2008 Tiger 1050i

The Tiger, with its mile-munching ability and sheer dependability, has won a legion of fans the world over. It lives in a genuinely different space to other bikes in its class, excelling in three distinct areas – it scratches; it tours 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. Two-up, you’ve got a bike that comfortably devours miles of tarmac thanks to the relaxed riding position, spacious seat, supple suspension and tractable torquey engine. Back in the city the commanding view really comes into its own, while the wide bars make tight manoeuvres child’s play.

An ABS version of the Tiger is also available.

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.

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.

At the new Tiger’s heart is the amazing 1050cc, 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 114bhp is delivered at 9400rpm, with 74ft.lbf torque at 6250rpm.

It has all the all-round practicality and comfort of the old Tiger – a broad, supportive seat for rider and pillion, relaxed ergonomics and efficient half fairing and screen – but also a composure and sporting ability that few, if any, will be able to match.

The twin-spar aluminum frame housing the 1050cc engine is new as is the braced aluminum swingarm. New too are the cast aluminum wheels, both are now 17in allowing a wider choice of tires; the front tire’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 (32.9in), matched to a dry weight of 416lbs. Fuel capacity is 5.2 gal, giving an excellent touring range.

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 most certainly one of them.
 

*From Triumph.com