Triumphrat

fenderbender · 05-09-2008

Well finally it happened. After three trouble free years of Tiger ownership, I dropped the beast. Blithely started to dismount, heeling it over onto its sidestand, I realised a split second too late that the sidestand wasn't out!
Managed to wrestle it down to a reasonably soft landing on my concrete driveway. I hope I've been lucky here. Gear shift is snapped off but absolutely no other sign of damage. It's a '99 and I've read the horror stories online about engines blowing up after left hand side drops. But the engine wasn't running, I got it righted within a couple of minutes and it started again OK with no sign of black smoke from the exhaust, so fingers crossed. I have noticed that the neutral light seems to flicker on and off a little when the engine's running. Should that be a concern?
What did trouble me was this...When the bike was on the ground, I simply couldn't get in upright on my own, and I'm no weakling. It took some assistance from my 14-year old son. Beginning to wonder whether the Tiger is just too big a beast for me. Have been looking longingly at the new BMW F800GS. Hope it's just a phase...

TriumphTengu · 05-09-2008

Been there done that.
We've got a one car width car port and I park my Tiger as far to the right as possible so the wife can park her veedub also. I did the exact thing because I'm always paying more attention to getting as close to edge of the drive way because the bike leans over so far to the left. Started to get off and oops!
Yeah these puppies are a little heavy. Letting it down wasnt' too much of a problem. Picking it ups another matter.

I'm 54 years old but still stout and just couldn't let my wife or son say "Ha ha old man". So I grunted it back up solo.

2manyhobbies · 05-09-2008

Look around on the web a bit and you should find some good techniques for getting her standing back up.

I've seen demonstrations at motorcycle events where 100 pound women get 800 pound motorcycles back on their wheels. There are some tricks to it that the average person wouldn't think of.

Wish I could steer you to where the information is, but since I just spend half the morning patching a rear tube on my Tiger, I'm running a little late.

Tonto · 05-09-2008

Here is on of those aforementioned websites

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

graeme · 05-09-2008

Glad you managed to save Tiger, it could have been alot worse

Now it's time to wash your mind out and stop thinking impure thoughts of BMW's.

By God man, you're British, you're patriotic - Stick with the Tiger, it's British !!

By the way, my next bike's going to be a GS now that Triumph don't make a "Big Trailie" - Whoops, what have I said

TucsonBill · 05-09-2008

I started with my CT 110 Honda and did 10 reps twice a day. I then moved to the XL500, once again, 10 reps twice a day. I have now done 5 reps with the Tiger in the last two years! If I could do 10 reps twice a day with the Tiger, I could change the tire on my Toyota without the jack......
Being somewhat serious.....after you do it a couple of times you do get a feel for how to do it without hurting yourself. My fellow RATS were impressed about how quickly I righted Maggie in the museum parking lot. My foot slipped on some gravel and she went down on her right side. No damage, except to my ego!

n4naked · 05-09-2008

having arrived after a journey to france, i dropped the tiger (gently) in my friend's driveway which was not as level as i thought.
i removed the luggage and managed to right it using the technique that the lady in the youtube video demonstrates.

i was grateful to her as there was no-one around to help at the time.....but her advice definitely works.

Tone in't Fens · 05-10-2008

I have used that technique before with success, but...

Last Summer I was riding Tigger alone down an empty B road near Rutland Water. Came to a halt by a badly overgrown verge. Now, I 've ridden bikes for 43 years and Rule 17 is: you never put your foot down into the unknown, such as thick grass verges.

There was no verge, just ditch. The bike past through 140 degrees and buried its handlebar into the ditch wall. We both laid there, almost upside down. After I extricated myself (isn't it strange that the first thing you do is to check no-one saw you?) I then wished someone had seen me. The bike was completely stuck, I had no base for my feet and nothing to get hold of.

It was 30 minutes before someone came along of a suitable size and we did, with great groans get Tigger back on the road. With on broken indicator (£30).

iansoady · 05-17-2008

That made me smile - did almost exactly the same with a Commando a few years ago in the Highlands. The Commando was much easier to get on its wheels than the Tiger would have been though.....

And fenderbender, you're supposed to let it fall on your foot to break the fall. It does keep you off the road for a few weeks though.