A few Tiger questions here...

[1000lbs]

Before I go and start another which bike thread out on the general board I thought I'd gather some info here.  

I have been lusting for the new Ducati MTS since it broke ground, but I've recently been comparing the cost of the new Duc and buying a Tiger and juicing it up (eng, suspension, farkles, and what have you). I bought my Speed Triple in 07 and have loved every mile since.  I'm now considering a Tiger to replace it and my recently sold ST1300.  

So my questions.

Where are the best sources of info on all things Tiger?

Can anyone compare the performance/power of the Tiger to the Speed Triple (I know the spec numbers are a bit lower for the Tiger, but is there a real world performance difference)?

Anyone riding two up on the Tiger with pillon input on comfort (not touring, just day rides)?

Have any of you Tiger owners done track days with them?

From what I've found out on the web, I think I could save $4-6K by the time I finished sprucing up a Tiger compared to the Duc.

What say you Tiger owners?

[ScottB]

www.tiger1050.com, for all your Tiger needs!

[bomber]

www.tiger1050.com, for all your Tiger needs!

Yep! Lots of good data there (along with the normal amount of internet noise).

[Rincewind]

www.tiger1050.com, for all your Tiger needs!

+1 on that - best resource on the T1050's.

I only rode a Speed Triple 1050 for 20-miles or so.  I would say the power feels very similar.  The Speed Triple has better handling because its not so tall.  Going from a Speed Triple to the Tiger is like going from a sports car to a performance SUV.

2-up the Tiger is very good.  I did a number of weekends with my wife on it.  Chief complaints were: 1. legroom (but she's a long-legged gal); 2. heat from the hi-mount exhaust making the right-side pillion handle hot.  The stadium seating wasn't much of a problem.

I didn't do any track days with mine, but here is a video of someone who did.

You can probably save a lot over a fully-kitted Multistrada 1200, but the Duc will hold its value better.  You won't get the extra money back out of the Tiger, other than stripping and selling the extra bits later at reduced cost.

[expatbrit]

You can probably save a lot over a fully-kitted Multistrada 1200, but the Duc will hold its value better.  You won't get the extra money back out of the Tiger, other than stripping and selling the extra bits later at reduced cost.

I've definitely noticed Triumphs having very poor resale values, in general. Boo, I say -- I love my Sprint

[1000lbs]

Thanks for the input, keep it coming.  I signed up over at tiger1050, before I posted this and that is what got my mental wheels spinning.

Going from a Speed Triple to the Tiger is like going from a sports car to a performance SUV.

This is probably a good analogy, but not what I was hoping to hear.  Would you say that would still hold true after an Ohlins upgrade.

I've definitely noticed Triumphs having very poor resale values, in general. Boo, I say -- I love my Sprint

I'm unfortunately aware of the Triumph resale situation as I'm looking at listing my Speed Triple .  However, I could move the speedy and pickup a lightly used Tiger and the loss on value on my current triumph would be a wash.

From what info I've gathered so far, I'm thinking pick up a nice used Tiger for $7-9k + $4-5k in ugrade/farkles + tax/tags = total on the road for $12-15k.  By the time I walk out the door with the Duc. I'd probably be bumping $22k  .  I don't doubt the value is there in the Duc., I'm just having a hard time convincing myself to drop that kind of cash.  I have some time as the Ducs. aren't even here yet, but I'm definately headed toward a "next" bike, so keep the Tiger info coming.

If there is anyone here with a Tiger located in SoCal, Maybe we could get together and do a ride with a Speedy - Tiger swap for a few miles.

[desert_rider]

From what info I've gathered so far, I'm thinking pick up a nice used Tiger for $7-9k + $4-5k in ugrade/farkles + tax/tags = total on the road for $12-15k.  By the time I walk out the door with the Duc. I'd probably be bumping $22k  .  I don't doubt the value is there in the Duc., I'm just having a hard time convincing myself to drop that kind of cash.

Tony - after all the hype and talk - you're wussing out!!  Come on, spend the big money.  The economy needs your help!

