Triumphrat

MarchHare · 09-14-2009, 05:18 AM

What do you reckon?

Rode a 250cc bike for about four years but this was 25 years ago. Doing my (UK) Direct Access at the moment and really fancy something with a Triumph badge on it. Want something capable of longer trips but also a bit of Sunday morning fun. 50 years old and not a fan of tucked up, lay flat sports bike riding positions and also quite "generously proportioned" (6 ft 2in - 100kg).

Do people think a Tiger is realistic as a first bike (well, first bike for 25 years) or would it be more sensible to serve my apprenticeship on a Bonny or some such for 12 months.

tigg-ted · 09-14-2009, 07:34 AM

Welcome,
Like you I'm new to the forum, and similar sized!
But I have not had the 25 year gap in riding. Insurance may be a consideration, as Companies here in the UK , get windy of bikes over 1000cc especially if you've not owned one before and may load the policy accordingly.
On the other side I think the tiger suits my frame and does what I want without any drama's. I've also had a Bonnie but found that a bit elephant on fleas back. From first sit on a Tiger I was hooked and bye bye to the Bonnie.
See what your local dealer has as demonstrator's and try them all. Then put the serious head back on and buy whats best suits.

MarchHare · 09-14-2009, 07:47 AM

One of the benefits of being an old git is that, even with a new license and zero no claims, the cost of insurance is still less than £500 a year. Still a lot but probably not unreasonable.

Have not ridden the tiger yet but would not commit until I have. Just need to pass the test first! Have sat on one and it does feel a good fit and the riding position feels just right.

The two slight concerns I have are weight and power. I suspect both are probably at the upper end of what a new rider can cope with.

winger · 09-14-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

What do you reckon?

Rode a 250cc bike for about four years but this was 25 years ago. Doing my (UK) Direct Access at the moment and really fancy something with a Triumph badge on it. Want something capable of longer trips but also a bit of Sunday morning fun. 50 years old and not a fan of tucked up, lay flat sports bike riding positions and also quite "generously proportioned" (6 ft 2in - 100kg).

Do people think a Tiger is realistic as a first bike (well, first bike for 25 years) or would it be more sensible to serve my apprenticeship on a Bonny or some such for 12 months.

Motorcycling is a way of life for me,after 40 years as good or as bad as ever,my friends are into it and their children,but it has been, and can be brutal,i'd say you'd need your head looking at buying a Tiger now,your a thinker by your last sentence,buy something cheap and cheerfull and then think again,just a shame a few more out there haven't got the same train of thought,their a great bike,but with the height,weight,and the transfer of weight from front to back when braking they ain't the easiest thing in the world to ride.

jonnybiscuit · 09-14-2009, 08:01 AM

Hi MH.
The weight shouldn't be such a problem for a big guy like you (I'm only 5'8").
If you're worried about the power, you could fit the 98PS restrictor kit for a while, until you've got a good few miles in and your skill level/confidence up (probably recommend leaving it on for 1st year at least).They're only £40 and you could sell it on after.
The Tiger's still a LOT of bike for a novice, but if you show respect, I don't see why not.

giantbutcherdog · 09-14-2009, 08:10 AM

i have had a tiger 955i 06 for just under a year now passed my test nov 08 and bought the tiger was a bit scary at first but if your gentle with the throttle and keep the revs down for the first few weeks get acquainted with the bike . as i say i have had no problems with my bike never gone wrong been to france on her this summer i've put the TOR exhaust on and a off road remap goes like sh*t of a hot shovel , and im a big lad i weigh in at 125 kilos 6'2" and 33" in seam all i have done is add bar risers

Tiger-G · 09-14-2009, 12:40 PM

Hi MarchHare,

Welcome to the forum

I'm a bike instructor in my spare time, training people from scooter CBT's to Direct Access to Advanced. Here's my opinion, and that's all it is, an opinion.

I'm sure you are already well aware of the statistics for "older" riders coming back to bikes after a long lay off, it's not good reading. The increase in power linked to a lack of skill and experience makes them a recipe for disaster.

The Tiger is a great bike to ride, as you say. The riding position is almost perfect, the "sit up and beg" position, with most of your limb angles close to 90°.

As for a first big bike ?? Personally, I think it's a bit big and "top heavy" for a first bike and I would worry about you not being able to handle it at low speeds. It may be a good idea to lose your bike virginity on a mid range bike that is lighter, has a lower centre of gravity, is lower to the ground and more forgiving.

Again, having said that you might be an Ex Royal Marine that's built like a brick sh!t house !!

Good luck with your choices whatever you decide to do

Tigger · 09-14-2009, 01:52 PM

What Graeme said!

I used to instruct (years and years ago!) and it always seemed such a waste when people turned up for training on a brand new bike. All that stop-start, learning clutch control and the near inevitable ultra-low speed drop onto new paint work and chrome

Get back on a snotter, get used to it again and then you'll have a much better idea of what you want now. You might be buying the bike you would have wanted 25 years ago and then find out (too late) that your tastes and needs have changed a bit.

Good luck what ever you decide to do.

Tigger.

MarchHare · 09-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Thanks chaps, message received. I am getting some experience of the mid-range bikes on my direct access as all my instruction is on a Suzuki 550 or some such. Must admit it feels a bit like a sewing machine and I don't think I could bring myself to get something like that, even for six months. Mind you even that is massively better than the Honda 125 that I'm buzzing around on between lessons in order to get some bike road time.

Ultimately I won't make any decisions yet. I'm very wary of picking my best bike on paper then finding it all wrong for me on the road. I really can see the sense of getting something a bit tatty to get some experience on but I think there must be a whole load of dealers out there that want to lend me a brand new bike for a few hours so I think that will be the first port of call.

Just got to pass the test first.........

winger · 09-14-2009, 06:33 PM

I rode around on a midrange bike for 4 years,the simple reason i didn't think i was good enough to ride a big'un,40 years on,Weston Beach Race,Welsh two day,1000 mile days and over 120 ferry trips to Europe,i'm still learning every day.

When i had my knock on the door in central Spain 10 years ago,thank god i had the answer.

Motorcycling has gone from a way of life to fancy dress on a sunday,and people just can't be bothered to learn,and thats what kills e'm.