Not in the USA they weren't. 2006 model only.

Seems Triumph were busy revising suspension rates on every Tiger model from 2001 onward. Didn't help sales all that much in the USA. And few knew of these changes as Triumph ran few ads ... anywhere in the US.
On the forums the Tiger's continuous suspension upgrades became a bit of a joke ... rather like "Bold New Graphics".

Fact is, the bike was slightly better every year. But Triumph still left out certain things riders had complained about for years ... like too big levers! Still the same on the 1050! (and of course 12 years of the tubed tires I mentioned before did not help!)

The top heaviness was never addressed and the heavy lump never really dealt with on the 955i. Triumph still use too much hardware in their assemblies ... too many bolts, too long, over 'spec'd for the job. Even on the 1050 I can point this out all over the bike ... much as I love it.
But when you consider Triumph's size and resources ... well, they've done great.

With the 675 they finally got it right. Built like a Japanese bike but not as tidy with hoses, cable routing. Still, big improvement and an awesome performer. (I've only ridden the Street Triple)

The 955i Tiger was a bit of a flop in the UsA market. I'm hoping the new 800 Triumph Tiger Cub can do better. Maybe they can hire Michael Locke back to market it? He used to work for them, then went to Ducati ... now?

Sorry, I should have said cast wheels were available from 2005 model year.
If you run the vin on a 2006 Tiger 955 you will see that its a 2005 model year bike.
The suspension remained the same on the tiger 955 from 2001(vin124106 to 287503) to 2004, no changes.
Seems like supension upgrade were a bit of a joke allright, there were no upgrades!
I think Triumph will be releasing more than the new Tiger (it wont be called Tiger Cub) this year. Theres a lot of interesting development work going on on Normandy way at the moment.
Tried the new V-strom 650 xpedition today, now thats a pretty good value bike, the box's didnt feel all that strong though.

If Triumph play their cards right with this bike it should outsell anything they have allready.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

Does not work that way in the USA. The main metal I.D. tag all bikes have has the VIN and Date of manufacture ... not "model year". In the USA what determines what model year is Triumph America and how they list it upon importation.
This is typical. A new, 2006 bike would be manufactured in 2005, says so right on the VIN / I.D. tag. But is sold and marketed as a new 2006 model.
Been that way here since forever.
Thats not what I remember from reading the press releases every year and reviewing the bikes.

Triumph repeatedly made minor spring rate or damping changes, every year or nearly every year. I don't mean major changes, just minor damping rate changes to counteract the continuing complaint from the sports bikes crowd in the UK that the Tiger dove too much under braking. This crowd obviously never rode the bike on California roads

That plush suspension and longish travel was always a good thing ... and only amateurs use front brake only on a trailie.
I don't save press releases but since I owned a Tiger I usually get this right.
Lots of rumors floating around about a 1200 Sport touring bike to compete with FJR, ST and BMW K1300. I have no interest in any of those. Latest from Triumph call it Tiger 800. Two models, road and adventure. From the look of it ... I'm not sure Triumph are ready with this bike. OK, line up the Beta testers!
What other changes to the DL650 beyond boxes? Had not heard the xpendition monikor yet ... what is it? They've sold the bike with panniers and ABS for a number of years ... any significant upgrades or changes you know of? Things are quiet at American Suzuki on the Wee Strom these days. Far as I know, same old bike.
Could be, but I would not discount the continuing success of the Street Triple. But I hope no one will judge Triumph's success or failure by sales in the USA. Our economy continues in a depression and I don't see any up tick soon. The Motorcycle industry sales are at all time lows and sinking further. Soon we'll see who really has deep pockets.

This is not how its done in the trade, we use the vin number and only the vin number for everything.
All manufacturers do this.
Been that way since forever.

I can tell you from allmost 20 years of manufacturer training that the information you have about spring rate and damping rate changes between 2001 and 2004 is wrong.
I dont save press releases either but since I have 20 years of training notes open in front of me I know this is right.

Thankfully, suspension settings are not based on Claifornia roads, or we would all be riding brash, ill handling, all mouth and no trousers hardley rideables.( I had one of these once and was astounded at how utterley crap it was, held its value though!)

Its the same wee strom, but comes with alloy bash plate, hand gaurds, heated grips, engine bars and centre stand along with alloy panniers as standard. looks good in orange.
Around £7500 stg here.

Couldnt agree more The Just seen 4 new Street Triples go out this week, and rode one with a full arrow system fitted today, what a sound! and unbelievable fun.

This thread is getting off course, (sorry admins).
Lets try and keep to the subject at hand, I sense a telling off is close at hand from the mods.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

uh huh...

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Please accept my sincere apologies for ever starting this thread ! AAAARRGGGHHH !!!

Today was supposed to be the day the Triumph 800 was revealed to adoring fans at a pay event at the Factory ... you had to pay for a ticket!
Can you believe that!?

But they've Punked out. Here is the link from Hell For Leather:

Triumph Tiger 800 leakathon continues | Hell for Leather

So far Triumph are jerking off their biggest fans ... and the press. I wonder how long they can do this before loyal buyers bail?

But ... as I predicted over a year ago ... the Triumph 800 will not be delivered in EU/UK until March '11, earliest. But maybe ... if they are smart ... it will appear in Milan in October '11. Unless Bloor & Co deem that too much an expenditure? Or a more likely scenario is they're way behind on these bikes ... Perhaps still making changes and adjustments to proto types before locking everything in for production?

USA Launch? Mid-Summer 2011.

I wonder if Triumph will stagger the release of the two models the way BMW did with the F800/F650 GS's? In the USA for about the first six months or more only the F800GS was available. In the UK I think this was reversed?

18-15:00

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474