Better wind protection

[Timbox2]

Yes, I've got the hand guards. The only question that remains for me is whether the power bronze screen would also help in de width of the air stream. I feel I have less wind on me on my 87 Transalp than on my steamer. And that has the standard low screen as well.

Sorry, thread hi-jack.   Ahhh, I had a Transalp with exact same colour scheme  several years back though Im sure mine was an 89, it had been round the clock too and used as much oil as petrol but would actually sit at 85/90 all day long, not bad for a bike with half the HP of a Tiger, but without being too unkind, I dont miss it

[Nick Calne]

I had a Secdem (French) that worked well until I broke it. Next, a PowerBronze. also broken. Now I use the top edge of the Powerbronze just below the tiny stock. screen. Just enough deflection to get a decent dead air space.

I did pm you about the small screen, didn't I? Or am I losing it?

[ghulst]

Sorry, thread hi-jack.   Ahhh, I had a Transalp with exact same colour scheme  several years back though Im sure mine was an 89, it had been round the clock too and used as much oil as petrol but would actually sit at 85/90 all day long, not bad for a bike with half the HP of a Tiger, but without being too unkind, I dont miss it

No problem. I had an 89 before I got the Tiger. I loved the TA even though my 89 drank oil like an old sailor liquor, but I loved the ease and lightness with which it handled. It just didn't have the power I needed for my long motorway stretches. I then got myself the Tiger and like the power, but missed the lightness of the TA, so I got an 87 three months ago. And I still like that. Also like the character of the engine, but it should have 25hp more. If it had that, I would be happy.

I did pm you about the small screen, didn't I? Or am I losing it?

Not sure if you are losing it, but I didn't get a pm.

[threepot]

No problem. I had an 89 before I got the Tiger. I loved the TA even though my 89 drank oil like an old sailor liquor, but I loved the ease and lightness with which it handled. It just didn't have the power I needed for my long motorway stretches. I then got myself the Tiger and like the power, but missed the lightness of the TA, so I got an 87 three months ago. And I still like that. Also like the character of the engine, but it should have 25hp more. If it had that, I would be happy.
Not sure if you are losing it, but I didn't get a pm.

Ditch the 'steamer'...get an Africa Twin!! :icon_wink:

[ghulst]

Ditch the 'steamer'...get an Africa Twin!! :icon_wink:

That thought has crossed my mind. The trouble is that the Africa Twin has the same oil problem at high mileage and is the same weight as the steamer, but with less power. That means I probably wouldn't feel it would be a good exchange. Even though it would be nice to have father and son in the garage.
I would like that 70-80 hp in a package around 180kg that is light enough to easily throw around like the TA. I even considered the XTZ660, but that has the same 50hp. Or the 690 Adventure. But that is no fun for highway use either. So, I still have the steamer. Honestly, there has been a potential buyer that has come to take a look at it last Saturday, but even though he liked the way it rode, he thought he could get something that didn't have the marks of usage as much as mine. Oh well.

[threepot]

That thought has crossed my mind. The trouble is that the Africa Twin has the same oil problem at high mileage and is the same weight as the steamer, but with less power. That means I probably wouldn't feel it would be a good exchange. Even though it would be nice to have father and son in the garage.
I would like that 70-80 hp in a package around 180kg that is light enough to easily throw around like the TA. I even considered the XTZ660, but that has the same 50hp. Or the 690 Adventure. But that is no fun for highway use either. So, I still have the steamer. Honestly, there has been a potential buyer that has come to take a look at it last Saturday, but even though he liked the way it rode, he thought he could get something that didn't have the marks of usage as much as mine. Oh well.

Mmm,so in a nutshell,the Tiger's take some beating!!

[ghulst]

Mmm,so in a nutshell,the Tiger's take some beating!!

Hahaha, yes, I guess you can say that. :) I mean, it is not the perfect bike, but I'm not sure what will ever be. With the Transalp set up for more playful riding, the Tiger has been assigned the most lengthy trips and high speed runs. That has brought out some weak points in the saddle, the wind protection and the height of the steps. I am sure all can be changed, but that has also triggered my thinking towards other options. However, there aren't many. Either you stay in the same range (Africa Twin, XRV750 Super Ténéré, Cagiva Elephant if you can find one) and you might have some improvements, but it might be cheaper to adapt the Tiger. Or you get towards bigger bikes as the BMW 1100/1150 GS or more travel oriented BMW R1100RS/RT, Honda Pan European etc. And I am not sure I want to go that way.

[nickjtc]

Ditch the 'steamer'...get an Africa Twin!! :icon_wink:

New or old??

[Nick Calne]

Most people you speak to about adventure bikes want what you just said... Less weight so they can go off road with some confidence, enough power to do some motorway miles.

How long before a manufacturer decides to make that bike? I think the closest is probably the xtz750 but they are very old bikes now.

[ghulst]

How long before a manufacturer decides to make that bike? I think the closest is probably the xtz750 but they are very old bikes now.

