Triumph Tiger 1050: review part 2

As promised, the second part of this brief review of the tiger 1050, taking it on country roads and twisties. Best watched in 720p
Roadcraft Nottingham is a UK motorcycle school which was established in March 1989.
I am a fully qualified professional motorcycle instructor of 35 years and offer motorcycle riding tips and tips on riding a motorcycle for the first time.
Please remember to like, comment and subscribe for more riding tips and help with any aspect of riding.
Here's a link to Filtering or lane splitting tips
• How to filter on a mot...
Here's a link to how to be smooth with throttle control
• Smoother riding with g...
Here's a link to how to assess bends or curves
• Limit points. How to j...
Here's a link to how to ride a motorcycle slowly or slow riding tips
• How to ride a motorcyc...
Here's a link to more motorcycle riding tips
• Motorcycle live commen...
A link to module 1 training tips
• LIVE LESSON: Full Modu...
A link to motorcycle gear shifting or gear changing
• Smoother gear Changing...
For news and events, follow me on Facebook #!/pages/Road...

[@yorkshirefazer]

love your reviews. very detailed and informative :)

[@drawwithdan5821]

Excellent BVG impression there! "Matlock Bath!" - very good!

[@Darknitevlog]

Beautiful review well done!

[@boxxer750]

Another good review Russ! Nice one! Love that Tuono!

[@paulbws125]

thank you for replying so quickly mate your a star! i wish i could do mine with you but im MILES away from nottingham.

[@FalloutBikes]

Thanks for this vid. This has convinced me to test ride one next week. I'm looking for something that can eat through the miles all year and keep me comfortable for upto 1000mile/week. I tried a Sprint GT yesterday but wasn't bowled over by it. Really looking forward to the Tiger test ride now.

[@drumr828]

i like both bikes! thanks for sharing!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks buddy, all seems normal to me so it's nice to hear it from other people. :-)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks buddy, when I got back on it, it made me smile again :-D

[@BenJanssen]

Consider doing more motorcycle reviews! I really loved your detailed review! (and I am curious about your opinions on other bikes). Your detailed reviews remind me of Chris Harris (car reviewer) -- which is a good thing ;)

[@ThePedro1050]

Owned a 09 for 2 years before it was written off, best bike by far that I have had for comfort, grunt and grin factor the only down side is the lights at night absolutely pish, better with a candle, own a ST1050 now, love the triple engine.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thank you, I enjoy making them. :-)

[@TheFIFAprojectHD]

hey man i love them roads you went to i hope you do more videos on them mountains if it was.

[@petergoddard1960]

Russ, I would love to see you do a review of the 800, particularly the XC. This is where I slavver on telling you how much I respect your opinion etc etc. Just do it, you know it makes sense! :-)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I've been pleasantly surprised with the later (post 2000 models) of Triumph. The older ones look quite dated now. Best way of checking reliability is on forums. Just got a 2001 model 955 Sprint in P/X, may have a play on that soon.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I haven't but an instructor friend owns one and offered me a go on it. He tried and loved the Triumph but preferred the 800 then went for the versys.

[@grayviper4787]

Hi Russ, long time no speak as it were. Interested in your view of the tiger as I have just brought one on a 09 plate, totally different to my XJ6 Diversion but I love it. Mine had bar risers on it when I got it but took those off and it feel a much better bike. I think if owners feel the box is clunky they should have a look at your vid on smooth gear changing it helped me to a much smoother gear change Cheers Geoff

[@KaneeJB]

It's the bike I want to get once I've passed my test later this year but they are so expensive!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

The via Gelia is a great road for teaching advanced positioning. The Triumph is certainly a "Triumph" lol. Would need to look at the vibes through the pegs before a final decision is made but it feels so comfy.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Apparently the manual is wron. Due to the design of the swing arm, the chain tension takes up as you sit on it so it's 55mm stood still and 15mm when fully laden. My Diavel is 9-11mm all the time. A standard bike is 25-30mm, both extremes on these bikes it seems.

[@geminiman7069]

I think the slack chain is due to the gearbox sprocket seal. Perhaps if it's too tight it blows a seal??

