Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127760
LONG·TERM TEST . Triumph Trident 900 TestD8la MiIeIge 6464 12,626 14,638 16,150 16,361 AclIon Side-stand conlacl cleaned (did not start) Fell over. Right front indicator lens and rear brake pedal replaced, scratch on front mudguard Norman Hyde kit, new ignition box and spark plugs, new front brake pads Fell over. Right mirror replaced, new fork springs filled under guarantee Starter sprag replaced The starter sprag clutch _ replaced th.... t I _ over the Iangth of the lIIat period. " ha .Inca been redesigned. 18,257 18,988 20,055 22,958 24,715 27,986 29,878 30,460 31,697 33,928 34,156 34,156 40,701 41,720 45,663 49,426 50,307 10 50,578 51,385 53,132 54,188 59.982 Nail in tire. New rear Michelin M59X . Fell over. Left front indicator lens and both footrests replaced New chain and sprockets Broken speedo cable replaced Rear brake pads replaced Pichler fairing fitIed for testing SIdelight bulb replaced, clutch clearance reduced from 0.3 to 0.2mm, rough spot between 2500 and 3500rpm disappears Dyno test 93 hp @ 9800 rpm, 56.8 ft. -Ibs. @ 6820 rpm New shift-shaft oil seal, dutch rod replaced. loose indicalor connection repaired New chain and sprocket Refuses to start. New plugs, battery charged Starter sprag replaced Broken speedo cable replaced New brake peds front and rear 310mm DaylQt1a front brake filled along with '93-mode1 footrests and seat, and progressive-rate fork springs, tank filler-eap vent enlarged to stop it whisUingl Broken throttle cable repaired in Czech Republic Ducati Speed Week at ZeItweg, Austria, with same brake peds and BridgesIone BT50 tires. Pirellis put on after the race. Fork is now "old" Daytona item neaJ1y identical to Trident but with stiffer damping. Short spacers and 12·weighI 011 used for the track, 5-we9rt oil perfect tor the road Battery charged, broken battery strap (rubber) replaced Starter sprag replaced Dyno test: 94 hp 0 9980 rpm, 56.8 It.-lbs. 0 6850 rpm Battery topped up with distilled water Consumption 1755 gallons of 95-0ctene fuel for an average consumption of 35.2 mpg. The lowest rate of consumption recorded was 39 mpg in gentle touring mode, the highest 25.8 mpg with rider and passenger in winter oversuits, carrying Glvi saddle bags at auIObBhn speeds. MODIFICATIONS Not all tlie testers liked the original 1992 riding position, so it was changed by using the flatter '93 saddle and lower '93 footrests. Everyone is happy now, and it's done five 600-mile-plus days without making a martyr of its rider. The front brake was changed, too. Not because of power but to see if the 310 Nissin brake pads as fitted to the Sprint, Trophy and Daytona last longer. We found the pads in the bigger fourpiston brakes lasted nearly 15,000 miles and those of the twin-piston 296 calipers between 10,000 and 16,750 miles. Most riders preferred the initial bite of the bigger brakes; however, in rainy, autumn weather the smaller brakes were more forgiving. Going home: The Trident returns to the Triumph factory to be disassembled. Nurburgring deck the exhaust between the pipes and the damper - you must slow down in order not to damage the exhaust," but "quite good handling for such a big monster." This quote from the logbook is a perfect summation: "The Triumph Trident 900 is a great all-rounder and tourer with a good chance of becoming a classic. A gorgeous ride, and you know you're on something special despite the flawless functionality." Only Oluf Zierl, MO's oldest staffer and their classic-bike correspondent had a nasty comment: " 0 false patriotism - it's Japanese." RIDING THE VERDICT Like the efficient German chaps they are, the MO editorial staff kept a file on the Trid~nt. There are enthusiastic comments like, "Great engine, no vibration. Comfortable, good handling for a heavy bike. Good brakes. You can top up the oil without a funneL Why no oil drain plugs in the forks?" Or:. "Range 168-205 miles; consumption 29-42.5 mpg." But there are also complaints: "Steering lock limited, like a Ducati! Mirrors buzz over 80 mph. Tank filler-cap airvent whistles when parked in sunlight." And: "Bumpy right-handers like on the _The Last word goes to Gunter Wimme: "You can forget all the old stereotypes of English motorcycles: unreliable, bad finish, oil leaks. The Triumph Trident 900 has proven over 100,000 kilometers that it's got real character and it has never let us down. Finish and build quality are much better than the so-called Japanese standard, and there are still the good old English merits of a good chassis, strong brakes and a powerful engine." And Gunter's putting his money where his mouth is he's buying the Trident. CN Aside from schetilll oil changes the Trident used 15.8 quar1s of synthetic oil, a consumption rate of one quart for every 3943 miles. TlreI* Front Pireli MTR 04 Pireli MTR 04 Dunlop K455F Michelin A59X BrIdgestone BTSOF Brldgestone BT54 MlcheIln A59X Dunlop K455F RelI' Plrelli MTR 04 Plrelli MTR 04 Dlrllop K455G Michelin M59X III idgeslDIl8 BT50R MicheIn M59X DIIlIop K455G lllidgestoll8 BT54 PileI. MTR 04 MicheIn M59X IlridgeslDcI8 BT54 .* 9753 miles (tI9ad depth 1.8mm) 9402 "iles (tI9ad depth 2.1 mm) 843l miles 7854 miles 6837 mlles (tread depth 2.2mm) 6453 f!leS (tread depth 2.8mm) 48051ill1es (changed before end of tire IUe) 3nO miles (changed before and of tire life) 9753m1es 9402mies 843l'78S4m1es 6837m1es &e03 mIes (tread deplh 1.9mm) :mo mIes (dlqed befclI8 end of tie life) 2947 mIes (trBtdeplh 5.9mm) 4100 mIes {punclIn) 3619 mills (p.n:lIn) 3507 mills (puncture) I3rIIk8 changed at 17.124. 17,Q59, 10.023 and 14,989 miles incIudlng one race Front Reer changed at 24.715, 17.008 and 14.989 miles including one raoe ChIIn ............. Changed at 20,055, 13.873. 14,382 and 12,343 mlles (spror:kels not changed at 1Ile last chIln replacement)