TRIUMPH TIGER ROARS

A quickshifter 'as smooth as custard' meant Geoff Hill's ride on a sport 800 was a work of genius

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When Mutt Summers landed after flying the first Spitfire in 1936, he said: "I don't want anything touched." In other words, it was perfect from the start.

I felt the same after riding the first Tiger 800 in 2010, for it was not only the best handling Triumph I'd ever ridden, but the best handling bike full stop.

However, if I'd done a Mutt and told Triumph not to change a thing, they'd very wisely have ignored me, since they've been tweaking it ever since, and this latest incarnation is the best yet.

It's got a new engine with more torque from low revs and a flatter torque curve than the previous incarnation, the Tiger 850 Sport. There's also, three riding modes, cornering traction control and ABS, and fully adjustable front and rear suspension.

Climb aboard, the riding position is perfect - just on the sporty side of neutral, and with excellent mirrors.