at the Street Twin?

I've looked at a Speed Twin but I think a Street Twin wd be worth a look. I had a '03 Speedmaster for years and loved that bike. I miss the lightness of that bike. Good suggestion.
mcat

 

[B25bsaboy]

I've looked at a Speed Twin but I think a Street Twin wd be worth a look. I had a '03 Speedmaster for years and loved that bike. I miss the lightness of that bike. Good suggestion.
mcat

Hi Toby, The 73 Triumph Tiger is an amazing motorcycle especially if you know the history of Meridan OIF. At the time they were introduced, the OIF BSA/Triumph’s were hated because of it’s added height in comparison with the T120’s. Today, they are very much sought after by collectors. I have restored several 76, 77 and 79 T-140‘s. One in particular was the 1977 T140V J Silver Jubilee that is now on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. Once all my OIF went to good homes across the planet, I then went to the Hinkley Triumph Thunder Bird 900. Not exactly a direct cross over as to what you are looking for. My suggestion is the seriously look at the Triumph Bonneville as these machines have the retro look and the engines are very much bullet proof. I hope you realize this is an old guy talking who loves sharing his worldly motorcycle knowledge. Good luck in your search!

 

[Gogreen]

I agree with mcat, look at the twin series, early Bonneville's are cheap now and reliable. easier to live with than Meriden twins and with electric foot. A bit more Triumph than the Thai Trident. There are better value bikes from Asia as well

 

[rodhotter]

you are right on! i traded my 2012 mag wheeler i only rode 5 thou in about 8 years. even though i consider myself above average health + fit wise the tight fit + slightly rearsets did NOT agree with me!! OK for short 30-45 min but after that not!! i traded for a preowned T120 + was considering the T100 as well until this good deal. more upright is surely better + cruisers with feet forward are even better IMO, so be sure before you plop your $$$$ down. lighter is surely better but most sportier bikes are best left to younger riders + only YOU know how you feel!!

 

[Pirate]

Have you had a look at the Street Twin?

I often think if I were buying a new bike it would be a toss up between the Trident or the Street Twin.

 

[sikatri]

It would be interesting to know if the opening poster made a choice and which.

 

[DoorPosition]

Hasn't posted anything since FEB21. Considering the medical issues he was facing back then I just hope he's alright.

 

[Bloodknot]

Have been riding my Ducati 900 SuperSport for the last 20 years and could see the day coming when I would favour a more relaxed riding style. So l had three things I was looking for, riding style, lower seat height allowing me to flat foot it both sides and reduced weight, the Ducati goes 185kg dry.

In the showroom they had the Trident and a Street Triple R (LRH). Whilst the Trident was low enough I found the seat just too wide, it reminded me of the Norton wide line featherbed frame. The Street Triple next to it felt more comfortable, good contact with the ground and 20kg lighter than the Ducati. I didn’t even bother taking it for a test ride, nor did I even know that it had the quick shifter so that you only need the clutch when pulling away or coming to a stop.

I still thoroughly enjoy riding the Ducati, but being a totally analogue machine it is very focussed and not a town machine, whereas the Triumph is so easy to ride with the electronic aids and the additional power being icing on the cake. The only downside so far is the wind buffeting, being a naked machine, which could be tiring on a long journey.

So far the longest one day trip on the Triumph has been 250 miles whereas we managed a shade over 400 on the Ducati, the second half in biblical rain, two up, but that was when I was 65 year old youngster ten years ago.

 

[rodhotter]

comfort is key!!! short test rides DONT reveal the true DISCOMFORT of many bikes! cruisers with feet forward are great as is my 18 T120 with an upright position + feet straight under you!!

 

[BEEEE]

I am a T100 owner at 70 years. Went to the Bonneville from a Harley for the ease of handling and lighter weight. I test rode a newer street twin and its handling is even lighter than the T100. Also had a FZr6 Yamaha which has an easy tune and upright ride vs a sport bike. Liked it a lot but was not near as good for pillion passenger compared to the Harley. The T100 seat was repadded by a friend as the pillion portion of the seat was bad. No cushion.
Now I am looking at the new Trident. Sat on one ( I am 5' 11' 32 inseam) and it had just a tad of forward lean and plenty of leg room. The lean is less than a comfort bike cycle I ride for exercise 16 miles a day. So no issue with the lean. Note: two years ago I had a left shoulder rebuilt and the following year corpal tunnel fix. in the right hand. If the small lean is an issue a riser is available to raise and move back an inch or so each way for ~$40.00 and do it yourself easy. The slight lean will also help at 70 MPH.
Wife doesn't ride much on the pillion so I think for the occasional small jaunt she can handle the small Trident pillion as she could handle the FZr6 small pillion and position as long as the paddings good enough and that can be fixed if not.

