Triumphrat

sbpark · 10-05-2009, 02:47 AM

I have a Thruxton but can't really ride it long distances any more due to back surgery last year. anything more than just riding around town causes pain. I want a bike that i can ride for days, long roadtrips, spending a lot of time in the saddle.

My question is, is it worth it to shell out the extra $$$ for a newer style tiger (1050) or should i look for a deal on an older style one (955). i know the 955 is a more 'all purpose' bike, but dont really see myself using the bike off-road, but knowing that i could go down a fire road on the 955 would be nice, but if its not as comfortable on the road i'd rather have the 1050.

the biggest factors in determining which tiger i get are comfort and the ability to go on long trips.

Jonny955 · 10-05-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpark

the biggest factors in determining which tiger i get are comfort and the ability to go on long trips.

Both the 955 and the 1050 will provide for this. The 955 has a larger tank and many report that the pillion seat/sitting position is better than the 1050. The 1050 will handle & brake more like a sports bike, if that's your thing.

Either is capable of trail-riding on unmade roads (as long as you are!) but the 955 is arguably better when the going gets tough due to tyre availability & wheel sizes.

Jon

epynt1050 · 10-05-2009, 05:42 AM

Both are very comfortable and will do long trips.
The 1050 is more road orientated and is surprisingly quick and will often keep up with sports bikes. It also has a lower seat height.
The 995 is more "laid back", larger tank, luggage has greater capacity and due to tyre choice has more "off road" capability.
Test ride both if you can. They are really quite different bikes.

Medic09 · 10-05-2009, 11:21 AM

Well, my first question is 'what, exactly, about the Thruxton, aggravates your back pain?' It is important to remember that you may need to be tending to that back, no matter which bike you ride.

I recently got off a Sprint ST 955i for a Tiger 955i, also because of neck and back problems. I found immediately during the test ride on the Tiger that the posture wasn't aggravating my constant neck pain at all. Good enough for me!, even though the bike is ideally too tall for me. But I still need to care for my back...

The riding posture on the Girlie is much like that on my old Honda 750. Very upright, relaxed, and easy to shift around on the seat/behind the bars. Very tall bike, though. I've heard some folks get nosebleeds from the altitude. I think my mountaineering experience and flight job helped me adjust.

Power is fine, interstate or in town. I really like the 955 motor in both the versions that I have.

I brought the Tiger 955i to the dealer for a complete service, and they gave me a Tiger 1050 as a loaner for two days. My immediate impressions: The 1050 is more like a mild sport bike with a taller stance. Stiffer road-tuned ride. The 955 is softer on the suspension, it seems. The rider's posture on the 1050 (remember I have short legs and arms) is a bit more leaned forward. I couldn't imagine riding 500 miles a day on that stock seat! I did do 130 miles round trip on the interstate, so I had some taste of touring on it. For a relaxed ride, with plenty of oomph to cut through traffic or ride the interstate a bit above speed limit, the 955 was fine for me.

Ultimately, you need to get on both bikes for a ride. They're similar enough that the choice may come down to some smaller details that don't come up in discussion, plus the inevitable subjective 'I simply like it'.

Ride safe!

playinthestreet · 10-06-2009, 12:05 AM

I've had both. The 955 is, in my opinion, stronger at low rpm's, but the 1050, from 4500 up is quicker. If you do any amount of 2 up riding the 955 is better. I like that the 1050 is a littler lower. I put rock-hard Corbin seats on every motorbike I own so can't say the stock seat on one or the other is better. Both are fugly, but the trade off is you can't see 'em when you're on 'em.

The factory hard bags on the 955s are probably a little more usable as they don't have the exhaust cut-out that the 1050s have.

As said, the 955 has a bigger fuel tank. I'm not good for much more than 2hrs before mother nature calls so that feature is negligible for me. It's been some time since I've had the 955 so my memory may be failing me. Try to test ride both. For many the 1050 has a lot more wind noise/buffeting than many other bikes. It's relative to your height and you may find it acceptable. Many of us 1050 owners have gone thru several windsreens before finding the best one for our individual tastes.

The 05/06 955's have cast wheels w/tubeless tires which may have some appeal to you.

You won't go wrong with either.

DaveB · 10-06-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playinthestreet

The factory hard bags on the 955s are probably a little more usable as they don't have the exhaust cut-out that the 1050s have.

Mmm, I'm pretty sure the 955's have the right side cut-out too?

+1 on the comment that the 955 has a slightly softer ride quality.

I've got a 32" inseam & can manage the 955 with stock seat OK, but only just!

DaveB.

playinthestreet · 10-06-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveB

Mmm, I'm pretty sure the 955's have the right side cut-out too?

+1 on the comment that the 955 has a slightly softer ride quality.

I've got a 32" inseam & can manage the 955 with stock seat OK, but only just!

DaveB.

I guess that's right on the bags. I've had 2 955 Sprints and 1 1050 Sprint and suffer from "old age memory loss"

wroding · 10-06-2009, 07:41 PM

I have been thinking of doing the same as sbpark. I have a Thruxton that i love, but would like to get something for two up riding and long distances.
Are there any years on for the 955 that are better than others?
Also what price should i expect to pay for a good clean 955? In respect to years and extras etc.
Thanks John.

Medic09 · 10-07-2009, 01:05 AM

I'll sort of answer just one of your questions.

I bought an '02 Tiger about three weeks ago. 36,000 miles on it, runs well, pretty well kept. Has the expected minor dings and scratches.

I paid $3400. I would have liked to pay a bit less, but the price was still reasonable, the bike in front of me, and had some extras. Normally I will NOT figure extras into the value of a used vehicle I want to buy; but a full set of factory luggage would be hard to find and very expensive. This bag has a full set, plus engine guards, taller windscreen, and installed factory heated grips.

So, that's what I paid; that's what I got; and I'm pretty happy with it.

Lately I've seen some Tiger 955s out there with very low miles and quite reasonable prices. There's a really nice looking grey one in Seattle that didn't sell on Ebay that would make a great fly and ride for someone.

Here's one example, barely broken in! http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mcy/1387595130.html

playinthestreet · 10-07-2009, 01:36 PM

I think the 955 is better for two up. The principal differences, I think, are the 05s and 06s have cast/tubless wheels. The 06s have the 1050 cylinder head, I think. Triumphs suffer from poor residual value and I would think you'd find a good example under $5000 in the 02-04 model years.