Hi Guys iv seen a 03 1200 Trophy for sale with just 6000 miles on the clock and am thinking of changing my 02 tiger with over 30000 miles on the clock for it. Thing is I dont know anyone who owns a 1200 to see what there like, ie servicing, reliability ect, and what should i look for. Any advise will be greatly accepted.
I had a Trophy. It was one of the smoothest and finest riding bikes I have been on. It had plenty of power. Triumph mechanics have night mares about this bike. Are you good with wrenches? When an if you have any problems? She is a PITA. It is a great bike to ride.
About as reliable as your 02 Tiger....
If you buy it though, I would change ALL the fluids, fuel lines, vacume lines, clean and lube rear brake caliper, clean and sinc carbs. Check fuel tank for rust(inside not coated). Consider changing tires if they have been on the bike longer than 5 years. Other than that, only other common prob is with the coils. Suspension is soft, nose dive pronounced under hard braking.
Clive, let me get the "off topic" question out of the way first. Are you Sandwich born and bred? I got my first "big" bikes from Deoff Daryn's place in Strand Street way back in 1964.........a Triumph 500 and later a BSA 650. Our meeting place was the Trapezium café also in Strand Street which was a hairdressers when I was last down. Also went to Manwoods school from 59 to 63.
Anyway, more to the point. I recently picked up an 00 Trophy 1200 with 13000mls on the clock which had hardly turned a wheel in the last 5 years. I'd go along with all that Erv says above. I've found the bike a comfortable and relaxed tourer, preferring the ride to my Hinckley Bonnie (that's for posing at the Ace Café ). There's plenty of power and it's very well balanced even for slow filtering. Chain adjustment is a doddle...........not sure if the Tiger has the eccentric adjuster system...........and all other routine tasks seem well within the capabilities of the DIY owner. I've not been too impressed with the fuel consumption, but that's easily adjusted by judicious use of the right hand. I've put a flip screen on to get rid of buffeting and a set of Grip Puppies have all but eliminated a high frequency vibration I felt through the bars. My local dealer has confirmed the mechanics sharp intake of breath at the mention of Trophy but major servicing, or jobs which involve dealers, don't come round too often on my annual mileage (touch wood). There is a lot of fairing to take off for some tasks but that's all part of the enjoyment as far as I'm concerned. I've found this forum extremely helpful for procedures, short cuts and aftermarket supplies. I had a fuel injected 955 Sprint for a while and was never able to get smooth fuelling, so I was glad to go back to carbs on the Trophy....despite there being four of them. I'd seriously consider the Trophy, they appear to be over engineered and long lasting, but it would be good to get a prolonged test ride I suppose. I have to admit to being slightly perturbed by coil failure stories and air filter change problems, but what bikes don't have some "characteristics". The only future changes I have in mind are Hagon progressive front springs and a Hagon rear shock when the time comes to change. I made the same changes on the Bonnie and it transformed the bike's handling and comfort.
If you haven't changed the Tiger already.........best of luck. Oh, and the only other gripe I just remembered is the oil level sight glass, but I wouldn't kick a bike into touch for such a reason.
Must have felt like travelling through the "Space - Time Continueum"!
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