Triumphrat

08-21-2005

Hello all,

I'm pleased to announce that I'm the proud new owner of an '05 Silver Tiger which I picked up last Thursday. I can barely contain my excitement! The test ride got me off the fence and I knew it was the bike for me. I have finally found the perfect combination of attributes I have been looking for.

Work and weather kept it idle after I got it home. Yesterday I finally got the chance to take it out for a longer, half day ride with the local Rat pack and got to know the bike much better. Wow! This thing just oozes power effortlessly and I was keeping the revs low as instructed per the break in period. I can't wait to see how smooth this motor gets over time, and how much power is on tap in the upper part of the rev range. The bike handles very well for being as tall as it is. It seems light and flickable, yet has a super compliant ride. I'm really starting to understand the brilliance of this whole adventure concept. At age 34, I wanted something practical that I could commute on over our pothole laden roads, that could be pressed into 2 up touring duty, and that had some measure of exclusivity without breaking the bank. I was coming from a cruiser and knew I also wanted something sportier, but not uncomfortable. I also didn't want another Japanese bike, not because it was a bad bike... it just didn't connect with it in any way. It seemed dull and common.

I wonder if any other Tiger riders arrived at their decision the same way I did. 2 years ago I rode a Sprint ST and loved it, but the seating was a little cramped on my knees (I'm about 6ft tall). Still, I fell in love with the triple and was leaning heavily that way until it underwent the makeover in '05 and the hard luggage was universally declared to be lousy, and I'd heard problems with heat from the undertail exhaust. With the Trophy discontinued, I wondered if I would have to look for a used ST. For some reason, I never considered the Tiger as a possibility. I'd only seen pictures of it in Orange and Green and thought it looked a bit odd. Then I saw one in Silver and thought, hmm... not bad. It interested me enough to check out the specs on it and the more I learned about it, the more I liked.

Hmm... hard luggage now standard... and it is the old cases that work well. Nice plus, I thought.

Hmm... a small fairing with optional taller screen... looks like it can be easily pressed into interstate duty, unlike a Speed Triple. Also, the gas tank holds more than 6 gallons, 2 more than my cruiser.

Hmm.... spacious ergonomics without the foot forward position of a cruiser. Sitting on it in the showroom, it felt like I was perched "on" the bike, instead of sitting "in" it. A nice change from my cruiser.

Hmm... a great combination of horsepower and torque from that lovely triple... more than enough for a bike that is about 475lbs dry. It weighs less than my old cruiser but with much more power.

Handgards... hmm. Won't that help keep my hands warmer in cold weather? Nice.

I could go on and on. It is just such a great blend of attributes. The test ride is what got me off the fence. At last, this is the bike I have been looking for, and it is a Triumph instead of another bland Japanese bike. Oh, and by the way, the BMW 1200GS was never an option because its costs puts it in a whole other price category that was well beyond what I could spend.

Seeing the friendly and knowledgeable help out here was also a big plus. I have just a few questions (sorry for the long)

Is the taller screen from Triumph tall enough to keep the windblast off my helmet? Is there another brand that is more highly regarded?

I've heard that the bike is difficult to get up on the centerstand by yourself. Is this true? I'm considering purchasing one as an add on.

I've been reading about the Touratech crash bars. A good idea, but in the event of a tip over, won't my bags still take the bulk of the damage?

Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks much!

Brock · 08-21-2005

Mark...you've made a bloody good choice there matey.
Don't be too gentle with her during running-in. She'll be all the better for having a good rip every now and then She won't be really loose for about 6,000 to 9,000 miles anyway...something to look forward to.
Screens? Tiger aint exactly aerodynamic so don't expect miracles. Some folks really rate the Ceebailey range (me included), some take the screen off completely.
The centrestand? Pah! they're wusses. Just kick the stand down like you mean business, grab the n/s rear footrest hanger, then haul the old gal backwards. All in one go. Easy.
You'll find life difficult without one, and make sure you get the pukka Triumph job.

08-21-2005

Chris,

Thanks much for the advice. So it sounds like the center stand is a must have, and rear footpeg is the key to pulling it back on the center stand. I did notice that the small factory screen managed to keep wind blast off my chest surprisingly well. From the neck up, I feel it pushing on my helmet, but it seems to be even and without turbulence. I almost prefer that to a taller screen that will put the top half of my head in a swirl pattern.

I did rev the engine past 5000 rpm a few times on my original test ride. I couldn't believe the way it surged forward and it surprised me enough to back down quickly.

