Triumph Tiger Sport | Spied

The prototype’s hacked-off fuel tank is purely for practical purposes, allowing Triumph to move the bars or alter the bike’s headstock without hitting the tank. What’s next for the Tiger 1050? Will it replace the Sprint GT? Fit into the Tiger line as a “Sport” model? So many questions!

WORDS: Ben Purvis

The advent of the Tiger 800 and Tiger Explorer has left Triumph’s old Tiger 1050 looking like the odd-man-out—something the firm will remedy next year when it launches this revamped version. It’s not certain the “Tiger Sport” name seen here will stick—these graphics could just be for fooling spy photographers into thinking this is a standard production model—but we’re smarter than that. Look closely and see the new single-sided swingarm, Speed Triple-style wheels, and redesigned side panels of the prototype. It’s also set to gain far more usable luggage than the existing version—other photos capture a large top box and panniers similar to those on the new Trophy. The motor and chassis will likely remain basically unchanged, sticking to the same 115-bhp (claimed) powerplant as the Tiger 1050 it replaces, but the new bike’s sportier style and increased touring ability mean it could double as a successor for the Sprint GT, too. It looks like Triumph intends to get a few more good years from the Tiger 1050.