[QUOTE=Tiger68;440717]
3. Tyres as I said Michelin Polit 3,s stick like shit to a blanket.
[/QUOTE
Yep, Michelin Pilot 3 dual compound tyres are excellent!

That's interesting: one would expect the bigger Tiger to have more leg room for a passenger.

__________________
Dave

Yes Dave you would think

I have taken my wife and my oldest daughter on a few day trips, and they both have spent allot of time on the 955i before I sold it, and they said their legs were more stretched out on the 800, (they like the grab rails as well), the rear seat not as comfy, but could be fixed with a GEL.

I think the Triumph 800 Tiger would be a great long distance tourer, has lots of accessories , great for two up ( if required) excellent on the open road ( I will be looking into sprocket set up as it does rev a little high around 120 kms per hour. Also not too bad of road from all the reviews I read’ and owners have had little or no problems.
The only problem I had ‘was the mapping redone as sometimes after stopping it was hard to start and would not idle. This is mainly on the 2011 models I heard, fixed with a remap (cost me $ 80.00 Aus) I do all other servicing myself. The bike only had 7000 kms when I brought it, its just clicked over to 10,000 (Iv only done an oil change using a K&N filter and Castrol 4T oil an easy job ) I do like that the new 800 has an oil window ,a lot easier to check level.
I also have a Aprillia Pegaso 650 IE 2009 model, which (I have read some mixed reviews on this bike) I have moded the Air box and put a K&N air and oil filter in’ as it was a bit snatchie between 3500-4000 rpm ,this is a common mod on the Aprillia forum site and it seems to work well (The bike has only done 9500kms) these are a very comfy bikes with HEAPS of storage space under the seat, and also a storage spot on top of the tank ( great for wallet, phone and sunnies) The bike is light and handles very well , not as low a seat height as would like , I think the one I brought came with a high seat? It’s about the same as the 800. The bike runs a Yamaha XT 660 engine (same as the 660 tenarne)
Not sure if this would be a round the world bike, by reviews can have some electoral problems, and you do need a service code to input into the bike after servicing, it’s easy to do. (And I am not a tech-head) also it is hard to put aftermarket blinkers on (the standard ones are very big) and if you do a light on the dash keeps flashing also the fuel pumps can go (they are in the tank like the old GS BMW,s ) the genuine ones are very expensive , but there is a mod with a BMW 650 one , smaller and by reviews works better. Also the dash can have problems if used in a lot of wet weather riding (also very expensive (around $ 700.00 Aus)
I have had none of these problems, in saying that the bike has only done 2,500kms since I brought it. Would I do a big trip on a Pegaso ? Well maybe if I took a spare fuel pump and say 2 genuine replacement blinkers, and done some sort of mod on the dash to water protect it better.
I have got bit of track, I will give some more feedback on the 800 after a few big trips (which I am doing early in the New Year)
Also I do rate the Triumph tiger 955I I had mine for 3 years, and only had 3 minor electrical problems which I cover in a post above. Also another SOFT of roader to think about is the Yamaha TDM 900, (Great fuel range, low seat, handles well, very reliable, great 2 up, ) I,m still considering buying one of these in the future

Ok an update of the 800 Tiger, well l, m selling the bike, basically I must say I preferred my 955i tiger. A few points to note
POSTIVES
1. lower seat hight ( no xc version) 810 mm lowest setting, great for shorter riders.
Better of road , xc not much different , just wire wheels more ground clearance. In saying that if you drop this bike you are up for big dollars in repairs.
2. Lower rear peg position for pillions.
3. Oil level window ( 955 did not have )
4. Gear incataor ( a good idea )
5. Fuel guage is very accurate.
NEGTIVES
1. Does not handle the twistes well
2. Bad ground clearance ( xc would be better)
3. Fuel range could of been another 50 kms
4. Not fast enough, or exciting enough, a very boring bike to ride.
I have come to a conclusion, there is no true of/ on road Adventurer tourer, the only bike that comes close for being able to take a hammering in the bush, not to heavy, comfort is ok handling is also ok speed is good , well im talking about the Suzuki DR 650, simple to service , simple engine, simple electronics , ( the only 2 things missing are a kick starter and 6 speed box ) that would make it the perfect all rounder.
Well thats my option , but whatever you ride , just remember " its all about the ride "

Excellent comments on this very old thread. The OP, "Suffolk Duke" has probably come and gone already!

Agree about your conclusions about the DR650. Too bad not available in UK.
My '06 DR650 is past 55K miles now .. going strong. I don't ride two up and I can't recommend it for that ... unless very small humans on board and a custom seat.

I also agree with your Tiger 955i comments. Lots of guys hammered the Tiger, but not sure how many owned them or rode them off road? I've owned three Tigers and ridden twice with my buddy all over Mexico and Baja, he on his '06 955i. That bike has taken a beating ... now up over 70,000 miles.

I had a '95 885 Tiger, a '99 885i Tiger and currently have an '07 1050 Tiger in the garage. Both earlier Tigers did OK off road, the 1050 is NOT for off road. Also rode the 955i extensively ... attended Triumph product launch and had a test bike for a month, 2000 miles.

But the Tiger 955i is a bit top heavy and you have to "adjust" to it and learn it. Obviously, you won't be doing much single track or serious off road on the 955, but we did some crazy stuff in Mexico and Bob made it through just fine.
He fell a few times ... but we were in WAY over our heads. On normal dirt roads the Tiger is JUST FINE and easy to handle. Comfy 2-up, easy to pack up ... and overall, very reliable in my experience.
And one of the best things? Used prices are very reasonable! A bargain IMO.


Bob's '06 Tiger ... beaten and scratched, but never missed a beat on the 5000 mile Mexico trip. Here seen in Copper Canyon.


My 1995 Tiger ... 1st year of the Tiger!


My '99 in France in 2003


My 1050 at an old Western Gold mining town. (Bodie, CA)

Nice tigers , yes I agree the 955i are top heavy, but do handle the twistes really well. I actally miss my 955, I took a 1050 tiger for a few rides , great power , the main thing I didn't like was the rear seat hight, my wife hated it, as she sat so high above the rider, by all reviews that was a common complaint. They fixed this with the new 1050 sport, I road one of those and loved it. I am in a bit of a delimiter at present, there three bikes im trying to decide between
1. KTM 990 STM
2 . TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT
3. YAMAHA TDM 900
they are all realy in the Adventure sport category, , the ktm does not have a big enough tank, no fuel gauge, but handles unreal, and 126 ponnies " thats cool with only 198 kg weight.
The Triumph has great handling, HP, the nice tripple engine but quite new ! So I like to see and wait if there are any bugs they need to out. Also price for me at present is an issue.
The TDM has been around for about 10 years or more and has a great rep for reliability and you get 400 kms on a tank, but HP is only around 90 hp.
I cannot get a bigger tank for the KTM, I am strongly considering the TDM. I do have a Suzuki DRZ 400 which I am doing out for my full on of road adventures, " as I dont care if I drop it " they are hard to brake.
I going to a HU meeting in October with my brother in law, he has an old KLR 250 , he doesn't have alot of money, so I may ride my DRZ ? ! I am considering buying a Honda Sl 230 for my daughter and cannot find any reviews on them anywhere ?
So to some up before heading to work.

Can anyone give me feedback on the three bikes + the honda as well, I have done extensive research on these so no other choices please. If you have owned or do own can you write a review on these bikes please
Regards
Paul from Australia