DESIGNED as an all rounder that is as capable in the urban crawl as it is on the open roads, the 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport is one of the more capable multipurpose motorcycles currently on the market.
A road focused adventure bike with a slightly reduced technical spec compared to its 900 sibling, and a more affordable price tag, the Tiger 850 Sport is both capable and comfortable, with an effortless demeanour towards just about everything we threw at it.
It’s powered by a liquid-cooled, 12-valve DOHC inline 3-cylinder 888cc engine. That triple engine produces 62.5kW of power and 82Nm of torque, which is delivered smoothly and with a minimum of fuss.
Cruising on the freeway the Tiger 850 Sport sits at the speed limit with ease, with no over revving or excessive engine noise either. The 6-speed gearbox which is matched to a wet, multi-slip clutch works well and adds to the overall feel of everything working in unison.
Thanks to a dedicated engine tune with innovative T-plane triple crank, it’s under acceleration low in the rpm range where this adventurer really shines. Useable power is definitive and superior down where you need it.
When reaching higher speeds though, you can tell that the bike does not keep accelerating as smoothly or crisply as say a 1000cc motorcycle. Road ride is plush without being too soft or too hard; as goldilocks would say, it is just right.
That also translates into inspired rider confidence when tipping the Tiger into corners. Front suspension sees Marzocchi 455mm upside down forks fitted, while on the rear, there’s a Marzocchi suspension unit that incorporates manual preload adjustment.
Braking works really well thanks to twin 320mm floating discs with Brembo Stylema 4-piston Monobloc callipers on the front, and a 255mm single disc with Brembo sliding calliper on the rear. Both brake setups feature ABS.
If anything, the brakes could be over specified in going with the no frills theme of the entry level Triumph Tiger 850 Sport.
It’s a tall bike too, with a seat height ranging between 810-830mm. Vertically challenged riders will struggle a little, like on most adventure bikes. Overall ergonomics though, are pretty good.
The 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport’s seat feels well supported, and the handlebars are within easy reach, helping aid a supported upright riding position.
It has a dry weight of 192kg and when on the move feels well balanced and easily manoeuvrable. Even when moving around the garage or tight spaces, the bike doesn’t feel overly big or cumbersome and is relatively user friendly.
Rider info is displayed via a 5.0-inch TFT screen. There are no fancy displays, but it does transfer all rider information clearly, including details of your selected ride mode (Road and Rain), and other usable data.
Both riding modes have different throttle maps and traction control intrusiveness, however ABS remains fully engaged, no matter the choice.
We did of course test out its adventurous side too, and despite limited opportunities to get fully off-road, we found some dirt tracks to explore a little.
The Tiger 850 Sport fared well, and even though it has a road-oriented set of tyres fitted, it handled the rutted dirt road with ease. If you plan to get off road properly, there’s more than 60 accessories available for this bike, allowing you to tailor it to suit your needs.
Fitted with a 20-litre fuel tank, it has claimed fuel consumption of 5.2-litres/100km. Real world testing showed an average between 5.5 and 6.0-litres/100km, which is still very good.
For the 2021 model range, the Triumph Tiger 850 Sport is available in Graphite Caspian Blue or Graphite Diablo Red (as tested). It’s priced from $17,890 ride away and is a great way for budding adventure riders to find their way into the Triumph Tiger family.
Although it’s a simpler version of the Triumph Tiger 900, and offers less rider aids, and is a little down on power, the 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport is a satisfying ride.
Our test bike was supplied by Triumph Motorcycles Australia. For further information about the 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport, contact your local Triumph Motorcycles dealer.
good review is the 2021 to a 2023 have any changes cheers