Triumphrat

Buhlit-Tueth · 10-06-2006, 01:32 AM

I just finished reading the Cycle World write up on the new Tiger, (Nov 06), and I'm pretty disappointed. According to Simon Warburton, Triumph's head project manger, "dirt ability wasn't an issue" for the latest Tiger. (CW, pg 40)

Wow, did Triumph ever miss the boat on this one.

I've been debating for a few months whether to buy a BMW 1200GS or a newer Tiger to add to the stable. When I first saw the photos of the new 1050 in CW I immediately started thinking of how much money I was going to save buying the Triumph, and getting a great looking bike as well. And then I read on and find out that the new Tiger has no off-road, or even dirt road, capabilities to speak of and the gas tank is now smaller than my '00 Sprint RS.

What? :knkknk:

"Very few people actually take these bikes off-road." (Simon Warburton, CW pg 40) I think Triumph might have enlisted the help of one too many demographers or market analysts while designing this bike.

Do they make 120/70 and 180/55 off-road tires?

10-06-2006, 09:37 AM

I work nights, and I also read that article last night. I debated back in June if I wanted an '06 or did I want to wait for the '07? I made the right choice, as I have the '06. I will have it for a very long time. The smiles per miles factor is beyond explanation. While I do concur with your sentiments about the lost value, I am sure that Wharburton and his cronies are in it for the money. I think that they want a bigger bite out of the V-Strom and GS marketplace. Although they said what they did about the lack of off road abilities, I am sure that the bike camping crowd will be very pleased with he new bike. As for the smaller tank, I caught that the new engine and mapping produces much better mileage. So it would seem that the miles per tank may be about the same. I really want to see this new beast, and if I am lucky ride her. I will still say that there are no trades for me in the foreseeable future.

Buhlit-Tueth · 10-06-2006, 12:41 PM

I think the new Tiger is a fantastic looking bike, and you made a good point that I overlooked about the improved fuel mileage on the 1050 engine and the smaller tank. I guess my emotions are preventing me from appreciating the logic of sacrificing all-round ability for possible increased sales. How much market attractiveness would this bike really lose if it was better equipped to handle at least dirt roads, if not wilderness single-track? Or at least provide some sort of options/ conversion package.

I'll definitely take a good, long look at one as soon as they hit the showrooms -- if only to dream up my own modifications and wonder "what if." Meanwhile, maybe I'll have to consider the '06 Tiger, (even though the looks don't grab me as hard).

10-06-2006, 07:13 PM

I whole heartedly agree with the profits statement. I also concur with the thoughts on the percentage of off road use. I am very happy with my '06, however, I may fall in love with the '07 as well. Isn't bike envy great. I am so fickle. :-D

bareyb · 10-06-2006, 11:15 PM

This is the first bike of this kind I'd be able to own. At least with the smaller rims you can fit it with good sticky street tires like Michelins or Dunlops and the seat height is just barely low enough that I think I could get my feet down well enough to feel secure.

All I ride is street, but have always wanted to own one of these all purpose type bikes. My roots are in dirt bikes and I prefer that riding position. This Tiger looks like it fills the bill. I also miss the long travel suspension my old street legal Enduro had. Never have been able to get used to the "leaned over the tank" ergos of the newer street bikes. The new Tiger looks like a blast. Can't wait to ride one.

B02S4 · 10-06-2006, 11:45 PM

I'm not a legacy Tiger owner, but I think Triumph hit the mark with the 07 Tiger. Time will tell.

tyrebyter · 10-06-2006, 11:53 PM

Except for the front wheel size and lack of bash plate, why would the new Tiger not be better off-road than the old Tiger? It's lighter. A smaller tank should be prefered off-road. There are dual-sport tires in those sizes from Pirelli and Dunlop. 19" isn't really an ideal tire for serious off road either. If you think the old Tiger is the superior beast, I've got an '01 with an extra front hub you can lace a 21" wheel to and do your best Malcolm Smith impression. The other hub has a 17"X3.5" rim laced on it, so you won't be needing that. I'll take the first $10,699US offer... and pick up the first '07 off the transporter.

Buhlit-Tueth · 10-07-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

On 2006-10-06 15:01, Harmon01 wrote:
If the majority of users of the old Tiger use it 90% on road and 10% off road, then wouldn't it make sense to "cater" to the 90% end.

I guess my response to that would be that 90% of Tiger owners, (if that's an actual percentage), are under-utilizing their bikes.

I understand profit motive for a company and have no problem with it. But I truly feel that Triumph is ignoring an opportunity to improve upon a line of bikes that, as I understand it from reading Tiger owners' posts, are excellent machines -- on AND off road. The fact that the earlier Tigers had off-road capabilities didn't stop folks from buying them and NOT taking them off-road, so why all-of-a-sudden does it make a difference to Triumph now?

If someone makes off-road capable tires in 120/70/17 and 180/55/19 geometries, no problem, I'd seriously consider a purchase. Otherwise, what I'd be buying is a sport touring hybrid that lacks a number of details and features that bikes such as the FJR1300 and K1200GT have that make them such great choices for ON-ROAD touring. And to me, that's not really being market savvy or competitive.

"Go you own way." Appropriate and unheeded in this case.

And I just noticed tyrebyter's post about the tires......
All that ranting for nothing! :blush: :kck:

[ This message was edited by: Buhlit-Tueth on 2006-10-06 22:19 ]

blacktiger · 10-07-2006, 04:04 AM

Quote:

On 2006-10-06 22:12, Buhlit-Tueth wrote:
Otherwise, what I'd be buying is a sport touring hybrid that lacks a number of details and features that bikes such as the FJR1300 and K1200GT have that make them such great choices for ON-ROAD touring.

Except, of course, the above bikes weigh 100lbs more to begin with.

I'm one of the 10% that takes the Tiger off road. BUT that's only for about 1% of the time. So triumph's strategy is understandable I suppose.
Even with dirt tyres the 07 will not have the right geometry for the dirt. It'll hit stones hard with the 17" rims. After all the reason dirt bikes have 21" rims is so that they roll over bumps easier.
I'd hate to loose even the limited off-road ability the current Tiger has. So, when the time comes to change, I may well be looking at something orange in colour.
Or, maybe, a low mileage second hand 02~04 Tiger. At least that way I'll know what I'm getting.

[ This message was edited by: blacktiger on 2006-10-07 02:07 ]

winger · 10-07-2006, 10:19 AM

Some fancifull percentages thats for for sure more like 99%V 1% and of that 1% they think off road is a dirt track!!!