2001 Triumph Tiger Motorcycle reviews

I recently purchased a used '01 Tiger 955i with 8,000 miles on it. I couldn't be happier. At first, I was taken back by the bright lime green color - but I quickly got used to it and now really love it. The handling of the bike is superb. Quick steering, this bike is definitely a confidence builder. Plenty of horsies under the tank deliver the power needed for any type of riding. This bike is king on the freeway, with its 6 speed gear box cruising at a smooth 5,000 rpm and 75 mph. Braking is good, as well as the ergonomics. Quite comfortable for the long haul, yet easy on the back side in the city. I give this bike two thumbs up (and 5 stars). Show less

This is my second Triumph and it will be my last. I should have learned from my first experience with my 1995 Triumph Thunderbird. It had many problems during its 86,000km life with me and I was, on more than one occasion, highly annoyed with the high cost of parts and service. My 2001 Tiger shows signs of giving me the same level of grief. After only 44,000km it has blown an alternator, is plagued by a squealing fuel pump, constantly vents coolant from the overflow tank after being filled to the proper level, has snapped a clutch cable, broken one of the cheap plastic quick disconnect fuel line couplings, suffered a plugged gas tank vent valve and still doesn't run right after the latest of several software update tunes has been downloaded to the F.I. management system. Some of the design issues include an overly soft front suspension, poor quality powdercoat finish on the engine cases and handlebars, and most frustratingly requires expensive radial tires with INNER TUBES. A flat tire on this bike will cost you upwards of $400CDN. Parts are very expensive and there are very few aftermarket items available for this model and for the entire Triumph lineup. A limited dealer network makes you think twice about taking any long trips; most mainstream bike shops will not have the required special tooling and diagnostic software to affect an emergency repair should you break down miles away from home. On the plus side, the bike has unique looks, a powerful engine, good brakes and is quite comfy on long rides. Show less

Somwhere way back in my youth i learned never to rate anything a 10, in this case a 5; supposedly because it would cause the thing or person you were rating to stop trying to be better...don't ask me! I just got my Tiger a little over 60 days ago, so I can't give you one of those "long term perspectives." But i will tell you that i can hardly keep off the thing! I have never owned nor ridden a motorcycle that was anywhere near as fun and sxciting to ride as my Tiger. I do own and have owned many of the other MAJOR brands of motorcycle and my feeling is they all fail in comparison from a fun-factor standpoint. This machine is part sportbike, part touring machine, part drag bike and part enduro and somehow, someway Triumph pulls it off in one package. The bottom line is I am absolutely mystified way every motorcyclist doesn't own one of these things and I mean that. Show less

I purchased this machine midway through a trip from Alaska to California to Colorado and back home. I had a serious case of buyers remourse initially (I didn't really NEED a new bike, payments, etc.) but that left very quickly. This is an excellent bike for long distance touring, around town hopping, and two track offroading. It's too heavy for real serious dirt work. The windscreen and seat do need help for long distance comfort though that hasn't stopped us from doing 1055 miles in 18 hours. Fuel economy has ranged from a low of 49 MPG to a high of 57.5 MPG. I did drop the rear sprocket 5 teeth for better over-the-road performance and mileage. Would I purchase the Tiger again? Oh definitely YES! Show less

Well, so far so good. I bought a used 2001 with 210 miles on it and have only ridden it 400 miles, so my review doesn't hold alot of weight, but I will write in later with a more detailed review when I've put some miles on it. It is really very comfortable to ride and provides awesome power in a smooth and non-japanese way. I had a VFR and decided the tiger riding position was awesome for all types of riding, from long hauls to short sprints. It's not a sportbike but it can keep up with some, don't let the high center of gravity look fool you. It attracts alot of attention when you are riding, you don't see many and they are a blast to ride. Every time I get off mine, I have a smile on my face. I will write back in after some well ridden miles. Thanks for reading. Get one if you want a comfortable, sport oriented machine that has class!! Show less

I bought the first bike that hit my dealers floor and it's great. I have had a few minor problems, but they were all warrantied no problem, and the bike never left me anywhere. The new motor has more power and runs smother than the 885 Show less