SHould I buy a Tiger?

[leebo]

I am in the market for a new bike and just rode 4 triumphs at a Demo day. unfortunaly they did not have the tiger on the lot and that is the one I really wanted to ride. I have done a short 10  mile ride on one and thought "this is the on for me".

 Obviously you guys feel the same on this net. I was hopping for so real feedback about what is good and bad about the bike before I plunk down 10 Grand.

 Thanks,

 Leebo :lol:

[BigDave]

If you love the bike, get it.  Just make sure its really what you want.  What type of riding do you do?



The good:

* value

* motor

* motor

* motor



The bad:

* limited dealer network

* limited off road protection (unless your a freak like sasquatch & can fab up a suit of armour)

* somewhat limited aftermarket



IMO, the Tiger is a more street oriented Adventure bike.  If you plan on staying on the tarmac for the most part, it is a great bike.

[RedMenace]

I don't know, Dave. I think the Tiger is not that hard to make a good bash plate and crashbars for. They are plenty robust, don't overheat at all and the motor just plain hauls ass.Personally, for the difference in purchase price, I can't see the BMW at all. How much have you spent in upgrades and aftermarket for your GS?

It really boils down to what floats your boat. If you really want a GS, don't buy the Tiger. Buy what makes you giggle and tweak it to maximize the fun factor(Dave, I know you did more than a little tweaking on your Tiger, but didn't you really want the BMW in the first place? The triple can be SOOOO seductive, but ...)

Jeeze-rereading this it sounds sorta argumentitive. Not dissing Big Dave or his choice in bikes at all. He definately gave his Tiger a run before deciding to move on. Like he said, be sure it is the bike you want(whatewver you decide).

[Brock]

Leebo...sorry mate but you're in the wrong place for unbiased opinion. I tried most of the big trailies before settling on a Tiger. Believe me...after all the reports I WANTED to buy a GS. But it just didn't do it for me. I jumped on a Tiger and I couldn't stop smiling. OK...she aint perfect by any means but she's without doubt the best value for money out there. My advice? try them all for a couple of hours each. Speak to owners. Check out the websites. Then buy a Tiger.

TEN GRAND??? you can pick up a brand new (old model...spoked) Tiger for £6000. My local dealer's got one.

Oh, and they eat GS's in the twisties (sorry Dave).

[BigDave]

I don't know, Dave. I think the Tiger is not that hard to make a good bash plate and crashbars for. They are plenty robust, don't overheat at all and the motor just plain hauls ass.Personally, for the difference in purchase price, I can't see the BMW at all. How much have you spent in upgrades and aftermarket for your GS?

It really boils down to what floats your boat. If you really want a GS, don't buy the Tiger. Buy what makes you giggle and tweak it to maximize the fun factor(Dave, I know you did more than a little tweaking on your Tiger, but didn't you really want the BMW in the first place? The triple can be SOOOO seductive, but ...)

Jeeze-rereading this it sounds sorta argumentitive. Not dissing Big Dave or his choice in bikes at all. He definately gave his Tiger a run before deciding to move on. Like he said, be sure it is the bike you want(whatewver you decide).

I have bought some stuff that was really not needed for the GS.  On things I felt I did need like added protection?  About $300.  



Believe me, I really don't have a problem with the Tiger.  I loved a bunch of things about mine.  You know the story.  Between lusting over the GS Adventure and dealing with my lemon (blown engine at 1000 miles) Tiger, I finally caved in.   Granted, it was an expensive decision.   Bottom line is that if someone likes a bike and they see themselves on it having fun, them by all means get it if you can.  Motorcycles are a very emotional thing.  Logic does not always prevail.  Neither does it have to.  With that being said, I am enjoying my GS to the full.  The overall ride is much better for me.  It has its quirks.  The clunky 1st gear, the lack of power in comparison to the Tiger etc...  Maybe its all in my head and thats fine.  All I know is that everytime I am around that bike I stare at it, and stare, and stare some more with a big smile on my face.



It is really too bad that so many discussions about comparing bikes end up with trading insults.  (not speaking about this thread...)  It is easy to get drawn into these discussions as I know I have as well.  I just hope that any rider that gets excited about a bike can make arrangements to someday get that bike.  It doesn't matter if its a Tiger, a GS or a 12 year old Transalp if it makes the rider smile. Inside & out.  That is why I felt compelled to keep this website running even after my Tiger ownership.  I am very proud that we have this forum.  I am excited that I can contribute something to the Adventure Touring/Dual Sport community that may help in public awareness about the sport we all love.  Afterall, it is the riding we have in common regardless of what bike we ride.

[Tigermoto]

BigDave,

Hear, Hear......thanks for keeping these web pages going.  The job of a webmaster is at times tedious, but this site is great for us Tiger owners.  As my ancestors said.......Mange Tak!

Mark.

[ATDRS]

Sure you should. If it turns you on.

I did. Picked up my 05 silver on Saturday and now have 450 miles and a few bugs on it.

Went from a large Valkyrie to a V-Strom, to a Yamaha Royal Star Venture and now a Tiger.

I'm 6-6" and 280 lbs. so I need a larger bike and the Tiger fits the bill, for me.

