2020 Triumph Tiger 900 First Look Preview

Triumph Motorcycles pulled the wraps off its new adventure-touring middleweight, the 2020 Tiger 900. Featuring a larger and more powerful inline-three engine, the Tiger 900 will be available in three designations: Standard, Rally, and GT (replacing the outgoing and 10-year-old 800’s XC and XR nomenclature).

The 900 is powered presumably by a version of the Tiger 800 engine platform. In this configuration, the engine benefits from 4mm of added bore elevating engine displacement to 888cc. Triumph says this change boosts peak torque by 10 percent with 64 pound-feet arriving at 7,250 rpm. Peak horsepower is rated at 94 hp at 8,750 rpm. It sips fuel from a 5.3-gallon fuel tank.

To enhance character and sound, a modified 1-3-2 firing order gives “more feedback from the engine to the rider, an incredibly distinctive engine sound, and improved tractability and throttle feel, pulling harder, lower down,” the Hinkley brand says in a press release.

Triumph’s triple-cylinder engines are renowned for their punchy feel and tingling soundtrack, so it sounds (no pun intended) like this powerplant will be more fun to yank the twist grip on. Other improvements include a reduction in engine cockpit heat and a revised airbox with an easier-to-access air filter element.

Power is transferred to the 17-inch rear wheel through a manual cable-actuated slipper clutch (with reduced clutch lever pull, promises the English bike brand) and a six-speed gearbox with left-hand-side chain final drive. A bidirectional electric quickshifter can also be added as an accessory or as part of the GT or Rally Pro packages.

The compact Triple is hung inside a tubular steel frame with the engine’s position shifted forward 1.6 inches and down 0.8 inch. This enhances overall weight distribution and low-speed handling, specifically, without compromising always precious ground clearance.

Base-model Tiger 900s use an inverted 45mm Marzocchi fork with 7.1 inches of travel. The GT model’s front suspension adds damping adjustability, while the Rally adds a Showa fork with an extra 2.4 inches of movement. Spring preload adjustability is also included.

Rear suspension duties are tackled by a gas-charged Marzocchi shock with preload adjustability and 6.7 inches of movement before hitting the bump stop. The GT specification adds damping adjustment, and the GT Pro benefits from electronic spring preload and damping adjustment for riders who want to make easy, fast, and toolless adjustment. The Rally model uses a Showa shock with 9.1 inches of travel.

A 5-inch color TFT display graces the base model while a 7-inch setup is used on the premium models, with IMU (computer chip that gives the motorcycle positional awareness in the X, Y, Z planes). It serves as the command HQ, and allows selection of up to six different riding modes, based on preference or terrain.

Seasoned adventurers should opt for the “Pro” configuration so ABS and traction control can be disabled, if desired. Tire pressure monitoring system is also included, as is cruise control and heated grip, and the bike’s instrument display can be paired to your smartphone. However, a quick peruse of the iOS app store didn’t show any current Triumph apps. Riders can also store and charge their phone under the seat via a 5-volt USB-compatible charge port.

Both standard and GT model Tigers roll on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminum wheels while the Rally edition gets wire spoke wheels with a dirt-bike-size 21-inch front wheel to better navigate treacherous terrain. Curiously, the Rally retains a 17-inch rear wheel rather than a more off-road-oriented 18-inch setup, which we generally prefer. A heavy-duty set of superbike-spec billet aluminum Stylema calipers from Brembo keep speed in check, with cornering ABS function on the up-spec, IMU-enabled models.

Styling-wise the Tiger continues to employ Triumph’s signature cues, with an exposed rear and subframe and shapely radiator shrouds. The snout is sleeker but also more generic looking, with a more pronounced beak. Still, we appreciate the narrower look of the LED headlamps and the refined proportions from nose to tail.

The 2020 Tiger 900 will arrive in US dealers March 2020. Since its known more for its road rather than off-road performance, it will be interesting if Triumph has infused more of its Scrambler 1200-esque DNA into the Tiger 900 in effort to finally make it a true adventure bike.