Triumphrat

Chuck in Indiana · 09-21-2009, 08:37 PM

OK, my question about the rear cases is answered and now I have a couple more -- that seems normal:

First, my normal use for a bike is long distance touring, camping trips and riding to cycle rallies -- about 12-15K miles/year. That means 600 or so miles a day, day after day. Much of the time, I'm not near a reasonable cycle dealer to do my repair work, if necessary.

I normally set a bike up with electronic cruise control, heated grips, appropriate windscreen, long distance saddle, etc, and normally run in the 70-80 MPH range while on the road. My questions -- can the Tiger handle these kind of running conditions? Are the 3-cylinder engines "buzzy" at those RPM levels, whatever they are? Are there reliability/durability issues to be considered when I'm out on the road? In other words, if it is not dependable when I'm on the road, I can not consider it.

Second, what's the availability of accessories for the Tiger series of cycles? I know I'll need a windshield, hand guards, heated grips, cruise control, center stand, engine guard, etc, etc. Are these items readily available or do I have to fab my own?

Thanks for your input. Ride safe out there.

RedBird · 09-21-2009, 10:36 PM

1. Tiger will handle those kinds of running conditions with ease, IMHO.

2. My Tiger is SMOOTH throughout the rpm range. I cruise at 5500 rpm when I think I can get by with that speed, and very little, if any vibrations. I will add that I installed SW Motech engine bars on both my '07 and '08 Tigers and got noticeable vibrations between 5K and 5.5K rpm on the '07 and 4.5K and 5.2K rpm on the '08. I removed the engine bars and sold them at 1/2 price to someone who knew why I removed them. I have smiled ever since.

3. I check my tires and wipe and lube the chain each night when on the road, and sometimes check the oil if I remember--other than that, all I do is clean the windshield and fill-er-up with 89 octane fuel every 150 miles--I am a senior citizen and have to stop about every 150 miles to take care of other things, so I fill up Tiger while I empty.

4. Accessories: Good availability now!

a. windshield: Try a Calsci--size depends on your seated height. Look at www.calsci.com.
b. hand-guards: I prefer Triumph hand-guards, but have used KTM. BMW fits, and I believe someone uses another brand.
c. heated grips: Triumph makes em and one can use after market ones of many varieties.....I use Triumph--had em installed prior to taking delivery.
d. center stand: I use Triumph, but some use SW Motech and I believe I have read of one other brand available.
e. engine guard: Forget it is my advice--that's what insurance is for, and the vibration added is NOT worth it, IMHO. There are at least three brands available, and there may be a couple of more by now.
f. etc. Whatever you have money for seems to be available now.

There are sliders, case cover guards, combo chain-guard/hugger, fender extender, radiator covers, oil cooler covers, custom belly pans, exhaust cans (my last count was over 16 different vendors and that was a few months back), full exhaust systems, shocks, springs, panniers, top boxes, tank bags, tail packs, mirror extenders, mirrors, HID kits, dual light kits (to make both headlights shine on dipped beam--only one shines when stock although both shine on high beam stock), and I am sure the list goes on, but I have run out of memory space.

Chuck in Indiana · 09-22-2009, 07:14 AM

Larry,

Thanks for your reply. You've given me a lot of good information about the Tiger. I'm also a senior (actually a super senior) so getting off the bike at regular intervals is becoming a bit more important. I see the Tiger has a 5 gallon tank so it should have a reasonable (200 miles or so) range.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to sell my Kawa Concours C-14 ABS at a reasonable figure.

Ride safe out there.

blacktiger · 10-01-2009, 08:38 AM

I agree with what Redbird has said except the vibration thing with the crash bars. I have had Touratech crashbars fitted for years and have no vibration worth discussing here. My mirrors are still usable at 80mph. Could be that Redbird torqued up the mounts wrong or something or maybe the design of the SW-Motech bars.
Get one of these set up right (19T front sprocket, K&N air filter, Irridium plugs) and it'll give really good mpg as a bonus.

JasonS · 10-01-2009, 09:00 AM

I have the Thunderbike ( modified to fit my 06) crash bars and they do impart some buzz to the grips, but it hasn't been an issue for me and my hand wil ache from that kind of thing if it gets to be too much.

The two big issues we all face are screens and seats. Teh screen issue will really depend on your seated hight, but if you are less than 5'10 I think you will do fine.

You should consider an aftermarket seat. I don;t know of anyone doing successive 600 miles days with stock seating.

The Tiger is a smaller bike in some ways from the Connie... you will get less wind protection from the Tiger, but then I don;t think the Tiger feels as heavy underway.

Good Luck!!

Alton · 10-06-2009, 12:51 PM

I've noticed a slight buzz between 4-5000 rpm, but not bad. Everything else you asked about is available, and well tested by hundreds of Tiger riders.

