Menus
- Discovery / Contact
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Departmental / National
- The sport ?
- Highway
- Night road
- Duo
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
In order to respond present in all categories, Triumph presented in 1993 a big road trail, XXL version: the Tiger. Powered by a 3-cylinder 885 cc carburetor, this machine was then one of the most powerful trails in its class.. Equipped with a playful and comfortable cycle part, but little inclined to outings off asphalt, this long-haul traveler allowed itself to offer, in addition to first-rate performance, motor sensations hitherto unknown on a trail: the rattle of the 3 cylinders !
With the 1999 vintage comes a brand new chassis, in which takes place an injected 900 cc engine, imprinted on the Speed Triple T509. If this version of the Tiger 900i has nothing to do with the first generation, we nevertheless feel the filiation between the 2. Indeed, the interest of the Tiger, faced with a competition exclusively composed of V-Twin still lies in the presence of its engine, the brand’s 3 cylinders.
For the 2001 vintage, Triumph therefore decides to drive the point home and upgrade its Tiger by offering it a new engine or rather an additional dose of testosterone: if the cylinder head does not change compared to the injected 885 version (1999-2000 ), the 955 cc unit comes directly from the Daytona / Speed Triple. Result: 105 hp at 9,500 rpm and above all a generous torque of 9.2 m.kg obtained at only 4,400 rpm.
Discovery / Contact
All in curves, the aesthetics of the machine respect the codes of the road trails category "traveler": large roto-molded plastic tank of 24 liters, hand protectors mounted as standard on a high and wide handlebars, generous suspension travel (170mm front and rear), trail-type tires on 19 ‘front and 17’ spoked rims at the rear, double front discs, double optics: everything is there for this devourer of kilometers. We also note the presence of a silencer in the high lateral position. The workmanship is good.
In the saddle
After having stepped over a relatively high machine, our posterior discovers a wide and comfortable seat. The pilot’s position is relaxed and upright like…. on a trail! The legs are a little apart by the fairly large tank. The dashboard is sober and well laid out: composed of a classic counter assembly with totalizer / partial, a tachometer, it is completed by the presence of a fuel gauge and an engine temperature tachometer. A changeover indicator is integrated into the usual indicator light bar – indicators, neutral, high beam, engine temperature warning light and injection warning light.
The feeling of riding a massive motorcycle arises when you lift the motorcycle off its kickstand. The mass of the engine perched high in the tubular steel frame is not for nothing. Quick, let’s go check it all out while driving !
Contact
When the engine is started, we find the hoarse sound so characteristic and bewitching of the 3 cylinders! The sound volume is very contained. No mechanical noise disturbs the cyclic regularity of the motor. The clutch is smooth and locking the 1st gear does not cause excessive slamming. Lift-off !
In the city
Despite a large size, the Tiger is doing very well in the urban jungle. The reasons ? The general balance of the neutral machine combined with the exceptional flexibility of the engine! The trail geometry works wonders here and allows easy evolutions, on a trickle of gas. The small turning radius even makes it possible to follow 125 and scooter.
Controlled braking and supple suspensions call for praise in urban settings. Another strong point: the Tiger allows a good vision of what surrounds, dominant and panoramic, which provides a feeling of security. We evolve serenely with a pleasant feeling of velvety around.
But we must not forget the significant weight of the machine! Because once at a standstill, the Tiger’s 255 kg are indeed felt in the maneuvers. If the tall guys can put up with it, these can quickly turn into nightmares for the less burly !
Departmental / National
The Tiger 955i is there in its element! And we evolve there in peace. The motor is matched, responding to the slightest pull on the handle. Whether you are overtaking a procession of trucks or passing through a village, anything can happen in 6th gear, from 1500 rpm to the switch! The very generous torque of the 3 cylinders gives it an elastic side that will delight the lazy of the gear lever.
Side effect: the character that distinguishes the Hinckley Triples appears here to a lesser extent: the engineers worked to make the engine supple, docile and torquey…. By forgetting somewhat what had nevertheless made the reputation of the generation with carburettors: the character! The fact remains that his vitality is very present and that in normal use, these vocalizations distinguish him well from all-comers.
The cycle part is absolutely discreet: the healthy chassis does its job without flinching, the non-adjustable front and rear suspensions erase all the irregularities of the various coatings, whether it is good or degraded. The serenity offered by its suspensions makes it really pleasant in all circumstances.
