Triumph Adventure 900

Make Model	Triumph Adventure 900
Year	1996 - 97
Engine	Four stroke, transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity	885 cc / 54.0 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	76 x 65 mm
Cooling System	Liquid-cooled
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Induction	3 x 36 mm Mikuni carburetors
Ignition	TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition)
Starting	Electric
Max Power	51 kW / 70 hp @ 8000 rpm
Max Power (rear tyre)	50.3 kW / 67.5 hp @7300 rpm
Max Torque	72 Nm / 53.1 ft. lbs @ 4800 rpm
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	43 mm Telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Monoshock adjustable preload.
Front Brakes	2 x 320 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 285 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	110/80-18
Rear Tyre	160/80-16
Wheelbase	1580 mm / 62.2 in
Seat Height	750 mm / 29.5 in
Dry Weight	220 kg / 496 lbs
Wet Weight	233 kg / 513.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15 Litres / 4 US gal / 3.3 Imp gal
Consumption Average	6.3 L/100 km / 15.8 km/l / 37.2 US mpg / 44.6 Imp mpg
Braking 60 km/h - 0	14.6 m / 47.9 ft
Braking 100 km/h - 0	42.7 m / 140.1 ft
Standing ¼ Mile	13.4 sec / 159.2 km/h / 98.9 mph
Top Speed	191.5 km/h / 119 mph
Review	MCN

As soon as the Thunderbird appeared in 1995, Triumph dealers, especially in America, asked for a custom version. Introduced in 1996, the Adventurer used an almost identical basic engine and chassis package to the Thunderbird, but with: slight cruiser hint to the styling.

The 885cc liquid-cooled triple produces 51kW (69bhp), with torquey power delivery. The Triumph steel-tube spine frame works well, while conventional forks and rear monoshock suspension supply soft, plush damping. A 48cm (19in) front wheel and high handlebars give the essential cruiser outline, although the Adventurer is still very much a Triumph in looks and performance. Factory accessories allow extensive customization.

The Triumph Adventurer is more laid back, quite literally, than the Thunderbird thanks to a 19/16-inch wheel combo, longer forks and higher bars. The Triumph Adventurer's handling can’t match the slice and dash of the T-bird but it’s reasonable, nevertheless and undoubtedly smooth.

For our money, along with the T-bird, the Triumph Adventurer is one of the best incarnations of the original big Hinckley triple. 885cc three has been detuned from Trident and Trophy spec to give even more oomph. Wound open the Triumph Adventurer's engine sounds like a squadron of Lancasters and with restyle chromy and curvy engine cases it looks the business, too. A classic.

From around 1993 onwards, Triumph quality moved on apace – and it certainly shows with the T-Bird and Triumph Adventurer. Paint and chome is thick, fit and finish is generally good and those early triples are basically over-engineered so are solid as old nails, too…

There aren’t that many Triumph Adventurers about (it was primarily built to break into the American market) but even so, in the UK at least they’ve depreciated faster than the more popular T-Bird making the Triumph Adventurer good value. Comparable Japanese bikes are generally cheaper, though…

Nothing to write home about. The Triumph Adventurer has twin dial clocks in a retro style, decent enough mirrors, capable switchgear and that’s about it. Compared to the T-Bird the Triumph Adventurer has megaphone pipes, a ‘fat bob’ rear fender (mudguard) and different tank badge and knee pads.