"Real Issues with the Tiger 1050"...I guess that depends on your point of view.
I have kept up with the threads on the tiger1050.com forum for many months now and the complaints that get the most responses seem to be "which color is fastest" and "which exhaust can sounds and looks the best".
As usual, there have been complaints covering just about every part of the bike at one time or another; however, many (maybe most) of the forum members on tiger1050.com say it is either the best or one of the best bikes they have owned.
Here's a sample of the complaints:
1. Headlights: Only one shines on dim (or dipped)--both shine on bright. Some have found the adjustment to be too far to the left (like it was adjusted for the UK roads--mine was like this). Some have complained the lights are not bright enough--they are VERY bright compared to my bonneville). Someone in Australia builds a kit that lets both lights shine on dim.
2. Windscreen: Noise and buffeting are the two major complaints besides "looks". I doubt if it is very much different than earlier tigers. With the windscreen so far from the rider, it is difficult to design one that works well for all heights and riding positions of riders. There are a lot of aftermarket screens available, now...just a problem deciding which one will solve your problem if you have one.
3. Front mudguard: Too short in back, and the Triumph mudguard extender was discontinued for the 1050. Some have used the mudguard extender from the S3 & Daytona with good success; however, they glue the extender on rather than bolt it one--some have said the bolts are the reason Triumph discontinued their extender for the 1050...they could touch the tire and cause problems.
4. Mirrors: Is there any bike that doesn't get mirror complaints???
5. Tank: Too small..there is only fuel enough for 250 miles of riding and some don't want to stop so often.
6. Seat: Too much...too little...too wide...too narrow...too high...too low. I put the seat in the same class with the mirrors.
7. Suspension: Too tall, too short, too soft, too stiff. For very heavy riders, the suspension is probably too soft and if they ride aggressively, they will scrape the pegs, etc. on hard cornering. I would suggest replacing the rear shock with one designed for one's weight if one is over 250 lbs. Some have complained that the suspension is too soft for serious track riding, and they put a different rear shock of their favorite make to solve their problem. Some of the rest of us think its the best suspension available for everyday riding--I especially like it on rough roads...very smooth. The 1050 is too tall for me, so I had the dealer install a German made lowering kit before I picked up the bike...I ordered the kit from Brabant Motors in the Netherlands...it lowers the bike about 1.5", and makes it just a little higher than my bonnie.
8. Chain guard too short: For some reason Mr. T decided (in all his infinite wisdom) to cut the chain guard 3 inches short at the rear. I haven't found this on any other Triumph. It is not too much of a problem if you use a good chain lube that doesn't sling off; however, riding in the rain is a whole different story. I purchased a combo chain guard/rear hugger that solved this problem for me. Some have tried various means of extending the chain guard. I have no idea if Mr. T corrected this for the '08 models.
9. Some engines burn oil: I believe this is true of most makes of internal combustion engines. I believe it was Bike magazine that ruined an engine by running it too low on oil because they didn't bother to check the oil. Some have said their 1050 burned some oil until around 5000 miles and then quit burning any oil. Mine has 3500 miles on it and it has not burned enough for me to tell when checking the dipstick.
10. There was a problem with the "computation of how many miles of fuel one has before empty" that is displayed on the instrument panel. This was "fixed" by a software change available with the tune downloads at the Triumph dealers.
11. Silencers: At first there were very few after-market silencers available--now there are many.
12. Hard luggage: The locks have been a major complaint on Triumph's hard bags. Many have gone to other brands of after-market luggage (soft or hard); however, many still agree that Mr. T's hard bags look the best on the bike. Some complain that the bags are too small (must be taking their wives with them). Some complain about the cost of the Triumph luggage--this is an often complaint about many Triumph accessories by some, but I have found that good quality after-market accessories cost about the same as Mr. T's.
13. Too Fast, Too slow, too much torque, not enough torque: What can I say...some complain that 150 mph is not fast enough, etc. Some even complain that the engine is turning too many rpms while they are cruising down the highway, so they change the front sprocket to a larger one...kinda like the bonneville riders on the Twin forum. I have found that mine turns about the same rpm in sixth as my bonneville does in 5th for the same mph. I cruise my bonnie between 5000 and 5500 rpm and I do the same on my 1050. I get 50+ mpg on my bonnie and 50+ mpg so far on the 1050. If I open the throttle in 6th gear while passing on a two-lane road like I do on the bonnie, I will be doing very near 120 mph when I pull back into my lane
, so I have to modify my riding style a little or the cops will ask for a serious donation of funds.
IMHO, the guys that really ride a lot seldom spend much time on forums and hear little about all the complaints raised on the many forums.
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