Triumphrat

I am now on my 6th Triumph - Sprint SS, Daytona 1200, Thunderbird Sport, TT600, Sprint ST and now a Bonneville - and am intrigued by the Tiger. I have quickly found out that the Bonnie just ain't big enough for my 6'1" frame. It looks cool but is also painful on anything over 50 miles. Had a chance to demo a new Tiger at the Galena RAT raid and was very impressed - power of my Sprint, comfortable and handled surprisingly well. My old dealer in Chicago has a 05 demo he said will be ready in March for sale. I told him it was a done deal - not sure it was because I just did 200 miles on the Bonnie and was in much pain.

Two questions - anyone use the color matched sport screen and anyone try lower bars? I like the looks of the sport screen and really like a little forward position when I ride. Sitting upright kills my back.

Any other words of encouragment will help in the decision to buy the Tiger.

triumph900

"Any other words of encouragment will help in the decision to buy the Tiger."

I'm on my 16th or so Triumph. I love the Tiger. I crashed a 2001 (car hit me), bought a 2004 to replace it. Had to sell it, but I now can get another one! I'm going to get a 2005. Can't see a reason NOT to buy one. I've loved them all, but the Tiger is the best all around bike, for me.

Good luck.

BigStripey

I'm on my second Tiger now, and like Tiger900, i see no reason to change it for anything else :razz:

And at 6'2" it makes my frame look at least proportionate to the rest of the bike :-D

But don't let looks fool you, the bike can really hustle when it wants to and the handling is amazing too. They are a bit different to ride at first but once you get the hang of it, they are definately grin inducing :razz:

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Big Stripey

I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw

I hope to get an extended test ride - 500 miles - next week. I was at the Galena RAT raid and rode my old dealers 05 demo for about 20 minutes. I will try and talk him into letting me borrow it for a ride from Chicago to Toledo and back - over two days. This should be a good test of the bike. Unless you spend an extended amount of time on a bike its hard to tell how it fits or how it feels. My initial thoughts were very positive after 20 minutes - just want to make sure before I purchase.

I hope to get an extended test ride - 500 miles - next week. I was at the Galena RAT raid and rode my old dealers 05 demo for about 20 minutes. I will try and talk him into letting me borrow it for a ride from Chicago to Toledo and back - over two days. This should be a good test of the bike. Unless you spend an extended amount of time on a bike its hard to tell how it fits or how it feels. My initial thoughts were very positive after 20 minutes - just want to make sure before I purchase.

Timtiger

Hi,
I support the Tiger - I am on my third. I have not used the sports screen but have gone the other way. I have the larger Triumph screen with a small Touratech spoiler. I use the gel seat with a sheepskin and have fitted raised alloy bars.
I am unsure how sitting upright can be bad for your back? My understanding is that given there is minimal wind pressure, an upright seating position is ergonomically the best. Maybe you have back damage?

Lower handlebars may be a challange with tank clearance.

Good luck.

djr

I have not used the sport screen but believe it will cause more wind blast. Maybe if its very hot and you are not going too far this could be a benefit.

Seating position is very personal. I came to the Tiger from a TT600 and at first felt a little uncomfortable sitting upright. I have had back problems but found that after a few rides I got used to the new position and find it pretty comfortable. My only complaint was with the stock seat on long rides that was cured by fitting the triumph gel seat.

Lower bars as has been said are likely to cause problems fouling the tank.

Overall the tiger is a great bike and can do most things without a problem. Pity triumph have taken the height adjustibility away with the new swing arm as it will force me away from the Tiger when I come to change bikes in future.

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David
My Photo Album
My Tiger pages

Thanks to all for the info. Yes, I do have lower back problems and sitting upright puts too much pressure on my lower back. I need a slight bend at the waist. I may look into Renthal bars - maybe lower it an inch or two. I guess I will find out next week with my long ride. I am actually thinking about ordering the gel seat for the ride - if I don't end up buying it someone with a Tiger will get a good deal on the seat.

Timtiger

I suggest that you try the bars first before buying. It only takes a few minutes to try the alignment. As I mentioned I fitted higher bars and you need to juggle the bar clearance between the bars hitting the tank and the mirror stalks hitting the screen.
Also worth noting that the standard bars have some complex cutouts to allow heated handgrip fitting. If you want heated handgrips with non-standard bars you have to be prepared to do a bit of very careful cutting with a dremel tool or similar. To get this wrong would likely sever the heated grip wires, an expensive exercise as they would need to be replaced, and Triumph do not offer parts, just the whole kit.

Also, The control blocks are located with plastic pins that fit into drilled holes in the bars. You may need to drill these holes also (I just cut trhe pins and wrap ruber tape around the bars and locate the control blocks that way - allow me to fine tine the location easily).

Send us a photo if you do it!