I know it is going to be hard to get some unbiased opinions on here...but what do you say? How do these two bikes stack up?
I have just about decided to get a used Strom but after seeing some pretty decent prices for the used Tigers (95 - 2002 range) I am looking into these British bikes as a possible touring bike. I will be doing a six month tour in the USA and a trip to Alaska maybe within three years.
Thanks for any help.
BB
i was in the same boat here. i very nearly pulled the trigger on a wee, then happened to ride a tiger a few days before i had to commit.
there's absolutely no comparison between the wee and the tiger.
never riden the DL1000, so i can't comment on that engine.
If you're doing touring, and get a Tiger, expect to get an aftermarket seat and have to try multiple windscreens. that was my experience anyway. now that it's sorted, there's no better bike.
Both bikes are about equal on all the functional stuff. They are about equal on their off road abilities, reliability, usefulness, etc. You can debate numbers back and forth, but it really comes down to this.
Ride them both and buy the one that gives you the biggest woody. Buy the one that you just do not want to stop riding.
Looking at details on paper between these two bikes is an exercise in futility.
Quote from: "Sasquatch"Both bikes are about equal on all the functional stuff. They are about equal on their off road abilities, reliability, usefulness, etc. You can debate numbers back and forth, but it really comes down to this.
Ride them both and buy the one that gives you the biggest woody. Buy the one that you just do not want to stop riding.
Looking at details on paper between these two bikes is an exercise in futility.
From all the talk and reviews, they both seem like good bikes and fun to ride.
Finances will play a big role in my decision also. A well taken care of bike, fully farkled and low mileage at a good price can sway my decision either way.
:hat10
Bom dia amigo,
Your in the Tiger capitol of the internet world here. i ride regularly with Guys on Vee Stroms, they are good bikes. My view is that Tigers are a little more off road worthy with more ground clearance.
The triple engine is the best part of the Tiger. It really works well and sounds like nothing else on the road.
Character and reliable = Tiger
Reliable and stable = Strom
Both are great bikes. I like character. It's what puts a grin on my face. Suzuki makes a fantastic bike and I've had plenty of them to make that statement. Good and reliable. I find that a touch boring. The Trumpet puts a grin on my face just thinking about it. 8)
Is it true that the Tiger (Girly) has to use premium gasoline? That is what I heard on the ADV forum.
89
I used to religiously use 93 or better octane in my steamer , then gas got pricey and plain old 87 octane works fine in my steamer , no pings no knocks . Gas mileage is the same . I even have a 4 degree advance on the engine timing and 87 still works fine .
The only diff. is I get to keep a couple xtra bucks in my wallet . :D
The engine is liquid-cooled and computer-controlled. I've been using 87 in my Tiger for ages... no knocks or pings.
Quote from: "Mustang"I used to religiously use 93 or better octane in my steamer , then gas got pricey and plain old 87 octane works fine in my steamer , no pings no knocks . Gas mileage is the same . I even have a 4 degree advance on the engine timing and 87 still works fine .
The only diff. is I get to keep a couple xtra bucks in my wallet . :D
I heard that Premium is a requirement for the 855i and 955i. Any confirmations on that or is that more of a preference?
Never mind. Stretch just answered my question while I was typing. Wow talk about swift replies! I like this site!
i was really concidering a vstrom but couldnt do it. i first rode the 650 but was so dissapointed with the lame power and excessive weight of the thing that i just about laughed at the dealer when i brought it back to them. i couldent wait to get back on the steamer. my friend at work has a vstrom 1000 and its much much beter. the power was right, and it felt solid, but was just - empty. it had no soul. go with a tiger. personaly i think the 1050 is an awsome bike and would love to have one (sitting next to the steamer of course :) ).
I just can't get past the fugly looks of Stroms. Sure, they're practical and may be easier to get parts for. But nothing sounds like a triple when it's howling. 8)
Quote from: "WIDGIN"I just can't get past the fugly looks of Stroms. Sure, they're practical and may be easier to get parts for. But nothing sounds like a triple when it's howling. 8)
Speaking of sound. I listened to some T 955's on Youtube and they sound sort of like Jet engines to me. Def. a unique sound. Not as throaty and deep as the Strom 1k.
Looks are in the eye of the beholder. I thought Rottweilers were the ugliest dogs ever until I bought one and that ugly face just kinda grows on you. :lol:
That's why they make aftermarket pipes. :grnb
Funny how the more I read about the Tiger the better it looks!
:lol:
(http://www.motoclub-zonaroja.es/media/DIR_153307/triumph-tiger-955i-2006.jpg)
So, I've enjoyed my Blue '06 since May and Love every minute...
3 weekends ago a neighbor bought a '05 V-Strom 1000 250 miles away and asked me to ride it home!?!
I was impressed with stock engine and ergos, but a Tiger it aint!
The V-Strom 1000 really is a great bike, but I will stick to my Tiger and all of it's quirky elements...I'm a bona fide inline-3 junkie!!!
The Staintune exhaust really makes each ride an inspiring process and it's hard to remain legal down here in Texas with this set up...
Either way, you'll enjoy your bike (b/c modern bikes have come a long way) and it boils down to taste and pocket book. Buena Suerte!
Quote from: "jmurguia"So, I've enjoyed my Blue '06 since May and Love every minute...
