2003 Sprint

[sevy]

I test rode one of these for a friend, and it was my first ride on a fuel injected 955. Wow! What a sweet ride! Smoothest throttle I have ever felt, and the smoothest brakes as well. This machine just wanted to fly! Put a big triple like this in a light and tight handling machine, and now I understand why Tito's tires look like that!
Honestly, if I had a street or speed triple, I don't think that I could afford the speeding tickets or the marks on my license. Triumph has definitely got something special in these triples, and in the handling department as well. I love my Legend, but she needs a stablemate someday I think!

[mark]

Yeah, I'd love to get a Street Triple, but the upcoming Tiger 800 XC is at the top of my current priority list. I expect that will be a super-fun bike too!

--mark

[TonUp]

The 2011 Speed Triple is very tempting!


Tito

Ton Up

[sevy]

Can't wait to see the new Tiger myself. I'm getting the Triumph foreplay videos, but I would really like to see something real. I keep searching, but they are being very discreet on this one. Maybe I don't understand marketing, but I would think they would want their new bikes' info out so that they won't lose folks who are intending to buy soon over to their competition. I understand that they want to sell their existing inventory and not one-up themselves, but with money so tight around the world right now, they could at least give a guy something to drool over until the economy turns around.

[mark]

There have been quite a few leaked photos the past few months. I've been posting most of them to New England Streetriders:
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/gen ... nture.html

Go through the entire thread; the photos get better as it goes on.

--mark

[sevy]

Thanks for that - great stuff! I think any modern bike design will have some who love the look and some who hate it; I like the looks of both models myself, but the main selling point in my mind is that triple. These Triumph triples are close to perfect, and I can't see any twin being as smooth and having as wide a torque band.
One thing that confuses me, however, is the street based model - isn't that what the current Tiger does very well? I realize the new one will be smaller, but for eating up highway miles, isn't the existing Tiger a better choice with its increased power and expanded room for passenger and luggage? I'm probably missing something here, but it looks like Triumph is competing with itself with this model, and with the upgraded one to be released later. Are there really enough folks wanting the two different types? I guess there must be something to it, or they wouldn't be doing it.
One last question - were the America and the Speedmaster ever big sellers? It seems like the Bonnies and the Thruxtons and then the Rocket got all the attention, and the other two were just kind of orphaned?

[mark]

One thing that confuses me, however, is the street based model - isn't that what the current Tiger does very well? I realize the new one will be smaller, but for eating up highway miles, isn't the existing Tiger a better choice with its increased power and expanded room for passenger and luggage? I'm probably missing something here, but it looks like Triumph is competing with itself with this model, and with the upgraded one to be released later. Are there really enough folks wanting the two different types? I guess there must be something to it, or they wouldn't be doing it.

There seem to be quite a few people out there who want a smaller Tiger -- just like the Street Triple versus the Speed Triple. Also, the Tiger 800 won't be quite as much of a pure street bike as the Tiger 1050 -- it's got a taller stance and dual-sport-sized wheels (19" front and narrower 17" rear to take a 150-width dual-sport tire, just like the V-Strom or BMW R1200GS -- the Tiger 1050 takes sportbike-sized tires, so there's virtually no selection of dual-sport tires available for it).

The Tiger 800 is going to steal a lot of V-Strom sales, I expect. It should be a fantastic light-adventure bike -- meaning it'll excel at rough paved roads, twisties, and the occasional dirt road, while the 800 XC will be slightly less adept in the twisties due to its 21" front wheel, but better on unpaved roads and the occasional trail.

One last question - were the America and the Speedmaster ever big sellers? It seems like the Bonnies and the Thruxtons and then the Rocket got all the attention, and the other two were just kind of orphaned?

I think they sold a bit better earlier in the decade, but they don't seem to be great sellers now. I think the cruiser guys are more interested in the Thunderbird.

--mark

[Spad]

I'm just curious if you'll be picking up the Tiger 800 or the 800XC! Choices, choices...

- Jim

[mark]

I'm planning to get the 800 XC. A KTM 690 Enduro is still really tempting, but I also want to replace the Strom with something a little more powerful, so I think the Triumph will tick the appropriate boxes.

--mark

[sevy]

The new video they released yesterday looks like they are serious about quality accessories. I won't be ready for one of these for three more years, but by then they will have either worked the kinks out or the used ones will be less expensive. I would really like to order one from the dealer set up exactly as I want, however. Mark, I hope that you'll take lots of pictures in Alaska, so that we can all live vicariously through you for a bit!

[Spad]

I was just wondering whether you were going for one that would be closer to the V-Strom or the XRL. Let us know when (not if) you get it how the 21" front does on your longer trips! The videos make it look like a lovely bike.