Modifying my Triumph Tiger All-Rounder Bike
It's hard to fault the Triumph Tiger. In over 4200 kilometers it has absorbed everything from multi-lane highways to the narrow, bumpy, rural roads of Northeast Thailand around my dwelling with a delicious balance of handling, ride quality, comfort, pace and economy. And childish fun. There's just about nowt to moan about.But as with any bike there are always a couple of areas that can be massaged. I'm not talking major suspension revamps or drastic tuning, if you need to do such things you've probably bought the wrong bike, but rather tweaking the details, adjusting the smaller things to suit personal tastes.
First up will be the free stuff, like adjusting the suspension. The stock settings are a fantastic balance of plush ride quality and cornering composure but, as my bond with the Triumph Tiger becomes stronger and I ride faster, I'd prefer less dive when braking hard. The rear shock also bobs and weaves under spirited cornering, so I hope to add poise and control by playing with the damping and preload without sacrificing comfort.
I've also become aware of a slight snatch in the throttle action. To be honest it isn't something you normally detect, but picking up the gas from a shut throttle there's the tiniest pause before the engine chirps in with a wee lurch, as if the injectors have to be on a certain amount. Maybe the fueling is deteriorating ever so slightly with use, or now I've noticed it I can't un-notice it. Either way, some dyno runs and investigation will show if it's something we can tune out.
The last touch, for now, will be to boost practicality. For an all-rounder the Triumph Tiger has precious few bungee points and the high-level pipe isn't throw-over friendly, so I'll be fitting a aftermarket exhaust system. That should keep me in her good books while the Triumph keeps teasing me into taking the long route home....
