Howdy folks!
I just scored Mr McGuiver's sexy blue Girly form the For Sale section. Now I need some help outfitting it for an extended 40-90 day cross country solo trip.
I'll probably do the southern route and then up the coast to northern Cali and on to Washington State. The lion's share of trip will be spent in Wa, Id, Mt, Or. as I'll be looking for a job in this area as well.
I'll do some searching in the strengths and weaknesses threads. But I'm also looking for some advice on outfitting my new found Girly for the trip.
(http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x383/autoart3/IMG_0440.jpg)
(http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x383/autoart3/IMG_0438.jpg)
(http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x383/autoart3/IMG_0439.jpg)
Pretty Ain't she?
I'm very excited about this bike and the trip. Please share your thoughts and suggestions. I've looked a long time for a Girly in good shape.
Thanks in advance.
Hey Lostviking !! lookin good :thumbsup
go for a good run and see how ya get on with the seat, no point in findin out on yer trip that the seat sux !! :shock: some like the stock seat and most hate it :?
so gas it and go !!
KK
as long as the seat works for you and the maintenance is up to par I think the focus will be more on what to pack!!!
I agree with jwray76, make sure the maintenance is up to date and load 'er up. That bike looks like it is pretty well equipped already. Nice bike!!
love that bike,best color of the tigers.. :D
Quote from: "Lostviking"But I'm also looking for some advice on outfitting my new found Girly for the trip.
Thanks in advance.
since you asked .................... :spam4
footpegs that will make your knees happy for extended rides .
http://www.knlcycle.com (http://www.knlcycle.com)
Lostviking - Your Caspian tiger is LOVELY - & looks pretty well equiped as is. Not sure you need to add anything except... +1 on footpeg change! As an inseam challenged tiger owner, I have to use the left footpeg for mounting assistance. Those rubber clad ones are NOT adequate in wet / muddy conditions even for sitting position foot grip, and definately not standing on! Don't wait for a lesson in "applied co-efficient of friction" to find that out. Have a great trip - when are you departing ?
Thanks everyone,
In doing some online research on footpegs I see Pivot Pegs makes a direct fit for the Tigers now. At least Girlies and Roadies.
Quote from: "Lostviking"Thanks everyone,
In doing some online research on footpegs I see Pivot Pegs makes a direct fit for the Tigers now. At least Girlies and Roadies.
they are overrated and over priced , I have a set on my 450 honda ,they require new parts once a year to keep them tight . a footpeg that needs yearly maint. what will they think of next :ImaPoser
I did think they were a bit pricey!
Ah-hem...Lostviking - I have precision engineering footpegs on my Uly & MUSTANG footpegs on my Tiger. Very similar in design & Both great products. You might want to look there for replacements of the stock "foot slipper" pegs. I had FastWays on a GS & liked them too. Why anyone ever put non-removable rubber surfaces on pegs, for an adventure bike - I don't know! Damn things will kill ya. Anyway - Mustang might be able to whip ya up a set pretty quick. When you get to the great wet NW, you'll be glad you have them, Particularly in road construction season. good luck, j
PS - Stock seat is actually pretty good. I've done 800 mi day with no excessive wear on butt. It's been suggested that this is, in part, a function of weight. I only weigh 165, but if approaching 200+, the stock seat, like stock suspension, can be less than optimum. I'd suggest you do a 400-500 mile day - that will tell the 'tail'. No point in spending hundreds of $ on a seat you dont need. On the other hand...if your ass is dead - maybe consider aftermarket.
Well, tell me about these Mustang peg. Don't be so subtle man.
Quote from: "Lostviking"Well, tell me about these Mustang peg. Don't be so subtle man.
Constructed by fellow tiger rider
Increased legroom
Nice grippy surface
Good fit & finish
Quick shipping
Priced well
What else is there to know?
+1 on the mustang pegs.
I have had them on 3 different tigers. Good quality, great price.
Seat is a personal preference- try the stock one on a few longer rides, if it bothers you - there are a few options.... spencer's seat, bill mayer, rick mayer, russell day long, find a local marine shop that does upholstery for boats, etc.
