Triumphrat

JohnRimmer · 09-17-2005, 01:11 PM

I'm still getting used to the conversion from Daytona to Tiger but I'm definitely having fun on the Tiger at saner speeds.Couple of things I've noticed :

there is just a slight sensation of a weave on twisty roads at 80ish.Might be the panniers or just the effect of wide bars.Obviously not as planted at speed as the Daytona and makes for more excitement/rider input.

A bit vibey at 70+ but maybe the engine needs to loosen up.

A bit of buffeting on the helmet at motorway speeds and the tall screen is worse as it drums right at the top of the helmet.I've been told the sports screen is best as it puts the windblast onto the chest rather than the head.

The brakes are very good,lots of feel and progressive power.

The engine makes good power at lower revs which is perfect for road riding.

The gel seat is very comfy and the riding position is good although I suffer from lower back pain and I'm getting a few aches.I'll try a kidney belt to give some support..

The bike is too quiet and I'm looking forward to fitting the loud can when it arrives (thanks Chris)

Tomorrow I'm off to mid-Wales with the missus and we'll stay at the Elan Valley and explore.The biggest factor in buying the Tiger was that my wife has decided to try pillion and I'm doing some touring,so this should be a good trip.

tango · 09-17-2005, 02:06 PM

John,
Glad to hear you're enjoying the Tiger. Yep it's a different beast to the Daytona.
The slight weave you're experiencing is down to the soft fork springs, Hagon replacement springs, (there are others) which quite a few of us on here use will sort that out no end and transform the bike.

malc · 09-18-2005, 04:35 PM

Ive just done a weekend camping trip to the scarboro gold cup & the bike is just so useable & practical I will be glad when I can use all the revs tough.
The main thing Ive found is getting back into a normal motorbike (so to speak) I had a bmw 50R before so had abs,drive shaft,para & telelever suspension (so no fork dive)
& all these things require getting back into.
Motorway work is fine & get no bother with the standard screen.

back twisty roads its just great

2 up work its great

N u can go at any pace n it just deals with it

Brakes are very good but having to brake slightly earlier than on my R cause I was a late brake merckant on that having the servo abs fitted.

The engine is as smooth as silk I love it its got the power where you need it all the way thru the range well up to 5000rpm anyway

It performs as good in the wet as it does in the dry I hit a few downpours on the way over & the bike was no different on wet or dry roads

Other than that Im loving it as you can tell

JohnRimmer · 09-19-2005, 01:31 PM

Just spent 2 days in md-Wales,stayed overnight in a hotel in the Elan Valley.The wife is now a convert to motorcycling,we did 200 miles on Sunday and 300 today.Went as fast on the twisties as I wanted to,the bike is very stable.We had just as much fun pottering around the reservoirs on the narrow roads in the Elan Valley,the Tiger was perfect for the whole trip.As an added bonus she is now run in and on the way back I popped into my dealer and had the race tune downloaded while I waited.So as soon as the can arrives I will have the sound that only a triple can make.I borrowed a topbox and this went down very well with the pillion,she went as far as to say it has transformed the bike.So looks like this will be the next purchase.As ever with a new bike I spend quite a bit on goodies (this is on top of the Arai lid,Triumph Explorer jacket and Sympatex boots I had to buy for the missus,the credit card has taken a bashing).I'm even looking forward to Autumn so I can try the novelty of heated grips !

chrisn · 09-20-2005, 04:42 AM

Hi John,

Good to hear you're a fully fledged Tiger convert. I can recommend the Triumph top box with backrest pad for your pillion. It's a bit pricey but does finish off the the tourer look with your matching panniers.

BTW we're off down to Elan Valley in a couple of weeks on a local RAT run.

JohnRimmer · 09-20-2005, 08:00 AM

Call into the Elan Valley Hotel if any of you fancy a pint of good ale.The run from Rhayader to Brecon via Built Wells is also good,or through the reservoirs to Aberystwyth

chrisn · 09-20-2005, 08:54 AM

Is that the A470, then B4520 ?

We'll be staying over in Llanwrtyd Wells.

Looking forward to it.

JohnRimmer · 09-20-2005, 01:40 PM

the Elan Valley is the B4518 from Rhayader which then leads onto unclassified roads around the reservoirs and you could then head for Devils Bridge via B4574.The roads are narrow and twisty but I managed ok 2 up and had only previously rode a couple of hundred miles on the Tiger.
The A470 is the main road to Builth Wells and Brecon and is also good.However the very best road,which has just been resurfaced,is the A483 from Llandrindod Wells to Newton.Ths road is a must and is worth going both ways on.It is about 20 miles long and combines long sweeping bends with several Alpine-like hairpins towards Newtown.If you are staying overnight you should make time for this road.It's that good that we travel 120 miles each way just to ride it at least twice a year.

I took the Tbird out for a quick spin today (I'm on holiday) and amazingly it felt like a small bike,which it isn't,compared to the Tiger.When I had the Daytona the Tbird felt long and heavy.Just shows how different bikes can be.So I got home and deciided the Tiger needed a clean.I was surprised to find that the cast wheels are even more tricky to clean than wire wheels.I have never seen so many nooks and crannies.I think a jet wash might be the answer.

TBirdG · 09-20-2005, 04:59 PM

[/quote]
I took the Tbird out for a quick spin today (I'm on holiday) and amazingly it felt like a small bike,which it isn't,compared to the Tiger.When I had the Daytona the Tbird felt long and heavy.Just shows how different bikes can be.So I got home and deciided the Tiger needed a clean.I was surprised to find that the cast wheels are even more tricky to clean than wire wheels.I have never seen so many nooks and crannies.I think a jet wash might be the answer.
[/quote]

I hear you on the difference between the TBird and Tiger. The Bird is a lot lower and the steering geometry definately feels different, too. When I ride my wife's '02 Bonneville, it's like riding a toy!

Have to disagree on the cast wheels vs. spokes, though. I find the cast much easier to clean than the spokes. Do you use one of those tapered wheel brushes? It's a piece of cake, especially with the BMW wheel cleaner in the spray bottle.

Gerry

[ This message was edited by: TBirdG on 2005-09-20 15:00 ]

JohnRimmer · 09-21-2005, 07:06 AM

I was using a cloth and a paint brush so will invest in a tapered brush if it helpsGetting into the hubs was the worst part but like everything else no doubt experimenting will find the way.