I've been lurking around this site for a while trying to get a feel for which model Tiger is the best? I currently have a 98 Speed Triple which I absolutly love, but I'm willing to give up in order to get a Tiger. I've had no problems with the Trip and think the motor is excellent, so would be more than happy with same in a tiger, but the question is: Is the extra expense of a newer model worth it . Would really appreciate all your comments on the pros and cons of all earlier and later models .
Go with the 955i models (2001 - current). It's all about the power... You can find some great deals if you are willing to travel. I got mine in LA and drove it back to Washington DC.
I've had two 900i's,nice bikes steady,and get the job done, but the 955 is way better,suspension(but still needs work)but it's the motor that makes the difference it's shed loads better!!!!!!!,one of the enjoyable things of rideing a 955 is bumping into someone rideing an 1150 GS,that is on the rare occasion you find someone rideing one quickly!!! they do have some advantages,but you can murder e'm every time with the motor.
Chris
I'm not necessarily convinced that the motor is that much better on the new Tigers, but the other things they have fixed are a big deal. The older bikes have some problems with the starter sprag clutch, and that is a very expensive fix. I think the suspension is also a lot better on the 955i. Fortunately (or unfortunately) Triumphs depreciate pretty rapidly. You should be able to find a used 955i for a reasonable price. 8)
Quote from: "BykBoy"Go with the 955i models (2001 - current). It's all about the power... You can find some great deals if you are willing to travel. I got mine in LA and drove it back to Washington DC.
Black ones are faster :D
955i, screams period! don`t travel much, go down one tooth on front sprocket and do smooth low roll on wheelies in first comeing out of red lites all day long! no herky jerky, wheel comes up about a foot or so and lasts for about 40 - 50 ft. it just feels cool to me! Oh and the "Silvers" are faster , why i don`t no! :D
Quote from: "tenpaq"Oh and the "Silvers" are faster , why i don`t no! :D
No. Sorry you're wrong.
I beat three silver ones winning the French Mistral run this year. Black is the fast colour/shade.
Quote from: "Blacktiger"Quote from: "tenpaq"Oh and the "Silvers" are faster , why i don`t no! :D
No. Sorry you're wrong.
I beat three silver ones winning the French Mistral run this year. Black is the fast colour/shade.
the what, who, when, were??? ok, while i`m on my 04 "Silver Tiger" they are the fastest ! I don`t mean to brag but i`m # 1+ here in the U.S.! just because most of the kids in my nieghbor hood ride 50cc scooters shouldn`t matter. they have the "AGE" thing goin for them! Oh, and If i want to, i could scrape my pegs all day long if I wanted too! It`s just that my bike is brand new and I don`t want any scratches.
You are all wrong, I had a 2002 Black & a 2003 Lucifer Orange, the lucifer one is definately quicker, leaves my riding partner on his Black GS1150 in my wake! too :twisted:
Quote from: "Lucifertiger"You are all wrong, I had a 2002 Black & a 2003 Lucifer Orange, the lucifer one is definately quicker, leaves my riding partner on his Black GS1150 in my wake! too :twisted:
I think you must be colour blind. :?
Quote from: "Chris Canning"I've had two 900i's,nice bikes steady,and get the job done, but the 955 is way better,suspension(but still needs work)but it's the motor that makes the difference it's shed loads better!!!!!!!,one of the enjoyable things of rideing a 955 is bumping into someone rideing an 1150 GS,that is on the rare occasion you find someone rideing one quickly!!! they do have some advantages,but you can murder e'm every time with the motor.
Chris
I agree, the newest is the best. The 955 is a top notch motor.
As far as "mudering" a GS, I'd say the Tiger will definety beat the GS is a drag race, but once we get into the corners, the GS puts the Tiger in the hospital, period.
Hi Dave
I like a man with a sense of humour,or is that a bad memory!!! I also own a BMW 1100s I've had it 4 years Ohlins,Dymags,AP 6 pot brakes and god only knows what else,but i'd be more than happy to take it on with the Tiger,never mind an 1150 GS,nice and practical??? without a doubt exciteing???? get outahere!!!!!!!,but i'll give one thing when your rideing hard, two up there's no getting nutted in the back of the head!!.
