While its sharp lines and performance spec make the Tiger’s sporting credentials clear from a glance, its stunning looks hide a practical streak: Take a Tiger two-up touring way off into the wilds and you’ve got a bike that comfortably devours miles of tarmac. The relaxed riding position, spacious seat, supple suspension and tractable torquey engine guarantee you arrive fresh at the end of the longest day.

Next, ditch the bags, go it alone and head for a bit of fun at strange angles. Tucked into a brilliantly balanced chassis, the Tiger’s potent engine delivers power and ear to ear grins.

Then it’s back to the city where the Tiger slinks through snarled up traffic and the sleek lines look sharp as a knife. Here the commanding view really comes into its own, giving the rider the jump on everyone, while the wide bars make tight maneuvers child’s play. Soft luggage holds the day’s essentials.

At the new Tiger’s heart is the amazing 1,050 cc, fuel-injected, three-cylinder engine. This motor, known for its addictive character, has plenty of torque and impressive amounts of horsepower, with ample reserves of both for those two-up fully laden tours. Peak power of 114 bhp is delivered at 9,400 rpm, with 74 ft. lbs. of torque at 6,250 rpm.

It has all the all-round practicality and comfort of the old Tiger – a broad, supportive seat for rider and pillion, relaxed ergonomics and efficient half fairing and screen – but also a composure and sporting ability that few, if any, will be able to match.

The twin-spar aluminum frame housing the 1,050 cc engine is new as is the braced aluminum swingarm. New too are the cast aluminum wheels, both are now 17-inches allowing a wider choice of tires; the front tire’s a 120/70 ZR17, the rear a 180/55 ZR17. The 43 mm upside down fully adjustable forks and remote spring preload and rebound damping adjustable rear shock provide an almost magic carpet-like ride over the most varied of surfaces, from the roughest tarmac to the smoothest blacktop asphalt. Twin four-piston radial calipers bite 320 mm front discs, the rear 255 mm disc uses a single twin-piston caliper. The Tiger’s seat height is a manageable 835 mm (32.9-inch), matched to a dry weight of 416-pounds. Fuel capacity is 5.2 gallons, giving an excellent touring range.