Triumph Tiger 2012
(click on images)
Triumph has updated the Tiger 1050 with a series of changes that move it further from any off-road pretensions it might have had.
The move creates more room between the Tiger 1050 and the imminent new adventure bike, which will have a much stronger off-road bias.
The changes for the 2012 model year include new suspension with firmer damping and a 29 per cent stiffer rear spring, aimed at giving the bike a sportier feel and coping better with two-up riding.
The riding position is also more sporting thanks to the new, tapered and anodised aluminium bars being set 0.8in (20mm) lower than the old steel ones.
Other changes are cosmetic, including Speed Triple-style graphics and various items being given a black finish where previously they were chrome or alloy. These include the wheels, sprocket carrier, brake callipers and footrest hangers, while the silencer and heel guards are brushed rather than polished aluminium.
The standard 1050 comes only in black, while the SE version is available in red, white and a two-tone black/graphite. This also comes with ABS, handguards, centre stand and panniers.
Prices are £9,099 and £9,999 for the SE.
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Sat, 08/10/2011 - 13:10
#2
This looks more like a semantic disagreement... I used pretensions in the same way I'd say pretence, or as my dictionary says of pretension: "a false or unsupportable claim, esp to merit, worth, or importance."
Triumph only ever claimed the Tiger was off-road styled, but nevertheless gave it some attributes of off-road bikes such as the long travel and soft suspension, or the relatively high and wide bars. It's now moving even further from those, I suspect to ensure a clear space between the Tiger and the new adventure bike, which will not have pretensions but some real off-road ability.
Sat, 08/10/2011 - 15:10
#3
Kevin , when do you expect to hear more on the 1200 Tiger ? one month away from the Milan show one would expect the invites to the press lauch to be on the way - i saw that a " spokesman " said that the Tiger 1050 would be retained in the range once the 1200 is out so in theory the 1200 will have off road attributes , i guess there is a difference,a Yorksire dealer has priced it at £10500 but of cpurse no more info.I hope they go for adjustable suspension rather than ABS which has also been rumoured.
SSRD
Sat, 08/10/2011 - 18:21
#4
Triumph has a new model presentation this coming Monday (Oct 10), but we don't know what it is yet. After that I'd not expect to hear anything before Milan, first press day for that is November 8. Usually we don' get invitations to riding launches until after the bikes have appeared at shows, and not all new bikes are ready for the riding launch straight after they've been unveiled, the launches carry on from October right through to April on the whole.
With these updates to the 1050 Tiger it's clear Triumph intends to keep it in the range for at least another year, probably more depending on how sales go when the new adventure bike comes out.
I believe the new 1200 will have a genuine off-road ability, and very likely electrically adjustable suspension will be an option. ABS certainly will.
Wed, 12/10/2011 - 13:55
#5
By keeping the name "Tiger" its dual-sporting ability was suggested as prior models were adventure touring enabled. Perhaps Triumph would have been better off changing the name from "Tiger" to something else and only using the "Tiger" name on its bikes DS bikes.
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 18:50
#6
The new explorer has made this a poor buy. Triumph needs to up the motor on this to the same HP performance or why buy it.
Mon, 21/11/2011 - 16:15
#7
These mods do raise the question of why have long travel stiff suspension? It seems the Tiger is just a regular half-faired bike witha high seat. Not necessarily a bad thing, but why bother with long suspension travle if it's not used?
Same point could apply to my KTM 950 SMR.
Mon, 21/11/2011 - 17:09
#8
It's true that the long(er) suspension doesn't have any off-road use but part of the attraction of bikes such as the Tiger 1050 is that they offer an elevated riding position. This can only be achieved using the long(er) suspension route.
I'm glad that they are keeping it in the range but I can't see it lasting much beyond 2013 if I'm honest. Sales during 2012 will be instrumental in how long it lasts I suspect.
Mon, 21/11/2011 - 22:13
#9
The new explorer has made this a poor buy. Triumph needs to up the motor on this to the same HP performance or why buy it.
Fair point. If the suspension is now more sports-orientated then maybe it can cope with the Speed Triple power? Somehow I doubt Triumph will do this, an "R" version.
Tue, 22/11/2011 - 16:55
#10
Now there's an idea. A Tiger 1050 R... Mmm...
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The Tiger 1050 never had any "off-road pretensions." Triumph has always made it very clear that this is a road bike. For some reason, the people have always critiqued its off-road capabilites, as if a sport bike with a 17 inch front wheel should be able to go off road. Triumph placed it in their "Urban Sports" line. You can't be much clearer then that. With this 2012, Triumph is, successfully, positioning this bike as a comfortable, rangey, luxury-appointed Speed Triple. I love my Tiger 1050, and have ridden it, daily, through New York City traffic, backroads in the country, long distance trips...anywhere there's pavement rough or...Manhattan. Its been loads of fun, great to handle, and that Triple is a joy to work with whether I'm going 2 miles an hour on the west side hwy or...somewhat faster (!) up the Palisades. Great bike.