MY 2006 TIGER 955 i & Mods

[Tiger68]

My Triumph 955 I 2006 Tiger

I have owned my Black tiger for about 2 years, since this time I have ridden around Tasmania, Great ocean road Victoria Grampians Victoria, central NSW and Fare north Queensland (Australia) have done almost 20,000 kms, and numerous rides around the area where I live (which has some of the best riding in Australia) I brought the bike with only 10500 kms on the clock and now have over 30,000 kms. Overall I am happy with the bike and have only had a few problems so far which will cover latter.

Overview of 2006 Triumph Tiger

The bike from my prospective is one of the best bikes I have owned. The late 05-06 model came standard with the following
1.   Heated grips
2.   Panniers
3.   Centre stand and 
4.   Some of the 1050 parts (like engine casings and smother gear and shift operation)

The Tiger

Handling: Is very good, I am no Casey Stoner but I do enjoy riding through the hills and twisty sections very much. I organise rides in the local area once per month and have done some track days. On these local rides many types of bikes show up, Cruisers, sports, sports tourers, Adventurer tourers etc.   
In general I always give the sports bikes and others a run for their money, like 1098 Ducati's, Ninjas etc. on the long straights and sweeping corners these bikes tend to have the edge on speed and high speed corning' were the Tiger gets some steering wobble around 160 kph in high speed bends ( that's with track day only ? )  . But in the very twisty sections like 15-60 kph sections I am most of the time in front. The Tiger in these sections has the ground clearance to really lay it over, (in these situations I use a twin compound tyre harder centre softer edges for traction like the Michelin Polit road 3 front and rear), I have considered looking at fork braces etc, but what type bike is this? On the dirt the tiger is very good (with the front fork springs replaced makes a big difference to the standard front end dive) the rear is ok. Remember this is no KTM 990, and is a great bike for dirt roads and maybe some fire trails that aren't washed out or rocky (this is where I would consider two sets of rims with off road tyres on the second set). The Tiger does feel top heavy and is a high bike (I am 5 foot and 4 inches tall) those of you that have a Tiger may wonder how I touch the ground. Simple with tippy toes and have to slide of one side of seat a little at lights etc. I figure that I have had to do the same with dirt bike racing for years so why change now. Two up touring is great just set the preload to max ( 5) this on the standard rear will handle two up with panniers and back box ( packed up) the front will feel a little light , to up with no gear (4) setting.


Handling improvements

I have made to help with control ect.

1.   Adjustable Brake/Clutch levers, this may not seem like a handling improvement but it does give quicker brake and clutch operation it turn better control and handling.
2.   Harder progressive front springs, will stop front end dive under heavy braking and on the dirt bottoming out etc.
3.   Tyres as I said Michelin Polit 3,s stick like shit to a blanket.

Engine 

1.   The engine is well what can I say (Bullet proof) the triple engine is so smooth through all the Rev range, it's a great bike on the open road or around town and will sit comfortably in any gear.

Servicing

1.   If  you can service a bike yourself ( the basics, oil, plugs, air filter oil filter chain etc) then some stuff on the Tiger is easy ( other not so much) doing an oil change is easy, ( replace with K&N filter as it has a 14 mm nut built into end off filter) Chain adjustment easy and straight forward. But doing plugs and air filter is a pain.

(To get to the plugs do the following)
1.   Take of side covers
2.   Take of blinkers covers connected to the front fairing
3.   Take of seat
4.   Take of tank
5.   Disconnect fuel lines
6.   Take of Air box

THEN YOU CAN GET TO THE PLUGS   (EASY???)
2.   Same with Air filter ( except 6 don't remove air box)

The best way to do this is replace Plugs and Air filter at same time with K&N air filter and Iridium Plugs and you will not need to do it again for 40,000 kms.


The Problems so far

1.   I was riding back from a day out with mates, and it was raining very heavy. My blinkers stopped working so when I returned home I checked the Triumph Blogg site http://www.triumphrat.net/forum.( very handy) said it may be "relay 7" gone ( this is the blinker relay) as the fuses were good. I also got some electrical repellent spray cleaner, and air pressure hose pump, sprayed  out the blinker connections, relay connections and fuse box connections after this all worked, the front blinker wire connections hang down past the fairing, cable tie up under fairing to avoid water getting into the electrics.

