Triumphrat

Diego

I'll try to answer a couple of specifics the others haven't yet. And remember, I'm speaking only of the current models. The new tourer may well be different in the ergonomic and comfort areas.

> How is it in the rain?

Not bad, but you have to remember in the rain (as everywhere else, really) that as well balanced and sure footed as the beast is, it also weighs WAY more than any other Triumph. At speed, you have a LOT of kinetic energy stored up in inertia, and you will need to make allowances for that when braking.

> How is it on poorly surfaced roads? Potholes? Dirt roads?

In stock configuration, rough! Some of it can be dealt with through adjustment, but many folks have found it preferable to go with aftermarket shocks.

Now, as to "issues" and reliability: I say this with all respect, but also in all seriousness--DON'T BUY THE ROCKET.

Or any other Triumph, or any other brand which would put you so far away from a dealer, for that matter.

It's one thing to depend on a motorcycle as your primary transportation if you live in the same city, but not 180 miles away! I know. There was a while in the Eighties when my only transportation was two wheels. That bike was far less dependable than any modern Triumph, and the nearest dealer was 40 miles away. Were it not for my bicycle as backup transport, plus a bit of mechanical resourcefulness on my part, and occasional bus service near the dealership, it wouldn't have worked at all.

The problem you had with your Tiger could happen to ANY motorcycle from ANY maker. My Rocket was troublefree (though I did have to take it in for the driveshat recall in '05), just as my Tiger has been, and my Bonnie, and my Speed Triple. But nobody can give you any guarantees of the same good fortune! Therefore, if you really must have something approaching 100% reliability--and knowing there is no such thing in reality--then you'd best be near a good dealer, whatever the brand.

Make that your first criterion in selecting a new ride!

Had your full situation been clear to us when you first came to the Tiger forum, that's what I would have recommended to you then also. As much as I like to see people enjoying Triumphs, I also like to be realistic about things. All it took was a problem in one area (which probably the mechanic didn't really solve the first time around) to sour you on the Tiger, even in the face of so many other people having NO problems of the same kind. So imagine how you'll feel if a bike 60% more expensive has to be off the road for a while. It can happen, and if you have no backup, one single instance will cause you just as much or more grief than the Tiger did.

Ride something that can be fixed under warranty locally if it's your only transportation. We'll be sorry not to have you as a Triumph rider, but the important thing is, you'll be much happier.

__________________
John