Triumph Motorcycles entered the middleweight naked motorcycle segment by launching the Trident 660. Starting at an introductory price of INR 695,000, ex-showroom India, this street fighter is the most affordable bike in Triumph’s portfolio. The Trident opens a new chapter in the Triumph Roadster segment as it introduces a new three-cylinder 660 cc engine, retains the design language of the Street and Speed Triple family and provides state-of-the-art safety features and technology.

Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer at Triumph Motorcycles, explains the idea behind the Trident. He said, “What we wanted with the new Trident 660 was to give the riders in this really exciting middleweight roadster world all of the things they want from their bike, with a genuine set of real advantages that set a new benchmark for choice. From the competitive price to the triple power and performance, plus the benefits of class-leading handling and technology, we believe the Trident 660 is a real milestone in the category and introduces the Triumph brand and the advantages of a triple engine to a whole new generation of riders across the world.”

At the launch, Shoeb Farooq, Business Head – Triumph Motorcycles India, said, “The Trident is the latest addition to Triumph’s Roadster portfolio in India, taking the count to four – Street Triple RS, Street Triple R, Speed Triple 1200 RS and Trident 660. The response to the Trident has been overwhelming, as we’ve had 125+ bookings even before the price announcement.”

Even though Triumph has stuck to a clean design, the new bike boasts the Roadster tribe’s DNA muscular styling and borrows their parts. It gets a retro yet eloquent 7-inch full- LED round headlight. Don’t let the looks fool you, as the entire lighting system uses LED lamps. The tail lamp is integrated under the seat and houses the indicators, which get auto-cancelling features.

The Trident comes across as a big bike due to its flexing 14-litre fuel tank and beefy non-adjustable Showa 41 mm upside-down front forks. At the rear, it gets a pre-load adjustable mono-shock. The forks offer 120 mm front-wheel travel and 133.5 mm rear wheel travel. Weighing in at 189 kg, the Trident is one of the lightest mid-weight bikes in India and is based on all-new tubular steel chassis with a steel swingarm. Due to the suspension setup and a lightweight body frame, it is ideal for commuting and handles well. The ride quality is on the firm side, and because of this, it’s precise in changing directions.

Keeping a check on its affordable price tag, the Trident sports two 310 mm discs with twin Nissin at the front and a single 255 mm disc at the rear, unlike other Triumph Roadsters, which get Brembo brakes. Dual-channel ABS comes standard. It also gets five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Road 5 tyres. The Trident sports an underslung exhaust that emits a typical three-cylinder throaty roar. It also comes with body-coloured radiator cowls and fork protectors, aluminium handlebars and teardrop shape mirrors.

Following in the footsteps of the Street and the Speed Triple, the new Triumph bike also offers a sporty riding stance.

The Trident uses a 660 cc liquid-cooled, 12 valves, DOHC engine, which is the only 3-cylinder motor in its segment and churns out 80 bhp at 10,250 rpm and 64 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. Technically this powertrain is based on the Street Triple 675 engine and retains the same 74 mm bore but has a shortened stroke. Triumph has heavily reworked the internals of the motor with 67 new components like a redesigned crank, new pistons, new cams, updated gearbox ratios, etc. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, and as an accessory option, one can even opt for a shift assist up-and-down quick-shifter, which enables the rider to upshift and downshift without engaging the clutch.

Triumph has left no stone unturned as the Trident comes fully loaded with a long list of electronics. It boasts of ride-by-wire technology along with two riding modes—Road and Rain. The new bike comes standard with switchable traction control, which can also be disengaged. It gets an all-digital colour TFT screen. With My Triumph Connectivity System accessory Bluetooth module, it offers additional features like turn-by-turn navigation, GoPro control and phone and music control.

The Trident comes with a class-leading 16,000 km service interval with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. Triumph also offers a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty on the 45 additional accessories.

The Trident will take on the likes of the Kawasaki Z650 and the recently launched Honda CB650R priced at INR 618,000, ex-showroom India and INR 867,000, ex-showroom Gurugram, respectively. (MT)

TVS Motor Company, a leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the updated TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at INR 139,000.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7cc, oil-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, which produces 17.55 PS at 9,250 rpm and 14.73 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

It comes with a segment-first 37mm Upside Down (USD) suspension and three ride modes — Sport, Urban, and Rain, which the company claims enhance control, stability, and adaptability across diverse riding conditions.

Like with most of the new models from the TVS Motor Co’s stable, the Apache RTR 160 4V now comes with TVS SmartXonnect technology, which provides Bluetooth connectivity, providing turn-by-turn navigation, call & SMS alerts, and voice assist.

