Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Triumph Tech
Triumph Tech Triumph Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Triumph riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 3 May 2011
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
Maybe not a problem in the UK where temperatures are lower than in Oz, but what has stopped me from buying ANY Triumph triple to date has been the ridiculous amount of engine heat blown onto one's upper legs when stopped at traffic lights.

Even on a 15C August day (which is our winter) I found the heat way too much. 3 weeks back I test rode the new Tiger XC 800 - and guess what, Triumph still haven't fixed the problem.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 3 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
That's not so bad I guess....

You'd still be looking at double the age and mileage for almost the same cost though.... It's not just clutches that wear out !

I've always been very impressed with Triumph build quality with the ones that came through the dealership. Never any big problems and they seemed to age well. Probably because they're built by Brits, knowing the British weather/roads etc.

That fruity big triple too... oooooooooooooooooo
On the servicing front, valves are a breeze on boxers and a lot easier than many tank/airbox off bikes. I imagine the Tiger would need at least the tank off.

Oil change intervals are 6000 miles (or were on my 1150). Being a seperate gearbox, you could use car oil in the engine: a lot cheaper than bike oil, and it has a shaft drive: no more chain adjustment.

So, yes, the clutch could be a pain, but other jobs that you do more often are not.

Ultimately, go for the bike that is most comfy and you'll enjoy the most: the service costs would not be so different to justify getting the one you like less.

See if you can get a back to back test ride a few days apart....

Let us know!
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 3 May 2011
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: On our bicycles, probably pushing up a hill!
Posts: 435
Ted - go and ride a DL650, it's a very comfortable bike for one or 2-up (and yes, I am biased because I won one)...
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 3 May 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pumbaa View Post
Ted - go and ride a DL650, it's a very comfortable bike for one or 2-up (and yes, I am biased because I won one)...
Won one ??? You lucky sod !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 4 May 2011
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: On our bicycles, probably pushing up a hill!
Posts: 435
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Won one ??? You lucky sod !!
...fat finger syndrome. I OWN one...
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 19 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
I had a 2001 Tiger, put over 35,000 miles on it. You need to keep the brake calipers clean. I didn't pay attention to them first winter and had to get new seals and pistons. They collect dirt off the road, so need to be cleaned, I'd say evey 5k miles, pretty easy to do. I also had an oil seal go and it somehow misted oil into the air box fouling up the air filter.
The fuel injection can be snatchy at very low speeds, like filtering through traffic. Mine didn't like me putting on aftermarket heated grips and the engine warning light came on a few times when I flicked the grips on whilst bike was on stand ticking over. The EWL does go off eventually and bike didn't go into 'limp home' mode as a consequence.
Others have mentioned, being top heavy...it is , don't try tight turns at walking pace. Front forks do dive when braking hard at speed.

Having said all that, I loved mine and finally sold it with 52,000 miles on the clock.
Got a BMW F800gs now and its much better than the Tiger, but costs more to purchase.
Hope you have some good trips out on it if you buy it.
Cheers
CP
__________________
BMW F800GS
Suzuki DR650SE
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 19 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Forgot to mention....If you do buy it, let me know cos I've still got a new gear lever and indicator left in my spares...yours if you want them.
Cheers
CP
__________________
BMW F800GS
Suzuki DR650SE
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 7 Jun 2011
Motorbike Pig Freak's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 19
I run a 955i Tiger and its a great bike, mines got some miles on it too (50K). The clutch actuator rod broke a bearing and the repair meant you had to buy a casing from Triumph for £270 and a new rod for £55. That didnt sit right so I bought bearings and a seal off the net for next to nothing and an actuating rod from triumph for £55 and re-conned the casing.. quite easy really. The tiger is very comfortable and easily does 500 - 600 mile days in comfort. At 70mph 250 miles on the 23ltr tank is achievable. The casings and original bolts suffer from corrosion mainly off the front wheel but a generous application of scotchbright and some satin black paint alongside a set of stainless allen bolts off of ebay for £15 turn a cheap bike into one that will hold its money and look great too.
Buy one Ted, I had XT600, Transalp and a whole host of mid range bikes too and the tiger has been a good move for me, if you drop it tho' get a m8 to help you pick it up!
Cheers MPF
__________________
'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars' Oscar Wilde
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 22 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 77
I bought mine new in 2004, I love it..... its here to stay... bit heavy I suppose, but very comfortable.... I usually fill up around the 200 mile mark...
I traded my Africa Twin for mine... previous to that was a Varadero & Transalp.....
__________________
http://www.tenere.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 23 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Well, I have to say.......

I bought a 2004 DL 650 V-Strom....