The trouble with the XTZ750 really is the same as with the Africa Twin. It weighs about the same as the steamer, and has about 5hp less. So, no alternative. To me it really comes down to there being just two groups of interesting bikes, and they are on either side of my personal ideal bike.

Group 1:
Single cilinders, around 50hp and around 180 kilos dry like the Yamaha XTZ660 and XT660Z. The only really difference being the KTM 640 Adventure which comes in at 154kg dry and has 49hp. Or two cilinders for the Honda Transalp and Kawasaki KLE500.

Group 2:
Multiple cilinders (2 and 3) which all weigh around 210 dry and have between 60 and 95hp like the XTV750 Super Ténéré, KTM 950 Adventure, Honda Africa Twin (except for the RD04 which comes in at 185kg dry with 62hp) and the Cagiva Elephant (except the 750 ie which weighs 188 and has 59hp).

Ideally, I would want something in between. Coming in at 170kg max with around 80hp with a twin. But I guess that is an illusion as manufacturers would have probably made one already.

[Nick Calne]

An extra cylinder can't possibly weigh 30kg or so! It must be possible somehow.

I think manufacturers are missing a trick or maybe there is something about volume sales that is not met by the number of us asking for this. ..

[nickjtc]

Interesting subject, if a bit off topic. Imho the reason we don't see these 'mid range' adv bikes + power to spare is that most riders want the Ewan McCharlie look, even if the only adventure riding they do is the 5 mile commute to work with their lunch sarnies in the topbox, including the odd dodgy overtake to raise the pulse a bit.

The serious (off road/adventure) riders who are going to spend most of their time actually using the bike for what it was built for are going to opt for the lighter ones, and they don't need oodles of hp anyway.

Despite the ribbing I get, Rhoda the Roadie will never wear knobbies and I lack the testicular fortitude to even think about taking her off (paved) road. That was what the XR650 was for, and the XL250 will be for.

My 22 cents worth (2 cents + inflation)

[ghulst]

Agreed Nick. On the other hand, we do see manufacturers switch slightly. I mean, BMW's 1200GS Adventure has become a bigger behemoth than the average small car with a price tag to match. I loved Ewan and Charley's Long Way Round/Down and subsequently the first thing I did after getting my license (yes, they did inspire me to get my license at 35), was book a test ride. I loved that 2012 1200GS and would buy one in a heartbeat if I had the money burning a hole in my pocket. However, realism sometimes kicks in and I am well aware that the GS is more of a street than an off road machine. Even though I know some that do take them on off road rides.

I started out with an old XJ600, upgraded to a Transalp and was sold. Allroads are where it is at for me. So, from there you go and look for what you can afford and what gives you the biggest amount of fun. I guess for me, the question is more about "if you had to do it all with one bike, which one would you choose" (I can feel a new topic come up...) After all, I like the Tiger, but less for off road stuff. So I got myself another TA for that. (Yes, I really was looking for a 400-600cc enduro, but I love the TA's and this one came along for a laughable price with fixable problems.)



The biggest question that remained for me after getting the TA, was whether to keep the Tiger or, as it was going to be used for a long haul tarmac machine anyway, trade it for something like a BWM 1150RT or similar for comfortable high speed cruising.

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

[ssevy]

Here in the States, Triumph dealers have become few and far between, so were I ever to buy a new bike, it would probably be one of the new Honda Africa Twins. Do a search for Triumph dealers in Google Maps and then Honda dealers, and you'll see why this is a factor.
Realistically though, I don't think I could ever live without this triple engine. If you've read any of my posts, you'll see that I have spent some time and money getting my Tiger to a point where it seems reliable as a stone, and fits me really well in its role as a long distance touring platform. I have no dirt riding in my past experience, but have been perfectly comfortable with the Tiger on the gravel and dirt roads which I have traveled, so for that eventuality I don't really require better off road attributes from my bike.
I also love the aesthetics of the Steamers, as they just "look the business" to my eye. The rarity of them has me feeling like I belong to an exclusive club (the only time I have seen more than two together was in Mustang's garage), and my buddies on their "sportier" Triumph models certainly never have to wait for me to catch up to them, even in the twisties.
So, I feel like I already own my dream bike.
Now, if Triumph were to import the Tiger Sport here, however...

[nickjtc]

Interesting that the mods have not leapt in because we are so off topic  :icon_wink:

But on topic again. Went to Kamloops and back yesterday, about 240 km round trip. I'm 5'10" (and shrinking with age) but on the 1050 and at highway speed (100kph) + a bit more to allow for speedo inaccuracy, I have no buffeting or discomfort behind the stock screen. I also didn't on the Steamer when I went to Alaska in 2014. And frankly cannot remember any bike with a screen, vestigial or otherwise, that made me even think about it. So am I to infer that if one wants to go at supra legal speed THEN it becomes necessary to have 'better' wind protection??

Or am I just lucky to be the size of rider that the manufacturers are catering for??