Triumph’s all-new Tiger 850 Sport will play as a new entry-point to the Tiger adventure bike family, when it hits Australian showrooms in February, priced from $15,990 plus on-road costs.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Tiger 900 range, upon which the 850 Sport is based, is priced from $20,950 rideaway for the base GT, up to $24,750 for the range-topping 900 Rally Pro.
The new Tiger 850 Sport makes use of a similar T-plane crank engine as the latest generation Tiger 900 range, but Triumph has given the powerplant a unique tune.
This is billed as a more manageable and user-friendly version of the Tiger range, for those looking for a more road-focussed option.
New is the engine’s 1-3-2 firing order which Triumph reckons delivers the 888cc across-the-frame three-cylinder improved tractability at low rpm.
Triumph says this all translates into ‘an enhanced connection between the rider and the rear wheel, and responsive and intuitive road-riding performance’.
Performance numbers see peak power come in at 62kW at 8500 rpm and peak torque is 82Nm at 6500 rpm. This is notably lower in the rev range than the 900’s 8750rpm and 7250rpm, respectively.
The bike gets an array of high-end components, including Brembo Stylema brakes, non-adjustable 45mm Marzocchi forks, and a preload adjustable Marzocchi monoshock at the stern, adjustable screen, clever electronics package, with a 5.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, all LED lighting, two riding modes (Road and Rain), ABS, a slipper clutch and switchable traction control.
Triumph is making no bones about the fact that it has BMW’s F 750 GS squarely in its sights, and is positioning the bike aggressively against adventure bike rivals like the Yamaha Tenere 700.
There’s a 20-litre tank which will deliver a range of around 385km, which Triumph hopes will add appeal for the distance rider with light off-road aspirations, while still being a good urban weekday option. The 19-inch front wheel signals the bike’s aimed possible gentle dirt application.
Body work sees a narrower width than that of the 900 delivering a less intimidating size, seat height is adjustable from 810-830mm and dry weight is 192kg.
While a learner-friendly tune will be available in overseas markets, Triumph has still yet to indicate that a LAMS-approved Tiger is on the cards.
A range of more than 60 genuine Triumph accessories are available for the new Tiger 850 Sport along with two luggage range options from the house of Givi.
The new 850 Sport comes in two paint options, Graphite and Diablo Red or Graphite and Caspian Blue and there’s a two-year unlimited warranty on both the bike and optional accessories.
Snag’s career in motoring journalism spans 29 years with stints at major bike mags Australian Road Rider, Motorcycle Trader and AMCN along with contributions to just about every other outlet worth a hill of beans. He was editor of Unique Cars magazine and hosts his legendary podcast ‘Snag Says’ when he gets off his date.
