2009 Triumph
Tiger
MSRP $11,599
Take one look and it's clear the Tiger is built to perform in more ways than one. It will scratch, tour and commute. Powered by a torquey 1050cc triple cylinder engine with an infectious sound and feel, it boasts the performance specification of a sports bike: braced swing arm, fully adjustable Showa USD forks, remote spring preload and rebound damping adjustable Showa rear monoshock, twin floating front discs with 4 piston radial callipers and 17 inch wheels with 120/180 profile sports tires. Usability has always been a key benefit of all Triumph motorcycles and the Tiger retains this no matter what type of journey. There's no adventure too demanding.
Scoresheet
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The Tiger is an exceedingly usefull bike. I commute with it daily and find the upright and HIGH riding position the perfect stance to navigate the streets. An absolute must, is the ABS. I doubted the need at first, but after having an emergency brake situation (cut off in traffic) on sand blown into the road, (El Paso is the desert) I am sold. Could it be my skill level isn't what it needs to be? Maybe, but that ABS kicked in and I stayed upright and did not go over a car trunk.
The 1050 triple is surprisingly responsive in all gears, not just your low gears. The overall quality is superb. I have yet to find a rattle, loose nut/clip, or a paint flaw.
The transmission takes some getting used to and is often described as clunky. I would agree, but have found the "fix" to be high RPM gear changes. I used to fight 1st to 2nd, but found that 5000RPM or higher allows for a smooth shift. Just like a cat, it likes to be wound up tight.
The singular complaint is the windscreen. If you decide to use the bike as a tourer, invest in an aftermarket screen as the OEM are too short to do any good (although they look cool). I bought mine from California Scientific and the fit was spot-on with the same angle as the original screen.
Scoresheet
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comfortable on long rides suprisingly quick only complaint gearbox clunky
