Hi everyone! I'm new here (just registered today) since I just found this site while researching Tigers. I am looking to buy another bike after a two-year hiatus and am considering the Tiger (the other is the V-Strom). I like the looks of the Tiger better but it is around $2K more expensive aroudn here. Anyway, money is not the only factor but I have read of a couple of things that concern me a bit about the Tiger. First, a test on the 2006 mentions a footpeg buzz or vibration that starts around 80 mph and gets annoying on long rides. They mentioned thicker rubber on footpegs but is there an aftermarket peg like this or have you guys even noticed this problem while freeway cruising?
The other things relates to reliabiltiy issues but that may be average for all bikes as long my my Triumph dealer is a trooper, I should be in good shape. There is only one dealer around here so that is a bit of a concern. Additionally, with so few dealers, I'd hate to get stuck on a trip with no nearby dealer to fix the bike.
How is the highway comfort (and wind cbuffeting) on the Tiger- getting to nice places is a big part of what I will be doing.
Does Ohlins make a fork for the Tiger?
That's pretty much it. The Suzuki V-Strom may have its own problems (wind buffeting) but there is a huge network of dealers all over the country. My buddies say that is reason enough to go that way but I do love the look and exclusivity of the Tiger. The Strom looks a bit bland to me.
Well, any feedback would be much appreciated. Speed safe out there!
Well, you're going to get some biased opinions here! I have an '03 Tiger, and don't know about the buzzy pegs at 80mph? I do a lot of long disntance riding, and it's a great platform for that type riding, for sure. I do have the larger windscreen, which stopped any buffetting. With a throttlemeister, Corbin seat, and heated grips, the thing is my Goldwing. It is that comfortable. Take the bags off, and hit the gravel roads! I've heard good things about the 'Strom too, so my advice would to RIDE them both before purchasing. If money IS a factor, there are plenty of used TIgers out there. There was a nice '05 on Ebay sold for $6500.
Take a test ride on both.
Excellent points! As a matter of fact, I am looking for and expecting slight bias here. There are great reasons you guys ride Tigers. I have not posted any messages on any V-Strom forums because I have ridden jap bikes forever and have no reliability or dealer network concerns as such. I prefer the Tiger so I was seeking information to help with my decision. I hope I don't sound confusing.
The reliability factor is important because of so few Triumph dealers around. If I get stuck in the mountain of Colorado or the twisties in Arkansas, I think a dealer network would make a difference.
Sorry, I may be over-analyzing this. Don't let my befuddled brain get in the way of your impressions and ideas.
Worry not.... The Tiger defines smoothness.....
This from a guy who's last bike was a single and the one before that was a (ahem) Harley :wink:
Oh, One last bit of info. As far as the cost goes, the local dealer will not budge on price (it's a monopoly around here) and it is full price at $10,499. I can get the V for around $8K.
That's a decent price difference but it doesn't make a huge difference. It's the Triumph dealer that worries me with their cocky attitude. It makes me wonder how helpful they will be in the future. That's why the opinions of current Tiger owners are so important to me.
If there are any reliability issues - I think they would be the isolated cases. I'm on my 3rd Triumph. I bought the Tiger specifically for the 955i powerplant. This motor ROCKS!!. This is the most fun bike I have owned/ridden. Lots of accessories available to 'farkle it up' the way you want. Wife and I love it for long distance riding and backcountry exploring.
OH - and if you do ever break down in the Colorado mountains - just call me. :wink:
Quote from: "Flyer"Oh, One last bit of info. As far as the cost goes, the local dealer will not budge on price (it's a monopoly around here) and it is full price at $10,499. I can get the V for around $8K.
That's a decent price difference but it doesn't make a huge difference. It's the Triumph dealer that worries me with their cocky attitude. It makes me wonder how helpful they will be in the future. That's why the opinions of current Tiger owners are so important to me.
This may be in part due to the fact that this is the last year for the Tiger as we know it. Starting in 2007 the Tiger is going to be less of an adventure/long distance tourer and more of a sporty super-motard bike. There has been a recent increase in demand for Tigers.
Don't get hung up on the sales guy's attitude. go meet the service folks and see what they are like.
I'm sure some of you have ridden the DL1000/V-Strom. When it comes to motor characteristics, is one smoother that the other or revvier maybe? Does one have more low-down torque?
