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First Impression - Thoughts and Questions

1K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  ecosystem3 
#1 ·
I've put 800 miles on my XRX low - time to get to the dealer for my synthetic oil and first service.

I have a few comments and (stupid?) questions:

1. How do I get my gas tank full? I can't get more than 7 bars, whether I stick the nozzle past the barrier, or hold it on top. I fill it on the side stand - do I need to be holding it upright in order to get it full?

2. I have learned not to put anything that can't take heat in my right-hand pannier. Warm toothpaste is not as nice as cool toothpaste.

3. Thanks to this forum I now leave it in gear when I stop. Roll forward, then stand down. I read the manual and it said never to use the engine shut-off switch (i.e., "kill switch") unless absolutely necessary. I just took a refresher riding class and the instructors suggested getting into the habit of using it all the time, so muscle memory kicks in if you are going down. Follow the manual, or use the cut-off switch - thoughts?

4. I sometimes have trouble getting from Neutral to First. It helps if I let the clutch out a bit. Anyone else find this? I have started just ignoring Neutral entirely, and just keeping my clutch in at lights (which I generally do, with the exception of stopping for passing trains), and keeping it in first with the clutch in when I turn the key off to start.

5. I'm getting a little heat from under both thighs and behind both legs. Odd, seeing as my exhaust is on the right. Nothing terrible, but I notice it.

6. After riding in some 25 mph winds with gusts, I think I will look at new windshields. Won't help the side winds, but I have so much bug splat on my faceshield that I have to clean it at every stop. There is an excessive amount of information and opinions here, so I have some reading to do.

7. I notice some tingling in my fingers after a long day riding. I have gel-palm gloves already. Anything else I should try?

8. I LOVE MY TIGER! I love it more off the highway, but it works wherever I have taken it so far.
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Hey Carol! I was wondering how you were getting on with you new Tiger? Glad to hear you're doing good. "They only stupid question is the one you never ask." Here are my opinions on your q's...

1. When I fuel up, on the side stand or when I stay on the bike and keep it straight up and down(how I usually do it), the gauge always reads full. If yours doesn't that is something I would bring up to the dealer at service time. As long as you're getting it full it's probably just a gauge thing. If you're not able to travel a good 180-200 miles then you not actually getting it full and it's something else.

2. You find the exhaust side pannier gets hotter than the left? I haven't noticed that at all. As a matter of fact that's the side I usually keep my backpack cooler thing in with my fake ice and water. I find that it keeps my water cold(and fake ice frozen) for up to 2 full days.

3. I haven't used the killswitch on any of my motos...ever. I turn the bike on and off with the key. The couple times I dropped my previous bikes I turned the key off and then picked the bike up.

4. Keeping the bike in gear with the clutch lever pulled in at lights is the safest bet. If you stay aware and see something coming your way you can react much quicker to avoid a hazzard. Although when you want to get into neutral, I noticed on my previous motos, letting the clutch out a little always made finding neutral easier. I haven't had that issue with the Tiger though so maybe your clutch cable needs a little adjustment? Maybe something to ask the dealer about at service time as well.

5. The heat is probably caused by the fan kicking on and the hot air coming up where you're feeling it. I've noticed this a little myself and that seems to par for the course with the Tiger. Hasn't bugged me much at all though.

6. Windscreens. MADSTAD. end of story lol. I ride with my visor up all the time now and get zero bugs in my face and the wind noise is so low I can hear the tires on the road. I still wear ear plugs though.

7. Tingling fingers could be a lot of different things. Arm position(reposition your risers maybe). How hard you're gripping the bars(light grip is best). Maybe try some gel grips? I've never tried them but have heard good things.

8. I LOVE MY TIGER TOO LOL! It does everything I ask of it and more. Taking it camping tomorrow with some off-roading on the way to the campground, I can't wait! Already got her loaded down and full of fuel. Just a few last minute thing in the morning and I'm gone!
 
#3 ·
All great advice right there ^.

I wouldn't worry about using the kill switch over the key. In a panic situation you're probably going to be parting ways with the bike anyway so reaching the key or kill switch isn't going to be an issue.
 
#6 ·
Thanks - this is something new. I'll have to start researching the tingling issue. No long trips planned for this year for this bike, but I will want to be prepared for next year's 2-week jaunt.
 
#8 ·
Would that eliminate the heat from my heated grips, do you think? The product description for the grip puppies says they work with heated grips. I guess, for $22, it wouldn't hurt to try.
 
#9 ·
I had problems with my hands going to sleep, was death gripping the bars. I got new gloves (there was a badly placed seam) and relaxed and the tingly hands went away.

My fuel gauge alternately sticks at full or works up to about 7 bars at full, then stays that way until I pass that point. Fill your tank, it's probably pretty close to full. I just track my mileage anyway and when I'm at 200 miles, I know I need to fill up soon. Dealer told me I was nuts, I showed him, but he blew me off when I told him I wanted the problem fixed during th 600 mile service. ****ty dealer and I didn't care that much. It sorted itself for a while when I did the 12k service, but then went back to being flakey.
 
#11 ·
Kill switch - I never use it, if you drop the bike there is a drop sensor that kills the engine.

Hands - mine can get a bit tingly but it's typically when I don't realize my grip is too tight, I relax and all is good again.

Tank - I always fill on the center stand and bring the level as close to the max lip I can and it always shows full.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
1. I fill on the side stand. Always seems full to me.

2. I haven't experienced any heat issues in my right pannier.

3. I used to use the key but now I lower the side stand to shut the bike off. I've hardly ever used the kill switch and when I do, I forget I use it and go crazy trying to figure out why my bike won't start. True story, sadly.

4. It's a little finicky for me, nothing too annoying,

5. I used to ride with my knees against the tank when I had my Bonnie. When I first rode my Tiger, the heat was really noticeable. Now I keep about an inch or two distance from the tank and the heat isn't an issue (except in traffic).

6. The helmet buffeting from the stock windscreen is horrible. I tried adjusting it to no avail. My Madstadt windscreen should be delivered tomorrow!

7. I get the same thing. I also bought a pair of anti-vibration roxy risers that helped too.

8. My Tiger is such a pleasure to ride! I'm soooo happy I traded in my Bonnie for it!
 
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