Tiger testing

I bought a Triumph Tiger 1200 because it was comfortable and impressed me on a test ride, and it will go ‘round the twisty bits’ (and I love the cruise control). I would agree it is heavy and possibly top heavy. Few bikes of this size aren’t, in my opinion.

After completing a few thousand miles, I can say that at motorway speeds the Tiger will get about 48 or 50mpg and on A-roads about

52mpg, 54 on a good day.

No, I don’t thrash it as this burns more fuel, chews tyres and wears me out faster, but I’m not dawdling, either.

The Tiger’s fuel-remaining computer can be optimistic on one run and pessimistic on another. Use the low fuel light, it’s more reliable and comes on when there’s four litres left. I usually get between 175 and 185 before it comes on, and that means I have about 40 miles left. It can usually do 200 miles to a tank and I have done 230, but I am aware of the limitations and will ride accordingly when the low fuel light is on.

There is another contentious issue with the Tiger’s tank; you have to drain it before you can remove it! Unless you’re carrying a spare 20-litre container, it means draining all the fuel, the fuel that you need to get you to where you’re going, and then removing the balancer pipe. You can, now, remove the tank and place it where, on the ground? The tank spigots are vertical and positioned in such a way as to get a good plug of dirt in them if you do. I’ve sorted the draining tank issue by fixing self-sealing quick connectors to the balancer pipe connections. Oh! I’ll only briefly mention the many fiddly plastic bits and screws you have to remove before you get this far.

Keep up the good work.