Triumphrat

jcrns4evr · 08-14-2007

I'm getting into a Tiger. It's a 2000 model. Please tell me any pros and cons that you can think of in helping me decide if this bike is for me.

TucsonBill · 08-15-2007

I have a 1999 - essentially the same machine - with 50K miles on it. I love it! It's great for long trips and works well around town. I have done 1000 mile days and ridden in every type of weather. Unless you're really short, you can't go wrong. Go for it! It's also a great conversation starter!

ziaduck · 08-15-2007

I'm only 5'8" and have no problems with my 2005 Tiger. A new rider may have difficulty, but the seat height doesn't pose any serious problems for an experienced rider.

TucsonBill · 08-15-2007

OK, maybe I should have written "REALLY short". 5'8" is in the 50th percentile of men over 20 and the 95th percentile for woman over 20.
I saw a woman who was maybe 5' tall on a BMW GS who must have gone to a thrift store to get her riding boots. They were platform boots with soles about 5" high, just like something from the Rocky Horror Picture show! If there's a will, there's a way!
I agree that experience and familiarity with the machine makes all the difference.

ziaduck · 08-15-2007

Bill, are you suggesting I get some platform boots? Do you think my wife would like them?

TucsonBill · 08-15-2007

Do you live in southern NM, or in the north? Regardless of what the wife thinks, the neighbors are the ones you'll have to deal with......
I may be getting myself in too deep!
Not-too-tall-Bill

jcrns4evr · 08-15-2007

Well, here is my story. I have a bunch of dirt bikes/dual sports. Mostly DRZ's. I have a DRZ that I built out to a 500cc motor and converted it to supermoto. I have a DRZ 450 kicker that is decked out, I have had a YZ450, DRZ400s TTR225. And I work at a Yami Kawi dealership as a service tech, so I have ridden about every kind and make of bike you could imagine.

I'm selling two of my DRZ's so I can go with something that is more road worthy. I don't get along with supersports or sports that well, as I would constantly be laying down on the tank. I love cruisers, like the Yamaha Roadliner and v-star bikes. But at age 28, I'm not ready for that. I want a cummuter bike, that would be as fun as my DRZ 500SM (61 hp and 42.4 tq) but more comfortable for commuting and for riding 2-up with my wife. I don't want a bike that looks like a dweeb and I don't want a bike that looks good and sucks butt in performance.

I am 6'1" and 200 lb. I have read and read about the Tiger and I came upon this 2000 with roughly 24k on it. Never been dropped (so I'm told) comes with 3 sizes of windscreen, tankbag, sidecases, trunk case, corbin seat. It seems to be just what I want. I just like to get outside opinion. I am a service tech, so I should be able to perform the maintenance by myself.

One question about the wheels, I want to do 17's so I can put street tires on it. WHat is the easiest way to go about that? Will other years of wheel fit the 2000? If so which years. Will the newer forks that are a bit better, bolt up to the 2000? Like I know that RM 125/250 forks will bolt up to a DRZ, if you have the triple clamps.

I'm getting the bike, no qiestion. Just please throw me as much info as possible. I like to be educated.

jcrns4evr · 08-15-2007

Also, where can I find performance mod parts for the bike, like exhausts, cams, and the like?

TucsonBill · 08-15-2007

Have you ridden a Tiger? Before you go for more stuff, give it a try and let it grow on you. Tires, for instance, are available in all types for the wheels on the bike. You can mess with the springs in the forks - I went progressive - for a lot less than new forks. They're a unique machine. They're English!

jcrns4evr · 08-15-2007

I'd really like to run tubeless tires, like pilot roads or such. I may just lace a 17" rim to that hub. You are right though, I need to just ride it and see. It doesn't hurt to ask now though, right?