Well Carl, he had only put about 200 miles on this bike, the street version and said he loved it. (of course he does sell them)
He was very impressed with ride quality, the fact it has a huge alternator and can handle multiple....on top of multiple "gadgets" (something my big Tiger has a hard time with without some modifications. Seat height was very low....for a dual sport type bike though he said he had it on the lowest setting. He was maybe 5'7".
He said it held its own very well on the superslab and was actually making him rethink his bike of choice, which was an 09 SPrint. The word "flickable" was used regularly.
I think he was being genuine, he REALLY liked my '05 Tiger and commented on how amazingly durable the 955 engines are. Said the thing would last me a lifetime even if I flog it hard regularly.
So he wasn't pushing a sale I guess is what I am saying.
Wind protection was said to be good, but with about a 4" height difference I don't think he was getting the buffeting on the Tiger the 6' and over crowd do.
I liked the 800 Tiger IMHO the engine resembles that of the 800 BMW GS and the frame is almost Ducati-ish in a manner. It is a narrow bike and seems much much smaller next to the 955 version. I think if I where going that route I would go with the more dirt oriented version taller front tire because really it looks like a dirt bike to me, Side by side.....Tiger 955 was like a Sherman tank and the new Tiger 800 is like an F-16 it is an amazing bike. I wanted to steel his and go jump some sand dunes with it!!!!
FYI he also hinted Triumph is coming out with another "new" design sometime this year.....I asked if they where going full on dirtbike....he said it was rumored but most likely would be a larger displacement sportbike or a BIG TOURER like the older Trophy 1200 to battle the BMW and Japanese big tourers.....
Holy cow late for work gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!!