[Punchdude]

Before I bought my Tiger SE, I too was looking hard at the MS. I just could not get my head around the price tag. Plus we all know maintenance $'s are brutal on Ducs. Looks like an awesome machine but I'd rather buy two bikes than one ultra advanced, techo Duc that will break my wallet. Plus I ride nearly 30k miles a year. I'd be having the valves adjusted every few months on the MS..

[chamade]

I got a used '07 with 700 miles on the odo for 3500$ less than I would have paid for a new one and still got a pretty much new bike. I used to always buy new bikes, but never again - it simply makes no sense as they are worth 20% less the second you take it out of the dealership parking lot.

As far as the Tiger vs Speed Triple, it's not just a matter of suspensions, it's the whole geometry - longer wheelbase, taller, upright position. Because of that simply doesn't beg to be flogged like a Triple. The whole suspension thing is overrated IMO, I am 6'4" 200lb and find it just fine after maxing the preloads and tweaking the comp/rebound.
The Tiger is about as sporty as this kind of bike gets, but it's no Triple. It makes it up in other areas and it's still fun to flog.

[Medic09]

The Tiger 955i is no slouch.  I bought one after I gave up my Sprint ST.  My wife says it is excellent two-up, especially after a quick seat mod.  I had a 1050 as a loaner from the dealer, and we didn't like it as much.  A fully kitted 955i is a nice bike for everything from grocery runs to all day rides and longer.  Best website for info: www.tigertriple.com

955i Tigers still show up for sale with low mileage.  Might be worth a look, as long as you're thinking Tiger.

[1000lbs]

Tony - after all the hype and talk - you're wussing out!!  Come on, spend the big money.  The economy needs your help!

Not wussing out, exploring my options .

Before I bought my Tiger SE, I too was looking hard at the MS. I just could not get my head around the price tag. Plus we all know maintenance $'s are brutal on Ducs. Looks like an awesome machine but I'd rather buy two bikes than one ultra advanced, techo Duc that will break my wallet. Plus I ride nearly 30k miles a year. I'd be having the valves adjusted every few months on the MS..

I'm having some of those thoughts to Punch.  

The word on the street is that the maintenance on the Duc (over 12k rumored) will be similar intervals as the Tiger, so that is not holding me back.  The techno bits on the Duc are cool, but I can live without them. So I started pricing out the base model MTS $15k + accessories and wound up looking around $19k out the door (CA tax/tags are  ).  So at that point I'm picking up a few less pounds, and 35hp on a stock Tiger.  There are some other attractive features on the Duc and I may still go that route, I'm just trying to decide before I list my Speed Triple and move on from there.

[Rincewind]

This is probably a good analogy, but not what I was hoping to hear.  Would you say that would still hold true after an Ohlins upgrade.

Yeah of course.  I put an Ohlins shock on mine, and it was great, but it's still pretty much the same bike. 

I really enjoyed my Tiger - great bike, extremely comfortable, very sporting.  But IMO the new Multistrada 1200 will eat it up - 150HP, traction-control, FI mapping control, electronic-suspension control -- Ducati took the game to another level.

[1000lbs]

Yeah of course.  I put an Ohlins shock on mine, and it was great, but it's still pretty much the same bike. 

I really enjoyed my Tiger - great bike, extremely comfortable, very sporting.  But IMO the new Multistrada 1200 will eat it up - 150HP, traction-control, FI mapping control, electronic-suspension control -- Ducati took the game to another level.

Agreed, but I'm going to have one shakey hand if/when I go to write that check .

[bomber]

Yeah of course.  I put an Ohlins shock on mine, and it was great, but it's still pretty much the same bike. 

I really enjoyed my Tiger - great bike, extremely comfortable, very sporting.  But IMO the new Multistrada 1200 will eat it up - 150HP, traction-control, FI mapping control, electronic-suspension control -- Ducati took the game to another level.

I agree that the MS will eat up a Tiger in the spec sheet wars -- no doubt about it at all.

On the street, though? I'm not so sure -- I've kept up with some well-ridden trips, a couple of liter bikes on crappy roads, and a number of 2008 and earlier MS examples.

While I"m sure some of th gadgetry on a new MS would make be smile, and I"m sure I'd enjoy it, I'm not so sure it wpould get me anywhere quicker -- my name isn't Canet or Burns.

