| 2007
is a big year for Tiger fans with the release of the brand new
Triumph Tiger 1050, a major evolutionary step in the model’s
history.
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 115PS (114bhp) is delivered at 9400rpm, with 100Nm (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 aluminium frame housing the 1050cc 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 (32.9in), matched to a dry weight of 198kg. Fuel capacity
is 20 litres (5.2 gal US), 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...
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