Chris
Quote from: "Chris Canning"Hi Dave
I like a man with a sense of humour,or is that a bad memory!!! I also own a BMW 1100s I've had it 4 years Ohlins,Dymags,AP 6 pot brakes and god only knows what else,but i'd be more than happy to take it on with the Tiger,never mind an 1150 GS,nice and practical??? without a doubt exciteing???? get outahere!!!!!!!,but i'll give one thing when your rideing hard, two up there's no getting nutted in the back of the head!!.
Chris
uh....what? :?:
translation please...
What is it you need a translation on Dave,how wonderfully practical BM's are or how bloody boreing they can be,and i can say that as someone who's had one four years!!!!.
Chris
From what I have read, and it has been quite alot. The "Tiger" spanks the "BMW" EVERYWHERE! Except the status symbol area and front end dive. Pop in a set of "White Power" fork springs and you`ll be fine. The "Tiger" is the do it all machine. "Gs`s" do look alot (way) more industrial, which is really cool. also check the blinker set-up on a "Gs"if ya ever get a chance.??? Just do your research, cause it`s all over the Web in spades.
From what I have read, and it has been quite alot. The "Tiger" spanks the "BMW" EVERYWHERE! Except the status symbol area and front end dive. Pop in a set of "White Power" fork springs and you`ll be fine. The "Tiger" is the do it all machine. "Gs`s" do look alot (way) more industrial, which is really cool. Check the blinker set-up on a "Gs"if ya ever get a chance.??? Just do your research, cause it`s all over the Web, in spades.
Hi Scouser
With a nick name like that are you from Lpool?
I wont go into the Triumph -BMW bashing as that is not what you asked.
Basicaly there of 3 types of Tiger:
The old Steamers are cheep but getting on now and unless it was a late model in tip top condition i would pass, but it is the engine you have now so all your experiance with the SP3 will still hold out. also some people like the look better than the Girly EFI.
The 885 EFI is a good bike and basicly the same as the later 955 but like all machines they have little niggles at the start of production that get improved as time gos by so the later the better.
there are good deals on some late Tigers with less than 5000 miles at the moment but the Tiger is a very differant beast than the SP3, i would get a long test ride on one and see if you like it. if you are in Lpool then i would recomend that you take a trip to Woods in North Wales he is a good dealer and he will let you take one for a ride in a place where you can experiance the full assets of the bike.
i came from a Daytona 1200 to a Sprint ST and now the Tiger ( age thing?) and i am not disapointed with the Tiger in fact i should have got one sooner. but try before you buy and get the best you can afford.
tenpaq said:
QuoteFrom what I have read, and it has been quite alot. The "Tiger" spanks the "BMW" EVERYWHERE! Except the status symbol area and front end dive.
And dealer support. BMW has a much wider network world wide. I love my Tiger, but it's not easy to find Triumph dealers or authorized mechanics. Less options drive up cost and hinder flexibility. I'm not saying don't get the big cat, just be aware of this issue. Unless you plan on doing all the work yourself, you will have to deal with this situation down the line.
But hay, triples rule!
Thanks everyone for the opinions and help. I already own a R1100GS and have since 95, so I'm ready for a change and had such good luck with the Speed Triple so far, that I thougt a Tiger would be perfect (just can't beat that triple howl). I still may keep the BMW and get a Tiger also, but just wanted input about the Tiger. so now I will probably look for a late 955. I know service may be a problem I currently live in Sacramento, but will move to Tucson soon and as far as I know there is no Triumph dealer there, I think the nearest is Phoenix about 100 miles away, so that is a consideration. Robbie, yes I'm from Liverpool, but now live in the states, miss some things from the uk, (Saturdays on the Kop especially), but love the lifestyle out here! Thanks all
Gerry
Well I have to say as someone with a Tiger and a Bm,i see both sides of the coin,yes the Bm is very practical,no radiator,and no chain,and the finish is light years better,the plateing on some of the Tigers nuts and bolts!!!!,i'd be unhappy if i found them in a christmas cracker!!!,and they loose at lot of money compared to the BM's
The otherside to that,the motors are just plain boreing,their a bit like watching paint dry,unless you run them in in a certain way they burn oil till they get close to 20,000 miles,it isn't a problem if your a low milege user but if your on a trip doing 500 miles + per day you'll be topping it up every day,the shaft drive isn't maintenance free,by the time you got 25,000 on one the taper bearing start to wear,they need both ajusting and greasing,and for me the worst thing is how badly effected the engines are by the weather,the topic of conversation i have with nearly every GS owner i've meet is wind turbulance,and i guess they why i rarely ever see one travelling at what i class as a decent speed.
