TRIUMPH TIGER



Triumph’s remodelled Tiger Sport replaces the Tiger 1050, which was produced from 2007 to 2012. It’s smoother, more powerful and comfier for rider and pillion alike. It has a lower, narrower seat and the old projector headlights have been replaced with conventional items, with a broader beam. It’s fast, fun, practical, comes with ABS and has a commading, upright riding position. It’s seen less of an adventure bike nowadays and more a funky-styled sports tourer. As with all modern-day Triumphs, the engine is a beauty. The Tiger Sport’s three-cylinder 1050cc motor has a broad spread of power, loads of usable punch and a glorious exhaust note. It has enough get-up-and-go for swift overtakes in top gear, or wheelying out of second gear hairpins. The throttle response is largely good, but can be snatchy at low speed and throttle openings. With its new exhaust, air filter and fuel mapping, power is up 10bhp to 123bhp@9400rpm and torque is increased 4ftlb to 77ftlb@4300rpm. Comfort is improved with new bars - set closer to the rider and new footpegs, which are mounted further forward. But taller riders will find legroom cramped after a long ride. A narrower, lower seat is better for shorter riders and the lower pillion position and new grab handles will make your passenger’s life easier, too. With its longer swingarm, the Tiger Sports rolls into corners more predictably and it’s more stable in fast sweeps. A firmer rear shock and revised damping settings front and rear keeps things more stable, especially two-up. Although handling and braking performance are very good, weighing 235kg, the Triumph is relatively heavy, which gives it an older-generation feel compared to its newer rivals. Pirelli Angel ST sports touring tyres have more grip, wet or dry than dual purpose adventure rubber.The Tiger Sport has Nissin radial brakes, adjustable Showa suspension and ABS as standard, but you have to pay extra for all the goodies you need for touring. But, there’s a big range of official accessories available, including panniers, top box, tank bag, a taller screen, headed grips and hand guards.
The Tiger Sport’s two closest rivals (crucially, machines with road, not dual purpose tyres) is the £500 more expensive KTM 990 SMT and the Kawasaki Versys 1000, which costs the same. The KTM is still the more accomplished machine – it’s lighter, punchier, better handling, more fun and worth the extra cash. But the Triumph is more involving and above all, better looking than the Kawasaki.

Top speed	135 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Max power	123 bhp
Max torque	77 ft-lb
Weight	235 kg
Seat height	830 mm
Fuel capacity	20 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	14 of 17

Engine size	1050 cc
Engine specification	12v, inline three-cylinder
Frame	Cast ali beam frame and single-sided swingarm
Front suspension adjustment	Fully-adjustable 43mm Sachs forks
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload/rebound adjustable single rear Sachs shock
Front brakes	2 x 320mm discs with four-piston Nissin radial calipers. ABS
Rear brake	255mm single disc with single-piston Nissin caliper. ABS
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	180/55 x 17