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Tiger
Updates for 2008:
- New 2008 colour: Blazing Orange
Is there nothing it can’t do?
The Tiger has always been one of the most popular
bikes in Triumph’s range and since the original
was launched in 1994 it has won a legion of fans the
world over thanks to its all-purpose usefulness, mile-munching
ability and sheer dependability. 2007 was a big year
for Tiger fans when the brand new Triumph Tiger 1050
was released - a major evolutionary step in the model’s
history. This new Tiger lives in a genuinely different
space to other bikes in its class, excelling in three
distinct areas: it tours, it scratches and it commutes.
While its sharp lines and performance spec make the
Tiger’s sporting credentials clear from a glance,
its stunning looks hide a practical streak. Take a
Tiger two-up touring way off into the wilds and you’ve
got a bike that comfortably devours miles of tarmac.
The relaxed riding position, spacious seat, supple
suspension and tractable torquey engine guarantee you
arrive fresh at the end of the longest day.
Next, ditch the bags, go it alone and head for a bit
of fun at strange angles. Tucked into a brilliantly
balanced chassis, the Tiger’s potent engine delivers
power and ear to ear grins. Multi-adjustable front
and rear suspension keeps things planted and a squeeze
on the Nissin four piston radial caliper front brakes
stop you on a euro.
Then it’s back to the city where the Tiger slinks
through snarled up traffic and the sleek lines look
sharp as a knife. Here the commanding view really comes
into its own, giving the rider the jump on everyone,
while the wide bars make tight manoeuvres child’s
play. Soft luggage holds the day’s essentials.
Nothing sounds like a triple so there’s simply
no confusing a Tiger with the whine of an anonymous
four. You can almost feel the sound on your skin. At
the Tiger’s heart is the amazing 1,050cc, fuel-injected,
three-cylinder engine. This motor, known for its addictive
character, has plenty of torque and impressive amounts
of horsepower, with ample reserves of both for those
two-up fully laden tours. Peak power of 115PS (114bhp)
is delivered at 9,400rpm, with 100Nm (74ft.lbf) torque
at 6,250rpm.
As for the chassis, sit on a Tiger and you know it’s
a fit. Fast scratcher, packed tourer or head up commuter,
it always feels right. The twin-spar aluminium frame
housing the 1,050cc engine is new, as is the braced
aluminium swingarm. New too are the cast aluminium
wheels, both are now 17in allowing a wider choice of
tyres; the front tyre’s a 120/70 ZR17, the rear
a 180/55 ZR17. The 43mm upside down fully adjustable
forks and remote spring preload and rebound damping
adjustable rear shock provide an almost magic carpet-like
ride over the most varied of surfaces, from the roughest
Tarmac to the smoothest blacktop asphalt.
Twin four-piston radial calipers bite 320mm front
discs, the rear 255mm disc uses a single twin-piston
caliper. The Tiger’s seat height is a manageable
835mm (32.8in), matched to a dry weight of 198kg (436lbs – ABS
weighs 201Kg/443lbs). Fuel capacity is 20 litres (4.4
gal), giving an excellent touring range.
Comfort has always been a strength for the Tiger and
rider and pillion benefit from great ergonomics, excellent
wind protection and rubber mounted handle bars and
foot pegs.
Then there’s the look: the Tiger in profile
looks ready to pounce. The sharp, angular lines of
the headlight cowl muscle up around the tank and then
flow beautifully to the upswept tail. A bike capable
of so many different things should look like a compromise
yet the Tiger looks stunning. Available in four different
colour options – Caspian Blue, Fusion White,
Jet Black and new for 2008, Blazing Orange.
Factory hard luggage is available for the Tiger, as
is a tank bag, soft tail pack and heated grips, as
well as a whole range of other accessory options.
Supremely comfortable, two-up tourer; sporty solo funster
or sleek, stylish city bike: There are very few genuine
all-round motorcycles in existence – the Tiger
is surely one of them.
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