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Tiger Buying Advice Needed

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  RobM 
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#1 ·
I am new to this forum and find it very helpful.
I was wondering if the experts here could give me some guidance in my quest to find the Tiger that is going to best suit my needs.

I am looking to make a purchase in the next year. I live in Southern New Jersey where there is an abundance of fire trails/roads through the Pine Barrens. I will probably be doing the bulk of my riding in these "off Road" conditions.
Also use it to travel to work (a couple miles down the road) and generally running around town, but I do not see myself doing any extensive touring, at least for a few more years.

I don't know if I should get one that is brand new. It is always fun to get the latest and greatest, but then I am going to take it straight into the woods, and it would be silly to think it wont suffer a few bumps and bruises.
If I am going for a used one, is there a year/build that would suit my needs better than others for Off-Road? Should mileage be a consideration?

I appreciate your input.
 
#2 ·
I'm a Tiger newb myself. I have an 05,which suits my needs nicely since 99% of my riding is on asphalt and what passes for roads over here. I use it to commute, run around town and to explore what's around town (Tahoe, NorCal, etc). Honestly,the Tiger makes a great urban assault vehicle. Riding position, height, etc let me see for miles (mild exaggeration). It's a cushy ride, with the possivle exception of some fork dive ifyou break too hard. Turns nicely, but you have to be careful with the really slow stuff. Get crash bars,and get em before you drop it. Since the kinda roads you're talking about isn't extreme off-roading,i think any of the Girlies will do. Steamers,sure,go for it. Mileage shouldn't be a concern since it's a modern water cooled engine, assuming it's been maintened correctly. I bought a new one cuz i couldn't find a used one around here at the time i wanted to buy. Bottom line, it's a great bike and suits many purposes. Oh,good on gas too.
If this sounds like rambling, it's early and haven't had enough coffee yet :razz:

[ This message was edited by: Cos on 2006-09-12 06:46 ]
 
#3 ·
Don't shot me but it sounds like a KLR 650 may be better suited for you based on your riding description. If I was going to spend the bulk of the time in the dirt and only commute a few miles on pavement I wouldn't wrestle with a Tiger. I had a KLR a few years back and it was great for short commutes around town and on fire roads. They are also very inexpensive and reliable. Otherwise I agree with Cos, get crash bars before you need them and keep your speed up.
 
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#5 ·
Hello Pinehollow!

Yes the tiger does make a decent fireroad-hard pack trail machine. Just watch out for deep mud and sand, unless your running full knobby tires. This helps alot, though this is still a big heavy bike! Pine barrens? Did you say pine barrens!!? I guess I should also add, LOOK OUT FOR THE JERSY DEVIL!!!!


:mad:
 
#6 ·
I gotta go with Sonoma on this.
If the bulk of your riding is dirt, a more dirt-oriented bike such as a KLR may be a better bet.

THe Tiger is awesome, but it's big attraction is versatility. If you are not going to be riding on many different kinds of roads you may want something for more specific conditions.

The older Steamers are definitely better in the dirt than the newer Girlies.....if your heart is set on a Tiger.

:wink:
 
#7 ·
And apparently the current Girlie to be better on the loose stuff than the upcoming '07 1050 Tiger. Whateve nickname it winds up with.

So maybe no use in waiting on the new one.

On 2006-09-12 21:16, stanegoli wrote:

The older Steamers are definitely better in the dirt than the newer Girlies.....if your heart is set on a Tiger.

:wink:
[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2006-09-12 22:14 ]
 
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#11 ·
Well, after everyone weighing in on this, I am not surprised at the response.

A KLR will probably be a much more practical decision. I love Triumph's, and the Tiger, but I guess I would be better suited to taking the money I save buying a KLR and putting into my never ending restoration of my T160.

Thanks for the response and helping me keep my witts!

And I'm always on the lookout for the Jersey Devil!
 
#12 ·
I used to live in Indian Mills, NJ and rode those sand trails (especially around Atsion Park) on a mountain bike with big knobbies. I think a Tiger would be too big and would get stuck in some of the sand bogs with street tires. I would go with a dirt/street bike as many have suggested.
 
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