1971 Triumph TR-6R 650 Tiger - 6-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article

Description

1971 Triumph TR-6R 650 Tiger - 6-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
In the sixties, the British motorcycle
industry really started to feel the pinch
of the Japanese invasion into the Amer-
ican cycle scene. Once the backbone of
the sport, they seemed to be content
to sit back and rest upon the laurels of
their past glory. This wait and see
policy appears to have come to an
abrupt end however, with the announce-
ment of the Triumph Corporation’s
1971 line of vertical twins.
To more successfully compete with
the new multi-cylinder machinery
which continues to flood the market,
Triumph has added some long needed
improvements to its famous line of
650’s. The resulting new models are a
tribute to Triumph’s ability to produce
some of the best vertical twins in the
world. Of course, the six-fifties have
always been associated with Triumph,
and the vertical twin design remains
one of the most popular in the world.
Apparently unwilling to disturb this
successful combination, Triumph need-
ed to improve its machines to make it
in today’s heavy competition. Improve
them they did, and in the process have
come up with some surprising new de-
velopments.
As in the past, the Bonneville re-
mains the king of the twin cylinder
line-up, with the ever popular Tiger
650 as the “heir apparent.” Although
considered by some a rather orthodox
piece of machinery the Tiger still is a
firm favorite with keen enthusiasts.
Keeping with tradition, the Tiger
features all the gear found on the
sportier Bonneville, with the exception
of a twin carbureted cylinder head.
The radical changes found in the ’71
Triumphs have greatly improved the
entire line of models. The Tiger really
benefits from these long awaited ad-
vances.
Most striking is the totally new
frame design. Instead of the familiar
single down tubes, the Tiger borrows
from the proven racing variety, and
features a double cradle type. With
form and function working together,
the engine oil is now carried in the
frame, also a la racing machinery.
As the eye moves forward the next
change is seen in the fork. The front...
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