The other week I was riding with two guys on 1150 gs's and a guy on an adventure. The guy on the adventure was the former local BMW club president he got jack of riding with them because they were way tooooo slow. Anyway we were riding in the country side through the mountains etc, Anyway Rocket Ron (a very noice guy for a oneeyed beemer man) was in the lead I was sitting behind him, he rode pretty well, nice pace, I thought I had better show him what a Tiger was made of, as he knew nothing about Tigers at all. I waited till we hit a safe spot to fang, and I took off and left them all behind, he was totally gobsmacked as he thought his Adventure was the ducks guts and never thought any other brand of cycle could give it a run. Now I have upgraded my front springs and oil, and have no trouble matching or exeeding corner speed or change of direction of a GS. It is all relevant to the rider too as I could have left him for dead on a number of other bikes aswell.
The bottom line is if you can get rid of the front end dive a little, the Tiger will hold its own against a GS or anyother duel purpose machine. I still recon the orange is fastest!
Quote from: "BykBoy"tenpaq said: QuoteFrom what I have read, and it has been quite alot. The "Tiger" spanks the "BMW" EVERYWHERE! Except the status symbol area and front end dive.
And dealer support. BMW has a much wider network world wide. I love my Tiger, but it's not easy to find Triumph dealers or authorized mechanics. Less options drive up cost and hinder flexibility. I'm not saying don't get the big cat, just be aware of this issue. Unless you plan on doing all the work yourself, you will have to deal with this situation down the line.
But hay, triples rule!
yeah, i didn`t think about dealers. mine is only half mile down the steet, so i guess i am lucky! as far as doin the work yourself, you pretty much can`t. well ya can, but if it`s new like mine is, "the dealer' will say "Oh no, you have to bring it in" for the service intervals or you may "VOID" your warranty. it`s only every 6k miles but they don`t do shit for the money! clutch adj. and oil i can do, but at the cost of voiding the warranty i don`t
I just always say" Don`t Scratch my Baby man"....
Quote from: "Lucifertiger"I waited till we hit a safe spot to fang, .......I still recon the orange is fastest!
i like that,"spot to Fang", gunna steal that 1.
Oh and,mine is the fastest(silver) why because i`ve been doin a lil research and experimenting as of late and this is what i did.
"My Tiger is a 2004" and these are my mods.
these are free mods, and if your shit blows up don`t call me!!!!!!also warrantywill prbably be voided.
first, take off your tank and open up the air box and take out the "Divider" with the two "silenceing holes", the screw lugs that hold the airbox together might spin so grap the ends with dikes to stop em. leave the "Snorkel" (front left side) in the box, take that out you may need a fuel curve "Remap".
2nd, this sounds "Barbaric" but you'll love it!! look down you exhaust pipe (silencer) and you will see a "Wall" about 15 inches, down inside the pipe.
now, put the crowbar in the pipe and hit with hammer. "I know this sounds crazy" so if your scared or allready have off road silencer don`t do this.
Punch a hole through the wall about 1 1/4 inches wide by about a 1/2 inches tall, that equals 30mm wide by 13 mm tall. twist the crowbar to adjust size.
"Thunderbike" says on their site as does "Staintune" you don`t have to "remap" for thier pipes, so this is why i tried this (my pipe mod)in the first place.
i will say that the sound of the bike is" perfect" to me. It does not sound "Raspy" in any way, repeat, it does not sound "raspy" at all, so don`t go crazy with a 'Big Hole" !! The "mod" just Brings out that 'Triple howl" perfectly.
faster, it has to be . how much who knows(just slightly).but by the "seat of the pants" it feels faster.
but my bike sounds "Fukin great " is all i can say!! for the money, you can`t beat these mods period! "Idid IT for THE SOUND" and it worked out "PURRfectly!"
i also went up one on the counter shaft sproket (florida`s flat) and i cruise at 80 mph at 5000rpm in 6th.and the bike still does roll on wheelies in first.
so in the end "my 2004 silver is the fastest!"