FEATURE - 2024 Triumph Trident Triple Tribute
Triumph’s all-new Trident made waves when it was unveiled in late 2020 as a LAMS-legal 660cc triple. The recent release of a special edition on the same platform looks likely to continue the momentum, especially with those who have knowledge of Triumph’s long and rich racing history.
Previewed back in March and reaching Australian Triumph dealerships in late May, the ‘Trident Triple Tribute’ is a special edition that will only be offered for the 2024 model year, in a similar vein to what Harley-Davidson are doing with their annual Enthusiast Collection. In the case of Triumph, the special edition is defined by a unique colour scheme and comes with additional equipment as standard.
Until the recent arrival of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, the Trident was the cheapest entry into Triumph ownership. However, with those new models (both of which are 398cc singles) undercutting the Trident by $4,000 or more, it makes the $14K triple a tough sell to the LAMS rider.
The release of the Trident Triple Tribute is perhaps less a way of drawing those first-time riders back to the Trident and more of an appeal to mature riders who may recall the racing Triumph that has inspired this special edition’s look.
Spirit of ’67
The bold ‘67’ on the fuel tank of the Trident Triple Tribute doesn’t refer to a year, but rather a racing number that was worn by a 740cc Triumph Trident T150 that was a successful competition bike for the brand back in the early 1970s.
Triumph launched this original Trident back in 1968, alongside a sister three-cylinder model from BSA, the Rocket 3. Both road bikes were developed for racing soon after. In the case of the Triumph, the Trident’s 58hp triple was tweaked to deliver 70+hp for competition - primarily in production class circuit racing, but also in endurance racing and even flat track. First campaigned in mid-1969 using a race kit developed in-house, the Trident would join the Rocket 3 at road racing events on both sides of the Atlantic by 1970. The first notable win came at that year’s Isle of Man TT, where one of three specially-prepared works Tridents won the 750 Production TT class.
A few months later, the same three works bikes were entered in the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in France. Paul Smart and Tom Dickie won the race on bike #1, but the #2 Trident shared by Steve Jolly and Triumph’s development rider Percy Tait is more famous today and has inspired the Trident Triple Tribute.
Midway through the endurance race, the Jolly/Tait Trident started regurgitating oil, covering the riders and the bike’s rear tyre, causing it to slip and slide. Remarkably, the Trident didn’t seize as a result of this, nor did either rider crash, ultimately bringing the bike home in fifth place. This led bike #2 to be nicknamed 'Slippery Sam'.
Surviving the Bol d'Or under those circumstances was noteworthy enough, but what this Trident did next cemented its place in two-wheel history.
At the Isle of Man TT, Slippery Sam won its class for five consecutive years from 1971 – a feat that hadn’t been achieved by a single bike before and hasn’t been bettered since. Over that 1971-75 period, the bike gained several modifications and improvements, like a lighter frame, twin front disc brakes and dual batteries. Riders that won on Slippery Sam at the TT included Ray Pickrell, Tony Jefferies and Mick Grant, while Dave Croxford and Alex George shared the riding duties in 1975. In that final year, Slippery Sam wore the #67 it’s most commonly associated with today.
Years after its racing career ended, Slippery Sam found its way to the UK’s National Motorcycle Museum. A fire at the museum in 2003 virtually destroyed the bike, but it’s been rebuilt since.
Today, Slippery Sam’s iconic status has seen several replicas built, including one high-quality example that was for sale with Gasoline Motor Co. in Sydney a few years back.
A Modern Sam
Moving on to the Trident Triple Tribute, its special colour scheme is inspired by Slippery Sam’s livery from its TT days, specifically 1974, when a red/white/blue colour scheme adorned the bike.
The white fuel tank and front mudguard are accented with red and blue stripes, including a thick blue stripe on the tank and bold ‘67’ roundel in red. ‘Triple Tribute’ identification is subtly added to the top of the tank, as well as the seat pan, where there’s also a partial Union Jack graphic reflecting Triumph’s British heritage.
A flyscreen and two-piece bellypan - neither of which are available as standard - further set the Trident Triple Tribute apart. Model identification is added to the flyscreen, with a ‘660’ callout for the bike’s engine capacity on the black radiator shrouds.
The remaining trim is mostly unchanged from the standard Trident. That means a predominantly black engine and black finish for the frame and subframe. Things like the ’bars, grips, pegs, levers, mirrors and knee cut-outs are unchanged, with gloss black alloy wheels carried over from the standard model, too.
Triumph’s lozenge badge graces the tank and is repeated on the fuel cap, lighting and instrument pod.
Strong Spec, with a Little Extra
Mechanically, the Trident Triple Tribute is unchanged from the existing Trident 660, but does gain Triumph Shift-Assist; a clutchless up-and-down quickshifter (with an autoblipper on downshifts) for fast, seamless gear changing.
LAMS-approved, the Trident Triple Tribute’s 660cc triple produces 39.8kW at 8750rpm and 59Nm at 5000rpm – unchanged from the base model. With multipoint sequential EFi, 11.95:1 compression and a compact 3-into-1 exhaust system providing a distinctive soundtrack, this engine provides progressive, smooth and linear power delivery, according to Triumph, while the six-speed transmission is equally smooth, aided by the model-exclusive Triumph Shift-Assist.
Suspension consists of a 41mm Showa USD front end and linkage-type Showa monoshock rear with preload adjustability. Listed travel is 120m front and 133.5m rear. Brake calipers are Nissin – two-piston front and single-piston rear – on dual 310mm front discs and a 265mm rear disc, with standard ABS. Wheels are 17-inch front and rear, with Michelin Road 5 tyres as standard.
The Modern Stuff
Tech features on the Trident Triple Tribute include selectable ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ riding modes that adjust the engine mapping and ABS intervention, switchable traction control and a large instrument pod. The top half of this has a monochrome LCD containing speedometer, revcounter (with a rev limit warning) and fuel level, while a lower TFT colour screen contains the odometer, tripmeter, gear position, temperature, clock and other information. This screen also displays more detailed data, like fuel consumption, fuel range, average speed, service intervals and so on. All display info and screen brightness on the TFT can be adjusted by buttons on the switchgear, along with things like the duration/distance of the indicators.
An engine immobiliser is standard and all lighting is LED.
Seat height is 805mm and wet weight 189kg, with a fuel capacity of 14 litres.
One Year Only
As mentioned, the Trident Triple Tribute special edition will only be available for the 2024 model year. There’s no numbered cap on production, but availability will vary, depending on the region.
Australian pricing, from $14,990 ride away, is a reasonable $750 premium over the regular Trident 660, considering this is a special edition and comes with extra kit, like the flyscreen and Triumph Shift-Assist, as standard.
The range of genuine accessories available for the Trident 660 also fit the Triple Tribute special edition, including engine and frame protectors, an under-seat USB socket, heated grips, bar-end mirrors, scrolling indicators and several luggage options.
Triumph Motorcycles say Australian supply of the 2024 Trident Triple Tribute will be very limited. To confirm pricing and availability, contact your Triumph dealer.
