Tiger. It’s grrrrreat
Piling on the miles for next issue’s big test…
WE’VE ALREADY CLOCKED up 3271 miles on our 1200 Tiger test bike, and it’ll feature in a comprehensive road test next month, but we are still adding to the miles on the clock of Triumph’s luxury adventurer. Mike Armitage has racked up the bulk of the mileage on his executive commute (ie, he comes in when he feels like it), but Steve Herbert grabbed the keys for the slog down to Wales to the Triumph Adventure Experience (see p120). ‘On a four-hour ride to south Wales the ride was sublime, especially with heated grips and seat, up/down shifter, cruise and easy to operate functions. But what’s up with the fuel range meter? Brimmed, it sometimes showed 300 miles +, sometimes 200 and when the gauge is on half, the range shows less than 90 miles. And the multitude of dash options look pretty, but the clock was stuck on 01:58pm for the entire ride.’ Steve wasn’t tempted to ride the 1200 at the Adventure Experience. ‘It feels enormous in every direction. Tall, wide, heavy… it has formidable road presence, but there’s no way I’d want to ride one off road.’ Before Mike had time to reclaim the keys I grabbed them for a quick jauntette. Steve’s right, it’s a big old thing that, curiously, reminds me of a Honda Pan European; it’s more tourer than adventure bike. The engine is a beauty and I love the riding position and the neutrality of the steering (at least when the tyre pressures are right) and ride quality too. More next month, after we’ve done a few more miles.