Triumph Tiger 1050
£3000-£6000 113bhp 137mph 228kg (kerb) 1050cc inline triple “Solid, surefooted and sensational”
Here’s how I imagine the Tiger 1050 came about. It’s late 2005, and CNC machinist Nigel Cartwright is finishing his lunch break at the Triumph factory. His tongue cleans the final morsel of spam-and-cress cob from his lips, his fingers seal the lid on his Tupperware and he ambles outside for some air. Passing the bike park, he spots one of those new Speed Triple 1050s that everyone’s raving about. Everyone except Mrs Cartwright, that is. She’s no interest in the triple’s surging, free-revving drive, its spirit-level-flat torque curve, its adjustable suspension or powerful radial brakes. That’s all well and good, she explains, but it doesn’t look half as comfy as Nigel’s Tiger 955i. Besides, the Speed Triple is a hooligan’s bike, and she didn’t marry a hooligan.
Nigel smiles. He heads for reception, where the new suggestion box sits. On a piece of paper, he writes: “Speed Triple with a fairing. And a proper pillion seat. A sporty roadster that’s loads of fun to ride, but disguised as a sensible tourer.” He folds the paper in half, feeds it into in the box’s narrow slot, and heads back to work.
Days pass. Then, one evening, Nigel’s home phone rings. A soft Derbyshire accent speaks with calm authority. “It’s John. I’ve just cleared a production slot for a new model in 2007. You’d better tell me some more about this Tiger 1050.”