To say that the racing in MotoGP in recent years has been exciting is the mother of all understatements, and everyone is cashing in, with record crowds and huge TV numbers. To give an insight into the importance of this exposure, KTM doesn’t even produce a proper superbike for the road and yet still fields four bikes. But back in the ’70s the win on Sunday, sell on Monday mentality found its home in road racing and the place you had to win was at the Isle of Man TT. Incredibly, Triumph won five TT production races in consecutive years, from 1971 to 1975, with a Trident-based beast known affectionately as ‘Slippery Sam’. Now comes the news that Triumph is releasing a one-year-only commemorative tribute to that famous Trident, and with some brilliant free extras, it’s a lot more than just a good looking race replica.
To give the new bike its full name, the company calls it the Triumph Trident 660 Triple Tribute Edition and the literature from the PR department deliberately avoids calling it a race replica, even if that’s how most of the world will see it. But, it is a pleasant case of truth in advertising as the modern bike isn’t trying to be its namesake, but instead offers a new generation a chance to salute the past. And that past is a hell of a tale of success for Triumph, who despite the lack of an internal race department, managed to do the impossible, producing the only motorcycle to ever win five TT production races in consecutive years, from ’71 to ’75, with their Triumph Trident race machine.
Three original Triumph Trident race bikes were produced, originally for the 1970 TT, and it was a project led by in-house engineer, Doug Hele, who had designed the Trident’s production triple-cylinder engine. Of those three, one became known as ‘Slippery Sam’, because during the 1970 Bol d’Or, engine difficulties and escaping oil covered the bike from top to tail in a viscous mess of black lube. From then on the bike gained a cult following, which was not only helped by the TT wins but also the incredible list of riders who steered them, including the great Mick Grant and Paul Smart.
Ole Slippery wore a full fairing and a predominantly white paint scheme with blue and red. So, rather than throw on the plastics, Triumph has kept the modern Trident naked and used the white, blue and red to commemorate the racers’ livery. It’s achieved with some very well presented graphics and the inclusion of the famous race plate ’67’ will instantly transport the minds of older riders to those glory days. Then to help deliver a little more in the looks department, a colour-matched fly screen is included and a belly pan has been added as well.
These additions match up nicely with the standard equipment which includes colour-matched fork protectors and radiator cowls, teardrop mirrors, an inset aluminium Trident badge with diamond machined detailing and aluminium yokes. But to ensure the Tribute is even more of a premium model over the standard bike, Triumph has included their Shift Assist at no extra cost. This is the company’s version of a quick shifter, and not only is it brilliantly calibrated from the factory but it also works seamlessly for both up and downshifts, so you really feel like a racer on your Sunday morning rides.
Triumph’s Paul Stroud is understandably proud of both the new Trident that was first launched four years ago, and the Tribute they’ve just unveiled. “Its triple engine and premium detailing at a great price, has been successful in bringing younger and new riders to Triumph, and just as ‘Slippery Sam’ once inspired a generation, we believe this special edition has the iconic style, extra technology and dynamic performance to appeal to today’s Triumph fans.”
That performance comes from the 660cc triple-cylinder engine and produces 80bhp, which is identical to the old race bike, which was 750cc in capacity, and was both highly strung and only achieved in the track-only engines. So, you can’t claim the new bike is lacking in the power department, and running Showa USD forks, and a Showa preload adjustable monoshock with linkage at the rear, she handles beautifully too. You also get dual two-piston Nissin front calipers which are mated to 310 mm rotors, and Michelin Road 5s are fitted to the cast alloy wheels for excellent grip.
And then here is the really good news, in some markets, the price will be identical to the recommended retail price of a stock Trident. In places like Australia you can expect to pay around $600 more, which is the cost of the quick shift system alone if you were to tick that option on a standard model, still leaving you with the other extras and premium paint without handing over any more of your hard-earned cash. It’s easy to see why the sales of the modern Trident have been so strong, and with Triumph tipping their cap to the beloved ‘Slippery Sam’ in such fine style, you can expect these Brit bikes to be another strong sales success.