I duck walked the Trident around ( it was sold and good luck getting a test ride) and it was much easier to move around then the Bonneville. Also sat on the pillion, may need extra padding but only the wife can tell for sure.

I also checked out the Tiger 660. Better for longer rides, wind protection, touring, and pillion rider. It's seat is much taller and near impossible to throw a leg over.More suspension travel. I learned you need to mount it like an adventure bike. Leave it on the kickstand. Grab the front break, Step on the peg and throw your leg over the seat. That works.

Conclusion: I liked the looks of the Trident and its specs. I put $500 down on the Trident with the color I wanted an it's expected delivery is in December. That would give me time to get Dart flyscreen ( which really works on the T100 ) possibly some seat work. I am sure the wife would like a Top Rack, Top case with back rest or addition grab handles at the least. Both aftermarket options available from different sources.

 

[Vector]

Sounds like a good choice, enjoy it!

 

[rodhotter]

for carpal tunnel B-6 can help as it did for my girlfriend a former factory worker. B vitamins are water soluable + excess is secreted. taking up to 100 mg daily in divided doses. i take a LOT of supplements at 74 YO + currently take 5 B-50's daily 2 are methylated a better form but more costly. good luck if you get a trident! i currently ride my T 120 mostly + a street scram, + a vic hammer but rarely ride it especially in hotter weather as 106 cu in air cooled engine puts a lot of heat off + i am looking to sell it a 13 with just under 11 thou on it + its like new. it actually easier to ride than the lighter 08 hardly porkster i traded in on it

 

[BEEEE]

Still waiting for my Trident to come in in December so I been researching the Trident and other bikes in this class. Just wondering why few if any compare the Trident to the Yamaha SRX700 or BMW's F 900 R. Similar style and price range.

 

[Vector]

I'd suggest staying away from BMW. I have owned 2, nice bikes but very expensive to maintain. Parts are insanely expensive.

 

[BEEEE]

As of Oct. 14 I bought a used 2020 (Silver / Storm gray) Speed Twin 1200. Not quit as classic as my T100 but close enough.

As i continued my search for a lighter quicker handling bike than the T100 while waiting for my Trident to arrive, the dealer had a used 2020 Speed Twin traded in. It has 1875 miles and some extra goodies for a price that was ultimately $1000 less than the trident would of cost. Plus no break in period and no cost of addons required. Test drive sealed the deal. Riding position is pretty much the same as the Trident, performance to match, and more room for a pillion. Handling definitely better and lighter than the T100. The 1200 seemed smoother and the extra gear was a plus. The shorter wheelbase and 17" wheels I think are what makes the difference.

I loved the ride and the looks. More old style. It put a smile on my face.

And one more thing. The factory sound from 270 degree firing order and exhaust are sweet. You get a nice rumble at highway speeds and it barks while accelerating.

My biggest dislike of the new Trident is the exhaust. That big bottom box section looks cheap. You can see it from both sides of the motorcycle. I think that at least they should of coated it in black or flat change the design. There are aftermarket exhausts that are euro 5 compliant that look much much better.

Next, the pillion area on the trident needs to be just a few inches longer/ bigger.

I heard one guy say when he can't ride anymore he's going to hang his Triumph from the ceiling. Hmmmm?

 

[Qship]

Glad you found a great bike for you. Should get many smiles per gallon on your Speed Twin.

 

[Redcalibra]

Hi, Trident 660 great bike , now 71 years old and enjoyed every moment of ownership, light nimble cheap to run quality construction. Moved on to Street Triple RS765 in cosmic yellow 2023 , wow I know a yellow bike but beautiful in the flesh and every way.
So in conclusion great triple introduction and well worth the money.
Lots of new parts never fitted for trident 660, inc centre stand form America only, Ktech rear shock etc pm me if you are interested.