2016 Triumph Tiger Sport Announced

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

But it's not coming to America

Triumph announced an updated Tiger Sport featuring the latest iteration of the company’s 1050cc engine and electronics introduced in the Speed Triple R and Speed Triple S. Sadly, however, Triumph’s North American arm has decided not to import it to our shores. Americans last saw this bike in 2012 as the Tiger 1050 but we have been left wanting since the previous update and renaming in 2013.

Visually, the 2016 model looks similar to last year’s model except for the new color options (matt black with neon yellow highlights or the aluminum silver with red details pictured here). Minor updates include handguards, grippier pegs, an adjustable tinted screen and new mirrors.

The biggest changes come in the engine and electronics. The latest 1050cc Triple features 104 updates from the previous powerplant, with Triumph claiming increased peak power and overall torque and a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. The exhaust system was also refined, which should help the Tiger Sport meet Euro4 emission standards. Triumph also added a slip-assist clutch to reduce rider fatigue and to lessen the rear wheel’s proclivity to hopping when sloppily downshifting through the six-speed gearbox.

Like the latest Speed Triples, the Tiger Sport receives ride-by-wire throttle control and traction control. The 2016 Tiger Sport comes with three power modes (Road, Rain and Sport) but lacks the Track and user-programmable modes offered on the Speed Triple. The Tiger does, however, offer cruise control which better suits its intended purpose as an everyday commuter and tourer.

Full specifications and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

More by Dennis Chung

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 9 comments
  • NaClDog NaClDog on Feb 19, 2016

    I'd go for an "R" version of this bike in a heartbeat. I'll be moving on from my Daytona 955i to a KTM.

  • Huff955 Huff955 on Feb 19, 2016

    What sense does it make to have 6-8 different "versions" of the two other Tigers, but we cant get this one, which would actually sell?

    • MarktheV MarktheV on Feb 20, 2016

      Very true- although we somewhat brought this upon ourselves. The bikes were here in the States 3-4yrs ago but not enough were being sold due to the sudden affinity everyone had for the over-grown adventure bikes with 140+hp(media included). When the 2013 Multi came out editors were so enamored with the mega-power and gadgets they made it sound that riding the Tiger was as archaic as rubbing sticks together to make fire!
      It's a shame more people couldn't have demo'd these bikes as they were really good even before the updates. Hopefully this time around the US market will accept the benefits of a long-legged, 17"-wheeled bike that can easily handle highway commutes, back road weekends and the occasional track day.

Next