2020 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally and GT get more power, electronics and reduction in weight

Triumph Motorcycles have updated one of their bestselling motorcycles in the world, the Tiger. While the previous model was launched in 2010 that did receive periodic updates, it faced stiff competition from newer models like the Honda Africa Twin, BMW F 750/850 GS and the Ducati Multistrada. The all-new Triumph Tiger 900 is a new-gen motorcycle that comes with a new design, lightweight construction thanks to the bolt on rear subframe, huge list of electronics and importantly, a EuroV compliant all-new larger displacement engine. The Tiger 900 variant line-up has been primarily divided into GT (road biased) and Rally (off-road biased). The UK prices for the Tiger 900 start from £9,500 onwards.

Design of Tiger 900 Rally and GT

The first thing that you will notice when you see the Triumph Tiger 900 are the new LED lights. Triumph claims the new all-LED headlight provides a 27 per cent mass reduction over alternative lighting systems, while incorporating distinctive Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The LED auxiliary lights provide long-distance, all-day capability, and are fitted as standard on the top spec GT Pro and Rally Pro models.

The company states, emphasising its all-road capability and lightweight agile set-up, the new Tiger 900 has a narrow stand over width and is designed with a lighter front-end, reduced bodywork scale and a more dominantly styled fuel tank and new lighter weight frame.

The GT and Rally ranges come in three premium colour schemes, with Pure White, Sapphire Black and Korosi Red colour options for the GT and GT Pro, and Pure White, Sapphire Black and Matt Khaki colour options for the Rally and Rally Pro. The base Tiger 900 model is available in Pure White.

Updated features with modern connectivity

In the international markets, the mid- and top-spec Tiger 900 Rally, Rally Pro, GT and GT Pro models feature all-new full-colour 7-inch TFT coloured instrument screen that displays speed, rev counter, riding mode symbol, gear position display, fuel level, clock, ambient temperature, and mobile signal strength. Additional information includes two trip displays, average and instantaneous fuel consumption, range to empty, riding mode selection, display style, contrast settings, service information, coolant temperature, and warning symbol information.

The base Tiger 900 model comes with a 5-inch TFT high contrast screen. Triumph will be offering My Triumph connectivity system fitted as standard on the GT Pro and Rally Pro models that enables turn-by-turn navigation functionality in partnership with Google, GoPro control as well as phone calls and music operation, all of which is facilitated by a standard fit Bluetooth module, accessed via the switch cubes and displayed on the 7-inch TFT screen.

More powerful larger displacement EuroV 888cc engine

Triumph mentions the all-new Tiger 900's engine delivers more power across the entire rev range, with a high peak power of 95 PS at 8,750 rpm and 9 percent more than the previous generation in the mid-range. Torque has also been significantly increased, peaking at 87Nm at 7,250 rpm, which is 10percent more than the previous generation. The new 900cc triple engine has been designed with new Siamese liners that allow increased capacity and torque, a new crankshaft that improves engine character and sound, a new balancer to manage the new firing order, and new camshafts, pistons and con rods.

This higher displacement engine has a new T-plane triple crank with new unique 1,3,2 firing order for greater character and tractability at low rpm plus improved off-road feel. Triumph claims that this results in enhanced rider connection to the rear wheel, refined on road performance and an incredibly distinctive T-plane triple soundtrack. The engine also feature a slip and assist clutch, which is optimised to reduce clutch lever effort for the rider.

The reduced clutch packaging also facilitates a narrow engine design. An all-new twin radiator set-up delivers enhanced cooling performance, with better air-flow management that reduces the ambient heat levels felt by the rider, plus a mass optimised set-up which reduces coolant volume. There is also an all-new airbox which now has a more easily accessible air filter, and a lower engine position which lowers the bike's centre of gravity, improving handling and low speed balance.

Ride modes

All Tiger 900 models have Road and Rain riding modes, and the mid-spec Tiger 900 GT and Rally models have an additional two riding modes, Off-Road and Sport. The top spec GT Pro and Rally Pro bikes both enjoy an additional fifth Rider-programmable mode, and the Rally Pro exclusively has a sixth – Off-Road Pro. This is the most advanced off-road set-up for experienced adventure and off-road capable riders. The Off-Road and Off-Road Pro riding modes now, for the first time, include anti-stall technology that increases idle revs to prevent stalling.

Lightweight construction

The highlight of the new design of the Tiger 800's chassis is the lightweight construction. The new model is 5kg lighter than the previous which has been achieved with a new lightweight modular frame comprising of lighter weight steel trellis frame with bolt-on aluminium rear subframe and bolt-on hangers, new lighter weight engine and high specification suspension and brakes.

Also, the centre of gravity has been moved 40mm forwards and 20mm down to achieve an enhanced weight distribution between the front and rear wheel, and better low speed balance in all riding scenarios.

Suspension setup for the GT and Rally models

The GT models of the Tiger 900 have a high quality new Marzocchi suspension specification, with 45mm USD cartridge forks that have manually adjustable compression and rebound damping, and 180mm wheel travel at the front. At the rear the GT has manual preload and rebound damping adjustment with 170mm wheel travel, and the top-spec GT Pro has a gas pressurised RSU which is electronically adjustable for preload and rebound damping, with 170mm rear wheel travel.

On the other hand, the Rally range features premium Showa high specification front forks with 240mm wheel travel, fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. On the rear there is a new premium Showa gas pressurised RSU that delivers 230mm wheel travel and is fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. Triumph is also offering Brembo Stylema calipers as standard across the model range, which claim to have reduced volume around the pistons and brake pads, reducing the internal space occupied by brake fluid to deliver a more immediate response.

Electronics for riding aid

Cornering ABS is standard for the new mid- and top-spec Tiger 900 Rally, Rally Pro, GT and GT Pro. The cornering functionality adapts the ABS intervention to maintain the optimum braking performance whatever the lean angle. On the Rally Pro model, ABS can be turned off through engaging the Off-Road Pro mode. It also gets cornering traction control as standard for all mid- and top-spec Tiger 900 models. The cornering functionality regulates the traction control intervention to maintain the optimum level of traction whatever the lean angle for enhanced ride quality and rider safety. The cornering ABS and traction control features on the mid- and top-spec Tiger 900s are supported by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) by Continental. This enables the automatic selection of the appropriate level of ABS and traction control intervention by measuring roll, pitch, yaw and acceleration rates, in order to calculate lean angle.

The top spec GT Pro and Rally Pro models get Shift Assist as standard that allows up and down gear changes to be performed without the use of the clutch for smooth, comfortable gear changes whilst maintaining accelerator position. The left hand switch cube on all Tiger 900 models has an intuitive, unique-in-segment 5-way joystick control which is ergonomically optimised to be easy to use when riding, to navigate the TFT instrument displays. Triumph also offers a secure mobile phone storage compartment with 5v USB power socket is fitted under the seat for charging personal equipment . Further, TPMS is fitted as standard on the top spec GT Pro and Rally Pro models, and available as an accessory for all other Tiger 900 models