Me subtle ? If you click on the link (www.knlcycle.com (http://www.knlcycle.com)) imbeded in Homer Simpson doing a wheelie on his Tiger 100, you will get to right place. Consider if you want a 1" drop (or more or less) depending on your ergonomic preference. I painted mine black (except the foot surface) & used a file to LIGHTLY knock the points off - easier on the boot soles with no reduction in grip. TTFN, j
Quote from: "Mustang"Quote from: "Lostviking"But I'm also looking for some advice on outfitting my new found Girly for the trip.
Thanks in advance.
since you asked .................... :spam4
footpegs that will make your knees happy for extended rides .
http://www.knlcycle.com (http://www.knlcycle.com)
Spam !! Spam !! Spam !! Spam !! :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITeuaqcpckc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_eYSuPKP3Y
:ImaPoser :ImaPoser :ImaPoser :ImaPoser
KK
ps www.knlcycle.com (http://www.knlcycle.com) :thumbsup
It's all starting to make sense now! I missed the website the first time around.
Yes a definite +1 on the Mustang Pegs. Great grip and the bit of a drop makes a huge difference.
If you have the $$$ left after buying the bike and recommend a Bill Mayer, or Russell Day long. Both are very gentle on your rear.
Definite +1 on the Mustang pegs, just back from Germany, on Tigger and they really transform the comfort.
+7 on Mustang pegs. Even if you have short inseam :?
Heated grips. Will not ever have a bike without again.
Alaska sheepskin pad. Great for the long haul.
A high end helmet that works for you!! mine=Nolan N-103
TOR map at minimum. Map and TOR exhaust = Tiger Roar
19t front sproket
metal fuel fittings
That should keep ya busy!!
One thing I do not see is a tank bag. This is a definite must. If you get or have a factory tank bag check out the mod I did to mine. Since I'm old school and love maps the factory map holder is a joke. Also made a couple of bungee hold down thingies that came in handy.
http://tigertriple.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10 (http://tigertriple.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10)
http://tigertriple.com/forum/viewtopic. ... highlight= (http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,6089&highlight=)
+1 on the heated grips and 19t sprocket. I weigh 150 and have found the factory gel seat works perfect for me. The stock seat is horrible for any long distance. Taking a good 400-500 mi. ride in a day is good advise. You'll figure out pretty quickly what you don't like.
Not sure when you're taking this trip but I live in SoCal and for the last 3 years have taken 2 week trips covering all the states you mention plus a few more. For the amount of days you plan on taking (I'm envious!) it goes without saying, especially if you plan on camping, be prepared for any type of weather including snow. I took my first trip in early June. Huge mistake. In 13 days of riding I saw the sun maybe a half dozen times. Rain and snow the whole trip. Second trip was late June early July. It was actually worse. The most rain I had ever ridden in and actually feared for my life on a couple of mountain passes. Last year was mid Sept and was by far the best weather. Didn't need my rain gear once. We are having a very late spring again this year.
I got my throttlemeister installed yesterday and did a short tour. It was a great relief for me. Been riding with them for years and the ability to rest my throttle grip makes a world of good for any extended highway riding. The secondary benefit of the throttlemeister solution is the vibration damping effect of bar end weights. I was pleased that the aftermarket hand guards stretched nicely to accomodate the addition.
Texas is big and flat, so there is highway time invested to get to the riding roads. This highway time was vibrating my right hand numb and to sleep. The throttlemeister cured this problem. Throttlemeister.com if your inclined. There is another alternative which I don't have experience with that I've seen on a few adventure bikes. I believe it is similar, but the throttlemeister was a known quantity for me and I found a pair for $50 on ebay.
I don't like the throttle rockers or the level locks because I don't like the invasion into already limited grip real estate.
Regarding tank bags, I'm happy with my solution; however, it's different. Been a long time of Pelican, so I mounted up a Pelican 1200 to the mounts on my tank cover. My original plan was to use an electrified tank ring mount, but I discovered I'd have to buy a bag I didn't want to get my hands on the system. The pelican is completely watertight and I've electrified it to serve as a weather sealed charging station. i'm new school, so I didn't need a map pocket; rather I use Navigation software on my Smartphone.
1) Definite + on the tank bag. While you in there, run some power to it so you can keep your cell phone, computer, etc. charged. Powerlet.com
2) Install a small voltmeter near the gauges. That'll keep you in the know regarding the stator and regulator/rectifier.
