Triumph Tiger

This review system makes sense for new vehicles and bikes, but is meaningless when it comes to classics. No one buys an old Triumph for qualities like reliability or comfort. That having been said, I love my 1973 Tiger and I would be interested to hear comparisons between the 2008 Bonneville and the new injected version...

The 1973 Triumph Tiger is a single carb version of the parallel twin Bonneville, which sports two carbs. Bearing one carb, the Tiger is much easier to tune. 1973 saw the 650cc Triumph twin models stretched to 750 ccs. Early Bonnevilles and Tigers were actually lower compression engines, carrying only 724ccs. The Tiger/Bonnevilles were the first year of the front disc brake, which is adequate but not awe-inspiring. But the bikes are 36 years old and technology isn't what it is today. When kept adjusted the rear drum brake, a carry over from years past, more than complements the front disc. As with the brakes, if the engine is kept in tune and maintained with minimal care will provide long lasting service. The performance is on par with its day -- not blinding speed but enough to maintain its level of fun and more than enough to force the rider to keep an eye on the speedometer before law enforcement reminds you. The comfort level leaves something to be desired but nothing a gell seat pad and decent gloves won't remedy. However, each of these machines will have a "sweet spot" or a particular engine speed that, once found and maintained, will allow the rider to cruise backroads in relative comfort. Probably not for everyone. But if the rider can at least diagnose minor tuning issues that will crop up after extended periods, the bikes are definately head turners and seldom fail to draw a crowd at the local gas station, traffic light and any bike gathering.

Have had an opportunity to ride the '2008 Tiger and swore it is the best bike I've ever ridden. Just the right power to weight ratio and while a little tall for my 5'9", it's pure magic and adrenaline the second you're moving. Considerably lighter than my Vulcan makes it much more agile. Has a good seating position, somewhere between a sport bike and a cruiser. At speed, the wind relieves virtually all pressure on your wrists for a comfortable ride. If I ever buy another bike it will be the Tiger 1050 with ABS.