How Yamaha’s Flagship Retro Bike Is Under Attack From Triumph


Think about capable neo-retro bikes, and the Yamaha XSR900 is sure to pop into mind. It’s justified, too, considering you get an unmatched blend of a punchy engine, a head-turning design, and all the modern-day kit you could ever ask for. To make matters sweeter for Team Blue, direct competition is rather limited in this space.

In 2026, however, things are set to change, all thanks to Triumph Motorcycles. The British giant has readied a new neo-retro roadster to take on the XSR900, based on its all-new 800cc platform. Oh, and it replaces the Street Triple 765 R.

Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles, explains:

The incredible popularity of the Trident 660 and the Street Triple 765 RS has shown us just how much riders in this segment value a thrilling, confidence-inspiring ride that’s packed with character and technology. With the launch of the Trident 800, we’ve taken that winning formula and dialed it up, delivering even more road-focused capability and excitement.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Triumph Motorcycles.

The Triumph Trident 800 Has A Raspy Triple-Cylinder Engine

Peak Power: 113 HP

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Wheelie Triumph

We know the heart of the matter is what excites you most, so let’s start here. As the suffix suggests, the Trident 800 follows in the footsteps of the Tiger Sport 800. So you get Triumph’s new 798cc, triple-cylinder mill that runs a spicy 13.2:1 compression ratio, features 12 valves, and has liquid cooling.

All that helps it put out 113 horsepower and 70 pound-feet, where the latter is almost class-leading. Triumph claims the oomph is all concentrated in the low and mid-range to boost usability, which is backed by the peak torque revs (8,250 RPM). Lastly, a six-speed transmission lets you enjoy all that power, and if you ride sanely, you can expect 45 miles per gallon here.

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Engine Specs

Capacity

798cc

Layout

Inline-triple

Bore X Stroke

78 X 55.7 mm

Compression ratio

13.2:1

Power

113 HP @ 10,750 RPM

Torque

70 LB-FT @ 8,250 RPM

Transmission

Six-speed

Fuel efficiency

~45 MPG

A New Chassis And Showa Suspension Help The Trident 800 Promise Swift Riding Dynamics

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Cornering Triumph

The Trident 800 is replacing the Street Triple 765 R from MY26. So Triumph has ensured there’s some sportiness here, even though the Trident name usually means an easy-going machine. Thus, you get a new chassis here, said to be light and built for “high-energy riding”. It joins hands with Showa 41 mm USD forks and monoshock, both of which are fully adjustable. 17-inch alloy wheels round things off, and they house dual 310 mm front disc brakes with a 220 mm rear rotor. Our biggest gripe here, though, is the hefty 436-pound curb weight. That’s a sizable 19 pounds up from the 765 R.

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Underpinnings

Chassis

Steel perimeter

Front suspension

41 mm USD forks

Rear suspension

Monoshock

Wheels

17/17-inch alloys

Front brake

2x 310 mm discs

Rear brake

220 mm disc

Weight

436 pounds

Seat height

31.8 inches

The Trident 800 Comes With A Likable Set Of Features

Instrument Cluster: TFT-cum-LCD

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Colors Triumph

In typical Triumph fashion, the new Trident 800 promises a likable features package. Much of it is similar to the 765 R, so you get a TFT-cum-LCD setup, enabled with smartphone connectivity as standard. This is topped with three ride modes (Rain, Sport, Road), cornering ABS, traction control, integrated wheelie control, and a two-way quickshifter. LED turn signals and a USB port complete the package.

2026 Triumph Trident 800 Side View Triumph

As for the design, it’s a bit mixed bag in our books. The upper half of the motorcycle gives proper Trident vibes, reminiscent of the 660 we all love and adore. Whereas, the lower half mimics the outgoing 765 R. Add to that the side-mounted exhaust, and you get a not-so-cohesive machine to look at. What’s laud-worthy, though, are the color options, each of which has contrast golden wheels.

Trident 800 Color Options

  • Ash Gray
  • Carnival Red
  • Jet Black

An Uber-Aggressive MSRP Helps The Trident 800 Take On Its Rivals

Starting Price: $9,995

This is where the Trident really hits home. While you can find better bikes in the segment, the $9,995 base price makes the new Triumph cheaper than its arch-rivals. It undercuts the Yamaha XSR900 by $604 and the Street Triple R by $600, while being just $600 pricier than the Honda CB650R that sits a segment below technically. The Kawasaki Z900RS, meanwhile, costs a whopping $3,000 more. All this is on paper, though, and we’d highly recommend test riding the bike before pulling the pin.

Triumph Trident 800 Vs Rivals

Specs

Trident 800

Street Triple 765 R

XSR900

Engine

799cc, triple-cylinder

765cc, triple-cylinder

890cc, triple-cylinder

Power

113 HP

118 HP

117 HP

Torque

70 LB-FT

59 LB-FT

69 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Six-speed

Six-speed