Triumphrat

JasonS · 04-12-2008

I am contemplating another long trip... My previous 7000+ trip was awesome and fun, but this time I will be pushing more miles over a longer period. I told myself that if I did a long ride again I would either get the "plank" CeeBailey screen, or I would move off the '03 SprintST for a more upright bike.

If I were to choose a Tiger, how would you folks lean? towards the old Tiger or new..... here is some feed back on what I anticipate in my next trip... I'll be out on the road for at least a month. I'll likely get into some gravel. I'll be camping a lot.

While I like the SprintST, it is too short in the legs for me. By using a set of HeliBars I got it adjusted to the upper half of my body. Maybe a Tiger isn't the right bike either... I just sat on the new one, and immediately didn't like the seat, but have sat on an older style and like the seat and ergos...

Maybe I should eval another make, but I don;t fancy the $$ of the BMW but in nor the buzziness of the UJM's....

So those of you with some miles on Tigers or others that fit us tall folks for the long haul cross country tour, speak up....

maybe all I need is a custom seat for the ST...

BigStripey · 04-13-2008

I have done some big mile trips on my Tigers and i have had brilliant service from them both. They eat up the big miles on the slabs but are just as capable in the twisty stuff, even when loaded up like a pack mule (Side boxes, top box, tank bag etc). I have taken the Tiger on fire roads and some green lane riding but not any extreme stuff (although some here have ) It is big and heavy, but if you keep power to the back wheel it pulls through just fine.

For me it just makes those long long days in the saddle so easy, i can't ask for any more than that i guess ??

Just my thoughts ?

Jim

dickcoe · 04-13-2008

For what its worth.

I bought a '06 Tiger in June of '07. Currently the mileage is almost 10K miles.

My First long trip was in July '06 - 3.5K miles. I am 6' 1". It is the first bike I have owned that I did not have to change the seat immediately (prior bikes BMW R100GS-48K, R1100GS-51K, R1100R-7K, Yamaha FZ1-19K).

The riding position is upright, the engine is smooth and has plenty of power, the adjustable seat height is a plus. I added a center stand, heated grips, and a MRA Vario windscreen. The gas range on my bike is over 250 miles. The saddle bags are adequate. I usually Camp so tent, sleeping bag the etc. ride in waterproof duffle across the passenger seat.
I rode the 1050 Tiger and the 955 fit me better. The 955 looks more like a
European bike. The 1050 looks Japanese, IMO.

I hear a little bit of chatter about the expense of the 12K service -I will know about that in a couple of months.

I hope the above is helpful.

Dick

Blue Steel · 04-20-2008

I just put on two 550 mile days (fully loaded with gear) on my 1050. Absolutely the most comfortable bike I have ever had the pleasure to ride. There was nothing that I wished was better. My legs...fine, my arms and shoulders...fine, my butt...fine. I could have easily rode a lot longer, but the headlights on the new Tigers suck. Comfort wise the 1050 suited me perfectly. I would recommend getting auxilliary lighting though.

JasonS · 04-20-2008

Good Replies....

I have been looking and reading for a few days and have come to the conclusion that I really want the older shape. I feel Triumphed succumbed to styling pressure from the market and the new Tiger shape is just too much like a Vstrom for my liking... I love the Triumph Triple in my '03 Sprint... so I have started shopping for a =<'06 models....

My Garmin 2610 has seen piles o' miles, so I might be shopping for a GPS again...

thanks!

TigerLilly · 04-21-2008

Jason,

Last year I did 3500 miles in 19 days on my 2003 955i. Brilliant, I'm 5ft 10inches and she was lowered b y 3cms. I took camping kit, few clothes and a couple of books and she swallowed the lot. I could feel the weight of the camping kit but I got used to it. Approx 200 miles to refuel.

I now have a 2007, 1050. The bike handles better and is lighter. She needs to refuel slightly sooner which I find a bit irritating. The major difference is the crap luggage situation for the 1050. On both bikes I have standard Triumph kit. The 955i no problem. The 1050 couldn't swallow the camping kit as the panniers are just too small and the tie downs on the 1050 almost non-existent. I am looking at SW-Motech Trax luggage for the 1050 however I think that it dosn't accommodate a fat box, thin box configuration for exhaust side, non exhaust side. Thats a real shame as otherwise it would be perfect.

http://www.mo-tech.de/sonstige_dokumente/trax.pdf

Lil

playinthestreet · 04-21-2008

I've had several Sprints (99, 01 and 05) and liked them all. I've ridden the 955 Tiger on a long trip as well as my 1050. Either Tiger is more comfortable for me for long distance riding. The only times I've been off road has been unintentionally, so I've no first hand knowledge of the 955 vs the 1050 in that application.

JasonS · 04-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by playinthestreet

I've had several Sprints (99, 01 and 05) and liked them all. I've ridden the 955 Tiger on a long trip as well as my 1050. Either Tiger is more comfortable for me for long distance riding. The only times I've been off road has been unintentionally, so I've no first hand knowledge of the 955 vs the 1050 in that application.

On my trip I did a considerable amount of gravel roads with the ST and while it got a bit sketchy in some sections, I was able to maintain balance. I hit one down hill switch back in WV, that I had no business being on, after a few miles of riding a ridge up up up.... it was not a good scene, but I kept my head and used my rear brake to negotiate the hill.... so while many bikes aren't "off road", with some care they can get through anything but slime (snow or mud).. them wide rear tires are trouble on slick stuff.... and on rocks and gravel it is a case of experience and technique. However I'd be the first to say that some time in a gravel pit on a dirt bike would do wonders for me)

The upright ride is why I am moving to the Tiger. I may loose something in the jump, but I think it will be more like moving to a familiar feel. I love the triple, the performance/fuel mileage ratio is great... on my 7000+ mile trip on the ST, I was amazed to regularly get 45-50mpg when traveling from A to B, even on rural roads. Hot Dogging obviously has it's effect, but I would anticipate similar mileage from the Tiger, as when I am touring, there are few fast starts or other guzzling behavior...,.. well, not much anyway.. I couldn't on the ST when fully loaded, it was too easy to pop the front wheel up...

Tomorrow I load the uhaul with stuff from Mom's condo and head North on Friday. I'll be picking up ( unless lightening strikes or the bank fails again to send the cashiers check

) Bill Poe's 2006 Tiger in the preferred Caspian Blue (as was/is my '03 ST), and then running up to spend the afternoon at Deals Gap, and on to Cherokee for some casino relaxation. No riding until I get it home, registered etc... Bill has gear that will allow me to test drive it, although I suspect it will just confirm my intention to buy it.

I 'm starting a thread about loading the Tiger for the trip, please pipe up if you have experience...

thanks all! thanks Bill, although he will be Tigerless.... poor soul.