- Local time
- Today, 05:25
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2006
- Messages
- 54,115
- Points
- 1,327
- First Name
- Dave
- My Ride
- Speedmaster
- Riding Since
- 1974
Published in: Bikes
Due to the pandemic Triumph had to get creative with media coverage for first-ride impressions. So, we hopped on a plane and headed to Austin, TX, to do our own new-model junket.
With the launch of the Tiger 850 Sport the base model Tiger 900 is gone and the 900 range consists of the Tiger GT and Tiger Rally lines, priced from $14,700 to $17,100. The new 850 Sport comes in well below the base GT model at a very reasonable $11,995 and still offers more than 60 accessories from Triumph’s catalog to deck out your ride.
What are you losing by picking the Tiger 850 over the Tiger 900? Not much. Let’s dive in and take a look at the specs of the 850 so you can decide.
The 850 Sport uses the same engine as its big brother, an inline three-cylinder, T-Plane crank with the unique 1-3-2 firing order, boasting 888cc, the same bore 78.00mm, stroke 61.9 mm and compression ratio 11.27:1. So, it should have the same horsepower, right? Technically it should. But, they put a slightly different tune on it that makes the numbers a little less than the Tiger 900. The 850 Sport comes in at 84 hp at 8,500 rpm (93.9 hp at 8,750 rpm for the Tiger 900) with torque coming in at 60 lb.-ft. at 6,500 rpm (64 lb.-ft. at 7,250 rpm for the 900). The 850’s max torque is at a much lower rpm than the 900, and with that said the 850 Sport feels a little more torquey in off-road situations. Overall, the engine feels very similar to the Tiger 900 and gives you that triple smile when you crack into the throttle.
The Tiger 850 uses the same twin-sided cast aluminum alloy swingarm, tubular steel frame and bolt-on subframe as the Tiger 900.
Wheels are also borrowed from the Tiger GT models, are cast 19″ front/17″ rear, and come mounted with Michelin Anakees as standard. These sizes still offer an array of popular ADV-style tire options for those who want to get a little deeper off-road.
The suspension is where we start to see some differences, as the 850 Sport still uses Marzocchi components, just with fewer bells and whistles. Front forks are 45mm upside-down Marzocchis offering 7.08″ (180mm) of travel with no adjustability. The rear Marzocchi unit offers only manual preload adjustability with 6.69″ (170mm) of travel. The suspension is perfectly capable of tackling a wide array of terrain. You just have to approach it at a much lower speed.
Braking is borrowed from the GT 900 line and uses the same twin 320mm discs up front, with Brembo Stylema four-piston Monobloc ABS calipers. The rear uses a 255mm disc paired with the Brembo single piston ABS caliper, offering confidence-inspiring braking all around.
As you’d expect at this price point, the 850 Sport still offers a few tech tidbits, just not as many as its big brother.
TFT display is the old 2018 Tiger 800 unit with a 5″ crystal-clear information center. The same toggle switch is used to easily navigate through the available modes and cluster configurations. The 850 Sport only offers two rider modes: Road and Rain. ABS is on all the time and can’t be disengaged, which in my opinion is fine since this model is intended to bring riders into the adventure segment.
The 850 Sport has one feature which should come standard on all motorcycles—self-canceling turn signals. It’s such a cool safety feature if you forget to turn them off.
Traction control is offered on most bikes these days and the 850 Sport is no exception. Traction control can be turned off for off-road fun as long as you are at a dead stop and will revert to “on” mode when you switch the key off.
The 850 Sport feels similar to the Tiger 900 since it’s built on the same frame. Seat position is adjustable from 31.88″ (low) to 32.67″ (standard). I’m 5′8″ and had no trouble riding in the standard position. It’s just nice to know you can lower the seat if you want a little more foot on the ground for those off-road excursions.
Windscreen is borrowed from the Tiger 900 and is super easy to adjust on the fly by simply pushing forward and moving up or down. It also does a great job of keeping the wind off you in all positions.
All in all, the Triumph 850 Sport checks off all the boxes for the rider looking to get into the adventure segment with their first bigger bike purchase. I would like to see some adjustability on the suspension components at this price point. It’s also a little baffling that an entry-level ADV bike doesn’t come with a center stand. I feel the 850 Sport will be well received for those riders looking to jump up to the middle-weight class without spending a bunch of money.
TriumphMotorcycles.com
MSRP: $11,995
Continue reading...
First Ride: Triumph Tiger 850 Sport
Due to the pandemic Triumph had to get creative with media coverage for first-ride impressions. So, we hopped on a plane and headed to Austin, TX, to do our own new-model junket.
With the launch of the Tiger 850 Sport the base model Tiger 900 is gone and the 900 range consists of the Tiger GT and Tiger Rally lines, priced from $14,700 to $17,100. The new 850 Sport comes in well below the base GT model at a very reasonable $11,995 and still offers more than 60 accessories from Triumph’s catalog to deck out your ride.
