Triumph Tiger 1050 SE launched

The Bikesales Network has ridden Triumph’s 1050 SE, which is an up-spec version of the Tiger 1050.

The SE retails for $16,490, and differs from the standard Tiger 1050 by adding hand guards, a gel seat, ABS and a centrestand as standard. It also has colour-matched hard panniers, which a total capacity of 43 litres. It is available in three liveries: red, white, or matt black/graphite.

And cosmetically, the SE also sets itself apart from the standard Tiger with black handlebars, sprocket carrier, wheels, ABS sensor ring and front brake calipers; new decals; wider and sleeker front indicators; and graphite pillion footrest hangers. They are not ground-breaking changes, but I reckon they add another fashion layer to a bike in its fifth year of production.

So you’re not too fussed about the major SE add-ons? Then the standard Tiger 1050 is now being runout for a very tasty $13,990, a $1000 saving on the normal retail.

And that’s just the thing. The SE has now pushed the Tiger 1050 towards a more sportstouring front, with 20mm lower handlebars and revised suspension only confirming the paradigm shift. Could that also be because a hard-edged 1200 adventure bike is in the wings for the 2012 model year, with the Tiger 1050 being repositioned to make ‘room’ for the new entry? Questions, but no answers yet…

But for those who just want to maintain an urban footing with the occasional scratch, I’d be looking at the standard Tiger before stocks run out. There’s a $2500 saving straight away.

But the Tiger 1050 endorsement is not meant as a slight on the SE, which tracks on the same aluminium chassis and 17-inch wheels as the donor bike, and also utilises as the same spec 1050cc triple which has been such a loyal servant for the company.

And the triple’s still a bullocking performer, producing peak torque (98Nm) at 6250, which is eminently sensible for this type of bike.

There’s no dilly dallying with this triple: it pulls with poise off the bottom, and the wide spread of tractable power is a big plus in the twisty stuff, where a screaming top end just isn’t going to provide a great deal of assistance. And the mapping is spot on, with the crisp power delivery a blessing on the wet roads which graced us on our launch ride along Victoria’s famed Great Ocean Road.

Handling is still excellent in SE guise, with the revised front suspension a winner – there doesn’t appear to be so much pitching under brakes, which means there are no squirmy hi-jinks before turn in. Just a sharper focus all-round.

The SE is a comfortable beast, with the lovely gel seat and plenty of legroom. The riding position is quite upright, and the bars – as well as being 20mm lower – also feel a little closer to the rider now. That means standing up is a slightly awkward proposition, as there’s not really enough leverage through the elbows to muscle the 245kg wet weight around – especially as there’s a fair degree of top heaviness about the 1050. But the wide bars do hold some influence, though.

The seat height remains 835mm, which, to be honest, can cause some management issues for some. If this bike is going to become a meat and potatoes sportstourer in the future – form following function -- maybe it doesn’t require so much suspension travel.

But pillions will certainly have no complaints, which was one of the real ticks of approval when the Tiger 1050 was completely redesigned in 2007 with a sharper focus on bitumen capability, but without leaving pillions short changed.

The instrument cluster comprises an analogue tacho and digital for the rest, and it’s a typical Triumph with plenty of function – but it does lack a gear position indicator like the Tiger 800s.

The SE is just a very, very competent motorcycle, and we’ll have the full launch rundown in the next few weeks.