In terms of design, the refreshed TVS Apache RTR 160 4V’s can be had in three colour options – Granite Grey, Matte Black, and Pearl White, which are complemented by sporty, race-inspired graphics, golden-finish USD forks, and red alloy wheels. 

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are proud to lead the way in engineering and innovation in motorcycles. With that commitment, we are excited to announce the upgrade of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with cutting-edge features and advanced technology. Built on a rich racing legacy, the TVS Apache Series proudly serves over 5.5 million enthusiasts, making it one of the fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands globally. We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by integrating performance, technology, and style. By constantly evolving in our set of offerings, we have set new benchmarks for performance motorcycles in India.”

KAW Veloce Motors Pvt Ltd (KVMPL) has unveiled the Brixton brand of motorcycles (600 cc and 1200 cc) and an e-scooter of the Italian brand Velocifero (VLF) called Tennis in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The unveiling of both the machines – the motorcycle with an ICE and the e-scooter with a battery and motor – at the Highland Club on the outskirts of the city took place amid much fanfare.

The Brixton motorcycle and VLF e-scooter – with an angular bodywork overall that is synonymous with Italian design culture and featuring a 2.1kW hub motor, and a range of 130 km – will be offered through the MotoHaus retail channel, the first outlet of which is set to be commissioned in a few days from now in Kolhapur.

Both the two-wheelers – the e-scooter is priced at INR 1,30,000 ex-showroom – are being put together (from a CKD kit) at a plant that is about 12 km from the launch venue as part of the Phase I strategy. To be offered through MotoHaus outlets in cities Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Jaipur, Vapi, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Nashik, Nagpur, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara besides Kolhapur, the two vehicle brands are expected to be joined by a third Italian brand and an in-house electric two-wheeler brand at a later date.

Once the Phase I strategy plays out and the Bixton and VLF offerings find a footing in the Indian market, the company will embark on the Phase II strategy that will include a design and development centre at Kolhapur. The strategy will also include a manufacturing plant that can do 25,000 units and enable the engineering of a robust supply chain in terms of localisation.

It is at the Phase II level that investments from Brixton Motorcycles (Austria) and VLF are expected to come into the venture, which is initially supported by the parent company of KAW Veloce.

TVS Motor Company-owned British premium motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycles, has announced changes to its leadership structure.

The company has announced Dr. Robert Hentschel, currently CEO, will step back from his role effective immediately. He will transition to a non-executive director role within the company.

On the other hand, Nevijo Mance will join Norton Motorcycles as Executive Director, overseeing all upstream business operations, as part of the new leadership structure.

He will be responsible for product design, development and engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality control, and supply chain management.

In addition, Richard Arnold, who was appointed Executive Director in June 2024, will be responsible for downstream business operations, including marketing, brand management, sales, distribution, customer relationship management, aftersales service, product management, and public relations.

He will also be responsible for enhancing customer experience, expanding Norton’s market reach, and strengthening the brand’s presence across global markets.

Dr Rober had been leading the company since 2021, and has been instrumental in strengthening Norton’s foundations, guiding the company through crucial stages of its growth plan and establishing a strong operational base. He had played a key role in synergistic relationship with parent TVS Motor Company, which has been pivotal in advancing Norton’s progress and setting the stage for future success.

TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global manufacturer of two- and three-wheelers, has announced the date and venue for the fourth edition of its TVS MotoSoul festival. The two-day festival will be held at Vagator, Goa, on 6 and 7 December 2024 with a focus on eco-friendly branding and sustainable practices.

Riding on this year’s theme of ‘Feel the Adrenaline, Feel the Inspiration, Feel the Groove’, TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is expected to draw visitors not only from India but also from other countries where the company has a presence. The two-day event promises attractive sessions like culinary experiences, wellness and personal care sessions, bike trips and tricks sessions and community and bonding sessions, as well as live music performances by top artists. The festival will provide attendees with a chance to participate in motorsports including dirt track racing, stunt shows and flat track challenges. Additionally, the attendees will be able to interact with race champions, riding experts and motorcycling legends.

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS MotoSoul is a mark of the motorcycling spirit. It celebrates the bond between man and machine. Each edition has not only grown in scale but has also deepened this connection among enthusiasts. Our commitment goes beyond just motorcycles; we are devoted to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of riders. As we gear up for TVS MotoSoul 4.0, we are excited to redefine the journey with extraordinary experiences, all wrapped in a vibrant and colourful theme that captures the free-spirited essence of our community. We are confident that our mission to democratise these experiences will lead to one of the most exhilarating celebrations of riders and their journeys at TVS MotoSoul 4.0.”