Thinking About a Tiger

[wnc96]

Hello All,

I am looking for a 2 up bike that can hit some fireroads and stuff like that, i also plan on using it to comute to work.  Are there any years to stay away from?  What kind of miles can these bikes take?  Most people can talk for ever about the good stuff, what kind of negative stuff should i look for in a used bike, for example i used to have a klr and every one knows to change the doohicky..... that kind of stuff is the info i'm looking for, i want to know what i'm getting into.....

thanks,

[Mustang]

depends what year tiger you are looking at !
93 -98 Tigers have different inherent problems than the 99-2000 models and the 2001 to 2004 and then again 2005 -2006 all have their own characteristic faults .
Steamers ...tigers from 93 -98
1. Alternator drive shafts are prone to breaking bolts
2. Rear shock is shit
3. some have bad heads with soft valves and or valve seats (mostly seems to be 98's )
4 . The gill coils are known to fail
5. the ignition sensors on the early ones fail
6. really is nothing available for aftermarket goodies
7. cleaning / replacing the air filter is a royal pain in the ass !
8 . the shifter linkages get real sloppy .

1999 - 2000 tigers
1. They don't like being dropped on their left side , will fill the cylinder with oil and cause a hydro lock
2. First years of the FI and some were dodgy

I'm sure they had other probs too , maybe some one will chime in

2001 - 2004 tigers with the 955 FI engines and the 2005 to 2006 tigers
  the later ones seem plauged with charging problems and warped disc rotors and again I'm sure they had other issues too .
 Stretch should be along soon to enlighten you with the Girly bike issues

and it seems like all of the models like to eat steering head bearings in the 25k to 45k mileage range

[Stretch]

Stretch should be along soon to enlighten you with the Girly bike issues

Thanks, Don Pardo!  It's really great to be back in town!



Here's a link to the 'Tiger Faults and Weaknesses' thread in 'Girly Wisdom'...

http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5256

[paulie]

:lol:

[wnc96]

Whats with the "Girly bike" stuff ...is that a nick name for a body style?

Thanks for the input, were suposed to close on a house wednesday, then the search for a new bike begains!!!!!!!   :lol:

[Stretch]

From the thread directly above this one (I hope you're not a detective)  

http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,4212

.

[wnc96]

thanks for not being toooo hard on a new guy, Great to see i'm making a good first impresion....LOL    :D

[aeronca]

the only thing you need to know is - STEAMERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D .
i got a 95' and love it. there were a few day's i wanted to junk it, but really they were small fix's(ignition coils - nology was the answer)and carb rebuild, and now at 51000(+)mls im looking at doing an alternator drive shaft. it's a solid bike with a good rep. the only thing that i still have a hard time with is the weight. it's really top heavy(due to the huge gas tank.). but you get used to it. besides, everyone on this forum is awsome, and if you buy one you'll have great support. just remember to never start it with a weak batery and it will never leave you stranded. good luck brother, and welcome aboard :)

[John Stenhouse]

Once you've ridden one there is no going back, that engine just sinks it's hooks into you and wont let go

[Mustang]

Once you've ridden one there is no going back, that engine just sinks it's hooks into you and wont let go

Amen to that , they are infectious ! Even with all of their character my tiger is the best grin factor bike I've ever owned .

[wnc96]

The Hooks have been set,  I was having a hard time between the Tiger and V Strom,  I was lucky and found  a dealer that had both, after doing back to back rides i was like V -- What .....?????   Purrrrrr!!!!!!

I was worried about dealer support, and parts price but then woke up and relized the other bike i was thiking about was the BMW f 800, i could by 2 tigers for one f 800 and still have exp parts ....    as for the dealer support, not much of an issue,  this site seems like a Great group of people!!    I would like to find a clean bike with under 10k miles,  what would be a good deal money wise?

[Kiwi Tiger]

$5 would be a steal.  HaHa

I read somewhere a new one  ( an 06 ) was found and the price discussed on the forum, not sure if it sold.

Try using the search to locate that thread.  If not on here it may have been of Rat Net.

ps I think it was one of the best , a Silver 955i Tiger.

Found it
http://www.triumphrat.net/tiger-chat/10 ... veats.html

[Tom Herold]

Having moved into the Tiger from a Harley and Triumph Sprint, I can only sing the praises of these machines.

Every bike has its issues, but the grin factor and its ability to do a lot of things very well is unmatched as far as my opinion carrys its weight.

The maintenance is straight forward and a lot of the mechanical parts carry over from other brands and models as you'll find, which makes things easier.

There are a lot of good people here with a wealth of knowledge, you'll feel at home right away.

Enjoy the Tiger, it's addicting!

[Stretch]

I worried about parts availability also, having moved out of a Honda with a Honda dealer here in town.  The nearest Triumph dealer is a couple hours' ride away.  If you haven't already, check out the 'Tiger Parts Cross-Reference Guide' stickied near the top of the 'Speaking of Bikes' forum.

If that doesn't help in your parts search, these dealers enjoy a good reputation for stocking and shipping parts...

Ma's Cycles  http://www.mascycles.com/

Baxter Cycle  http://www.baxtercycle.com/

Pure Triumph  http://www.pure-triumph.com/


Bike Bandit is an online parts service, but they frequently make you wait for the parts, as they wait for a few orders before they order the parts from Triumph.  But, they have online parts fiche diagrams, which makes them a terribly valuable reference source...

http://www.bikebandit.com/triumph-motor ... /oem-parts


Not actively knocking the f800GS, because it seems to be a great bike, there are a few reports of stalling for mysterious reasons.  Methinks a friend should allow BMW to settle those growing pains before said friend drops his money on one...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=420546