3 weekends ago a neighbor bought a '05 V-Strom 1000 250 miles away and asked me to ride it home!?!
I was impressed with stock engine and ergos, but a Tiger it aint!
The V-Strom 1000 really is a great bike, but I will stick to my Tiger and all of it's quirky elements...I'm a bona fide inline-3 junkie!!!
The Staintune exhaust really makes each ride an inspiring process and it's hard to remain legal down here in Texas with this set up...
Either way, you'll enjoy your bike (b/c modern bikes have come a long way) and it boils down to taste and pocket book. Buena Suerte!
Yea, you are right. It basically boils down to taste and the wallet. I am sure that coming from an old 1993 XT600 45 hp thumper that whether I get a V-Strom 1k or a Tiger 955i that I will be as happy as can be. heck, my old XT600 makes me happy, I love riding that egg beater. It can still leave most cars in the dust from a dead stop!
:lol:(http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/746/images/01YAM-XT600E-X3-0909-01.jpg)
Quote from: "Bamaboy"I heard that Premium is a requirement for the 855i and 955i. Any confirmations on that or is that more of a preference?
I think this comes about because here in Britain we call the normal 95unleaded, "Premium". Now also, our 95 is, I think, equivalent to US 89 because they use different measurement systems or something. Confused? Yeah, me too!
My 2 cents.
I have a Tiger, the wife is currently shopping Wee-stroms.
So I have sampled a few.
Suzuki (I have owned 5 from cruisers to crotch rockets) makes a damned reliable machine no muss no fuss. And so does Triumph.
The sound of the Triple just does something infectious to you. Goes straight to the hooligan part of the brain and says "skip work and just keep on riding!!!!"
Hard to explain until you have spent time on one.
My better half prefers the Suzuki, used bike price points are very similar. Styles and all very similar list of farkles....well you get the point.
I don't think you will go wrong either way.
:)
My `99 runs just fine on 87. Even ran 85 octane with no noticable difference.
I have an '05 Tiger and an '07 VStrom. Both great bikes and neither one will win any beauty contests. The DL actually has more miles on it with zero maintenance issues. The Tiger has had a few.
Since I have three riders in the family, I also have an '07 Bandit with over 10K problem-free miles.
Not to mention a new Tiger would be $12K+, where a new DL1000 can be had for $8500.
What can I say, I like them all. The Tiger draws the most attention.
My 06 Tiger is the best bike I have ever ridden in very high winds. (any direction)
Riding home from a local rally and following a V-Strom 1000 in "very" strong cross wind, the Vee was all over the place and the Suzuki 650 behind us got blown off the road altogether.
I was surprised how strong the wind actually was when we stopped.
There were bits of trees etc and the odd big sign belting across the road at times so it was quite strong.
Cars and trucks were traveling very slowly and rocking around like crazy.
I was very pleased with the way my bike handled the conditions.
I have checked with another couple of Tiger owners and we all agree that the Tiger handles heavy winds best, in our experience. Cheers John.
I couldn't agree more. I drive in a lot of wind in western MN and my Beemer was awful but my Tigger is absolutely superb and better than any of my previous bikes. Riding back from Indianapolis after Moto GP and the wind from Hell was no big deal at all on my Tiger. I was really glad I wasn't on my Beemer.
I have an DL 650 that is flawless. Great gas mileage, 50+ consistently, on 87 octane, 15,000 and a lot of that on very rough back roads. Great on the highway, too. Zero problems. I had a DL1000 and like the 650 better.
I also picked up a silver 05 Tiger. Great bike, too, but seems much heavier. It had 5000 on it when I bought it, and I've put another 4000 on it since buying it in June. I have a small oil leak from the crank cover seal. Other than that it has been great. I've had it on a lot of back roads, too, but it is not as flickable as either size V-Strom.
If you are talking about an 07+ comparison between the Tiger and the DL1000, the DL is sure a lot of bike for $8500, with the Tiger way more expensive, but a Hell of a bike. I wouldn't want to ride it too far on dirt roads, but on the highway and twisites, heck yeah.
Bottom line: how much do you want to spend?
When I stumbled on my '01 Tiger, I was looking seriously at getting a V-Strom or a Wee.
I had test-ridden a Wee and was impressed that it had a very decent amount of power for a 650cc bike hauling my 250 lb butt around. At 6'2" with 36" inseam, I was quite comfortable on it. I enjoyed the Wee enough that I made an offer on an '06 that was for sale locally, but the owner had loaded it up with farkles that I didn't need and was looking to get more than I thought was really worth. No deal. I still think that it would make an excellent "around-town", mid-size bike.
The Tiger just sort of fell into my lap (via Dallas Craigslist) at just the right time and I'm very glad that it did. I'm really enjoying it more and more as I ride it and get used to its character. I'm also just come back from several years of not riding (raising kids and such) and I've found that the Tiger to be a smooth ride whether it's ridden sedately or aggressively. The 955 triple has bunches of power compared to the DL650. My 17-year old son (who dreams of someday getting to ride the Tiger) keeps saying, "That bike is a BEAST." I haven't ridden the DL1000 yet, so I can't compare it raw-power-wise to the Vee, just the Wee.
I really don't think either bike would be a bad decision. Ride each one and see what you like.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll217/COD4Special_K/P1000683e.jpg)
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll217/COD4Special_K/P1000684e.jpg)