Best place I've found for Tiger gear is Twisted Throttle.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com

joe tabler · 10-08-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck in Indiana

Larry,

Thanks for your reply. You've given me a lot of good information about the Tiger. I'm also a senior (actually a super senior) so getting off the bike at regular intervals is becoming a bit more important. I see the Tiger has a 5 gallon tank so it should have a reasonable (200 miles or so) range.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to sell my Kawa Concours C-14 ABS at a reasonable figure.

Ride safe out there.

Chuck, Indy Triumph has a 2007, black 1050 with the modified windshield, aux outlet,topbox and side cases. the rear turn signals have been integrated with the brake lights . 6800 miles . Needs new tires. Joe

Chuck in Indiana · 10-08-2009, 12:48 PM

Joe,

Thanks for the info on the Tiger in Indy. That's where I rode the demo Tiger during MotoGP Days. Nice people. I'll give Chuck Hatten a call.

I'm going to run down to Evansville on Saturday, after the monsoons pass through. That dealer has both the Wee-Strom ABS and Tiger ABS that I can look at together. At the present, those are my two bikes of choice for the future.

My local Kawa/Yama dealer has nothing that I can set up to fit my needs, I'm turned off by BMW's new product offerings plus my past experience(s) with them and the Guzzi dealers tell me they can not guarantee repair parts availability now that Piaggio is in control. There aren't too many good choices out there.

Once again, thanks and ride safe.

Chuck in Indiana · 10-10-2009, 05:16 PM

Joe,

My schedule changed so I took the opportunity to run up to Indy this morning to see that '07 Tiger. Black, 6100 miles, out of warranty, with Triumph side and top cases, MRA windshield with a secondary little auxillary top shield, and electrical accessory plug-in, stock seat and in need of tires. It was not equipped with either handguards or a center stand.

Looks like the original owner, a man who has purchased several Triumphs from this dealer and now owns a new BMW 650GS, didn't ride it particularly hard. However, he made a few mods that make it less attractive in my eyes. I think he was probably trying to make the bike into a "stealth fighter" of sorts.

First, he removed all directional signals and replaced the front with some very tiny (about the size of a quarter), flush mounted lights (I wonder if they're even legal). In the back, he incorporated the turn signals into the taillight assembly somehow. Second, he "bobbed" the rear fender assembly so that there is only a small license plate bracket under the taillight assembly. In other words, the rear tire is completely exposed and would throw mud/water everywhere in dirty riding conditions. And third, he painted the wheels black to match the balance of the bike. Naturally, the color of the wheels does not make the bike less rideable but this color change would not have been my choice.

I'll give Chuck Hatten a call on Tuesday (he was sick yesterday and today) and see what he has to say. They are asking $8K for the bike as is, without any warranty. It's going to need several hundred dollars before it is ready for my kind of riding -- tires, center stand, hand guards, heated grips, cruise control, probably a rebuilt seat, different windscreen (?), auxillary fuse block, mounts for my aluminum cases, dealing with the turn signals and rear fender situations, etc. etc.

All for now. Ride safe out there.

n4naked · 10-10-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck in Indiana

Joe,

My schedule changed so I took the opportunity to run up to Indy this morning to see that '07 Tiger. Black, 6100 miles, out of warranty, with Triumph side and top cases, MRA windshield with a secondary little auxillary top shield, and electrical accessory plug-in, stock seat and in need of tires. It was not equipped with either handguards or a center stand.

Looks like the original owner, a man who has purchased several Triumphs from this dealer and now owns a new BMW 650GS, didn't ride it particularly hard. However, he made a few mods that make it less attractive in my eyes. I think he was probably trying to make the bike into a "stealth fighter" of sorts.

First, he removed all directional signals and replaced the front with some very tiny (about the size of a quarter), flush mounted lights (I wonder if they're even legal). In the back, he incorporated the turn signals into the taillight assembly somehow. Second, he "bobbed" the rear fender assembly so that there is only a small license plate bracket under the taillight assembly. In other words, the rear tire is completely exposed and would throw mud/water everywhere in dirty riding conditions. And third, he painted the wheels black to match the balance of the bike. Naturally, the color of the wheels does not make the bike less rideable but this color change would not have been my choice.

I'll give Chuck Hatten a call on Tuesday (he was sick yesterday and today) and see what he has to say. They are asking $8K for the bike as is, without any warranty. It's going to need several hundred dollars before it is ready for my kind of riding -- tires, center stand, hand guards, heated grips, cruise control, probably a rebuilt seat, different windscreen (?), auxillary fuse block, mounts for my aluminum cases, dealing with the turn signals and rear fender situations, etc. etc.

All for now. Ride safe out there.

i suspect that joe may be the man you're talking about who made the mods?