Triumphrat

miker · 01-25-2005, 04:32 AM

OK, I commute a fair way in heavy Sydney traffic. I have a lovely S3, but even after altering the bars and the seat, the tight traffic can take it's toll.

I have looked longingly at the Tigers and the dilemma is this. I can't afford to have a 4th bike just yet, so I may trade the S3 for a Tiger. I've never actually bought a new bike, and I won't be this time either. I have spied a 97/98 Tiger at a local dealer, it's not EFI, but carbed. It has a full Givi tour pack and 30,000 KMS on the clock. The asking is AUD$10,000 and I'm not sure what my change over price would be.

So if there are any wise Tiger sages out there, perhaps you can give me a heads up on what a model like this should be worth and whether it's a good buy at the price.

Cheers
Mick

miker · 01-25-2005, 04:32 AM

OK, I commute a fair way in heavy Sydney traffic. I have a lovely S3, but even after altering the bars and the seat, the tight traffic can take it's toll.

I have looked longingly at the Tigers and the dilemma is this. I can't afford to have a 4th bike just yet, so I may trade the S3 for a Tiger. I've never actually bought a new bike, and I won't be this time either. I have spied a 97/98 Tiger at a local dealer, it's not EFI, but carbed. It has a full Givi tour pack and 30,000 KMS on the clock. The asking is AUD$10,000 and I'm not sure what my change over price would be.

So if there are any wise Tiger sages out there, perhaps you can give me a heads up on what a model like this should be worth and whether it's a good buy at the price.

Cheers
Mick

01-26-2005, 03:09 PM

Miker, im considering the same thing.

But there is no way id get rid of the s3. The s3 really is a bike that nothing can come close. The looks are so bad ass that I cant stand losing her.

I would advise you to keep away from the steamers. I had one, and it is a hell of a machine, but way more probs than the newer ones. Parts are hard to get for them since they dont make them anymore.

I am thinking of getting a 02 in green.

01-26-2005, 03:09 PM

Miker, im considering the same thing.

But there is no way id get rid of the s3. The s3 really is a bike that nothing can come close. The looks are so bad ass that I cant stand losing her.

I would advise you to keep away from the steamers. I had one, and it is a hell of a machine, but way more probs than the newer ones. Parts are hard to get for them since they dont make them anymore.

I am thinking of getting a 02 in green.

Timtiger · 01-26-2005, 05:28 PM

Hi Miker,
It is a hard call. I had a steamer and it needed quite a bit of modification to get working well. The motor is strong and reliable but heavy. The rear shock is a big dud and needs replacing. The airbox system is a complete joke. Some unifilter pods and a dynojet jetting kit can fix this.

I am unsure of your financial status, but the way I look at it is if you spend $10K on the bike, you may need to spend another $2K to get it up to scratch. The 855 EFI is a much better bike. On the Bikepoint website, a 2002 955i is on sale for $13k. Here is the description:
" This bike is in excellant condition and comes with a lambswool seat cover, fully lined bike cover, ventura rack and bag, kryptonite lock and the bike has the sports muffler fitted which gives a bit more grunt and a fabulous note and centrestand. This is the bike to take you around OZ. Get a cheap airline ticket to Cairns and then have a holiday up here and tour back home!! "

It has the sports can fitted and is just up the road in Cairns. To my mind, beat up the seler and try to get $500 off the price. This would be a far better buy than a steamer, if you have the money.

Also, have you ridden a Tiger? I am happy to let you take mine for a blast. I plan to ride up to Sydney in the next few weeks.

Timtiger · 01-26-2005, 05:28 PM

Hi Miker,
It is a hard call. I had a steamer and it needed quite a bit of modification to get working well. The motor is strong and reliable but heavy. The rear shock is a big dud and needs replacing. The airbox system is a complete joke. Some unifilter pods and a dynojet jetting kit can fix this.

I am unsure of your financial status, but the way I look at it is if you spend $10K on the bike, you may need to spend another $2K to get it up to scratch. The 855 EFI is a much better bike. On the Bikepoint website, a 2002 955i is on sale for $13k. Here is the description:
" This bike is in excellant condition and comes with a lambswool seat cover, fully lined bike cover, ventura rack and bag, kryptonite lock and the bike has the sports muffler fitted which gives a bit more grunt and a fabulous note and centrestand. This is the bike to take you around OZ. Get a cheap airline ticket to Cairns and then have a holiday up here and tour back home!! "

It has the sports can fitted and is just up the road in Cairns. To my mind, beat up the seler and try to get $500 off the price. This would be a far better buy than a steamer, if you have the money.

Also, have you ridden a Tiger? I am happy to let you take mine for a blast. I plan to ride up to Sydney in the next few weeks.

miker · 01-26-2005, 06:57 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the info. It is a hard call, especially since I love the S3 so much. I could also sell the Harley, but... I don't think I could bring myself to do it. It would be like putting down a faithful old dog.

Tim, I've sent you a PM about your pending trip to Sydney. I'll cerainly take you up on a ride and a beverage of your choice!

Cheers
Mick

miker · 01-26-2005, 06:57 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the info. It is a hard call, especially since I love the S3 so much. I could also sell the Harley, but... I don't think I could bring myself to do it. It would be like putting down a faithful old dog.

Tim, I've sent you a PM about your pending trip to Sydney. I'll cerainly take you up on a ride and a beverage of your choice!

Cheers
Mick

whoa · 01-27-2005, 07:26 PM

I wanted an S3 so bad, but ultimately figured my riding style would only partially use the S3 for its purpose. The Tiger seems to provide most of what I'm looking for on two wheels.

But if you love the S3 and really push it, the Harley or Tiger won't get that back. Although you can get a gripping ride from the Tiger.

I was shopping for a Harley when I came across the Tiger. Other than my love for Harley, the sound/smell/feel of the V Twin, the Tiger was hands down a better buy. But I know what you mean about letting the Harley go. Not many of us can have the fleet of vehicles that we'd love to ride/drive.

Good luck, have fun test riding.

Mudhen · 01-28-2005, 07:54 AM

WOW!!! I'm going to ship the '96 I just bought down to you - if you don't want to buy it, sell it and we'll split the profits. :-D

I guess you can't compare them since they're different markets, but I paid AUD$4,500 for my bike with 35k kilometers on it. I actually found a '98 here with only 2k KMS on it for AUD$6,000. It's brandie new!