Triumphrat

ghstwrtr · 10-19-2009, 03:58 PM

In a word, crap! When I bought a new bike in April, it was a choice between the R1200GS and the Tiger. Thirteen years of faithful service from my 96 Adventurer steered me toward the Tiger. I went with the full luggage package, since I tend to do a lot of distance riding.

In the five months I've had it, the Tiger has been spectacular, the luggage has been the opposite.

In the first month, the top-box broke right at the hooks that hold it to the platform. If I hadn't noticed right away, it would have come off the bike. Fortunately, it was replaced under warranty.

A few months later, on a ride to Nova Scotia, I hit a pothole on the interstate and the left saddle bag popped open spilling my girlfriend's clothes all over the highway ... note, this was at the BEGINNING of our trip. Not fun.

The following week, I went on a business trip, and when I arrived at my destination, the top box was gone! I can only imagine the same thing happened to it again, and this time, I hadn't noticed in time!

And just last week one of the straps that prevents the side bag from coming completely open broke!

I thought this was luggage designed for "Adventure touring"! Clearly it can't handle the adventure that is NY City!

I spoke to Peter Carleo at Triumph who just kept repeating that they have tested the luggage and this didn't happen! They said the same thing when my dealer tried to intercede on my behalf.

I am extremely disappointed that Triumph would quibble over a couple of hundred dollars when I've spent $17,000 on the bike, as well as $9,000 on my Adventurer in 96 and several more thousand in parts over the years.

Has anyone had experience fitting BMW Adventure bags to a Tiger? Those look like they can handle more than the useless Triumph bags. I don't think I want to lose any more of my possessions on the road!

RT · 10-19-2009, 05:55 PM

Have you check Happy Trails. Know they make a similar bag for 06. Would bet that one for Roadie.

Another option

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...light=aluminum

Brooks · 10-20-2009, 11:49 AM

Those are well known issues with the stock 1050 Tiger luggage.

Have you seen these aluminum panniers from Trax ? Twisted Throttle carries them. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/image...view/4049/689/

triple3john · 10-21-2009, 02:31 PM

I agree the 1050 luggage is not as good as it should be,although my gripe is the shape making inner bags difficult to insert and the way the lock mechanism takes inner space ditto. Having said that I've done 3 trips this year totalling over 8000 miles. My solution is not to overpack the space and then the lock mechanism closes fully which is important as the mechanism also operates the clamps to the carrier. Fitting the tankbag gave us enough carrying capacity for 2 people for 2 weeks (just).

graeme · 10-22-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghstwrtr

The following week, I went on a business trip, and when I arrived at my destination, the top box was gone! I can only imagine the same thing happened to it again, and this time, I hadn't noticed in time!

Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but that made me chuckle out loud !!

johnjo · 10-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Hey ghstwrtr,

I have taken the plunge and am awaiting arrival of a new Orange 1050 in a few days, trading in my old 955.
I have ordered the Triumph 3 box luggage system as part of the accessory pack. This will be my 3rd Triumph model fitted with their hard luggage. First 2 sets of luggage were excellent.
On reading your thread I have done more research on this luggage. Check out the Tiger1050.com site. It's truly frightening. Lost luggage, broken mounts and lost luggage, stolen luggage, etc,etc. Worryingly these problems go back to the launch of the 1050 in late 2006. It would seem this is a well documented defect being ignored by Triumph.

What have I done !!!! It's sure taken the edge off the excitement awaiting arrival of the new steed.

Regards JJ

stanegoli · 10-24-2009, 04:03 PM

From observational experience I can assure you the BMW 1200 GS luggage is crap too.
Three times now I have, on organized dualsport rides, seen BMW riders lose their luggage after falling. Usually it is the mounting bolts that shear.

The stock panniers on my '06 Tiger have withstood a number of drops, some at speed. They don't look pretty any longer, but the mounts have never sheared.

jonnybiscuit · 10-25-2009, 01:05 PM

Tiger got top box (robbed from my Sprint) but no side boxes. Got them on my Sprint and I guess they're basically the same (obviously different profile on the Tiger RHS). Done several 3K+ mile tours and never had a problem. I always make sure they're closed properly and without any undue force (unlike my wife packing a suitcase for holiday

).

triple3john · 10-27-2009, 03:50 PM

All I can say is that I've done 8700 miles with the luggage fitted and no problems,except the lack of space I've already commented on. 3 friends have 1050s with Triumph luggage and none has fell off. We did a trip to the Alps and a friend with a new GS1200 had his BMW topbox fall off for no apparent reason,replaced by BMW under warranty. What does this tell us ? I'm not sure..... Neither BMW or Triumph dealers that we know well are aware of any significant issues so maybe it's a rare occurence,albeit that's of little comfort if it happens I suppose.

tigg-ted · 10-27-2009, 04:41 PM

I've had no problems with my 3 box OEM set but I'm now paranoid about checking the locking is correct before I set off!