Triumph Tiger 850 Sport
It’s got the lowest spec and presents the least compelling proposition – but Triumph’s not really-an-850 is something of a grower…
Twelve degrees, light winds, blue skies. It’s early in the year and we’re in Wales with its notoriously weathery weather, but this feels like spring – and perfect conditions for riding the Snowdonia 360. And the Triumph feels like it should be the best bike for the task. All three of these upright all-rounders promise comfort, ride and rangy performance that’ll make light work of the terrain, but the Tiger 850 Sport looks like it’ll be most at home scurrying between mountains. The ‘850’ and ‘Sport’ bits are untruths; this is the Tiger 900 in simple form, with 888cc three-cylinder engine, lengthy suspenders and adventure-inspired geometry. Clearly just the ticket. Our first coastline leg from Porthmadog towards shimmering Tywyn reveals looks can be deceiving, however. The Tiger feels a tad average in action.
I’m not a fan of Triumph’s T-plane crank. Replacing the sumptuous torque and luxurious whirr of earlier 120° triples with an engine that feels like a twin, complete with rumbly vibes and same-same exhaust note, is marketing gone mad. It’s even less inspiring in this company, as the motor is retuned from normal Tiger 900 spec in the 850 and its claimed 84bhp is 26 horses down on the F900XR and 33bhp below the Tracer. It’s not just about headline numbers either – the BMW is punchier and releases a sexier exhaust hubbub, and the Yamaha has whooshing long-legged drive.
The Tiger’s chassis pitches around on bumpier sections, doesn’t steer as sweetly as the others, and on damp sections there’s dubious feel from blocky tyres which also pick-up on grooves. There’s more, with crude screen adjustment that can’t be altered on the hoof (they claim it can be, single-handedly, but I can’t do it) and fiddly switchgear. ‘I know you get used to these things, but I keep catching the little joystick for controlling the dash when I go for the indicators,’ says Bike designer Paul Lang. ‘The 850 also feels top heavy to wheel about, where the BMW is compact and manageable.’
The Tiger has good old-fashioned features including a stainlesssteel exhaust, remote rear preload adjuster, two-height seat and a handy 20-litre fuel tank. Love the boot-friendly rear brake pedal, too. Plenty of modern-day attractions as well, with a five-inch TFT display, two modes (Road and Rain), basic but switchable traction control and daytime running lights. Quite impressive for a bike costing a sniff over ten-grand, especially as it has a high level of finish. Unfortunately, it’s outshone by the handsome BMW with its premium air. ‘Visually the Tiger isn’t inspiring,’ muses Langy. ‘It looks unfinished, or as if separate designers did different parts and joined them together, like when you drew a picture of a monster as a kid. You’d do the knees, fold it over and the next person would do the legs, the next the torso, and so on.’ And then there’s the Yamaha, which is stacked with goodies in this GT spec. It’s £3k more than the 850, but road tester Andy Gurski doesn’t see this as a problem. ‘People don’t buy bikes by saving thousands in the bank, they do it by looking how many pounds they can spare each month. I’d find a few extra quid for a higher-spec Tiger 900. Or I’d go to a Yamaha dealer.’ By the time we stop at the Cym Cynfal viewpoint on the sensational B4391 to soak in a golden sunset, en route to our Blaenau Ffestiniog base, I’ve written off the Tiger. The other two are more engaging and compelling. I know this road well, though, and ridden with a sniff more conviction the Triumph comes together. Weight transfer under braking and acceleration brings grip and feel, and with the softest suspension and squidgiest seat it’s the kindest to body parts at the end of a full day. And tomorrow night, on the way back from our Welsh encounter, the 850’s wee rack and bungee points will make it easy to strap on my clutter, and its excellent headlight and lazy thrust will prove a joy. Without the pricier rivals poking their noses in, the Tiger will deliver.
It’s hard to imagine anyone squeezing past the dynamically superior and more spirited F900XR and Tracer to get to the Tiger. But if you’re after functional, high-value, straightforward machinery that may just grow on you with every mile, the Triumph has its place.
‘Without the pricier rivals poking their noses in, the Tiger will deliver’