2.    Did an Advanced motorcycle course with stay upright in Bradford raceway Victoria Australia, My brakes failed and I almost ran off the track (overheated the brake fluid), the brakes on the 955 are not the best for high speed braking etc. (are looking at other solutions at present but Adrian's web site (adrianmol@yahoo.com ) has what looks like a good fix, Also read another forum that did this as well and he rated it. Tiger mods#1Neils bike page.

3.   Had engine Management light come on,( was not long after turned on GPS-before starting bike) The sensors on the 955,s are very sensitive and will come on if there is a sudden  spick in power.( I should of started the bike first) It's not a big problem, Get Triumph to plug in and reset. Or do it yourself by turning and starting the bike on and off three times, ( this resets the system ) ,It happened to me about 3 times I ended up putting standard plugs back in ,( after spraying out all wiring with electrical spray ) So I think  the iridium plugs were the problem ; it hasn't happened since.

" A WORD OF WARNING IF THE BIKE LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE MANGEMENT LIGHT COMES ON IT IS IN LIMP HOME MODE TAKE IT TO YOUR NEAREST TRIUMPH DEALER ASAP" but if not power loss, its more than likely an over sensitive sensor.


Items to buy to improve bike (most off eBay)

1.   Adjustable levers ( if you have small hands or fingers)
2.   Radiator / Oil coiler guard protectors (protect against rocks etc.)
3.   Headlight protector ( name says it all)
4.   K&N air filter ( smother power 100,000 km life)
5.   K&N Oil filter ( has built on nut easy to remove)
6.   Indium Plugs ( more power, last longer, ) MY UPSET TEMP SENSOR
7.   Taller screen ( for winter or touring there are many different types' I used a Cee Baileys only downside reduces turning circle )  there are many types
8.   Engine crash bars ( I used Thunder bike, just make sure you use high temp sealant CRV, for bolts that go into crankcase, and don't over tension) I got mine through Thunderbike NZ (The best I think and you can put cruiser pegs on.)

9.   Front and rear fender extenders ( can use from 94- 2001 Yamaha XJ 900 Division will fit with minor mods)
10.   19 front sprockets will lower revs by 500 rpm (better for open rd.) and
11.   Non slip rear seat cover ( stops passengers from moving forward on braking)
12.    X2 Leather round large pouches from eBay (with Triumph written on them) I use these to put my tool role in one side, and sockets and other stuff in other side. (The 955I does not have a lot of space under the seat.)
13.   The plastic chain Guard will break after a while ( mine was 28,000 kms)  so I got one from eBay  Germany with TRIUMPH  cut into the guard, is steel, may have to drill two other holes for bolts as there ones did not  line up)
14.   Front progressive fork springs ( not from eBay but IKON Suspension Australia) again there are many brands out there
15.   Mine came with a Triumph sports pipe (increases RPM by about 3 HP) so I have about 108 HP, instead of the 105 HP.
16.   I also put smaller blinkers on (LED and changed the Blinker relay) Looks better, I guess that an improvement.
17.   Gel Seat (for front only, got off gum tree for $ 65.00 Aus.) makes long rides in the saddle more comfortable and the seat is narrower at the front which makes it easier to move around. It seems lower to the ground?
18.   7. Smaller mirrors from local bike shop, look better than standard ones, needed to replace after bike fell over (originals were too expensive)

