TRIUMPH has up-sized the Tiger 800. Now into its tenth year – and in line with other manufacturers, in meeting the Euro5 emissions standards (effective 1.1.20) – Triumph has chosen to add a few cc’s to make the latest Tiger 800 a Tiger 900!
Triumph isn’t claiming a higher peak horsepower (Tiger 800: 94hp, Tiger 900: 93.9hp) but instead 9% more mid-range and 10% more torque. It didn’t need more peak power in any case! As well, the engine firing order has been changed, with a new 1-3-2 order Triumph say the new Tiger has greater character and feel as well as a ‘more characterful and distinctive soundtrack’.
The new Tiger will come in five variants. A base model, the Tiger 900. Then the Tiger 900 GT and GT Pro, which focus on ‘urban adventure’ – in other words conventional touring (as evidenced by the 19”/17” cast wheels). And finally the Tiger 900 Rally and Rally Pro, which with 21”/17” wire-spoked wheels and a full 240/230mm of suspension travel are the off-road adventure models. As here at RUST we’re seriously into the off-road we’ll primarily look at the tech on the Rally models as we run through the ‘all new’ features.
SOME DETAILS
LIGHTER
Yep, the new model is lighter – by 4kg. Triumph claims a dry weight of 196kg for the Tiger 900 Rally and 204kg for the Tiger 900 Rally Pro (which has added aluminium protection). That’s pretty competitive, putting the Rally model just five kilos heavier than KTM’s 790 Adventure R but in the region of 20-kilos lighter than BMW’s F 850 GS.
Weight savings have come by way of the new lightweight steel trellis modular frame (with bolt-on subframe and pillion pegs) and lighter engine. Meanwhile the fuel tank has gained a litre, for a full 20-litre capacity.
TALLER SUSPENSION
The suspension has changed. Previously by WP, the new Tiger 900 Rally models come with Showa suspension front and rear (the road-biased models come with Marzocchi). The fully adjustable 45mm USD forks offer 240mm travel, where the 43mm WPs had offered 220mm, while the shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping and offers 230mm of travel where the WP shock had offered 215mm travel and preload adjustment only. Sounds like an upgrade to us.
NEW BRAKES
The brakes have also come in for an upgrade. Bigger 320mm discs replace the 310mm of the 800, and these are now gripped by Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers (previously twin piston).
ELECTRONICS
No new adventure bike can live without its electronics package. The Tiger 900 of course comes with as comprehensive set as you can imagine:
7” TFT screen
My Triumph Connectivity
Cornering ABS
Cornering traction control
IMU (the six-dimensional measuring unit)
Six riding modes: rain, road, sport, rider, off-road and off-road pro
Triumph Shift Assist (quick-shifter for the gearbox)
LED lighting throughout
Phone storage and 5V USB port
Illuminated switches
PLUS
New styling, of course – and we welcome the much more stylish headlamp.
A2 licence compatibility kit
20mm adjustable seat height (850-870mm)
Over 65 accessories
Trekker and Expedition kits
COLOURS
Tiger 900 Rally & Rally Pro: Matt Khaki, Sapphire Black and Pure White, all featuring contemporary new decals and a distinctive white frame inspired by the ‘Tiger Tramontana’ rally bike
