Launch expected by the end of May
Three variants of the Tiger 900 expected to go on sale
Completely new motorcycle replaces the popular Triumph Tiger 800
Triumph Motorcycles India has released a teaser of the new Tiger 900, indicating that it's about to launch the motorcycle soon. The company was supposed to launch the Tiger 900 range in April 2020. However, the current COVID-19 situation forced it to push the launch to a later date. We expect Triumph to now launch the Tiger 900 range by the end of May 2020.
What is the new Tiger 900?
The Tiger 900 is a completely new motorcycle that replaces the highly popular Tiger 800. The road-biased version is badged the GT while the off-road biased version is called the Rally. Both bikes share the same bodywork, chassis, bolt-on subframe, and a new 888cc three-cylinder engine. It produces 94hp and 87Nm of torque and features a unique, 1-3-2 firing order that gives it an entirely different character compared to the previous model. We discovered this and a lot more about the new motorcycle during our first ride review of the Tiger 900 in Morocco.
Tiger 900 variants expected
Triumph is expected to bring three variants to India via the CKD route – GT Pro, Rally Pro and Rally. The company, going by the low demand for the Tiger 800 XR (the base, road-biased model), says that it does not expect enough buyers to queue up for the base-spec Tiger 900 GT. This is why the variant stands omitted from the list for India. However, it will consider bringing that option if there's demand, somewhere down the line.
This, in turn, leaves the three Tiger 900 variants to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the 'Tiger' name forward in India. The 'Pro' models are the top-spec variants and are loaded with all the bells and whistles. Some of their features include LED fog lamps, heated rider and pillion seats, the My Triumph connectivity system, a quickshifter, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and additional riding modes.
The Tiger 900 Rally sits below the Pro; however, it has a decent features list. It shares the same 7.0-inch TFT instrument screen, adjustable suspension, and tubeless wire-spoked wheels as the Rally Pro. Also, the IMU-based cornering ABS and traction control is standard across the range.
Suspension and brakes
The Tiger 900 GT Pro is equipped with fully adjustable Marzocchi suspension, with the rear monoshock featuring electronic damping and preload adjustment. The Rally/ Rally Pro, on the other hand, get fully adjustable Showa suspension with longer travel at either end. The brakes have been upgraded to larger, 320mm discs and have new Brembo Stylema calipers.
Expected prices and availability
The Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro and Tiger 900 Rally/ Rally Pro models bring a significantly longer feature list to the table, compared to the Tiger 800. Hence, prices are expected to go up by Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh, based on the model in question. Deliveries may begin shortly after the launch, depending on the status of the COVID-19 lockdown in the country.
Also see:
2020 Triumph Street Triple R to be launched in June