• Triumph launches two Tiger 900 bikes in SA.
• Market for middle-weight adventure bikes boomed locally.
• Up to six riding modes to choose from.
Who could have thought that middle-weight adventure bikes make up a large chunk of South Africa's motorcycle sales market?
I guess it's a no-brainer, then, that pretty much every motorcycle manufacturer has beefed up their own product offerings for 2020 with one or more models in this vital segment.
Bike buyers are spoilt for choice, but trying to figure out which adventure machine is most suitable for you can be a complicated task.
Here is my take on two of the latest middle-weight adventure bike offerings from Triumph South Africa.
2020 Triumph Tiger 900 (Triumph SA)
2020 Triumph Tiger 900 (GT Pro and Rally Pro)
The launch route took us to the Cradle of Humankind (and Hartbeespoort Dam for a lunch stop-over) via some challenging gravel routes and trails.
The Triumph Tiger has an incredibly rich history, with a bloodline of dedicated off-road models spanning over 80+ years. Starting in 1936 with the first Tiger competition models, the Tiger name has played a significant role in establishing the adventure category - from racing to rallies, to the birth and boom in adventure travel.
The range features an all-new, higher capacity, and higher performance 900cc engine which is now fully Euro 5 compliant, and has a new unique 1, 3, 2 firing order for greater character and feel. This improves intake sound under load, gives more engine feedback, adds an incredibly distinctive engine sound, improves tractability and throttle feel, and enables the bike to pull harder lower down in the rev range.
The result is a much closer association to the throttle character, sound and feel of a twin-engine at low revs, while maintaining all the torque, feel and delivery in the mid-range and top-end of a triple engine.
The new bikes are up to five kilograms lighter than the previous model, which adds to the commanding and agile ride quality.
The new steel trellis frame is not only lighter but now has a modular construction, with bolt-on aluminium rear sub-frame and bolt-on pillion hangers, delivering the most adventure-centric set-up ever for off-road-focused riding.
2020 Triumph Tiger 900 (Triumph SA)
Ride-enhancing technology
The new Tiger 900 range features a significant step forward in its ride-enhancing technology, with state-of-the-art features including:
• High specification suspension with premium Marzocchi or Showa components
• Class-leading 7" TFT dash
• My Triumph connectivity system and app
• Optimised cornering ABS and traction control, with IMU
• Up to six riding modes
Tiger 900 Rally Pro: Rain, Road, Sport, Off-Road, Rider-configurable & Off-Road Pro
Tiger 900 GT Pro: Rain, Road, Sport, Off-Road & Rider-configurable
• All-LED lighting, with daytime running lights
• Triumph Shift Assist, up and down quick-shifter
• Secure mobile phone storage and USB charging
• Highest level of standard technical specification
Verdict
For R16 000 more, Tiger 900 Rally Pro is tweaked for maximum off-road adventure, but retains the GT Pro's road-focused capability and comfort. And it's best suited to the rough and demanding African terrain.
Quick specs:
Price: Tiger 900 GT Pro (R199 000) | Tiger 900 Rally Pro (R215 000)
Engine: 888cc, three-cylinder
Gears: six-speed
Power: 70kW @ 8750rpm
Torque: 87Nm @ 7250rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 20L
Economy: 5.2-litres/100km
For more information, click here.