3) I changed sprockets to a 19/43 combination. Much more relaxed cruising.
4) Changed to a Bill Mayer saddle. Much better.
5) I changed screens to a Cee Bailey #2, +8". Buffeting? Not any more.
6) Might consider adding a Crampbuster to the throttle.
7) How about a plug set and an air pump in case you get a flat?
8) RAIN GEAR! It rained 38 of the 45 days I was on the road.
9) Heated grips. Oxford worked well.
Rode to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, then to Key West, FL, then back up the East Coast and over to Dayton, OH and finally home to CA. last summer. One set of brake pads, 2 sets of tires, no problems. Have fun!
Thanks for the feedback so far.
It is all very sound advice. It must be because I agree.
Tank Bag - I think I'm going to fit a Bags Connection from TT. I had one on my Quota and liked it.
I think Oxford grips will do the trick, but to be honest I have Gerbings heated gloves and jacket and might not worry about the grips. But it is nice to just flip the grips on when it gets a little chilly.
Need a bash plate.
Seat is still up in the air. I will take the advice and hammer out a few long days prior to the trip and see.
QuoteNeed a bash plate.
Oh yeah, one of those. I used Touratech's bashplate and engine guards. The engine guards work well, but not if you hit a carribou at speed. Don't ask ... it was ugly. :oops:
Spencer works magic with his seat mod's IMO.
The "LD" mod is a winner. Had mine done over the winter. Just returned from a 5400 mile trip. Seat is light years better.
http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php (http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php)
The Big Tig resting after the ride home
(http://lv1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Bike-Pictures/i-bZRvGdH/0/L/img_1134-L.jpg) (http://lv1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Bike-Pictures/12768601_sRKXL#1253161663_bZRvGdH-A-LB)
Does the seat get the :thumbsup
or are ya still numb :ImaPoser
KK
Only about an hour and a half ride home. But no signs of discomfort from the seat. Very pleased with the bike overall. Didn't push much as our roads still have a lot of sand on them.
Love the engine. Brakes seem fine. Suspension soaked up all the nasty spring road conditions well enough. Horn doesn't work. I'll have to dig into that shortly.
Quote from: "Lostviking"Horn doesn't work. I'll have to dig into that shortly.
How can you tell, its like something out of Camberwick Green, Paarp. :lol:
... he could have bought my Tiger.. it is all ready for the long haul!!
(hint hint, nudge nudge)
+1 on the Mustang Pegs... look at my setup for ideas maybe.. (classified ad) but I think mirror extenders is a good addition... and even Tank panniers to get some of the weight up front....
Jason,
I would have been on that like a hawk on a baby bunny. But it appeared 20 days too late. Nicely set up.
Absolutely on the tank bag. Don't know if your an inmate over at advrider.com or not but Got2Moto had a nice one for sale. PM him.
I haven't seen anyone mention highway pegs. These are a must for me. Can be mounted on your bash bars.
Enjoy the hell out of that fine machine and enjoy the ride.
Last summer I went from NY to Denver to Glacier and back to NY. Sorta like a quick run for a cup of coffee for AK Tiger. :bowdown
But the stuff that worked best for me:
Mustang pegs - love the grip and the extra leg room. :icon_salut
Spencer LD seat mod - couple of 600+ mile days with no ill effects
tank bag is a good call - I have the factory slab.
Ortlieb dry sack flat bungeed to rear rack - camping gear
sport screen - hate the buffeting with the stock tall screen and too cheap to spend the bucks on Vario or Palmer to see if they work. Maybe I just dont know what I am missing but it works fine for me. :icon_scratch
I second the advice for a volt meter (search the Girly forum) to keep an eye on your charging system with those running lights and the heated gear.
the thing I missed the most were a set of hi-way pegs. Looks like your crash bars would be a piece of cake to mount a set on. :thumbsup
I did not bring any rain gear, just wore the Stich RC everyday and was fine. But then again, I did not run into any all day soakers. Just a couple storms that lasted for an hour or two. Of course one them did feature hail going sideways for the longest ten minutes of the trip. :shock:
Enjoy the bike and have a good trip. :friday
ack