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Head to head

Triumph Trident 800 vs Kawasaki Z900

Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

The Triumph Trident 800 and Kawasaki Z900 are among the most cross-shopped naked bikes of 2026. They land within touching distance on price, so this comes down to character and fit. On paper the Kawasaki Z900 leads on power with 124 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

Triumph Trident 800
Our pick
8.4

Triumph

Triumph Trident 800
Kawasaki Z900
8.3

Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z900

The verdict

The Triumph Trident 800 edges it overall at 8.4/10, but the Kawasaki Z900 wins on most exciting, so let how you ride decide.

Best for new riders

Triumph Trident 800

113 hp.

Most exciting

Kawasaki Z900

124 hp and 0.58 hp/kg, the strongest here.

Best value

Kawasaki Z900

Our 8.3/10 at $9,799, the most bike per dollar.

Easiest to manage

Triumph Trident 800

198 kg with an 810 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.

Highest rated

Triumph Trident 800

Our top score in this matchup at 8.4/10.

Price & rating
Price$9,995$9,799
KickTheStand score8.4 / 108.3 / 10
Performance
Engine798cc triple948cc four
Power113 hp124 hp
Torque84 Nm98.6 Nm
Power-to-weight0.57 hp/kg0.58 hp/kg
Chassis & brakes
Front suspension41mm Showa BPF USD fork, compression/rebound adjustable41mm USD fork
Rear suspensionShowa monoshock, preload/rebound adjustableHorizontal back-link monoshock
Front brakesDual 310mm discs, radial 4-pistonDual 300mm discs, radial 4-piston
Rear brakesSingle 255mm discSingle 250mm disc
Dimensions & practicality
Weight198 kg212 kg
Seat height810 mm820 mm
Fuel capacity14 L17 L
Suitability
ClassNakedNaked
A2 licenceNoNo
Good for beginnersNoNo
Best forsport, commutingsport, commuting

Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.

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Triumph Trident 800 vs Kawasaki Z900: your questions answered

Which is faster, the Triumph Trident 800 or the Kawasaki Z900?

The Kawasaki Z900 makes the most power at 124 hp and 98.6 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.

Which is cheaper, the Triumph Trident 800 or the Kawasaki Z900?

The Kawasaki Z900 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $9,799.

Which is lighter, the Triumph Trident 800 or the Kawasaki Z900?

The Triumph Trident 800 is the lightest at 198 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.

Which is better for a beginner, the Triumph Trident 800 or the Kawasaki Z900?

For a new rider we'd point to the Triumph Trident 800: 113 hp and 198 kg make it the most approachable of the group.

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