I am going to have a lot of fun getting familiar with this motor as it breaks in. It pulls much stronger than the bike I'm coming from. I can't believe what I've been missing. No more slow heavy cruisers for me.

clive955 · 08-21-2005

Tourotech crash bars are a must, A little more expensive than other makes but I personally think are the best. Takes about 1/2 an hour to fit and certainly help in a topple, which I have had like 99.9 % of tiger owners. Cee Baileys Screen is a great addition to the bike. Come in 2 sizes, 4 and 6 inches taller but have the added bonus of being wider than the original Triumph screen. Other must haves which I have added:

Tourotech Metal panniers
Scotoiler
Extended Mud flap on Front
Hagon front springs

Have fun and unlike the jap *****, you can use it in the rain.

tango · 08-21-2005

I thought the centre stand came as standard on the '05 model along with panniers and heated grips?.

Don't try and lift the bike onto the stand, just take a firm grip of the rear footrest hanger, take hold of the handle bar with your left hand and push down hard on the stand with your foot, it's by far the easiest way to do it.

If you like the tiger now just wait til it's fully run in, I've goty 18k on mine and it's running better now than it ever has.

Check out the Mod's section and the album (top right hand corner of the page) to see what some of us have done.

There is a wealth of info' here and the moderator does a great job of keeping all together.

Good luck with your new ride you've made a wise choice, and post up some pic's.

08-21-2005

Davie,

Thanks for the help. I'll go check out those mods. That Cee Bailey screen has been mentioned twice now so it sounds like a must have for better wind protection. Hopefully someone has posted a picture of it on their bike.

From what I understand, on the '05, the panniers are standard, but you have to wait for the '06 to get heated grips and center stand as standard. I debated waiting but the dealership cut me some slack to purchase the '05 and the test ride had me all wound up to where I couldn't wait any longer and it was the color I wanted.

I've now got at least 4 items on my shopping list... center stand, top pannier / backrest, crash bars, and a taller shield. Wait until my wife finds out I'm anxious to spend even more. It hasn't even been home from the dealership a week yet!

:knkknk:

tango · 08-22-2005

Mark,

The screen thing is not as cut and dried as you might think. What suits one may not suit another, it's more a case of trial and error.
The other screen, fairly new to the tiger, worth considering is the MRA vario.

pigpen955 · 08-22-2005

Mark-

I am going to start a flame war by saying that if you leave the bags on all the time the engine guards are redundant. I ride with my bags at all times and have lost count of how many times I have dropped the bike without even coming close to scratching the engine casing. The tank and bags, however, are a bit scratched up.

Without the bags, you would definately need the guards.

Windshields are tough and very personal, I tried four or five different set-ups before I settled on the sport screen. I routinely do 1k-2k mile tours on the bike with the wind in my face which I find preferable to the buffeting I got with all other combinations.

Mine has been almost unbelievable in terms of durability and reliability...30k miles and counting.

I have a center stand and only use it when necessary as it is not that easy to get it off the stand (something not usually mentioned). Two of the times I have dropped my bike was taking it off the center stand (really pisses you off).

You will love the Tiger...ride it safe!

Fred

Anthouse · 08-22-2005

After a 6K trip on my 05 I am looking for a new windscreen- I have the taller Triumph one and got a lot of buffeting although the winds across the Great Plains were ferocious. I I like the Cee Bailey and would consider it above the Triumph- cheaper too. I took the rubber edging off which seems to help a little. Crash bars are a something of an insurance policy- I have ones from Thunderbike but have yet to use them. The seat is the one thing I would redesign although not sure where to go- I am thinking of a custom (Meyer, Saddleman?) which is spendy but my butt will thank me and in the long run I think worth it. Gels just don't seem to make that much difference to me. Good idea to put some miles on the bike and adjust it as you go instead of heaping on the accessories.

BigStripey · 08-22-2005

Welcome along, excellent choice of bike !

Some sound advice here from all so far. I will just chip in with my two cents worth and agree that you need to get riding it first, then adjust your wish list accordingly. What is at the top now, may well be different in a thousand miles time.

That way, you can maximise your pocket money spending even if the BPO (biking permissions officer) (a.k.a. your good lady) gets medieval about the spending going on :razz:

If you haven't figured it out yet, you will find that the following subjects are highly emotive, and rarely has there ever been agreement

For the reasons Tango describes, because we are all different, have different expectations of what something can do for the beast, and different ideas about the whole motorcycle ethos itself.

1) Colour - Oh boy, that one again ! Nobody will just accept that silver is the fastest colour :flam:
2) Oil - Whatever...just don't go with a cheap one, stick to a branded name.
3) Tyres - Not even gonna go there

4) Screens - Think on this one...It could get expensive trying all the diffferent models
5) Clean v Dirty - You reading this Robbie ? :-D

Apart from that we are a united brethren who get along famously.

Whatever happens....just get out there and ride it ok?

Jim