Triumphrat

Chyron · 01-30-2005, 12:14 PM

Hello All, I'm looking into purchasing a 2005 Tiger, used with 14,000 mile.

My question is that I'm 2 hours away from a dealer. I've been told that these bikes are reliable, but are they that reliable? The only way I have to get it to the dealer, should I need service, is to ride it.

Currently I've got a Honda 750 ACE. The ONLY thing I have to worry about with it, is changing the oil and adjusting the chain. Can I expect the same from my Tiger.

Thanks!

whoa · 01-30-2005, 12:51 PM

So long as you are buying a good bike reliability will be mostly under your control. I bought mine used from a dealer and that gave me some assurance. My dealer is in town but there is only one, but they have an outstanding reputation.

If my dealer didn't have such a strong reputation I would not have purchased the Tiger. Not because of the bike but a quality of life issue. I would not want to cart a bike 100 miles away for service. Especially if I had to leave it for a couple days. But that's just me. I doubt you'll have many runs to the dealer except for your routine checkups.

If you decide to go for the Tiger, it is a great bike. The power plant and transmission have been around for a while so you should expect very good service from the bike.

Oh, and check the serial number with the dealer/owner to see if it has the 05 head bolt recall, and if so if the work has been done.

Good luck

[ This message was edited by: whoa on 2005-01-30 10:53 ]

Fatbob · 01-30-2005, 02:40 PM

Chyron:
The Tiger is as reliable as a bike gets. I'm 300 miles from my Triumph, BMW, Guzzi dealers, and I have no problem with it. The Tiger is as low maintenance as any of the Japanese bikes, plus it's got soul and character!

Bob
:-D

Diego · 01-30-2005, 03:29 PM

Until just recently, my nearest dealer was an hour and a half away, and I still had no hesitation buying my Tiger. It's been as reliable as the best motorcycle I've ever had up to now...aqnd more fun than most.

Of course, I know that some day, like any bike, it will need more attention than I can give it myself. And when it does, like any bike, it may not be able to be ridden--not even to the now-somewhat-nearer dealer. So, I know where the nearest U-Haul store is that has a motorcycle trailer, just in case.

While I am prepared to accept that eventuality, it is a legitimate concern, and you will have to decide for yourself whether it's worth the possible inconvenience. I think it is worth it myself, but as they say, "your mileage may vary."

djr · 01-31-2005, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Hello All, I'm looking into purchasing a 2005 Tiger, used with 14,000 mile

thats a helluva mileage for four weeks!
Tiger is as good as any bike out there with regards reliability. What is more important is the dealer. Do some checking around and find if anyone else knows these guys (there are some pretty poor dealers out there!).

tango · 01-31-2005, 05:58 AM

djr,

I initially thought the same thing, but it's this confusing 05 model released in 04 thing again.

djr · 01-31-2005, 09:06 AM

even so it has to be well less than a year old, especially as the US got the new model after Europe if I remember correctly..

Chyron · 01-31-2005, 11:05 AM

I think they were released in the USA last May. This is the dealers personal bike and it's been taken cross country. That's why the milage is so high.

djr · 01-31-2005, 11:56 AM

ok so you know the bikes history (at least in part). I would ask if it was ever loaned out as a test bike. Some folks dont treat test bikes as they should.

Do you know the dealership? Are they good?

Diego · 01-31-2005, 08:51 PM

Do you know the dealership? Are they good?

David is quite right. That's really the key question, especially for any motorcycle marque that isn't one of the Big Four or Five.