Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1232337
2020 TRIUMPH TIGER 900 RALLY PRO R I D E R E V I E W P56 twin at lower speed and rpm. In theory, the triple can still come alive and make you smile when opened up. Overall, there's a claimed 10% increase in torque and more horsepower across the board before meeting the old 800's curve at the very top. So, on paper, the 900 is delivering the goods with the engine update. In reality, it does more than deliver. The new Triumph Tiger 900 power character is nearly perfect for an adventure bike, especially one getting dirty like the Tiger 900 Rally. For variable terrain, having controllable and substantial power is king. And this engine will move you over obstacles and around turns without excessive rpm required to motivate. Also, the torquey bark negates unnecessary wheel slip and you get to actually hang on and enjoy the ride. If you admire traction-loving power, you'll appreciate the healthy upgrade here. The propulsion is as contagious as the exhaust note's new, more pulsing tone. Think of a drumline rat-a-tat-tat- tatting with a feline growl and you'll hear what is happening here. The two go hand-in-hand, symbi- otically willing you to keep cracking the throttle so you can feel the power and hear the exhaust and feel the power to hear the exhaust again and again. From standing up aggressively on two-track to cruising through urban landscapes, the new Triumph Tiger 900 is a powerhouse where I prefer power, off-idle and through the mid with little concern for the highest rpm. For those of you looking to scream this ride out and surge like a Moto2 champion, you'll be a little let down as the impressive bottom and midrange fall off up top. But I say it's a well-earned tradeoff. Shift and smile. SUSPENSION, RUNNING GEAR, RIDING MODES After the engine impresses, it's up to the suspension com- ponentry and running gear to connect all that goodness to the earth and continue the goods. And Triumph has spec'd high-quality parts on the Tiger 900 Rally models to con- tinue the confidence. A Showa 45mm fork with manual preload adjustment and full circuit damping via clickers provide 9.4 inches of front- wheel travel. Comparatively, the new Tiger 900 GT has seven (Left) The Triumph Tiger 900 is ready to go face to face with any ADV bike on the market. (Bottom) Triumph didn't skimp when it came to engine protection. The skid plate definitely wasn't an afterthought. updated internals throughout the engine, intends to deliver twin-like torque with the spirit and soundtrack of a triple. Triumph's T-Plane crank fires uniquely, starting with 180-degrees of rotating fire from cylinder one-to-three, and then firing cylinder two 270-degrees after. Cylinder one fires again after another 270-degrees. This drops two combustions of tire-hate closer together as the crank spins to give the feeling of a