[@petergoddard1960]

Glad to see a positive review, like Dave, its the Tiger 800 that really has my eye but the 1050 has its strong points too. How did ylu find the seat, comfort/ height etc they always look quite tall to me ( 31" inside leg)?

[@Blahde]

The Chain thing is a bit strange but if the owners forum say it, they must know. I just wish you could have said WHY ;-) Nice Bikes mate and another nice review. Cheers Russ!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

The most important thing on gloves initially is palm protection, then knuckles so assess each glove on it's own merits.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

It's a definate possibility!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks Mark. Do you get "feeling" through the footpegs too then?

[@wildicepick]

this video looks stunning in medium size, at 720p you should all watch it like this.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I'm 5 feet 8 and 1/10 (if you watch my Fazer 1000 review) and it's nice, not almost too tall like the BMW R1200GS. The seat was excellent for comfort, no problems as it's quite flat. I researched the 800 and it didn't get too good a review, may have to look out for one, do my take on it (might have a word with Pidcocks in Nottingham)

[@paulb19691]

Has Barry still got the Tiger? I have had mine for 9 months and can't believe how many false neutrals I keep getting. Also had some sort of lock up twice on roundabouts! Be interesting to find out how Barry got on after the Honeymoon period was over .

[@geminiman7069]

I agree on modern fast bikes with over 150 bhp being too much for us over 45's. I like the older bikes with less power and big engines. Older bikes from the late 90's-2004 are physically larger for bigger riders too.

[@DEATHMETAL334]

Russ any chance you can get your hands on a VFR800 and do a review? Thinking of picking one up in the near future sometime.

[@mattsteam12]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on a Honda Varadero 125 v twin? Thinking of getting one for commuting :)

[@OrcaGT]

So a potential replacement for the Pan then (if it's getting replaced)?

[@sheps999]

Hi Russ, quick question: I'm thinking of buying my first bike soon, was wondering how would I go about test riding something. My car insurance wouldn't cover a bike as well, so would I need to take out insurance for a bike before I've even bought it? I'm thinking my only realistic option is to buy a bike on sight and gut feeling and insure it later. I'd really appreciate anyone's input.

[@paulbws125]

@sheps999 i THINK that the motorcycle dealership will provide their customers with temporary insurance so that people can test ride their bikes, nobody will expect you to buy a bike without trying it out, just the same as u wouldnt buy a pair of shoes without trying them on.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I've not had the time to use it which is a bugger. Was considering selling it but not sure yet.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

are the 2008 Triumph Tiger 1050s reliable?

[@ianroberts8171]

Do you find the seat height an issue. I only have a 29 ish inside leg.

[@abz213]

I'm looking for something with a small cuff to fit under my jacket sleeve. Are motocross type gloves acceptable for road use do you think?

[@thatmanfromyorkshire]

Didn't know another part was coming Russ! I know what the bio gelio is now,i wondered what you were on about on the meet when you mentioned it. Is the triumph a triumph?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Not bad at all, it doesn't just feel like vibes, it's more mechanical like an older chain. Not what you'd expect it to be.

[@niallsims6482]

You ever rode a new cbr 125? and if so what do you think of them mine feels so weird compared to my aprilia rs

[@thatmanfromyorkshire]

via Gelia,Ooh my spelling is nasty says Deloris lol Yeah well buddy your in the position to feel out any faults with it! Comfy well that helps mat im sure

[@JohnSmith-hb2ww]

Sounds like the perfect bike. I guess it's time to save up.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I dropped it down a 4" kerb, I now feel like a green laner!

[@eoghanhennessy15]

chain "slackness" is generally due to having more suspension travel in the rear

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Eoghan Hennessy should I tighten up the rebound or the other one I forgot the name. I don't like a bouncy bike

[@JackSwatman]

haha i love how posh he sounds i just bought a bike/ped!! my 16th birthday on friday i have my driving license and everything ready to go only have to do cbt and im away!! does your shop sell helmets??

[@KHBiker]

@RoadcraftNottingham is that near mattock ?

[@mrmburlo]

In australia there is a white triumph tiger that has blue wheels moto bars major bing it is so giving all the sports bikes so much stick they have nicked named it the Ghost TIGER its there but then its gone

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks for that. I sound boring to myself! lol

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

...and if you're referring to the v-tec, I looked at buying one, test rode it and the power delivery when the V-tec kicked in was nasty, a horrible kick in the back. that model I'd like to pour petrol on and watch the bonfire unfortunately. The VFR750 was a much better bike, although getting old now I adored it!!.

