THE Triumph Trident 800 is, on paper, just another middleweight naked bike.
Another motorcycle from another manufacturer claiming to be "best-in-class".
I've heard those claims many times before.
But after spending more than 500km on the new Trident 800, riding from Kuala Lumpur to Bidor, Pekan Papan, Teluk Intan, Rawang and back - I rode back home with an opinion that nobody is going to change.
Visually, I think Triumph has got the styling spot on.
To my eyes, it sits nicely between the Triumph Trident 660 and the Triumph Street Triple.
I like how the round LED headlamp gives a subtle resemblence to the older Speed Triple models, while the flyscreen, belly pan and chunkier tail section make the bike look bigger and more noticeable than it actually is.
When I first saw it parked up, I honestly thought it looked more premium than its price tag suggests.
When I threw my leg over the bike, I immediately felt at home.
I found the riding position neutral and easy-going.
The 810mm seat height should allow most riders, even those around 165cm, to get a secure footing at traffic lights and junctions.
I liked the wide handlebar because they gave me plenty of leverage at low speed, especially when filtering through traffic.
The reach to the bars felt natural to me and, even after spending several hours in the saddle, I never felt cramped.
The highlight of the Trident 800 for me is the inline-triple engine.
The new 798cc inline-triple produces 113hp and 84Nm, keeping it between the Trident 660 and the more aggressive Street Triple RS.
What impressed me wasn't the numbers, though.
It was the way the engine delivers its power.
I found it smooth, no surprises and very easy to use.
When I was riding through the B-roads in Perak, I could leave it in a higher gear and simply ride.
When I wanted more performance, all I had to do was twist the throttle and the bike responded instantly.
I also loved the sound.
To me, Triumph still makes one of the best triple-cylinder engines in the business, and the Trident 800 is no exception.
Every time I opened the throttle, I found myself listening to that distinctive triple growl.
I noticed that overtaking slower vehicles required no thinking.
I twisted the throttle in fourth or fifth gear and the bike would glide forward without hesitation.
I never found the power intimidating but I never found it muted either.
For me, it strikes a very nice balance.
The suspension setup also deserves credit as I found the fully-adjustable 41mm Showa upside-down fork and rear shock well suited to Malaysian roads.
During my ride, I encountered everything from smooth highways to rough kampung roads and broken backroads.
I felt the suspension absorbed potholes and uneven tarmacs very well.
At the same time, when I accelerated, the bike still felt controlled and composed.
I was equally impressed by the chassis. I found the steering light and predictable, and the bike tipped into corners naturally.
Through the twisty roads near Rawang, I noticed myself carrying more corner speed than I originally intended.
Not because I was trying to ride fast, but because the bike gives me so much confidence as it felt planted, stable and easy to trust.
Braking power comes from twin 310mm discs with radial four-piston callipers at the front and a single 220mm disc at the rear.
I found the initial bite slightly soft but I also found the progression excellent.
The harder I squeezed, the more confidence the brakes gave me.
For everyday riding, I actually prefer this feel over a super-sharp setup that can be grabby in traffic.
On the highway, I found the Trident very comfortable.
I spent long periods cruising just above 110kph and don't noticed vibration through the handlebar or foot pegs.
I also made good use of the standard cruise control, which I think is a fantastic feature on a bike in this class.
The small flyscreen, however, is mostly for looks.
Once speeds climbed above 100kph, I was taking most of the windblast directly on my chest.
For daily commuting, I think the Trident 800 is perfect.
At around 198kg wet, I found it light, manageable and easy to move around.
I liked how smooth the throttle response felt in Road mode and I found the clutch light enough for heavy traffic.
Lane splitting through congested city traffic was easy, and I never felt like I was wrestling with the bike.
Fuel economy was good where I consistently saw enough efficiency to suggest a realistic range of around 300km - 320km from the 15-litre fuel tank.
For the kind of riding most owners are likely to do, I think that's more than acceptable.
What impressed me most wasn't one standout feature but how complete the overall package felt.
I don't think the Trident 800 is trying to be a cheaper Street Triple, and I don't think it wants to be an adventure bike dressed as a roadster.
I think Triumph knew exactly what it wanted this motorcycle to be, and after spending a full day on it, I think they've got it right.
After riding highways, kampung roads, rough backroads and city traffic in a single day, I struggled to find any major weakness.
If I was upgrading from a Trident 660, downsizing from a larger motorcycle, or simply looking for one bike that could do almost everything, the Trident 800, priced from RM53,900, would be very high on my shortlist.
It's not the most extreme nor fastest bike in the class.
But after spending a full day with it, I genuinely think it's one of the most enjoyable, usable and well-rounded middleweight motorcycles you can buy today.
SPECIFICATIONS
Triumph Trident 800
Engine: 798cc, inline 3-cylinder, 12 valves, DOHC, liquid cooled
Maximum power: 113hp at 10,750rpm
Maximum torque: 84Nm at 8,500rpm
Suspension: Front Showa 41mm upside down forks, adjustable compression and rebound damping, 120mm travel; rear Showa monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound damping, 130mm travel
Braking system: Front twin 310mm floating discs, 4-piston radial callipers, ABS; rear single 220mm fixed disc, single piston sliding calliper, ABS
Features: Three riding modes (Road, Sport, Rain), lean-sensitive cornering ABS, traction control, LCD/TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and quick shifter
Fuel capacity: 15 litres
Wet weight: 198kg
Price: From RM53,900 (excluding registration and insurance)