I'm thinkin that Ducati put the whiz-bang stuff on teh MS to do exactly what it's done -- move it up to compete with BWM, and to catch the eyes of potential customers who may thing that LACK of whiz-bang is a detriment in the real world.

Of course, I've not ridden a new MS, so I can't say for sure.

;-}

[Rincewind]

Quite right, bomber.  That part of my last post was a generous overstatement.  In real life riding a well equipped Tiger is not to be trifled with, and the extra HP and electronic wizzardry of the Duc only means that rider has less excuses for riding poorly.  After all, and regardless of wallet-sizes, it's the rider and not the bike!  

That said, I'd still love to taste the superbike-power of the new Duc!

[bomber]

Oh, me too, Rince -- big time!

It's the only Ducati my body could toleate, and I'd simply LOVE to come back and  be able to report, "Meh!"

Not likely anytime soon, though -- there are dealers that'll give you a test ride, but I won't take out a bike I've no interest in buying (well, interest and wherewithall).

Manufacturer's, you damn bethca. Dealers, nah.

[expatbrit]

Quite right, bomber.  That part of my last post was a generous overstatement.  In real life riding a well equipped Tiger is not to be trifled with, and the extra HP and electronic wizzardry of the Duc only means that rider has less excuses for riding poorly.  After all, and regardless of wallet-sizes, it's the rider and not the bike!  

That said, I'd still love to taste the superbike-power of the new Duc!

That price et al was a big driver in why I got a  used KTM 950 SM instead or either the Tiger or the Duc. Less power, less weight, got the sporty suspension. Farkles are less, for me at least -- top box I already had, so heated grips, handguards, renzaco seat and we'll see where we go.

I've still got the Sprint for when I can't help but hear the Triple, though...

[1000lbs]

I agree that the MS will eat up a Tiger in the spec sheet wars -- no doubt about it at all.

On the street, though? I'm not so sure -- I've kept up with some well-ridden trips, a couple of liter bikes on crappy roads, and a number of 2008 and earlier MS examples.

While I"m sure some of th gadgetry on a new MS would make be smile, and I"m sure I'd enjoy it, I'm not so sure it wpould get me anywhere quicker -- my name isn't Canet or Burns.

I'm thinkin that Ducati put the whiz-bang stuff on teh MS to do exactly what it's done -- move it up to compete with BWM, and to catch the eyes of potential customers who may thing that LACK of whiz-bang is a detriment in the real world.

Of course, I've not ridden a new MS, so I can't say for sure.

;-}

This is pretty much where I'm at right now.  I guess I'll just have to decide how important the money is to me.  I've had quite a bit tied up in multiple bikes over the last two years and I'm selling two to buy one.  At that point its a Tiger with some extra scratch left in my pocket or all in on the Duc.  I contacted a Duc dealer today to get a guesstimate on a demo arrival, and I'll try to snag a ride on a Tiger in the mean time.

[bomber]

This is pretty much where I'm at right now.  I guess I'll just have to decide how important the money is to me.  I've had quite a bit tied up in multiple bikes over the last two years and I'm selling two to buy one.  At that point its a Tiger with some extra scratch left in my pocket or all in on the Duc.  I contacted a Duc dealer today to get a guesstimate on a demo arrival, and I'll try to snag a ride on a Tiger in the mean time.

Half Ton

For what it's worth, I've been using the following process to either qualify or dismiss purchases --

- will this purchase be worth X dollars to me?
- will this purchase be worth Y days of riding our and about for me (figuring how far/long I can go for X dollars).

If the purchase isn't worth the days I won't be able to afford to go on a trip, I don't buy. I just went through this over TRAX side cases -- big time drooling, but realized it represented the cost of a coule of weeks on the road, for me.

This year, I'll continue to use my Givis, but will continue to watch for Trax cases left on teh side of the road ;-}

I'm sure that, for some, the extra dough for the Duc is worthwhile/

For others, not.

There's no bad choice hear, nor a bad decision ;-}

[Playinthestreet]

Having owned both Ducatis and Triumphs (although not the Duc Multi) I disagree that Ducs hold their resale value better than Triumphs.  It has been my experience that both suffer equally as regards used valuations.