MODS I HAVE DONE

1.   I moved the rear shock adjustment from under the seat to the inside of the RIGHT passenger peg mount area (means you don't have to take the seat of every time you have a passenger or luggage ( BMW style or latter tiger)
2.   Cruiser pegs fitted to the crash bars (from Thunderbike) brought from a bike swap meet for $ 5.00, I think they are Harley Pegs, had to do a bit of grinding to fit, took about 1 hour, but work well on long open roads were it gets a bit boring, can stretch the legs out, and pillion can put their feet on your pegs to do the same.
3.   4. Have put a padded beck rest on rack for wife and kids when they come for a ride, they love it, (fall asleep a lot- don't know if that's a good thing?) will be keeping the rack for my next bike.
4.   I lowered the seat by taking the rubber mounts off and a few other things (the mod is on (adrianmol@yahoo.com ) this web site has some very good ideas which I have used a few.
5. I  put an 855i 1999-2000 shock on the 2006 955i and put the spring from the 955i on the 855i shock ( as the spring is softer  the 855i)  as I am short and it is a quite  easy  swap and lowers the bike 1 inch ( or more) . As I am only 5,4 tall. I also read this on a forum Girly Adventure suspension, , I got a 885 shock of eBay for around $270.00 Aus with postage (looks like new) to do this mod do the following steps
1.   Take off seat /side covers battery/ battery box
2.   Take off rear wheel (will need to disconnect rear brake form swing arm etc.)
3.   Take off top shock mounting bolt/ swing arm will drop
4.   Take off bottom shock mounting bolt (will need to use extension bar end to hammer out bearing sleeve) make sure you don't lose any roller bearings.
5.   Lift up shock through battery area.
6.   Do in reserve to put the 855i shock back in. (a little harder putting back together mainly lining stuff up)
7. You will also need to drop the front forks through the triple clamps; (between 25-35mm) they will only go to about 40mm before hitting the handlebars.
THE REASON YOU NEED TO DO THIS IS THE GEOMTARY OF THE BIKE AND HANDING YOU NEED TO BRING THE FRONT DOWN TO MATCH THE REAR
8. I took the centre stand off as it will not lift the bike off the ground, (to low) properly would scrap heaps.
This is quite easy it took me about 1½ hour to pull off, and put back on (looks harder than really is) this will lower the bike about 1 inch or more? , Handling seems good have only gone for one short ride, doesn't seem to be as sharp turning in
I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT I CAN PUT BOTH FEET CLOSE TO FLAT ON THE GROUND, THIS SOUND AMAZING BUT TRUE  THIS GIVES REAL CONFERDENCE  AROUND TOWN AND OFF-ROAD.  THIS I WOULD ONLY RECOMMAND TO RIDERS 5/6 AND UNDER.

Overall

I am happy with the 955i ( All I have done  has cost my about & 1500,00 AUS in parts ) and some of my time, They are a great bike with heaps of power 105 HP ( more than a BMW 1200 GS ) and handle very well. Seat high is a problem for shorter riders (like me) but the mods I spoke about can fix this. They have a great tank size 24 Lts you will get between 350-400 kms on a tank (the fuel gauge is not very accurate the low fuel light will come on between 250-300 kms. The Tiger is very comfortable on long trips but you can get an even more comfortable Gel seat as well.

I do most off my own servicing, I agree with another blog that getting to the air filter is a big job. Make sure you have a work shop manual; when you change the air filter do the plugs at the same time (kills 2 birds with the one stone) 

If your 6 ft tall plus and like a bike that can go all day every day without any problems in traffic and highway or mountain and some light off road riding then a Tiger 955 i 05-06 model is for you, at between 4000-9000 dollar's second hand depending on condition.

I know live in Cairns Queensland Australia and have ridden all the Atherton Tablelands heaps of times and also done a trip out western QLD near Chillagio and down near Townville via Valley of the lagoons.
Future Trips
Riding down to central west NSW via Cairns at Christmas (about 8000, 00 kms return)
Other trips not on Tiger
I also own a DRZ 400 E and last weekend did the crap track and bloomfield tracks are doing Cape Yoke  next year , ( top of Australia next year) and are hiring a Suzuki DRZ 650 to ride In New Zealand in early December.
Well the Triumph Tiger 955I is a great bike ( if I still have it in a another year will give an update)

"IT, S ALL ABOUT THE RIDE"


AN UPDATE ON THE 855 SHOCK IN 955 2006 TIGER

Well I not to impressed with the Mod,  Yes it dropd the bike about 2 inchs, but lowers ground clerance heaps, ( takes away that off -road ability) to a large degree. The handling is not as good, and the spring seems to be sitting on the rear part of the swing arm. So this Mod is not the best. It takes away the ride hight  in traffic, ground clerance, travel, I will more then likely put the old shock back on and live with the hight. ( or sell the bike ) 

[haggis95]

A ton of good ideas in this post.

[Chris Canning]

Made me smile.

[haggis95]

Yeah - apart from the lowering mod there were a ton of good ideas.

I wonder if he sold his bike.

[Chris Canning]

there were a ton of good ideas.

Yea all out of the 'How to' section