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Bike Review: New Bike Test 2008/9 Triumph Tiger - From RoadBike July 2009
 Tiger Wild By Tricia Szulewski, Photos By Bob Feather
Sometimes, we only have test bikes long enough to put a few hundred miles on them. Other times, manufacturers are generous enough to allow us to hang onto them for a whole riding season, which gives us a real-world chance to live with them for awhile and get to know the nuances of the machine. RoadBike publisher Buzz Kanter enjoyed some test miles in Spain on the newly designed 2007 Tiger (March ’07). But the virtually unchanged, Blazing Orange Tiger you see here was loaned to us last year for a long-term report. After nearly 5,000 miles and four seasons of “testing,” I couldn’t even watch last week as the Triumph rep rode “my” bike away, to be delivered to another publication’s headquarters. I used the Tiger almost every day as my main source of transportation. Even as the temperature dropped below freezing, I continued to ride. The battery terminals are easy to access under the seat, so hooking up heated gear was a cinch. We asked Triumph for a few of its accessories to make the cold ride more bearable, and it graciously obliged. First, heated grips ($219.99) were installed. I found the tapered design even more comfortable than the stock grips. The internally wired grip heaters and fairing-mounted switch keeps wiring out of sight. The switch has three positions and is simple to use by pushing either up or down, depending on the desired heat setting: high, low, or off. Solidly mounted, molded nylon hand guards ($99.99) worked in conjunction with the heated grips to keep the cold wind from hitting my mitts. And the touring screen ($149.99) was a good idea, but didn’t quite have the desired effect of forcing the wind over my head, instead of into my chest. The new screen bows out a bit more than the stocker, but for better protection, I’d look for a large aftermarket design with more height. I’d have kept on riding, but Old Man Winter ruthlessly dumped ice and snow on our Connecticut roads, which then became completely coated with mounds of sand. The Michelin Pilot Road radials that performed so well in the warm weather were less than ideal for the freezing road conditions. So one sad day in January, the bike officially became “storage.” Triumph’s Tiger is your do-it-all motorcycle, if there ever was one. Sportbike riders can appreciate the Tiger’s powerful, torquey, liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line three-cylinder engine. Standard and dual-sport lovers will be grateful for the sit-up seating position, low pegs, and wide bars. Dual-sporters will also appreciate the tall legs, which trace back to the older, more off-road, adventure-oriented Tiger. You folks who like to tour can comfortably put several hundred miles on the odometer in a day, and you’ll appreciate the hard bags, wind protection, cushy seating, and available accessories. Cruiser riders, well, you all ought to try something new. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed. It’s no secret to RoadBike readers that I have a true soft spot for Triumph triples. There’s just something about the pure power of the 1050cc engine that feels just right. Twisting the throttle of each one I’ve tried — Tiger, Speed Triple, and Daytona 675 — all give me the same rush of adrenaline. Its power is immediate and responsive. The Tiger’s gear ratios are short, and getting up and through all the gears is quick. A six-speed overdrive is welcome on long hauls. The adjustable reach clutch (and brake) lever is a bit of a stretch for me, even at its shortest setting, but offers a good firm feel. Brakes are superb, and though we had the ABS model, I never needed to activate the antilock system. Nissan four-piston, radial calipers squeeze the twin 320mm floating discs up front, and two-piston Nissan calipers stop the single 255mm in back.
The color-matched, locking hard bags offer ample watertight storage; The inverted Showa 43mm fork legs feature 150mm of travel, and perch the steed at a tall seat height of 32.8". The rear Showa monoshock also boasts the same amount of travel, and together the tall legs can get a little bouncy in quick left-right-left switchbacks. But both front and rear suspension offer adjustable preload and rebound damping, and the front includes compression damping as well. So tailoring the suspension to the riding you plan to do is easy enough. The Tiger is the tallest motorcycle I’ve ridden, which, at first, was a little intimidating. Luckily, the seat is tapered in front, and the bike is extremely well balanced, which makes holding the bike up on tiptoes completely doable. More often, I’d lean the bike ever so slightly to the left as I came to stops, balancing the bike with one leg. While this may not appeal to less-experienced riders, it worked like a charm for me.
Triumph’s touring screen, heated grips, and hand guards (bottom) provide
The instrument control display reminds me of the Speed Triple that I fell in love with the previous summer, probably because it’s exactly the same. There’s more information than I’d ever use. You’ve also got your standard display of digital features: clock, two tripmeters, odometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature, and the usual warning lights. An analog tachometer shows redline to be between 10 and 12k rpm. Perhaps the ultimate testament as to how I feel about this motorcycle is what happened last July. Editor Steve asked me to join him in his quest to complete a 1,000 mile, 24-hour Iron Butt ride from Connecticut to Ohio and back. I thought about spending a full day and night on the stock Tiger, and immediately signed up. The only alterations I made to the bike were to attach a magnetic tankbag, a tailbag, and a throttle rest. If you read the story in Jan./Feb. ’09, you already know that we made the trek in the allotted time. What you don’t know is that I experienced no discomfort at all. Not for a minute. And, as a matter of fact, if it weren’t for needing sleep, I could have comfortably ridden all the way to the West Coast on that Tiger. And back again. RB
Tech Sheet 2009 Triumph Tiger 1050 |
I’m just going to come right out in the first line and say “I love this bike!” I know, I know, I’ve been criticized before for falling hard and fast, and then just as suddenly giving my heart and soul to the next motorcycle that comes my way. But this time I’m serious.