What are you losing by picking the Tiger 850 over the Tiger 900? Not much. Let’s dive in and take a look at the specs of the 850 so you can decide.
• Engine/Performance
The 850 Sport uses the same engine as its big brother, an inline three-cylinder, T-Plane crank with the unique 1-3-2 firing order, boasting 888cc, the same bore 78.00mm, stroke 61.9 mm and compression ratio 11.27:1. So, it should have the same horsepower, right? Technically it should. But, they put a slightly different tune on it that makes the numbers a little less than the Tiger 900. The 850 Sport comes in at 84 hp at 8,500 rpm (93.9 hp at 8,750 rpm for the Tiger 900) with torque coming in at 60 lb.-ft. at 6,500 rpm (64 lb.-ft. at 7,250 rpm for the 900). The 850’s max torque is at a much lower rpm than the 900, and with that said the 850 Sport feels a little more torquey in off-road situations. Overall, the engine feels very similar to the Tiger 900 and gives you that triple smile when you crack into the throttle.
• Chassis/Suspension
The Tiger 850 uses the same twin-sided cast aluminum alloy swingarm, tubular steel frame and bolt-on subframe as the Tiger 900.
Wheels are also borrowed from the Tiger GT models, are cast 19″ front/17″ rear, and come mounted with Michelin Anakees as standard. These sizes still offer an array of popular ADV-style tire options for those who want to get a little deeper off-road.
The suspension is where we start to see some differences, as the 850 Sport still uses Marzocchi components, just with fewer bells and whistles. Front forks are 45mm upside-down Marzocchis offering 7.08″ (180mm) of travel with no adjustability. The rear Marzocchi unit offers only manual preload adjustability with 6.69″ (170mm) of travel. The suspension is perfectly capable of tackling a wide array of terrain. You just have to approach it at a much lower speed.
Braking is borrowed from the GT 900 line and uses the same twin 320mm discs up front, with Brembo Stylema four-piston Monobloc ABS calipers. The rear uses a 255mm disc paired with the Brembo single piston ABS caliper, offering confidence-inspiring braking all around.
• Electronics/Technology
As you’d expect at this price point, the 850 Sport still offers a few tech tidbits, just not as many as its big brother.
TFT display is the old 2018 Tiger 800 unit with a 5″ crystal-clear information center. The same toggle switch is used to easily navigate through the available modes and cluster configurations. The 850 Sport only offers two rider modes: Road and Rain. ABS is on all the time and can’t be disengaged, which in my opinion is fine since this model is intended to bring riders into the adventure segment.
The 850 Sport has one feature which should come standard on all motorcycles—self-canceling turn signals. It’s such a cool safety feature if you forget to turn them off.
Traction control is offered on most bikes these days and the 850 Sport is no exception. Traction control can be turned off for off-road fun as long as you are at a dead stop and will revert to “on” mode when you switch the key off.
• Ergos
The 850 Sport feels similar to the Tiger 900 since it’s built on the same frame. Seat position is adjustable from 31.88″ (low) to 32.67″ (standard). I’m 5′8″ and had no trouble riding in the standard position. It’s just nice to know you can lower the seat if you want a little more foot on the ground for those off-road excursions.
Windscreen is borrowed from the Tiger 900 and is super easy to adjust on the fly by simply pushing forward and moving up or down. It also does a great job of keeping the wind off you in all positions.
All in all, the Triumph 850 Sport checks off all the boxes for the rider looking to get into the adventure segment with their first bigger bike purchase. I would like to see some adjustability on the suspension components at this price point. It’s also a little baffling that an entry-level ADV bike doesn’t come with a center stand. I feel the 850 Sport will be well received for those riders looking to jump up to the middle-weight class without spending a bunch of money.
TriumphMotorcycles.com
MSRP: $11,995
• PROS:
- Great price point for Triumph quality
- Lightest in the Tiger line-up at 423 lb. (dry)
- Two color options: Graphite Caspian Blue and Graphite Diablo Red
• CONS:
- No center stand
- Non-adjustable suspension
• Specifications:
- Engine: 888cc inline three-cylinder.
- Power: 84 hp at 8,500 rpm.
- Torque: 60 lb.-ft. at 6,500 rpm.
- Brakes: Front dual 320mm rotors with four piston Brembo Stylema calipers, rear 255mm Royro with single piston Brembo Stylema.
- Frame: Tubular steel frame with bolt-on subframe.
- Suspension: Marzocchi 45mm upside-down front forks with 7.08″ of travel. Rear Marzocchi with manual preload adjustment with 6.69″ of travel.
- Wheels / Tires: Front 100/90-19, Rear 150/70R-17 with Michelin Anakee mounted tires.
- Seat Height: 31.88″ (low) and 32.67″ (standard), optional low seat also available.
- Dry Weight: 423 lb.
- Tank Capacity: 5.28 U.S. gallons.
Continue reading...
