Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro Review: Off-Road Adventure Bike?
Triumph’s latest iteration in their adventure bike lineup, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro, has sparked quite a buzz among motorcycling enthusiasts. Touted as offering class-leading off-road capability while maintaining long-range comfort, road handling, and style, the question remains: does it truly live up to the hype? In this comprehensive review, we delve into the features, performance, and overall experience of the Tiger 900 Rally Pro, assessing whether it stands out in the competitive adventure bike market.
Triumph has a rich history of producing robust and reliable motorcycles, and the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is no exception. This model blends the best of both worlds, offering a thrilling off-road experience without compromising on-road performance. As we explore this bike, we’ll break down its capabilities and see if it can truly claim to be the best in its class.
Design and Build Quality
The Tiger 900 Rally Pro boasts a rugged yet refined design that immediately catches the eye. Its aggressive stance, wide handlebars, and high-mounted exhausts give it a commanding presence on the road. The bike’s build quality is exceptional, reflecting Triumph’s commitment to durability and performance.
Frame and Chassis
The lightweight tubular steel frame ensures rigidity and strength, while the sub-frame is bolted on for easy maintenance and repair. This design choice highlights Triumph’s focus on creating a durable and user-friendly adventure bike.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Frame | Tubular steel |
| Sub-Frame | Bolted-on |
| Lighting | Full LED |
| Seat Height | Adjustable |
Aesthetic Appeal
With sleek bodywork, LED lighting, and modern graphics, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro combines functionality with style. The bike’s aesthetic appeal is both aggressive and sophisticated, making it stand out in the adventure bike category.
Ergonomics
Designed for comfort, the bike features a spacious seat and an adjustable windscreen, catering to riders of various heights. The ergonomic design ensures that long rides remain comfortable, with minimal strain on the rider’s body.
Engine Performance
The heart of the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is its powerful 888cc inline triple engine, which has been re-tuned for enhanced performance. This engine delivers a significant boost in power and torque, making it a joy to ride in various conditions.
Power Output
With 94 horsepower and 64 lb-ft of torque, the engine offers robust performance across the rev range. This power output ensures that the bike can handle both high-speed highway cruising and challenging off-road trails with ease.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine Capacity | 888cc |
| Power | 94 hp |
| Torque | 64 lb-ft |
| Fuel System | Electronic Fuel Injection |
Sound and Feel
The distinctive growl of the engine adds to the riding experience, providing both auditory and sensory satisfaction. The engine’s character is one of the highlights of the Tiger 900 Rally Pro, making every ride an exhilarating experience.
Fuel Efficiency
Despite its power, the engine remains fuel-efficient, making it suitable for long-distance touring. Triumph has managed to strike a balance between performance and efficiency, ensuring that riders can enjoy extended adventures without frequent fuel stops.
On-Road Handling
The Tiger 900 Rally Pro is designed to excel on tarmac, and it certainly delivers. The bike’s handling characteristics make it a pleasure to ride on winding roads and highways alike.
Suspension Setup
The Showa suspension is firm yet responsive, providing a balanced ride that handles bumps and potholes with ease. This setup ensures that the bike remains composed and stable, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces.
Cornering Ability
The bike feels planted in corners, allowing riders to take aggressive lines with confidence. The combination of a well-tuned chassis and responsive suspension makes cornering on the Tiger 900 Rally Pro a thrilling experience.
Braking Performance
Equipped with Brembo Stylema brakes, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro offers exceptional stopping power, inspiring confidence in all riding conditions. The braking system is both powerful and easy to modulate, ensuring that riders can handle emergency stops and controlled deceleration with ease.
Off-Road Capability
Where the Tiger 900 Rally Pro truly shines is in its off-road performance. Triumph has equipped this bike with features that make it a formidable contender in rough terrains.
Suspension Travel
With a long suspension travel, the bike easily absorbs shocks from uneven surfaces, providing a smooth ride. The suspension setup is designed to handle the rigors of off-road riding, ensuring that the bike remains stable and comfortable in challenging conditions.
Off-Road Tires
Originally fitted with Bridgestone A41 tires, the bike performs well, but swapping to more aggressive off-road tires like the Bridgestone AX41 enhances its capabilities further. The choice of tires can significantly impact the bike’s performance on different terrains, and the Tiger 900 Rally Pro offers flexibility in this regard.
Riding Modes
The bike includes an Off-Road Pro mode that adjusts throttle response, ABS, and traction control for optimal performance in dirt and gravel. These riding modes allow riders to tailor the bike’s behavior to suit specific off-road conditions, enhancing both safety and performance.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Long rides require comfort, and the Tiger 900 Rally Pro delivers in this aspect as well. Triumph has ensured that this bike is suitable for extended journeys without causing fatigue.
