2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Mon, 05/12/2011 - 10:10
Kev
Good report as always. I had a good hard look at the Tiger (Albeit the 2011 model) when I bought my Sprint ST back in Sep this year.
As you say the Tiger is really a sports tourer but one thing that turned me in favour of the Sprint was the size of the panniers. On the Tiger the RH one is significantly smaller because of the exhaust cut-out. The Sprint's panniers aren't that big to begin with so this loss of space (For no discernible benefit seeing as you're never going to take the Tiger off-road) seemed a real shame to me.
Having said that it's good to see them keeping the 1050 going as I feel its a real do-it-all type of machine. I wonder whether 2012 will be its last year though?
Mon, 05/12/2011 - 10:19
#2
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Oh and another thing. Are the headlights any good? Have Triumph made any changes to them like they did with the Sprint?
I did cover those in fact, near the end of the review, as I used the bike extensively at night. And the answer's no, they throw light about all over the place, on top of which they're a devil to adjust - a persistent bugbear of mine is how difficult it is to adjust the beam height on most bikes, and the problem's exacerbated on tall rounders which pitch more than average when loaded because of the long travel suspension, and they're more likely to be loaded up anyway.
The Tiger's particularly bad as access to the adjuster bolts is especially difficult, and the toolkit doesn't even have the right tool! I had a go at the designers of the Versys 1000 for the same reason, and as so often appears to be the case, they simply hadn't thought about it.
Mon, 05/12/2011 - 10:34
#3
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Oops...
Just re-read the report Kev. Doh!
Wed, 07/12/2011 - 20:51
#4
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Kev
Good report on Tiger.
I plan to buy new bike next year. Either Tiger or Versys 1000. If it was your money would you go for 2012 Tiger or Versys 1000.
Thu, 08/12/2011 - 00:47
#5
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
If it was my money I just couldn't spend it on a bike as big and ugly as a Versys 1000', though I really like the 650.
Thu, 08/12/2011 - 00:51
#6
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
And another thing, if Kev always rides like in the photos, head under the screen, no wonder the wind protection is ok. I have to admit to being too fat and not bendy enough to do that. If I was I might as well buy a GSXR 1000.
Thu, 08/12/2011 - 01:03
#7
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
I plan to buy new bike next year. Either Tiger or Versys 1000. If it was your money would you go for 2012 Tiger or Versys 1000.
I don't know!
Does that help?
Okay, maybe, just maybe the Kawasaki, despite the flaws. Ask me again tomorrow and I'll say the Triumph.
It could well come down to dealers, which is the nearest or the best, what deals I can get and so on. Also on the kind of riding I do, the Versys is better for regular long distances. It's more agile too. But it looks odd (at best...), and those forks would annoy me if I couldn't find a way to make them work better, the Triumph is slower handling but feels better.
And another thing, if Kev always rides like in the photos, head under the screen, no wonder the wind protection is ok. I have to admit to being too fat and not bendy enough to do that. If I was I might as well buy a GSXR 1000.
Ah, the art of looking fast when conditions say you have to go slow... or of looking a bit daft. And thanks to Heidi the photographer for keeping the bike sharp while using a slow shutter speed to blur the background and wheels, that's a lot harder than ducking down a bit.
Thu, 08/12/2011 - 15:11
#8
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Kev
Thanks. Until I get to ride both can’t decide. On spec versys looks the better bike. It's handy that my local dealer does both Triumph & Kawasaki. Although it may not lead to a good deal as they'll get the business either way!
Fri, 09/12/2011 - 10:08
#9
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Kev
Thanks. Until I get to ride both can’t decide.
In fact my warmer feelings are still towards the Kawasaki today... I'll be really interested to hear your thoughts after you've ridden them both, there's nothing like focussing how you feel more than it being a £10k decision.
Mon, 16/01/2012 - 15:13
#10
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Well deal done picking up new bike on Wednesday.
Didnt go for either Versys 1000 0r Tiger.
After a test which I came back from with a smile from ear to ear went for KTM SMT.
Mon, 16/01/2012 - 15:41
#11
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Alien. Good choice and fun ride. Like the colours as well.
Mon, 16/01/2012 - 20:04
#12
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Good decision...
Mon, 16/01/2012 - 20:32
#13
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
After a test which I came back from with a smile from ear to ear went for KTM SMT.
Sounds about right!
You'll love it! Congrats!
Ninou
Tue, 17/01/2012 - 22:48
#14
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Another vote for KTM. I love mine, though it is a bit high maintenance I.e. needs looking after and a few mods make it an even better bike. I think it just demands a bit more commitment from its owner than would a BMW or Honda, and that's part of the joy of owning it.
Mon, 05/03/2012 - 17:07
#15
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
How much higher maintenance is a KTM SMT compared to a Triumph or Honda for example?
I am torn between a 2011 KTM SMT abs and a 2011 Triumph speed triple abs. The trimuph seems to be much better on fuel economy.
I'm particularly concerned about service intervals though.
I read somewhere the service intervals for SMT are every 4600 miles, with every second service being a valve clearance check.
At the mileage I do that would be 2 services every year, one of them being a valve check! That would be expensive!
Mon, 05/03/2012 - 18:38
#16
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
Ive just seen that picture on mcns website,of the future tiger 1050 sport,single sided swingarm,new front fairing etc,triumph sometimes releases new bikes part way through the year,this one looks ready for production.
Tue, 06/03/2012 - 03:25
#17
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
It's been on the site for a few days now. It should help them shift the stockpile as the eXplorers roll out, or for those that would prefer a slightly lighter machine. I enjoyed my Tiger 1050, so for those that don't want the big 1200, but still want a big triple it could prove a good choice, especially given the updates? The only concern would be residuals if/when they discontinue the 1050. Still, it'll be much cheaper than the 1200 I suspect, which helps off-set that.
@ Alien; can't get much better than your 'Rhubarb' avatar! ;-D
Tue, 06/03/2012 - 07:58
#18
Re: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050
I think I just saw the new 1050 Tiger on the M69 yesterday escorted by a Speed Trip and a Street Trip. They moved about a fair bit using traffic as cover when they saw we were trying to photograph them and our speeds were as fast and safe as the traffic allowed without causing them problems by cutting them up - sadly my passenger was a bit cack-handed and couldn't get a decent shot.
Couldn't see a 1050 moniker but it had the new "square" Triumph logo, SSSA, but the main thing was the new front fairing and lights from the new Tigers styling- i.e double unit from 800 and Explorer. Looked absolutely ready i.e. finished article straight from a showroom.
I'll bet we see this launched at the same time as the Explorer like they did the Speed Trip update at the same time as the Tiger 800
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Oh and another thing. Are the headlights any good? Have Triumph made any changes to them like they did with the Sprint?