Trail – Test Tiger Sport 2016: the Triumph of eclecticism – A sporty road trail that does not bubble

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Tiger Sport 2016 test: the Triumph of eclecticism

Trail - Test Tiger Sport 2016: the Triumph of eclecticism - A sporty road trail that does not bubble

Are you very much for eclecticism? Triumph yes, since since 2007 the Tiger 1050 combines the heart of a roadster and the attitude of a road trail. A dose of sport was added in 2013 and the new Tiger Sport 2016 is even more complete. Test.

A sporty road trail that does not bubble

We saw it in the first part: the new Tigress retains its generous driving character while being safer in bad weather and more respectful of its environment. But in terms of comfort – of its pilot! -, the Triumph also elevates its game.

Unchanged this year, the driving position remains almost perfect: the saddle comfort is still very satisfactory and the handlebars do not spread or raise the arms too much. Classified in the "Adventure Sport Bike", the Tiger Sport remains nevertheless a little closer to the roadster than to the trail..

Too bad the tank continues to spread the legs: for some pilots, the plastic cover just above the frame can interfere with the lower thighs.

On the other hand, bikers with long legs will regret the absence of a "high" saddle to unfold their knees. If the original saddle – hollowed out to reach 830 mm in height and thin at the front – should be suitable for the greatest number, Triumph still offers an accessory version even more "comfort", and a "low" aimed at very small templates.

Compared to the simple screen installed on the previous Tiger Sport, the 2016 tinted model is 2 cm higher and rises an additional 3.5 cm when adjusted to the fourth and last notch. The operation is extremely simple: sitting on the motorcycle, all you have to do is push the screen and raise or lower it.

Also fitted as standard in 2016, transparent deflectors cover the fork crown and hand guards cover the handlebars. The road pretensions of the "trail" Triumph thus climb suddenly, which the travelers will appreciate … They are attentive, these English.

At 130 km / h – and even a little more – the Site tester (1.80 m and a large leather jacket on his back) does not feel the wind beating on his shoulders. He only needs to lower his head a little to completely isolate himself from the wind and the eddies, while the cutout in the bubble eliminates any thrust in the back. Perfect.

Well protected, the pilot tends to drive a little faster than he should … Formerly considered as a simple gadget, the cruise control tends to become essential on our "radar" roads: its presence as standard on the Tiger Sport is to be welcomed … and could prove beneficial !

The handling of the "cruise control" – via the right stalk – is very simple and allows, like on real GT motorcycles, to vary its speed to the km / h. Scrolling through the terminals on the back of the Tigress therefore becomes a simple formality, on condition only of not leaving your fingers on the levers which vibrate a little too much at high speed..

Triumph has paid special attention to the front brake and clutch controls. But in all fairness, the changes to the right lever and the other end of the left lever cable didn’t particularly hit MNC….

"We lengthened the brake lever slightly to make braking more biting and powerful.", however assure us the English on our return from driving. When driving, Site did not feel any difference: the braking of the Tiger was already excellent in 2015 and it remains so in 2016 !

Naturally, the very big brakes will be able to blame the radial Nissin calipers for a very small lack of bite, but for the vast majority of bikers the front brake – like the rear brake, powerful and adjustable – will give complete satisfaction..

Ditto for the ABS that the Journal moto du Net felt working around a more pronounced pin than expected, via tiny tapping in the lever and a braking distance extended by a small meter … But who knows if MNC could have braked shorter without his help, or even could have stayed on his wheels ?

Another subtlety that we could not appreciate on our 190 km ride interspersed with photoshoots and coffee breaks, but which could be felt after an hour in traffic jams: the new clutch assistance system, which reduced "48% of the effort required to the left lever". They are precise, these English.

During the shots, Site however felt that the Tiger Sport had not lost weight. "The weight is increased by 2 kg due to the more complete equipment ", admits Triumph who estimates the weight of his beast at 218 kg … dry! They are devious, these English.

Based on the value given in 2013, MNC calculates that the 2016 Tiger Sport weighs 237 kg on full scale. But the difference in weight goes unnoticed: the roadster mounted on stilts (suspensions unchanged: see the technical sheet on the last page) maintains its high center of gravity, which requires a little attention during maneuvers, engine off or not..

While making its first U-turns, Site also realized that the turning radius had not increased. On a daily basis, the "commuters" (followers of the motorcycle-work-sleep) will undoubtedly be exceeded by the users of scooters and small roadsters.

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