Triumphrat

piggydude · 03-18-2005

Well, I finally dropped the forks 19mm as per Big Stripey's instructions and what a difference!

The steering is definitely sharper and feels more precise. It also seems to hold a line in corners better. There is no noticable deterioration of straight line high speed stability either.

Another bonus, the seat height is about 8-10mm lower, so I can get my feet down more easily.

The only slight (and I mean slight) downside is that the bike looks slightly 'squat', but that's a small point.

All in all a highly recommended mod

Now onto the MRA vario screen and the O2 bypass...

Cheers

Jim

BigStripey · 03-18-2005

Piggydude,

I'm glad you are pleased with the result. It definately does make the bike a lot 'sharper' and responsive all round. I gladly accepted the slightly dipped looks when measured against the gain in handling :-D

Have you been out and 'given it the berries' on your famous Sussex twisties yet ?, If so did you notice how much smoother and faster you can ride when it is set up like this ?

For what it's worth, an unexpected by product of fitting the Hagon rear shock absorber was that it lowered the rear end just enough to balance the look when it is on the stand!

offroad55 · 03-18-2005

Jim,
after seeing the thread I dropped mine 10mm lower and still had a noticeable difference with the steering and corning. I now seek out those twisties like never before. I would recommend it too.

piggydude · 03-19-2005

Yes Stripey

The twisties around Rye and Camber were given a good spanking yesterday afternoon, and it was an extremely enjoyable ride.

When I changed from my Hornet to the Tiger I found that my progress on the road slowed down quite considerably mainly due to the way the power is delivered and the slower handling. This was not a bad thing in some respects as my license is safer. However, this forks mod has brought the handling characteristics closer to what I was used to with the Hornet, and coupled with my learning how to ride more on 'torque' than 'peak' if you know what I mean, more rapid progress is now restored when necessary.

The good thing is, I can ride the Tiger in a more relaxed manner if I choose whereas the Hornet was pulling at the lead all the time wanting me to be naughty!

Cheers

Jim

greenman · 03-22-2005

I have my legs 19mm shorter and today just managed a slight flap of the 'bars. Accellerating hard in 3rd, moving out for an overtake on a bumpy road, over the cats' eyes and just a little wiggle. Nothing to worry me, but enough to suggest more than 19mm might start to cause some instability.

The loaded top box won't help.

A pair of Hagon spings arrive today, so I'll see what difference they make.

I kind of like this messing around to improve the bike, but it is a bit irritating that Triumph couldn't get it more right first time- or am I being picky?

tango · 03-22-2005

There aint no wiggles with the Hagon springs, just totally planted.

The tiger is a great bike but it would be a hell of a lot more expensive with a proper road setup, but it is a dual purpose bike built for comfort.

Triumph class it as a tourer and it is outstanding in that department, huge mileages in comfort.

You're doing what most of us are doing, tweaking it to suit you.

My bike is definitely more suited to the road. I was on a Rat Pack run at the weekend and followed a couple of 955 Daytonas being ridden hard and I was with them all the way, in fact I passed both bikes and they couldn't catch me till I slowed down for them.

A standard tiger could never do that but a Daytona couldn't follow a tiger off road.

greenman · 03-23-2005

Tango,

Yes, I guess I'm just setting it up to suit me. One thing I have noticed (only just) is that v.slow feet up riding takes more concentration, I put this down to the reduced fork trail.

Maybe if I did ride off-road as many seem to do I would prefer the standard set-up.

I'm looking forward to "planted".

Do the '05 riders feel the same need to change the Tiger handling?

Dave

ps piggydude if you find out where to get the O2 sensor bypass let me know. Dynojet don't seem very helpful.

greenman · 03-23-2005

Tango,

Yes, I guess I'm just setting it up to suit me. One thing I have noticed (only just) is that v.slow feet up riding takes more concentration, I put this down to the reduced fork trail.

Maybe if I did ride off-road as many seem to do I would prefer the standard set-up.

I'm looking forward to "planted".

Do the '05 riders feel the same need to change the Tiger handling?

Dave

ps piggydude if you find out where to get the O2 sensor bypass let me know. Dynojet don't seem very helpful.

tango · 03-23-2005

Quote:

On 2005-03-23 12:45, greenman wrote:
One thing I have noticed (only just) is that v.slow feet up riding takes more concentration, I put this down to the reduced fork trail.

I find the tiger very balanced at slow speed much more so than the trophy.I can hold it virtually at a stand still, not for long though.

But beware if it does go it's a heavy old brute to hold up, you soon get used to it.

tango · 03-23-2005

Quote:

On 2005-03-23 12:45, greenman wrote:
One thing I have noticed (only just) is that v.slow feet up riding takes more concentration, I put this down to the reduced fork trail.

I find the tiger very balanced at slow speed much more so than the trophy.I can hold it virtually at a stand still, not for long though.

But beware if it does go it's a heavy old brute to hold up, you soon get used to it.