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- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 4,944
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- Location
- Azle, TX
- First Name
- John
- Last Name
- Collins
I had the opportunity to demo a Triumph Tiger 1050 on Saturday back to back to back with a Speed Triple 1050 and Sprint ST 1050. I have to say I was impressed.
This motor is killer. Of course I already knew this from previous demos of S3's and ST's. Quite possibly the smoothest running engine I have ever encountered. Beefy bottom end and midrange power with more than enough on top for spirited riding. This engine is equally happy chugging along a gear high or wailing up top. The sound is truly unique and is even better on the S3 with the Arrow 3-1 GP full system.
S3:
The chassis and suspension work very well together. Although the forks and shock were a little soft to me. This could possibly be corrected with some set up time and dialing everything in. At most it would need new springs to accomodate my riding style and weight. Turn in is very intuitive. This bike is easy to finesse...no muscling required. The lack of wind protection is easily forgiven on this machine being as the fun factor is pretty much pegged out by the motor and the handling. The front brake fades a little due to the 14mm master cylinder. Upgrading to the 5/8 master cylinder would likely cure that and give the front brake even better feel and progression.
Sprint ST:
Again, a terrific chassis and suspension combo. I was slightly disappointed by the limited adjustability of the forks, but they seemed pretty spot on for spirited riding if only a little soft. Again, steering is light and responsive with great feedback. This bike lets you know what it's doing. The riding position is a good compromise between an upright standard and an aggressive SS bike. Comfortable enough for all day riding, but with a position that keeps plenty of weight over the front tire and gives plenty of ground clearance at full lean. My only complaint would again be the front brake master cylinder. Brakes are still strong, but they could easily be better. Some might take issue with the heat from the engine and from the underseat exhaust, but I personally found it to be really no worse than you'd get from a V-twin sportbike such as the TL-R, RC51, Mille, etc.
Tiger:
Nice upright riding position with a commanding view of traffic. Seat height is a bit much for people like me that are of shorter stature, but still negotiable. My only complaints are easily remedied with set up. The rear suspension was too busy on rough, choppy pavement. The forks were a little soft on the preload. The rear brake lever was adjusted too low. I almost couldn't reach it because my riding boots only allow my ankle to flex so far forward. Simple adjustments would cure those little issues. The windshield creates an issue for someone of my lack of height as well. It's location in relation to my melon put me right in its turbulent wake. I lifted myself up off the seat to see how it would be if I was a bit taller and found myself in clean still air...right in the pocket. Surely a cureable nuisance via a different screen. The last complaint is that the bars transmit a good bit of vibration above 75mph and it doesn't smooth out until you hit the century mark. Easily remedied with a bar snake or similar product. Same front brake complaint as on all of the Trumpets....again, easily fixed. Overall, this is a great bike.
Some general thoughts on all three bikes:
I don't really care for the ABS. Then again, I've never liked the ABS on any of the bikes I've ridden that were so equipped. It just feels too intrusive to me. If I were buying I'd save money and buy the non-ABS bikes. I don't like the nanny-system feel. Of course, that's just personal preference.
The S3 is almost the perfect bike for everyday commuting for someone that doesn't need/wants luggage and for bombing backroads on weekends as well as the occassional track day.
The Sprint ST and the Tiger are IMO going to be competing for the same customer. The only real edge that the Tiger has is that it might be more manageable on a dirt road....as much so as a V-Strom in my estimation. Riding position and style are going to be the biggest deciding factors between these two for potential buyers. The beauty of it is that the buyer can't choose poorly between these two. The hard bags are very nicely integrated with the ST and I imagine will be with the Tiger also.
Our very own Bung has the Triumph accessory heated grips on his ST which are beautifully integrated and seem as if they are a factory installed unit. They warm more evenly than any other heated grip I've encountered. The same kit also is available for the Tiger.
This motor is killer. Of course I already knew this from previous demos of S3's and ST's. Quite possibly the smoothest running engine I have ever encountered. Beefy bottom end and midrange power with more than enough on top for spirited riding. This engine is equally happy chugging along a gear high or wailing up top. The sound is truly unique and is even better on the S3 with the Arrow 3-1 GP full system.
S3:
The chassis and suspension work very well together. Although the forks and shock were a little soft to me. This could possibly be corrected with some set up time and dialing everything in. At most it would need new springs to accomodate my riding style and weight. Turn in is very intuitive. This bike is easy to finesse...no muscling required. The lack of wind protection is easily forgiven on this machine being as the fun factor is pretty much pegged out by the motor and the handling. The front brake fades a little due to the 14mm master cylinder. Upgrading to the 5/8 master cylinder would likely cure that and give the front brake even better feel and progression.
Sprint ST:
Again, a terrific chassis and suspension combo. I was slightly disappointed by the limited adjustability of the forks, but they seemed pretty spot on for spirited riding if only a little soft. Again, steering is light and responsive with great feedback. This bike lets you know what it's doing. The riding position is a good compromise between an upright standard and an aggressive SS bike. Comfortable enough for all day riding, but with a position that keeps plenty of weight over the front tire and gives plenty of ground clearance at full lean. My only complaint would again be the front brake master cylinder. Brakes are still strong, but they could easily be better. Some might take issue with the heat from the engine and from the underseat exhaust, but I personally found it to be really no worse than you'd get from a V-twin sportbike such as the TL-R, RC51, Mille, etc.
Tiger:
Nice upright riding position with a commanding view of traffic. Seat height is a bit much for people like me that are of shorter stature, but still negotiable. My only complaints are easily remedied with set up. The rear suspension was too busy on rough, choppy pavement. The forks were a little soft on the preload. The rear brake lever was adjusted too low. I almost couldn't reach it because my riding boots only allow my ankle to flex so far forward. Simple adjustments would cure those little issues. The windshield creates an issue for someone of my lack of height as well. It's location in relation to my melon put me right in its turbulent wake. I lifted myself up off the seat to see how it would be if I was a bit taller and found myself in clean still air...right in the pocket. Surely a cureable nuisance via a different screen. The last complaint is that the bars transmit a good bit of vibration above 75mph and it doesn't smooth out until you hit the century mark. Easily remedied with a bar snake or similar product. Same front brake complaint as on all of the Trumpets....again, easily fixed. Overall, this is a great bike.
Some general thoughts on all three bikes:
I don't really care for the ABS. Then again, I've never liked the ABS on any of the bikes I've ridden that were so equipped. It just feels too intrusive to me. If I were buying I'd save money and buy the non-ABS bikes. I don't like the nanny-system feel. Of course, that's just personal preference.
The S3 is almost the perfect bike for everyday commuting for someone that doesn't need/wants luggage and for bombing backroads on weekends as well as the occassional track day.
The Sprint ST and the Tiger are IMO going to be competing for the same customer. The only real edge that the Tiger has is that it might be more manageable on a dirt road....as much so as a V-Strom in my estimation. Riding position and style are going to be the biggest deciding factors between these two for potential buyers. The beauty of it is that the buyer can't choose poorly between these two. The hard bags are very nicely integrated with the ST and I imagine will be with the Tiger also.
Our very own Bung has the Triumph accessory heated grips on his ST which are beautifully integrated and seem as if they are a factory installed unit. They warm more evenly than any other heated grip I've encountered. The same kit also is available for the Tiger.
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