For this purpose, the braking again makes a good impression: the 2 Nissin double-piston front calipers effectively bite the 310 mm discs. Note also the excellent efficiency of the rear brake.
Despite its weight generating significant inertia when changing angles, the specific trail-type geometry makes the Tiger 955 playful on small roads and in the mountains. With good cornering stability and aided by high-performance pneumatic mounting, it leaps from one turn to the next thanks to its inexhaustible engine torque at mid-range, whatever the gear. We therefore find here what characterizes the trails: the ease of handling and the good position of the pilot making driving instinctive…. king size version !
For a traveler, the protection offered is average. Blame it on a poorly studied bubble, which returns the driver to unpleasant eddies, from 110-120 km / h. It becomes embarrassing for a motorcycle with such good travel skills…. as reassuring for the points of his driving license! Paradoxically, a Triumph sport screen (+ 10 cm bass) provides better acoustic comfort and reduces turbulence compared to the original screen. In the end, the pilot is less tired over long distances.
The sport ?
It is by forcing the pace that we encounter the first inconveniences. If the shock absorber settings can be easily changed thanks to a spring preload made accessible under the saddle and a hydraulic adjustment screw positioned on the base of the shock absorber, the non-adjustable fork quickly shows its limit. The motorcycle then dives at an excessive speed that the spring cannot contain. The whole seems disjointed and the softness of the front forces the pilot to give up his hand. Under the same conditions, the front brake quickly admits its limits: the heavy weight to be stopped several times in a row makes the lever spongy and the bite loses in effectiveness..
Result of chance or not, the limit of the cycle part is reached at the same time as that of the engine: requested in sporting conditions, one does not find any more its rage of the intermediate modes in the high range of the tachometer. While its vigor is palpable and evident from 1,500 to 7,000 rpm, there is no point in pushing it into those last entrenchments and going looking for the red zone at 9,500 rpm. Shifting up sooner will get the most out of it and save both mechanics and oil !
Highway
The Tiger 955 is at ease there! Alone, in pairs or fully loaded, the asphalt tape will travel at legal speed to preserve permits and…. vertebrae! If 160 km / h can be considered over long distances, it is the air flow and the vibrations it generates that will give back to pilots in a hurry! To underline good autonomy on the motorway thanks to the low appetite of the engine and the good capacity of the tank, as well as general comfort for the pilot and his passenger – without protection – of the first order.
Night road
Only 1 optic out of the 2 works on the French version, in low beam. Balance sheet? The lighting is more than poor. With the addition of an additional relay, the beam power improves the lighting somewhat. But a gray area appears in the middle. The toll improves greatly in high beam.
Duo
Slightly bent legs, upright position, thick saddle, the passenger enjoys a prime position. Accessible handles are even dedicated to it on the luggage rack !
Just can he blame a lack of protection and a slippery saddle coating depending on the material of the pants.
Consumption
The 24 liters of the fuel tank, combined with an average consumption of around 5.5 liters / 100km, allow refueling spaced at a minimum of 350 km, before reserve. Note that the fuel gauge is not fictitious and that the reserve indicator lights up when less than 6 liters remain, which in most cases allows almost 100 km of autonomy !!!
Convenient
The saddle, adjustable in height between 840 and 860 mm, is discovered in 2 parts: 1 for the pilot + 1 for the passenger. Under the saddle, no storage but direct access to the shock absorber settings. Despite its small size, the luggage rack is very useful and practical.
Be careful, the secondary chain tension is adjusted by eccentric.
Finally, Triumph has equipped its Tiger with a standard 12V socket and a precious Warning accessible on the left stalk !
In the accessories department, offered as an option from the manufacturer, there is a central stand, suitcases / top case (the same color as the bodywork elements), the low screen and the heated grips..
Conclusion
Finally, this motorcycle seems logical: in normal conditions, it will take you to work every day in royal comfort! But it will also delight you during vacation time. Healthy, balanced, endowed with a pleasant flexible engine, torquey and sober, it will accept pilot, passenger and luggage to visit the end of the world in all serenity, if one remains on road suitable for motor vehicles, even degraded. A success for those who want to ride with an original trail.
Strong points
- motor
- versatility
- comfort
- autonomy
Weak points
- seat height
- high weight
- bubble protection
Competitors: Buell XB 12 STT, Honda Varadero, KTM 950 Supermoto, Suzuki
DL 1000 VStrom
Datasheet
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