2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro: An In-Depth Review
The Triumph Tiger series has long been a favorite among adventure bike enthusiasts. With the 2024 Tiger 900 Rally Pro, Triumph has continued to build on its reputation, introducing several upgrades and improvements that promise to elevate the riding experience. Having spent extensive time riding both the previous and current models, including a memorable month-long tour of Japan on the Tiger 900, I’m excited to dive into this detailed review. We’ll explore the new features, performance, and overall riding experience of this impressive adventure bike.
Aesthetic and Build Quality
The first thing that strikes you about the 2024 Tiger 900 Rally Pro is its aesthetic appeal. Triumph has always managed to create bikes that look as good as they perform, and this new model is no exception.
- Brembo Brakes: The inclusion of Brembo Stilema brakes is a significant upgrade, providing superior stopping power and enhancing safety.
- Showa Forks: The gold, fully adjustable Showa forks not only add to the bike’s aesthetic charm but also offer improved handling and comfort.
- Color Scheme: The Rally Pro’s unique gray and red paint scheme is exclusive and eye-catching, setting it apart from its competitors.
The new TFT display is another notable upgrade. It offers better visibility and more comprehensive information at a glance. However, it’s worth mentioning that the startup time could be improved, as it currently takes about ten seconds to fully boot up.
Enhanced Technical Specifications
Triumph has made several technical enhancements in the 2024 Tiger 900 Rally Pro, focusing on improving performance and rider comfort.
- Engine Enhancements: The updated engine now provides more power and a smoother ride, closely resembling the traditional triple engine’s characteristic sound and feel.
- Rubber Mounts: Additional rubber bushings in the handlebars and other components significantly reduce vibrations, resulting in a smoother ride.
- Quick Shifter and Blipper: The inclusion of a quick shifter and blipper ensures seamless gear transitions, enhancing the overall riding experience.
The bike’s 888cc triple engine now produces 106 brake horsepower, a slight but noticeable increase from the previous model. This evolution of the engine, which began with the Daytona and migrated to the Street Triple, has culminated in a highly refined and powerful unit in the Tiger 900.
Riding Comfort and Ergonomics
Riding the 2024 Tiger 900 Rally Pro is a genuinely enjoyable experience, thanks to several improvements in comfort and ergonomics.
- Handlebars and Seat: The handlebars are slightly closer, and the seat is well-padded, providing a comfortable riding position for both short trips and long tours.
- Sound and Smoothness: The bike now sounds more like a traditional triple, which is a welcome change. Internal modifications and additional rubber mounts contribute to a smoother and more pleasant ride.
The Tiger 900 offers various riding modes, including Sport and Road, which adjust the throttle response and suspension settings to suit different riding conditions. In Sport mode, the bike is particularly responsive and lively, perfect for spirited riding on twisty roads.
Suspension and Braking Performance
The suspension setup on the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is designed to handle both on-road and off-road conditions with ease.
- Front Suspension: The Showa forks offer 240mm of travel, allowing the bike to absorb bumps and rough terrain effortlessly. The fully adjustable suspension ensures that riders can fine-tune their setup for optimal performance.
- Rear Suspension: The rear suspension provides 230mm of travel, contributing to a smooth and controlled ride even on challenging surfaces.
- Braking System: The Brembo Stilema brakes are among the best in the market, offering exceptional stopping power and control. The lean-angle sensitive ABS further enhances safety during aggressive riding.
Advanced Electronics and Features
Triumph has equipped the 2024 Tiger 900 with a host of advanced electronic features, making it one of the most technologically advanced bikes in its class.
- TFT Display: The new 7-inch TFT display provides clear and concise information. However, the startup time is still a bit slow, taking about ten seconds to boot up fully.
- Riding Modes: The bike comes with several riding modes, including Sport, Road, and Off-road. These modes adjust the throttle response, ABS, and traction control settings to suit different riding conditions.
- Heated Seats and Grips: Both the rider and passenger seats are heated, as are the grips, ensuring comfort in cold weather.
- Adjustable Windscreen: The windscreen is easily adjustable with one hand, even while riding. This feature is particularly useful for long rides, allowing riders to adjust the wind protection on the go.
Practical Considerations
While the Tiger 900 is undoubtedly a high-performance machine, it also has several practical features that make it suitable for everyday use.
- Fuel Tank: The 20-liter fuel tank ensures a good range, making it suitable for long-distance touring.
- Weight and Handling: At 228 kg wet, the bike is relatively lightweight for its class. However, the weight is carried quite high, making it a bit challenging to maneuver at low speeds or when stationary.
- Seat Height: The seat height is adjustable between 860mm and 880mm, catering to a range of rider heights. However, shorter riders might find the bike a bit tall, especially the Rally Pro version.