£1950 with full luggage, crash bars, centre stand, scottoiler touring, heated grips etc etc.

It was in need of a service and has 45,000 miles.. It now purrs like a kitten though..

Bargain me thinks !!! It does 280 miles in its 22L tank and cruises nicely at 80-90mph.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 24 Jun 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
I had a 2006 955i and loved it - funnily enough it was a Royal Enfield that made me realise it was a bit top heavy for me when manouvering on foot!
The minute it was moving it was fantastic - a beautiful engine and really well balanced. At a squeeze I got 300 miles out of the tank (fill up before you have to!) but generally 250 was fine. It easily cruised at 70/80mph (still with enough oomph to overtake) but I also did a few pretty rough gravel roads with hairpin bends etc - may not have won any marks on style/speed but it was feet up and the bike performed better than I did. It was very comfortable with great weather protection. A friend toured Europe for 5 weeks two up, fully loaded, with no problems regarding comfort but pretty heavy for slow handling. Mine was slightly 'lurchy' at slow speed in traffic but slipping the clutch solved that - the friend had no problem. Only other problem was that the ignition barrel worked loose (fixed under warranty) and the footpeg mounts loosened off until a bit of Loctite was applied. I also fitted a MRA Vario screen as the original resulted in a lot of buffeting. I had Triumph heated grips with no problems but after 25k the throttle grip lost it's heating element on friends bike. If I hadn't got an Enfield I'd still have the Tiger - as it is I now have a Transalp. The Tiger always felt like a big bike but then I'm a 'gurl'! (5'8" 60kg) Had it weighed a bit less, had the C of G a bit lower or a lower seat I'd still have it. It was a lovely bike and I was sorry to see it go.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 11 Apr 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Well, I have to say.......

I bought a 2004 DL 650 V-Strom....

£1950 with full luggage, crash bars, centre stand, scottoiler touring, heated grips etc etc.

It was in need of a service and has 45,000 miles.. It now purrs like a kitten though..

Bargain me thinks !!! It does 280 miles in its 22L tank and cruises nicely at 80-90mph.
V-strom sucked...

Just bought a 2002 Tiger....... So far so sexy
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 15 Apr 2012
adrian74's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 121
Hi Ted.
I used to have a 650 strom,I put nearly 20k miles on it around Uk, Ireland and France and sold it last year for an FJ1200!:confused1:
I get to ride tigers a lot in my job, (just done a couple of hundred miles on the new 1200 explorer, now thats a seriously good motorcycle).
My favourite is the Tiger 800, but I have allways had a soft spot for the 955i, its very underated, really comfortable and has a great tank range.
Im curious as to what you you didnt like with the V-Strom?
Good luck with the Tiger, you'll love it!
__________________
My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 15 Apr 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrian74 View Post
Hi Ted.
I used to have a 650 strom,I put nearly 20k miles on it around Uk, Ireland and France and sold it last year for an FJ1200!:confused1:
I get to ride tigers a lot in my job, (just done a couple of hundred miles on the new 1200 explorer, now thats a seriously good motorcycle).
My favourite is the Tiger 800, but I have allways had a soft spot for the 955i, its very underated, really comfortable and has a great tank range.
Im curious as to what you you didnt like with the V-Strom?
Good luck with the Tiger, you'll love it!
The V-strom 650 is just REALLY underpowered for the size of the bike. My Tiger is probably the same weight and makes WAY more power and knocks out the same MPG... The handling is also very slow.

I dunno, it just never felt right and I tried EVERYTHING...

It always felt asthmatic.. As a one up overland bike, I would still consider it as it smooth, reliable and the weight is well distributed.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 15 Apr 2012
adrian74's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 121
Tiger

Yeah I know what you mean about the lack of power..
I allways thought the 650 was a great bike, utterly reliable and dependable but also really dull and boring, no excitement whatsoever.
I bought the FJ to do some quick 3 or 4 day European trips,I cant get away for very long now cause we have a little boy.
But its a big cumbersome lump and so lately I have been thinking of selling it and getting something like a 885i or 955i Tiger, very flickable,nice riding position, and great sound.
Have you had a chance to do any trips on your one yet?
__________________
My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tiger 955i (2003) suitable racks??? domgill Triumph Tech 2 20 Jul 2009 01:39
Restrictor Kits for Tiger 955i gaZ1976 Triumph Tech 0 20 Aug 2008 01:58
BMW R1100GS VS Triumph Tiger 955i *Touring Ted* Which Bike? 14 30 Jun 2007 04:36
Tiger 955i Oil Leak Adler Triumph Tech 6 10 Dec 2006 10:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:12.