New Triumph Trident Prototype Breaks Cover

After taking on the big guys with their streetfighters and classics, the trend of lower-cost middleweight motorcycles also seems to be appealing to Triumph as they unveil the a new Trident prototype. Using terms like accessibility and minimalism to describe the roadster during a digital unveiling at the London Design Museum this week, the sleek, contemporary design is said to be complemented by a torquey triple and “Class-leading technology” at a competitive price.

Triumph renewed the trademark rights to the Trident name last year, so we have been waiting to see where it popped up. It originally appeared on a motorcycle made by Triumph Engineering (under the Birmingham Small Arms Company) back in 1968. The company also owned BSA Motorcycles, so it had a badge engineered sibling in the BSA Rocket 3.

Conceived and developed over the last four years in Triumph’s global headquarters in the UK, additional input was provided from design consultant Rodolfo Frascoli. The Italian designer assisted with styling the likes of the new Suzuki Katana and Triumph Tiger 900, among many others.

The Trident appears to balance elements of the classic Bonneville styling with various generations of the Street Triple. The round headlight and scalloped tank indents are certainly familiar. Despite showing us what’s been going on behind the curtain at the Hinkley headquarters, no specs or mechanical details have been provided as of yet, aside from the suggestion of low-end grunt and top-end power from an inline three-cylinder powerplant. Based on European displacement and horsepower standards for new riders, it could likely be from the last generation Street Triple rather than the current 765cc powerplant. The new Trident is expected to start shipping to showrooms during the spring of 2021. As soon as we know more details, so will you.