Triumphrat

Whisperinsmith · 06-08-2008

Hi guys and gals,
I made it to L.A. from the east coast of Massachusetts. For those not from the U.S., that's a cross country ride of 3000 miles, give or take a couple. I'm half way through as I've got to make it back!

Here are my impressions of my Tiger. First said, I love this bike. However, I seem to be one of those who purchased the few that drink oil! I didn't have time to sort it out before this journey but wish I had as I'm adding oil every third or fourth fill up. And not just a drop!

If I keep her at 80 to 85 mph, she purrs and the oil consumption is acceptable, not perfect, but something I can deal with until I get it checked out. But when I was running with a beemer of some sort and ran at above 90 to 95 for just a short length of time, she overheated and I had to add a quart! In the Nevada desert, this wasn't the place to break down!!! Luckily I was carrying enough oil with me. Talk about having my heart in my throat as I started again in heat at 100 degrees and watched to see if the temp indicator would drop back down! It seemed to take forever and when it went down and not up, relief was an understatement!!! For those who've ridden in the desert, you know my feeling.

I still can't figure why she'd drink that much oil by going only 10 mph faster, but that's for when I'm home safe and sound.

Okay, now for the good stuff. The bike overall is incredible. For me, the riding position is great and the stock seat is fine. She handles like a dream, except for trying to ride through 8" of hail on the highway! Not for the faint of heart or the smarter rider! The upright seating allows perfect views of the road and with the proper screen, there is little buffeting. And of course, the wonderful, responsive engine. And I can tell you, no amount of rain, lightning, threatening tornados can keep this bike from running! I hit every single storm that was talked about on the weather channel on my way across! Every one!

As said, all in all, a great, great bike. But two suggestions come to mind. Triumph should change the side bags to open from the top, not the side! And they should offer a small luggage rack for the rear of the bike for those of us who don't want the big rear hard bag. If those are my only two suggestions, they did a pretty darn good job with this bike! (I only wish I had gotten one that didn't consume oil!!!)

When I get back, I'll post some pics in the trip section, including the 8" of hail for those non-believers.

Ride safe.

By the way, get some crash bars on your bike. They work! 8" of hail and bikes don't mix.

ruscook · 06-09-2008

Whisper impressive ride! I agree about the comfort and performance of the Tiger, as it's what I now rides

.

Without wanting to jinx myself, mine doesn't seem to be using any oil at 4500km. Crash bars sound good, I've just ordered the SW-Motech bars for my Tiger.

Have you got a good mechanic you can get to investigate the cause when you're back home?

Looking forward to seeing your pics, and hearing about the second half of your ride.
Russ

TigerLilly · 06-09-2008

Whisperin, its great to hear your report and I am really interested in seeing a whole host of pics of your trip.

My 955i burnt oil like no tomorrow when we went to the Nordkapp. Under the cargo net I routinely strapped a pint of milk on one side and a litre of oil on the other. To that I added a bottle of '95' given by some Finns. I kept it as a curiosity as you could only used it as a cleaning agent, the name referred to the proof. At a ferry terminal some guy asked to take a pic of the back of my bike as it seemed to say it all.

The 955i burnt oil the whole time I had her. I met the guy who originally owned her. He said she'd always burnt oil with him too. He was a real careful guy, there was usually a queue of people wanting to buy his ex-bikes. He woundered if he'd run her in too gentle so warped the piston heads.

After I sold her at 3 years and 22, 000 miles I heard that she blew her head gasket. Still I loved that bike

Lil

Tiger_1050_VT · 06-09-2008

John -- Good to hear from you! Glad to hear all is going well and that the climatic conditions haven't got you down. What is it about storms and bikes, anyway?

After seeing your rig in Bennington I ordered and installed the SW Motech crashbars and mirror extenders. You were right about the thrill of being able to see beyond your shoulders! The Beowulf covers are on order and hopefully will arrive before Mark, Tito and I set off for Canada next month.

Looking forward to more reports and some pix!

Pete

Whisperinsmith · 06-09-2008

Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes and I will post pics as soon as I'm home. (Couple of weeks plus.)

Lil, I hope I make it back home without blowing a head gasket! Now I'll definitely keep her at 80 mph in the desert and I won't be at ease until I make it through. Desert riding and I don't sync very well. And I'm wondering if I broke her in too gently. I followed the book and maybe I should have ridden a little harder for break in. But that's in the past and I've got to deal with this for the 3000 mile plus ride back. I carry two quarts with me, but I'll have three in the desert.

Pete, those SW Motech crash bars saved my leg and bike. Pics to come. And enjoy your trip!

And Russ, yep, so far it's been an incredible ride. I never in my wildest dreams thought this country was so very vast. And vast is an understatement. I can only imagine what your country is like going across. Of course, I think anyone who did that would be totally mad.

And Pete, as for my leaving on my own without Mellow, something personal came up at the last minute with my daughter and I wanted to get there (here) as quickly as possible. I'll apologize to Mellow, but I'm sure he is totally confused by my actions as I couldn't get ahold of him by phone to explain.

Oh, and one more suggestion for Triumph for all their bikes. Put an oil sight indicator!!! And make it long enough with two lines, one mark for side stand level and one mark for center stand level. That would be the cat's meow.

Hozer · 06-09-2008

"Oh, and one more suggestion for Triumph for all their bikes. Put an oil sight indicator!!! And make it long enough with two lines, one mark for side stand level and one mark for center stand level. That would be the cat's meow."

Absolutely second that.

Great post, and nice ride.
I put a little over a thousand miles on my used Tiger this weekend after getting it Thursday. I was definitely a little concerned over the oil consumption. 16 ounces in 400 miles.
Haven't measured it since my return leg. Will do so and report.
I'm going to the dealership here where I picked it up to discuss. I, too, dread the idea of breaking down on the road and having to carry oil seems ridiculous for a "new" bike.
However, even in driving rain at night, 85-90 sustained the bike was solid.
What a ride!
Cheers