Wow! That's quite a load of Triumph issues!
![Rain](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/smilies/rain.gif)
I guess I've just been lucky with my 3 Tigers (many other Triumph's tested going back to '95, first year Triumph sold in USA).
I've done several Triumph launches in the USA, 1999, 2002, 2003.
True, 1st generation "modern" Triumphs had their share of problems, no where near as reliable as typical Japanese product of those years.
Early Triumphs had:
Sprag clutch issues (possible total loss of motor!), air box and air filter as ONE unit, PITA to service.
Valves got beat down into head early, no longer adustable. Most riders of the early 885's did not get much more than 50K miles. I got less. (30K) But a good riding bike despite the problems. Better off road than newer Tigers, in my experience riding BOTH.
But overall 2nd generation Tiger ('99) was a big step forward. Alu frame, F.I. all new save motor. I attended USA Tiger launch in SoCal where former Triumph America CEO Mike Vaughn was our ride leader. Fun ride! Good bike!
Bought a '99 in UK, rode round Europe over a 3 year period.
20K miles riding UK, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Tigre never missed a beat. Valves stayed in spec.
The top heavy issue is certainly A FACT. One had to be very careful off road, but never bothered me ON road. I rode through all the twisty roads of Southern Spain and Andorra's mountainous narrow tracks, had a ball. Not the sportiest bike but not bad once you learn it.
My current Tiger is a '07 1050. No issues. ... but needed suspension re-do. Custom revalved forks and Ohlins shock put it on better footing. But Tigers are still top heavy ... even the new 800's to some extent.
My 1050's chassis was made in Thailand and it's been perfect. And it's been tested hard, doing unintended jumps with very hard landings.
![Nuke](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/smilies/nuke.gif)
In '03 I visited the Triumph factory in Hinckley. Very impressive set up. I saw frames on the trollies from Thailand and boxes of matched motor sets being unpacked from A.R.T. of Japan. (supplier to Suzuki among others) Pistons, cam blanks, et al. The Thai factories took NO UK jobs according to Exec's there. Big boost for Triumph expanding to Thailand.
On the MANY Triumph forums I've been part of I've not seen a lot of problems. Not perfect, but generally good with mostly happy owners.
Just my .02 cents.