FIRST RIDE TRIUMPH TIGER 900 GT PRO
Triumph’s updated Tiger 900 GT Pro is a step up on an already impressive machine
TRIUMPH’S TIGER 900 range has ticked a lot of the right boxes since its release in 2020, especially with the road-biased GT Pro which has proven to be a well ‐rounded, comfortable and complete package.
Packed with a shedload of tech and powered by that glorious 888cc T-plane motor, the Tiger 900 won the hearts and souls of many. But it did have a few quirky foibles, the main issue being the excessive vibes through those big, wide handlebars.
For the 2024 range Triumph has gone for evolution rather than revolution, tweaking the engine, ergonomics and tech to not only improve performance, but also refine the riding experience – and it’s succeeded.
The motor has been significantly updated, with new pistons, an altered compression ratio, a new cylinder head with larger inlet ports, new inlet and exhaust camshafts, new (and longer) intake trumpets, a new exhaust header assembly and a new silencer. The difference to the riding experience is monumental, and improves on an already impressive platform. It still has a huge hit of punch torque at the bottom of the rev range, yet it carries through to the redline with an impressive level of ferocity that makes it as happy being sporty as it is being docile.
The motor feels smoother than ever at the bottom end, with a sublime throttle connection, even in ‘Sport’ mode. The quickshifter and autoblipper are impressively smooth as well, and the Tiger will happily sit at motorway speeds in a quiet, controlled manner. It now offers a real 60mpg figure on cruise control, too.
There’s also very little to complain about when it comes to the ride quality. It has an impressive amount of room even in the lowest seat height (it can be quickly altered from 820mm to 840mm), thanks to wide handlebars, low footpegs and extra padding from the seat. Not only does the seat have thicker foam, but it’s also flatter which offers more space and will easily handle a full day of riding without being too uncomfortable.
The screen offers an impressive level of protection with very little discomfort and a smooth airflow, even on the tallest setting. Although it’s not the cleanest design to look at (the springs are exposed, facing the rider) it’s easy to adjust on the move with one hand.
Most impressive is how the Triumph feels after hours in the saddle – it floats along without any excess vibrations through the ’bars and seat, which has drastically improved the riding experience. This is thanks to a new seat design, the internal engine work smoothing things out and the damped handlebar mounting which works wonders compared to the previous model.
The chassis and suspension set-up are impressive too, with a wide window of usage that handles everything from fas
