Triumph Tiger SE
The up-spec version of the adventure bike, which takes the standard Tiger 1050 and adds a suite of goodies which have ‘touring' written all over themThe 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. There's just dollop after dollop of power, and dipping down to lower speeds in higher gears is only minor nuisance value.
The SE is quite frugal on the juice, and economy of around 5lt/100km allows an effective range of about 300km from the 20-litre tank – and that only drops marginally with a pillion on board.
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, at least in the first part of the suspension stroke, which means there are no squirmy hi-jinks before turn in. Suspension travel is 150mm at both ends, which is at the lower spectrum for adventure bikes these days.
And even though the wheelbase is at a rangy 1510mm, razor-sharp geometry -- 23.2 degrees of rake and 87.7mm of trail -- keep the SE turning with some authority.
There’s just a sharper focus on the bitumen, although it does carry its weight quite high. That’s obvious when you attempt any off-road work, where tight turning can become quite a chore, and standing up is just plain awkward with the revised handlebar positioning, which doesn’t allow enough leverage through the elbows to muscle the 245kg wet weight around. The wide bars definitely hold some influence, though, which helps to carve tighter lines than would normally be the case.
I’d still happily take on a dirt road on the SE, complete with comfy gel seat and plenty of triple goodness. No questions asked.
The SE makes for a snug bug, with the lovely but not overly padded gel seat and plenty of legroom leading to pegs fairly low set in the chassis. It looks comfortable and it is.
The seat height remains 835mm, which, to be honest, can cause management issues for some. And if this bike is going to become a bona-fide sportstourer in the future with function getting priority over form, 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.
It’s easy for a pillion to alight and dismount, although there are the high-mount, upward-slanting panniers to contend with.
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, one that definitely still holds its head high in the increasingly diverse range of bikes being delivered by Triumph.
Other than ABS, the SE doesn’t pack a massive technological punch, but with core ingredients like the 1050cc triple the cupboard certainly isn’t bare – there’s still plenty to get excited about. It's an entirely satisfying, comfortable and competent bike to ride, and simply does a lot of things very well.
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder in-line three-cylinder
Capacity: 1050cc
Bore x stroke: 79.0mm x 71.4mm
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro 3
Claimed maximum power: 115hp (85kW) at 9400rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 98Nm at 6250rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium beam twin-spar
Front suspension: Showa 43mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 150mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, 150mm travel
Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs with Nissin four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 255mm disc with twin-piston Nissin caliper, ABS
Wheels: Cast aluminium -- front 3.5 x 17, rear 5.5 x 17
Tyres: Front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 23.2 degrees
Trail: 87.7mm
Claimed kerb weight: 245kg
Seat height: 835mm
Wheelbase: 1510mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres
OTHER STUFF
Price: $16,490
Colours: Red/crystal white or matt black/matt graphite
Bike supplied by: Triumph Australia, www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
