Last Friday was the big day. Hopped on a plane at 7.50am and flew down to Adelaide arriving at 8.45am. My mate came and picked me up from the airport and we went back to his place where the bike was going to be delivered. On arrival there I rang the transport company and they said they would send it straight away. By the time we'd had a coffee there was a knock on the door and from then on we had a number of `firsts' for the day.
Sitting on the truck was the `first' Girly I had seen up close in the flesh.
It was even better looking in the flesh than all the photo's I have seen. :D
After unloading it I had my `first' sit on a Girly. :D :D
We then tried starting it, ignition on, kill switch off, hit the button. Nothing happened, well this is just wonderful I thought to myself, a new bike that doesn't work. :( We'll just have a quick look in the handbook and see what that says, oh, you have to hold the clutch in.
Went back and tried it and lo and behold, it fired up :D :D :D
Then it was time for my `first' ride on a Girly
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC160191.jpg)
Just a few runs up and down the road to get used to things, it felt a bit intimidating to start with being so big and its the first bike I've had where the fairing doesn't turn with the handlebars, but overall first impressions were :D :D :D :D
From there it was around the corner, top up the fuel tank and head home. I had about 15 km of city traffic before getting to the highway and I was surprised how comfortable it all felt after only 4-5km's :D :D :D :D :D
It was then non stop for 200km to Pt Pirie where I stopped for lunch. I found numb bum didn't appear until about 160km had been completed and after the stop at Pirie all was OK for the remaining 100km to Port Augusta. Considering this was the first long distance ride I had done in possibly 15 years I was very impressed with how good I felt, especially as I had a strong cross wind most of the way home :D :D :D :D :D
First thing on arriving home was to head to the police station for a vehicle check (ie check engine and frame numbers) then onto the Motor reg office for registration and new number plate. Finally arriving home about 3.00pm.
That was when the wife got her `first' look at a Girly up close and in the flesh.
Then had her `first' sit on a Girly
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC160194.jpg)
Followed by her `first' ride on a Girly
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC160197.jpg)
On Saturday I decided to fit the Thunderbike crash bars which was reasonably hassle free, there is a bit more detail in my `New member fron South Oztralia' thread.
Sunday morning we went for a ride through the hills to Wilmington, then the back road to Quorn and home again. I'm amazed how little difference a pillion makes to the performance and handling of the Tiger :D :D :D :D :D :D
A couple of pics with the crashbars fitted.
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC180198.jpg)
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC180199.jpg)
And one final pic of the Tiger being introduced to its cousin
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af98/50Tbird/PC180202.jpg)
Cheers Mossy
Nice pics Mossy
Hey Mossy !! congrats on yer new to you Tigger :occasion14
one thing to remember about our Tiggers, they like to run with a loose chain, in other words, don't go by the book :wink:
have fun !!
KK
ps nice pics :thumbsup and its rare to see a Girly on a Girly :D
that doesn't sound right does it :?
G'day KK
I seem to recall reading about chain tension somewhere. What sort of slack should I have solo and two up?
Cheers Mossy
Hey Mossy, good picks. Wow, oh la la to the stable mate, the scrambler. I have the 2008 version to sit my Girly beside but its not a patch on the tangerine dream. But I do love the 865 twin motor, especially in the 270 degree firing order. I have often wondered what the original is like to ride.
Anyway, the Girly looks good mate. Regarding the chain tension, its because its such a long swingarm I think, gotta have the slack to move I imagine. I have done mine to the maximum suggested slack in the manual and it feels right to me.
I rung my local dealer today for the price of a left hand mirror to replace the one I left behind on the bridge railing, and they want NZ $175.00 for it, plus I need the clutch clamp, a further NZ $55.00. I cant get over the price of parts new here in NZ, wondering what its like in Aussie.
Good stuff Mossy.
cool pic's, and good looking tiger 8) congrats.
Deano
I originally wanted a Scrambler because I thought it would look good in the shed next to the Trophy, but the wife wanted something with more power, so the Tiger is the result. I was thinking last night that when I win x-lotto I'll get an early fifties 500 Trophy, a 500 Adventurer, a 750 Tiger trial and an early Steamer. Then I'll have a dual purpose Triumph from each decade. :D
As for parts I generally buy anything I need (for bike or cars) from the UK, always cheaper and generally arrives within 5 working days.