Seat Comfort
The seat is well-padded and spacious, with the added benefit of heating for colder climates. This attention to rider comfort makes the Tiger 900 Rally Pro a great choice for all-season riding.
Rider Triangle
The positioning of the handlebars, seat, and foot pegs creates a comfortable rider triangle, reducing strain on the rider’s body. This ergonomic design ensures that riders can maintain a comfortable posture during long rides.
Adjustable Windscreen
The simple yet effective windscreen mechanism allows for easy adjustments, providing adequate wind protection. The ability to quickly adjust the windscreen height enhances rider comfort and reduces fatigue on long journeys.
Braking and Suspension
One of the standout features of the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is its braking and suspension setup. Triumph has not compromised in these areas, ensuring the bike can handle both road and off-road conditions adeptly.
Brembo Stylema Brakes
These high-performance brakes provide incredible stopping power with excellent modulation. The Brembo Stylema calipers are among the best in the industry, offering riders confidence in the bike’s braking capabilities.
Showa Suspension
The high-spec Showa suspension components are adjustable, allowing riders to fine-tune the bike’s setup to their liking. This adjustability ensures that the bike can be optimized for both road and off-road use.
Shock Absorption
The bike’s suspension system efficiently absorbs shocks, making for a comfortable ride even on rough terrain. Whether tackling rocky trails or urban potholes, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro’s suspension handles it all with ease.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Front Suspension | Showa 45mm USD forks |
| Rear Suspension | Showa monoshock |
| Suspension Travel | 240mm front, 230mm rear |
| Tires | Bridgestone A41 (stock) |
Technology and Features
Triumph has packed the Tiger 900 Rally Pro with a plethora of advanced features and technology to enhance the riding experience.
Riding Modes
The bike offers multiple riding modes, including Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road, and Off-Road Pro, each tailored for different conditions. These modes adjust the bike’s throttle response, ABS, and traction control to optimize performance and safety.
TFT Display
A full-color TFT display provides all the necessary information at a glance, with customizable layouts. This modern display is easy to read and allows riders to access important information quickly and efficiently.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Riding Modes | Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road, Off-Road Pro |
| Display | 7-inch TFT |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, MyTriumph app |
| Heated Components | Grips and seat |
Connectivity
The bike supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to connect their smartphones for navigation, music, and call management. The MyTriumph app further enhances connectivity, offering additional features and functionality.
Heated Components
Heated grips and a heated seat are standard, ensuring comfort in colder weather. These features are particularly appreciated by riders in colder climates, adding to the bike’s year-round usability.
Price and Value for Money
At a starting price of $14,495, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro offers excellent value for money considering its extensive list of features and capabilities.
Included Equipment
Standard equipment includes heated grips and seat, high-quality suspension, and advanced electronics. These features add significant value to the bike, making it a well-rounded package.
Cost-Effectiveness
Given its dual-purpose nature, the bike is a worthwhile investment for those seeking versatility in their rides. The combination of road and off-road capabilities ensures that the Tiger 900 Rally Pro can handle a wide range of riding scenarios, providing excellent value for money.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14,495 |
| Heated Grips | Standard |
| Heated Seat | Standard |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Balanced Performance: Excellent blend of on-road and off-road capabilities.
- Comfortable: Ergonomic design suitable for long rides.
- Advanced Technology: Packed with modern features and riding aids.
- Strong Braking: Exceptional braking performance with Brembo Stylema calipers.
- High-Quality Suspension: Showa suspension components offer a comfortable and responsive ride.
- Versatility: The bike’s ability to switch between road and off-road modes makes it highly versatile.
Cons
- Physical Size: Feels large and top-heavy at slow speeds.
- Throttle Response: Inconsistent at low revs, typical of modern electronic throttles.
- Weight: Heavier compared to some competitors, making it less nimble in tight spots.
- Complexity: The abundance of features and technology might be overwhelming for some riders.
The Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro stands out as a formidable adventure bike, offering a superb balance between road and off-road performance. Its powerful engine, advanced technology, and comfortable ergonomics make it a top contender in the middleweight adventure bike segment. While it may not be the absolute best in off-road or on-road performance alone, its versatility and overall package make it a compelling choice for riders seeking a bike that can do it all.
Whether you’re navigating city streets, carving through mountain roads, or tackling rugged trails, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is equipped to handle it with ease. Its impressive blend of features, performance, and style make it a worthy addition to Triumph’s legacy of adventure bikes. If you’re in the market for a capable and versatile adventure bike, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is certainly worth considering.
The Tiger 900 Rally Pro has a lot to offer, and its well-rounded capabilities make it a great option for adventure enthusiasts. With its blend of comfort, technology, and performance, it stands as a testament to Triumph’s engineering prowess and dedication to creating exceptional motorcycles. As the adventure bike market continues to grow, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro remains a standout choice, promising exciting journeys and unforgettable adventures.