The bike’s turning circle is relatively tight, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. However, moving the bike around can be challenging due to its weight, especially if you’re on uneven ground.
On-Road Performance
The Tiger 900 performs exceptionally well on the road. The suspension setup absorbs bumps effortlessly, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. The engine is responsive, and the bike has plenty of power for overtaking and spirited riding.
- Fork Dive: One minor issue is the fork dive under heavy braking. Even in Sport mode, the front suspension dives noticeably. However, this is manageable and doesn’t detract significantly from the overall riding experience.
- Wind Protection: The windscreen does an excellent job of deflecting wind, even at high speeds. There’s minimal turbulence, and the adjustable screen allows for fine-tuning based on rider preference.
Off-Road Capability
While I didn’t take the Tiger 900 off-road during this review, it’s worth noting that the Rally Pro version is designed with off-road capability in mind. It features:
- 21-inch Front Wheel: The larger front wheel improves stability and handling on rough terrain.
- Crash Bars and Sump Protector: These features protect the bike from damage during off-road riding.
- Off-Road Mode: This mode adjusts the bike’s electronics to optimize performance on dirt and gravel.
However, the bike’s weight and height might make it challenging for less experienced off-road riders. If you primarily ride on-road, the GT version might be a better choice.
Comprehensive Comfort Features
In addition to its technical prowess, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is designed with rider comfort in mind. This focus on comfort is evident in several thoughtful features:
- Ergonomically Designed Handlebars: The handlebars are designed to reduce strain on the rider’s wrists and shoulders, allowing for longer rides without discomfort.
- Spacious Seat: The seat is wide and well-cushioned, providing excellent support for long-distance touring. The pillion seat is also comfortable, making the bike suitable for two-up riding.
- Heated Seats and Grips: Heated seats and grips are not just a luxury but a necessity for riders in colder climates. These features ensure that both the rider and passenger remain warm and comfortable, even in chilly weather.
Luggage and Storage Solutions
For adventure touring, adequate storage is crucial. The Tiger 900 Rally Pro addresses this need with several practical solutions:
- Integrated Luggage Rack: The bike comes with a robust luggage rack that can accommodate a variety of panniers and top boxes, making it easy to carry essential gear for long trips.
- Secure Storage: The storage compartments are secure and weatherproof, protecting your belongings from the elements.
Advanced Rider Aids
To ensure safety and enhance the riding experience, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is equipped with several advanced rider aids:
- Lean-Sensitive ABS: The lean-sensitive ABS provides optimal braking performance, even when cornering, ensuring maximum control and safety.
- Traction Control: The traction control system prevents wheel spin, particularly on slippery surfaces, enhancing stability and control.
- Cruise Control: The cruise control feature is perfect for long highway rides, allowing the rider to maintain a constant speed without constant throttle input.
Connectivity and Navigation
In the modern era, connectivity is essential, and Triumph has not overlooked this aspect:
- Bluetooth Connectivity: The bike’s TFT display offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to connect their smartphones for music, calls, and navigation.
- Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Integrated navigation provides turn-by-turn directions, ensuring that riders can easily find their way, even on unfamiliar roads.
Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance
For long-distance touring, fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance are critical considerations:
- Fuel Efficiency: The Tiger 900 Rally Pro offers impressive fuel efficiency for its class, allowing for longer rides between fuel stops.
- Easy Maintenance: Triumph has designed the bike with maintenance in mind, ensuring that routine tasks such as oil changes and chain adjustments are straightforward and can be performed with minimal hassle.
Customization Options
Triumph offers a range of customization options for the Tiger 900, allowing riders to tailor the bike to their specific needs and preferences:
- Accessory Packages: Several accessory packages are available, including touring, adventure, and urban kits, each designed to enhance the bike’s capabilities in different riding scenarios
Conclusion: Is the 2024 Tiger 900 Worth It?
The 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 is a fantastic adventure bike that builds on the strengths of its predecessors while adding several new features and improvements. Whether you’re an experienced rider looking for a capable adventure bike or a newcomer to the adventure bike market, the Tiger 900 is worth considering.
Pros:
- Improved engine performance and smoothness
- Comfortable ergonomics for long rides
- Advanced electronics and features
- Excellent suspension and braking system
- Attractive design and color schemes
Cons:
- Weight can be challenging to manage, especially at low speeds
- Fork dive under heavy braking
- Slow startup time for the TFT display
- High seat height may not suit all riders
Overall, Triumph has done an excellent job with the 2024 Tiger 900. It’s a versatile, capable, and stylish adventure bike that should be on the shortlist of anyone in the market for a new ride. If you’re looking for a bike that can handle both on-road and off-road adventures with ease, the Tiger 900 is definitely worth a test ride.
Thank you for sticking around to the end of this review. If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to my blog for more bike reviews, news, and riding tips. Until next time, ride safe and enjoy the journey!