Also, what can be done about the Tiger's relatively soft fork- just change springs and put a heavier oil? Who makes stiffer springs?
Quote from: "Flyer"I'm sure some of you have ridden the DL1000/V-Strom. When it comes to motor characteristics, is one smoother that the other or revvier maybe? Does one have more low-down torque? ?
My brother has a V-Strom, and I've put a few miles on it. The Strom has a revvier motor than the Tiger. It makes a little more power at high RPM, and feels a little more lively than the Tiger from 6k to redline. His is an '02 (the first year) and it seems to have some fuel injection issues. It really doesn't like to run below 4k in the upper gears. You can lug the Tiger down to almost idle speed without complaint.
The Tiger motor is smoother, a little less powerful (about 5HP from the dyno charts I've seen), but much easier to ride at low rpm. It has the most seemless fuel injection of any bike I've ever ridden.
They're both great bikes IMHO.
Suzukie's hava huge problem with rust.
I had a Dl650 v-strom and in 1.5 jears it had rust all over the place. the tank rusts and the subframe also.
please check out the dutch V-strom forum
http://vstrom.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t= ... highlight= (http://vstrom.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)
greetings from The Netherlands
Well on a personal note i have not had my tiger long, just under a month. the 2 it came down to for me was the dl1000 storm and the tiger. the tiger was a MUCH smoother ride to me and just felt like it fitted me. the storm did have more power with front comming up at a sniff of throtle in first and easy up in 2nd on power. where as the tiger i can just use the torque and make great progress with little effort.
As a long term bike that i use daily it was no choice, tiger wins hands down
but if i wanted a sunny day biker that never saw a cloud and got thrashed everywhere then it would have been the DL
This is excellent information and thanks for that link (though I must admit I had a little trouble reading since it wasn't in English :D ). I need to go sit on one as soon as a new one arrives at my dealership- in a week or so. The new ones coming in are blue and silver but I will order the black one since that is my favorite.
I assume it's a good city commuter even though it is a tall and slightly top heavy bike like the GS. However, the fun should start on long trips. It will be nice to make a trip and end up meeting other Tiger riders.
1) Last time I checked the Suzuki came without panniers. So if you want to travel with hard bags, poof, there goes some of your $ savings.
2) Yes, the bike does buzz here and there, and so does the DL. If you want total comfort...buy a Goldwing or K1200LT, or a 740il.
3) Yes, Suzuki bikes are made in Japan, but that does not mean that they are the most reliable machines ever built. Even Honda has major reliablity issues on some models and specific designs. I do know that certain years of the DL 1000 had freakin major fuel injection mapping problems. I mean like somebody from Tokoyo Tech really effed-up the software.
Don't worry about not having a big Triumph dealer service network because you aren't going to need it. The 955i engine is bad-ace. The Tiger is really a simple machine that doesn't break very often.
BTW-This whole concept that "Japanese is more reliable" is a myth in 2006. In manufacturing, Japan, USA, and EU are all using the same technology to build machines, so they are more or less about on the same page in terms of materials reliablity. The difference comes in design flaw. Ask any GS rider about rear-wheel bearing failure. Bad design.
4) The DL is less refined and feels kind of cheap in comparison to the Triumph.
5) The TRIUMPH gets more looks. You can be in a crowd of a hundred bikes and the Tiger is the one that everyone checks out.
Quote from: "Flyer"Oh, One last bit of info. As far as the cost goes, the local dealer will not budge on price (it's a monopoly around here) and it is full price at $10,499. I can get the V for around $8K.
That's a decent price difference but it doesn't make a huge difference. It's the Triumph dealer that worries me with their cocky attitude. It makes me wonder how helpful they will be in the future. That's why the opinions of current Tiger owners are so important to me.
Dont forget to factor in the hard bags and extra year warranty when comparing apples to apples on price.
Quote from: "Flyer"This is excellent information and thanks for that link (though I must admit I had a little trouble reading since it wasn't in English :D ).
just look at the pitures.....they say more than words :wink:
That black Triumph is looking very tempting. I hear that my local dealer is getting a blue and a silver one next week so I can go sit on one or even demo one. I am seriously considering going in and putting a deposit down on one.
