Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport 2013 — Specifications

When Triumph evolved the Tiger to the 1050 displacement, the machine took a decidedly sportier turn than its 900/955 ancestor. The problem was that this muscular temperament no longer sat well with the trail-GT label the range asked it to wear. Since the Explorer 1200 took over the serious maxi trail touring segment, the Tiger finds itself freed from that ambiguity. The Sport version finally owns what it always wanted to be.

The Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport doesn't aim for a styling revolution, and that's a defensible choice. The silhouette remains recognizable, but the details have been carefully reworked: tighter fairing flanks, a redesigned headstock with slimmer lighting units, a clean tail section. What catches the eye first is the single-sided swingarm, the centrepiece that gives the whole machine a welcome visual aggression. The triangular indicators, sculpted footpegs, red stitching on the seat, brushed aluminium elements — all small touches that distinguish this generation from its predecessors and justify the renewed interest in the Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport on the used market.

The English triple gains 10 horsepower without any change in displacement, bringing the total to 125 hp at 9,400 rpm, with 104 Nm of torque available from 4,300 rpm. A revised rear sprocket ratio improves roll-on performance and reinforces the engine's expressive character. The six-speed gearbox has been reworked for smoother shifts, and fuel consumption drops by 7% according to Triumph. The brakes receive 320 mm front discs with radial four-piston calipers, the whole package paired with updated ABS. It's effective and well-sized for 235 kg fully fuelled.

The Sport badge isn't just about extra engine figures. The steering head angle has been tightened by half a degree, the wheelbase slightly lengthened, the handlebar lowered. These apparently minor adjustments genuinely change the feel in hand: the steering gains in precision without losing motorway stability. The suspension has been redesigned with new springs and valves, the 43 mm inverted fork offering 140 mm of travel. The seat, narrowed at the front and lowered by 5 mm to 830 mm, improves passenger comfort by positioning the rider lower, better sheltered in the rider's slipstream. The left-hand switchgear has been redesigned to allow dashboard access without releasing the handlebar.

Priced at €12,490, the 2013 Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport positions itself as a serious alternative to large-format sports tourers. The usable range is broad: a rider looking for commitment on twisty back roads will find what they're after, as will the long-distance traveller who wants to eat up miles without suffering. The modified rear subframe accepts optional panniers capable of fitting a full-face helmet and ten kilograms of luggage each. It's not a pure trail bike, nor a GT either; it's precisely this hybrid positioning that makes the Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport's strength, and explains why reviews remain very positive on the 2015 to 2021 examples still regularly encountered on the second-hand market.