I've gotta get a silencer though. Just can't hear the exhaust while wearing earplugs. Is the Triumph race can as good as any aftermarket can?

[Brock]

ATDRS.... If you want a comparison between the Remus and the Triumph can, ask Chris Canning. He's had both. Me? I've got the Triumph one and it's great.

Dave...top bloke. Absolute respect.  How many other decent sites are there for Tiger owners? Exactly.

Above all we have to maintain a sense of humour. The GS v Tiger debate will never be resolved, because we all expect different things from our bikes. Particularly as we get older, the "fun" factor gets more elusive, so it's even more precious when we find it. I know I've slated the GS, but it is still one hell of a bike. I've said before...I wish the Tiger was built by BMW. But it aint. That's why it's cheaper. It's 18 months since I had a go on one, but I've got a chance to take one out again, so I'm going to. And I'll tell you something else...if I think it's a better bike I'll buy it.

Watch this space.

[tigerjohn]

Brock....you wish the Tiger was built by BMW ? Sorry, mate,  but that's a treasonable offence. What makes the Tiger special is that it's not built by BMW...or the Japanese. It's a classic British thoroughbred ......and a damn fine bike at that.  I saw it referred to as 'the most underrated thing in motorcycling' in one review. So, anyone looking to spend $10 000 - or £6500 - need look no further

[Brock]

Ahem...My Tiger's done 11,500 miles. It's a 2001. I replaced all the engine bolts at 5,000 miles with stainless ones as they were rusty (RUSTY) all the plated fittings are furry. The spoke tighteners are rusty, and it's going in this week for its third oil leak to be cured. That's why I wish it was built by BMW. You're missing the point. Beemers aren't perfect but at least they're built to last.

The Tiger IS a damn fine bike but "thoroughbred"? Not yet.

Read my lips...I    LOVE   THIS   BIKE.

[NortonCharlie]

My 01 955 Tiger has 35,500 miles on it and ridden it in the Winter a bit.  I have no rusty bolts, the sump is showing a bit of corrosion from the salt.  I am not real good about washing it.  The only rust on the bike is on the Givi mounts for the panniers.  No oil leaks, I had to replace the front wheel bearings because one was getting noisy.  O couse I had to replace the chain and sprockets and have used up several tires (tyres) but those are normal wear parts.  I guess I am glad mine was built by Triumph.  I don't know of anyone with a BMW that has had less mechanical problems with that kind of milage.

[52blackshadow]

I'm new to this forum, and to modern Triumph ownership, having run BMWs as main bikes for the past 15 years (I still have a R1100RT alongside the Tiger).  



People talk of the Hinkley Triumphs as a 'classic', that's a load of spherical objects!  They are the product of a new company (less than 15 years?), not the 100 years of history that Triumph marketting people keep quoting.



When I bought my 2002 Tiger I looked at the GS, but thought the 1150 was too heavy which made the Tiger more fun to ride. Now that the 1200 GS is available, I think if it had been round at the time my decision would have been different.



The Tiger is a beautiful bike to ride, but so is the BMW. The finish of the BMW isn't perfect, but the Tiger appears much worse. The fasteners on the engine etc are covered in red rust on mine, and clamps holding brake lines etc are dissolving before my eyes.



Having said all that, I still love the bike and the sound and handling of it so no plans to replace it with the GS yet (perhaps replace the old RT with a GS and have the best of both worlds).



Cheers,

                Keith.

[Deltabox]

Hi Keith,



True, the Hinckley plant is essentially a new company; nevertheless, the Hinckleys may well become classics (which is imho what is meant here).

Let's not confuse a classic with an antique, regardless of marketingspeak ...  :lol:



I must admit the 1200 GS looks to be a great bike, and who knows, I might succumb to the temptation one day. For now, due to a slight difference in price, I'll stick to my Steamer [edit] which, in spite of my best efforts to reduce maintenance to an absolute minimum, look pretty good considering its 70k kms and extensive winter rides. Engine bolts are a bit dodgy, though. Perhaps I'll replace them some day...[/edit]



And as for BMW build quality: remember the gearboxes and final drives on the older GS's? Then again, this may have  been solved on later models. Still, I know quite a few people (mostly BMW dealers here in the Netherlands) who have more than a few doubts about the status BMW have attained as a rock solid bike. Not saying they are cr*p, but they are certainly not better than most Japs or Triumphs (by much  :D )



Bottom line: both brands make great bikes. Triumphs are British, though, and are a tad more exclusive...  



Grtz,



Marnix

[BP_LONDON]

A guy I know runs a black 955i tiger. he rides it through all weather, and all seasons, it's parked outside (London) and he does not maintain it much at all...result: Bike would look brand new if he rubbed some WD40 over the engine parts and gave it a good clean. Looks like a very well made machine to me. Build quality is top notch.

[leebo]

As with most bike conversations it does get emotional since people love their bikes.

 I don't have an attachment yet. I just know that the next bike I buy will have to get me through 4 to 6 years due to the kids needing braces and saving for school and all the other stuff parents have to do. I am still in the process of breaking my wife down on this and letting me get one.

 Other bike in the mix are the Speed triple, the honda VFR and the Vstrom. So far the Tiger is on top of the list.

 Thanks for the info guys. Great website. I will continue to look back and see more replies. 8)