Just need to find a good dealer over there. Any suggestions from UK members??
Cheers Mossy
Hi Mossy; congrats on your cute new Girly :hello2 :wings , and a very nice report and beautifull pics! Hopefully you will post more ridereports and pics in the future :thumbsup
Congats on the Tigger...let the farkling begin:)
Quote from: "Mossy"What sort of slack should I have solo and two up?
I always sit on the bike and check for 1/2" to 3/4" of play on the bottom chain run, two up...jack up the pre load and get everyone onboard then check again( might need assistance tho :wink: )
:iagree remember these bikes have 200mm/8" of rear suspension travel :shock:
have fun !!
KK
Deano
Just been looking at Triumph-online.co.uk. They have l/h mirrors for GBP 24.99.
Does anyone buy from them?
Cheers Mossy
Quote from: "Mossy"Deano
Just been looking at Triumph-online.co.uk. They have l/h mirrors for GBP 24.99.
Does anyone buy from them?
Cheers Mossy
I use them quite regularly for stuff, had no problems with them.
I get some stuff from Sprint Manufacturing. Good service and prompt delivery. On triumphparts.gbr.cc
Good pics, nice bike.
Quote from: "rf9rider"Quote from: "Mossy"Deano
Just been looking at Triumph-online.co.uk. They have l/h mirrors for GBP 24.99.
Does anyone buy from them?
Cheers Mossy
I use them quite regularly for stuff, had no problems with them.
+1
Well its been 6 days we've had the Tiger now and done just over 500km's. I can't believe how every time I ride it, it just gets better and better :D :D :D :D
It seemed very big to start with but it must shrink a bit with each ride, as I feel totally at ease on it now.
Our original intention when we first decided to buy a Tiger was to just use it for going to work and the occasional day trip, but I can see it being used for much more than that already. If anyone comes across a set of Lucifer Orange Triumph panniers we could be interested?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you all.
Cheers Mossy
I know there have been some postings on here about chain tension but it really is important,rather ironic if you read all the disclaimers in the handbook when the chain setting process in it is terminal if used that way for any amount of time.
The simple reason!! there's no rising rate linkage like you get on Jap bikes(Triumph learned!! so have KTM!! look at the new models) so how much weight you have on the bike determines how much slack you need in the chain,with two people and kit the chain will look too slack on the side stand/centerstand,god knows how many folk have told me it needs tightening.
The only real way is to sit on the bike with your other half,then lean down :roll: and feel the chain tension,if you have set it by the book it will be like a banjo string,then just slacken it accordingly,I rarely ride mine one up,but when I do it is possible to get away with a slack chain.
I could write War and Piece about the suspension(aftermarket),as I had pointed out to me in no uncertain terms the swingarm and suspension was built by Triumph when they hadn't got a clue what they were doing :D ,now rectified!!,regardless I'll not be selling mine anytime in the future.
Quote from: "Chris Canning"The simple reason!! there's no rising rate linkage like you get on Jap bikes(Triumph learned!! so have KTM!! look at the new models) so how much weight you have on the bike determines how much slack you need in the chain,with two people and kit the chain will look too slack on the side stand/centerstand,god knows how many folk have told me it needs tightening.
I don't think that's the reason - it's the simple geometry of having the swinging arm pivot not coaxial with the gearbox sprocket. With this configuration there will always be chain tension variation with suspension movement. And the longer the movement the more the variation.
A coaxial layout has been tried on a few bikes (BMW G450X, Husqvarna SM449) but is difficult to achieve so most manufacturers just allow their customers to put up with the problem - which TBH isn't too hard.
It's the reason alright :wink: ,it's a crap idea,you offered 2 bikes I can offer you a whole range KTM!! the Americans(biggest market) have forced them to change,and of course as Triumph have wised up they've dumped as well.
You make the mistake of assuming all bikers can ajust a chain.
Maybe I should have had a camera with me when I've gone to suspension shops and said have a look at this :shock: ,first word always begins with F :D
The only bike apart from motocross that I know has been succesfull with that set up is the factory R6 Supersport bike,but they did have factory Ohlins to sort it out,were as the CBR600 has a linkage.