Triumph Tiger: The evolution from a classic to a versatile adventure motorcycle

There is a new Triumph Tiger coming and we clearly are excited about it. From the teaser video, we can interpret that the 2018 Triumph Tiger will be getting a new design, updated feature list, upgraded suspension and most importantly a new motor based on the 765cc unit used in the new Triumph Street Triple. While there is still some days for the 2018 Triumph Tiger to arrive, we take a look at the evolution of one of the Triumph Tiger, one of the most versatile adventure motorcycles available in the world.

Triumph Tiger 80

Triumph Tiger 80

Look at the images and you realise that the Triumph Tiger was a different looking motorcycle when it started its first innings. The year was 1937 and that is when the Triumph Tiger 80 was introduced. It was a single cylinder motorcycle with the model number representing its top speed. The Triumph Tiger 80 was an instant hit and helped the brand do great in the international markets. The classic motorcycle was powered by a 343cc motor that had a power output of 20.3PS. The Tiger was developed into the military Triumph 3HW mode as soon as the second World War started. However, as the production line was destroyed by the German bombers in 1940, it ended the production run of the Triumph Tiger 80

Triumph Tiger 100

Triumph Tiger 100

The Triumph Tiger 100 was basically an evolution of the Tiger 80 that was manufactured at the company's Coventry factory. Post the WWII, production commenced at the in 1946. The Triumph Tiger 100 recieved new telescopic fork, close finned alloy cylinder barrel and factory race kits for individual racers, all came factory fitted. Triumph also made the Tiger 100C which was basically a race kit model, only 560 were made. Triumph introduced the first swinging-arm rear suspension on the Tiger 100 which was then developed further. In the sixties, there were further iterations in the form of T100SS, T100C, T100R.

Triumph Tiger 110

Triumph Tiger 110

Between the period of 1953 and 1961, Triumph launched the Tiger 110 that was made from the Triumph Thunderbird in 1954. The Triumph Tioger 110 was powered by a 650 cc OHV twin-cylinder motor. It was an important motorcycle as it was claimed to be Triumph's fastest production motorcycle.However, that title was taken over by the dual carburettor Bonneville T120 in 1959.

Triumph Tiger Cub

Triumph Tiger Cub

As the name suggests, the Triumph Tiger was a 200cc compact offering developed on the Triumph T15 Terrier 150 cc. It was styled by English motorcycle designer Edward Turner. In 1957, the Triumph Tiger Cub received an upgraded rear swinging-arm with twin suspension. There were changes in the powertrain as well in the form of a repositioned ignition points in a distributor device on the crankcase behind the cylinder. However, in 1963 the same was moved to a more conventional location.

Triumph Tiger Daytona

Triumph Tiger Daytona

In the 70s, the name Daytona was added to the Triumph Tiger as a tribute to American rider Buddy Elmore's win at the 1966 Daytona 200 on the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. He maxed the Triumph Tiger 100 at a speed of 155kmph. The Triumph Tiger 100 Daytona came with a 500cc motor and was aimed at the popular 500s from Honda. The later models called the Triumph 650 Bonneville and new 650 Tiger got an upgrade in the mechanicals Later in 1983, the Triumph Tiger Daytona 600 prototype was made in the company's Meriden factory. This one was the short-stroke twin-carburettor version of the 650cc Triumph TR65 Thunderbird.

Triumph Tiger Trail

Triumph Tiger Trail

When Triumph was getting enquiries to develop a dual purpose motorcycle to take on the BMW R80G/S model, the Triumph Tiger Trail. It was based on the Triumph Bonneville T140. A 750cc model of the Triumph Tiger Trail was showcased at the 1980 Paris motorcycle show and was launched soon after its unveiling. The Triumph Tiger Trail also emerged as a winner in different championships such as the Rallye des Pyrénées and the Paris-Tunis rally.

Triumph Tiger 900

Triumph Tiger 900

In 1993, the Triumph Tiger 900 was introduced and remained in production with minor improvements until 1998. It was powered by a 885cc, 4-stroke inline 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor. The overall height and the riding stance that the Triumph Tiger 900 offered made it a promising adventure motorcycles to look out for. This was ten succeeded by the T709 that came with a fuel injected version of the 885cc engine. The displacement number was then bumped up to 955cc that powered the Triumph Tiger 955i in 2001. This one was produced till 2006.

Triumph Tiger 800

Triumph Tiger 800

In 2010, the Triumph Tiger 800 was launched in the international markets. Powering the Triumph Tiger was the 799cc inline-three engine, derived from the smaller Triumph Daytona 675. The Triumph Tiger 800 was offered in both, off-road XC and road biased XR models. The XR comes with cast alloy wheels, with a 19-inch at the front and 17-inch at the back. The Tiger 800 XC has spoked wheels with alloy rims and a larger 21-inch wheel at the front.

Triumph Tiger Explorer

The Triumph Tiger Explorer is a dual-sport motorcycle that was first shown at the EICMA show in November 2011.This one too comes in XR and XC versions. The Triumph Tiger Explorer is powered by a 1,215cc comes with a straight-three cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and a six-speed gearbox with shaft final drive. It also gets switchable ABS, cruise control, and traction control.

2018 Triumph Tiger

This blurred screen grab of the all-new Triumph Tiger suggests a slightly more sculpted model that uses the same overall theme as the last one but the bodywork seems to sit lower at the front and is wider while the screen seems just a little bit taller. The headlamp shape is similar and it's almost guaranteed to have LED head lights this time round. The promo shots seem to use the top model - not confirmed - but note the lack of standard auxiliary lights

Though there is no information on the displacement of the motor, we believe the unit on the 2018 Triumph Tiger might be a 900cc based on the new 765cc triple that comes in the Street Triple range closer in tune with the base model than the RS. The new engine also means the tank volume might be changed from the present form. It is natural to assume that the new motor will be Euro4 compliant, however, since Euro5, that will come into effect from 2020 onwards, we believe the new triple will comply with that as well.