[@DillysADV]

I have always noticed the transmission to be a bit on the rough side.. that is one area that my Yamaha was slick.. if they would smooth that out it would be a perfect bike.

[@maxxbenzz7842]

DillysADV it's only clunky going in to first like 80 percent of bikes. the tranny is smooth as silk especially using full synthetic

[@paulbws125]

hiya mate bit of an obscure question but i would be very grateful if u can help, im really short on money and im itching to pass my test so i can get a bigger bike and have pillions etc can people pay for their test gradually like a finance sort of option instead of paying £500+ in one lump? cheers mate.

[@kirvelissariou]

hello from greece!what is your height?i'm 5'85(1.74m) and condsidering this as my next motorcycle.I come from a yamaha fz6. Do you think tiger is manageable for someone of my stature?

[@paulbws125]

@Roadcraftnottingham hi russ what do u mean by hunting?

[@kirvelissariou]

thank you very much for your quick response!I'm also thinking about the kawasaki versys which is also a tall street motorcycle. Any chance you've ridden it?

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Kiriakos Velissariou garbage. get the Triumph

[@kevinjackson5071]

Hi, can you tell me where I can find the tank pad that's fitted to that tiger as am looking one . Thanks

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

No idea unfortunately. Sorry

[@Endle185]

Lucky boys. Wish I had the cash for those two bad boys.

[@abz213]

What gloves are you using?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

lol, cheers (in Baron voice)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I'm the same height and it felt good, no taller though.

[@KaneeJB]

Do you still have the DRZ and would you sell it?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I do courses on a pay as you go basis so I'm sure if you're a little strapped for cash you could arrange this sort of course with another school. If you don't ask.... :-)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

lol, I like Baron, we have the same humour (only his comes across better)

[@DEATHMETAL334]

And just like that I no longer want one ha ha. Anyway I wouldn't be bothered with a V-tec model. Everytime I hear that word I can't help but imagine some muppet in a Honda Civic with a pointy hat. Cheers for the quick reply I'll keep a look out for the 750. They go cheap enough over here but it's very hard to find one in good nick these days though.

[@MrTheomighty1]

I’ve never understood why manhole covers are in the middle of the road and in Stoke on Trent a lot of them are sunk so them and pot holes are a joke us riders are all over the place just to avoid these

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

He mentioned it and I replied mentioning his butt padding should compensate for it lol

[@MyBrilliantChannel]

Vibes in the pegs lol, should ride a chicken chaser! :)

[@JackSwatman]

Double bloody Decker!

[@maxxbenzz7842]

best triumph ever made. a 180 in the back it handles like a sport bike better than any BMW keep the GS 1200 as a paper weight. shakes like a washing machine. the 1050 is as smooth as silk I can drive at 80 with the throttle locked with no hands for miles I wouldn't suggest that though I just wish it had cruise control They changed to the Explorer in late 2012 and put a 150 in the rear?? Really?

[@Crana]

nice baron impression lol

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

With the throttle just held steady, the engine, instead of being smooth, is jerky like the throttle is being moved slightly open and closed. That's "hunting"

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

ixs from J&S accessories. Discontinued.

[@KHBiker]

nvm i just watch the end ahahaha

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I'll be honest and say neither bike was "fun" compared to my Tuono, no offence to Triumph riders. They're both good bikes though so it would boil down to personal opinion (I'd have the Tiger)

[@holdencaulfied7492]

Wasn't fun? You rode it 40 mph in top gear! You have no idea how good that motor is or how good it handles when you push it. Oh well, your loss.

[@thatmanfromyorkshire]

Mate, i missed an e lol

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I've owned 3 at one point or another. You won't like what I think. ok, here goes...F.I Delivery at slow speed not smooth, seat lifts slightly in middle pressing on prostrate, uncomfy, bars a little forward for my liking and the V4 engine, although strong, made a grrrrrrlllllllllll noise that after a bit plain irritated me. sorry :-)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

lol

[@JackSwatman]

i thought he said Viagra at first :/