New Triumph Tiger 800 (2011 Model) – Does it really have it all?

Triumph’s new adventure bike, the brand new 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 has really made me question what I want from a motorcycle. But does it really have it all?

Recently, I was talking to a mate of mine, he’s not into bikes in any way, but I think he understands the obsession that we all have. As we walked down the street in Barcelona (motorcycle city), he pointed out a Kawasaki Z1000 and asked what the equivalent would be in “the car world”. What a question!! But I tried, at first I thought of something like a Porsche Boxster, a kind of younger brother to the 911. But let’s not forget, the Kawasaki Z1000 is far more powerful and not to mention faster than a Porsche Boxster, hell it’s probably faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera, all though admittedly not in the same league.

If this new Triumph Tiger had been around a few years ago, I think it would have been the first choice for Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boormans’s “Longway down, Longway round” adventures.

In the end, I settled on the Mazda RX8, sporty and fast, but without the shazam of a brand like Mercedes, or Ferrari. Anyway, the point I was trying to explain to him (and anybody else that will listen) is that, the world of motorcycles offers so much to people without a million quid in the bank. And the new Triumph Tiger 800 is a prime example of this.

At £7749 you aren’t really going to get much more than a new Ford Fiesta or Renault Clio, but think how much of a difference a Triumph Tiger 800 would make to your life!

A truly modern and versatile bike for people who want it all. Mainly compared to the BMW GS 800, with which it’s similarities of obvious. So far, in tests it really seems that performance wise, it’s hard to point out any noticeable differences. The main difference, I believe, is the image this new Triumph portrays. It’s tougher, more modern, sexier, bigger, stronger, more productive………

I wasn’t all that keen on the older Triumph Tiger’s, they looked like “toy” bikes that would break the moment you hit a pebble and although popular, I think it’s hard to disagree that the new Triumph Tiger 800 has really shown what the bike should have been from the start. Personally, I see more similarities with the Ducati Multistrada. Versatility and styling go hand in hand with these bikes, and why not? It is 2011 after all and if we can have it all, then let’s do so!

Click here to see the NEW TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE

Top speed	130mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	94bhp
Torque	58ftlb
Weight	215kg
Seat height	845mm
Fuel capacity	19 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	230 miles
Insurance group

Engine size	799cc
Engine specification	12v transverse triple, 6 gears
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	45mm inverted forks, none
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	2 x 308mm discs, two-piston calipers
Rear brake	255mm disc, single piston caliper
Front tyre size	90/90 ZR 21
Rear tyre size	150/70 ZR 17