My ONLY remaining question is- is there any way to eventually firm up the front fork. There isn't much I can find on that and for example, Ohlins doesn't make a spring kit for it. Any ideas on this. Man, I am getting excited already. If my local dealer had one in stock that I could check out, I woud probably put down a deposit and have them order the black one today :D
theres a few spring kits if changing to thicker oil dont work. but honestly your best riding it for a while first. it may take a little getting used to but you may find you like the forks.
I doubt i will change mine unless i need to replace seals or something.
yet on my XJR and a few other bikes i have riped out the old springs stright away as i felt they needed it.
Quote from: "Flyer"My ONLY remaining question is- is there any way to eventually firm up the front fork. There isn't much I can find on that and for example, Ohlins doesn't make a spring kit for it.
Are you gong to be doing competitive racing and jumping in a super-heavy weight enduro class?
:shock: :lol:
I have to say that a softer front end is better than a harsh one for everyday riding. I have never over ridden the Tigers stock setup as it is. It is my opinion that most bikes are far more capable than most riders. I'll bet you will be more than satisfied with the overall package.
I'll be inclined to agree. It's just that a really soft front end doesn't provide much confidence while exiting corners but I need to ride the Tiger for a while. I'll probably get used to and like the stock setup. Coming from sportbikes makes me think this way on any bike :lol:
Everybody has great points here but you are also missing one point.
What bikes makes you want to ride it and never stop? Answer that question and you have your choice. Get a good demo ride on both bikes. Sit back and really look at the bikes. What one "Calls" you?
As far as reliablity is concerned, I wouldn't worry about just about any bike produced today, even Harley. Everybody builds pretty darn solid bikes. Sure, isolated problems happens with every bike brand, but we just need to deal with those when they come up.
My tuppence worth, I've just bought an 04 Tiger, replacing my Varadero, before that Africa Twins, I feel the Tiger harder sprung than the Hondas, a lot smoother, and delivers its power higher up the revs. The Tiger's a lovely bike, I've covered around 500 miles now and enjoy the bike immensely, my only grumble is the wind noise. I've tried three different screens now and can't improve the wind noise. I thought my Africa's were noisy but not compared to the Tiger.
I think the Tiger is a well finished bike and has beautiful power delivery, I don't find mine buzzy or vibrant, probably the smoothest bike I've had in decades, on a par with the Hondas? Time will tell. Better than the Suzuki? I believe so. So far I've manufactured a set of crash bars, modified a Givi screen to fit and I've a race can coming this week. I'll continue with the Triumph and let everyone know how I get on living with it. I average 15,000 miles a year.
I haven't managed to touch the pegs down yet, seems like a long way down? Speedo has read 130mph, not sure how much more to go? Had to adjust chain this week, too much wheelies? Only 9000 miles on clock but the chain seems well gone. Original Tourances are almost done as well.
I'll keep you all updated.
What you didn't tell us, Flyer, is what you plan on doing with your new bike.
I just spent a full day on the Tiger yesterday. Four freeway hours getting to my destination, where I spent the following three hours on everything from hard-pack dirt roads to rutted 4WD trails to slogging through cow dung.
The freeway hours were quite comfortable. The off-pavement hours a real blast!
Has anybody actually SEEN a 'strom in dirt conditions?
I am the new owner of a Tiger and can't recommend it enough. I just completed a 1,000 mile trip and can't tell for sure what they are talking about with the annoying buzz. It was a gem.
I have added a taller and wider windscreen from C. Baileys because I am 6'3" and am glad I did.
I also looked at the V-Strom but frankly found that even though there are more dealers, I liked the service I found at the one area Triumph dealer better. The Suzuki dealership in my area didn't seem particularly interested in me or the V-Strom. The Triumph dealer was first class and loved talking about their machines.
The Tiger is a great bike and simply put, has the highest "fun factor" of any bike I've owned or been around. Pax.
Quote from: "Flyer"It's just that a really soft front end doesn't provide much confidence while exiting corners
Can't feel the front forks when the wheels in the air :lol:
Seriously though, the latest forks have been firmed up already. The pre 2000 models were, apparently, very soft. My '02 has been fine if slightly under damped which I cured with thicker oil. The '05 > models have been stiffened again with different settings as stock front and rear.
So as has been suggested, try it for a while and see how it goes.
As for reliability. Mines done 33500 miles and I haven't had to touch it apart from adjusting the chain. And, with a scottoiler fitted, that will last forever. Well, almost. :roll: