R I D E R E V I E W
P54
2020 TRIUMPH TIGER 900 RALLY PRO
THE 800cc BIAS IN THE ROOM
For the past decade Triumph Tiger adventure bikes
have been most well-known as 800cc triples.
And, we might as well get this over with; I haven't
really liked them. Most bikes are great, alone, until
you ride others. And when you ride all of them on
varying terrain for days, things pop up that you
love, and things show up that you dislike. The
previous generation Triumph Tiger 800s look cool
and sound great but seem cursed with awkward
ergonomics for multi-terrain use like standing up.
Also, they can be fairly awkward when sitting down.
Even today I see photos of people riding them and
think, "Hmmm, I remember that feeling, and I think
I'd make a different choice."
Regardless of my opinion, their triple-cylinder
soundtrack will have anyone smiling all day, and if
all you care about is smiling, this is great.
The multi-terrain capabilities and performance
DNA of the Tiger have always been present as
a dirt-roader and rev-limit-loving joyride, but the
pedigree Jupiter's Travels bestowed on Triumph
as a top choice to take around the world. For me,
this is lost in translation (even though both are very
English) on most of the 800s.
Apart from that, you could buy a nice used Tiger
800 at a value today just for the sound they make
and I would consider it a good purchase.
Smiling! There's virtually nothing
in common between today's
