Tiger questions

[scottzilla]

Ok, so I'm considering getting a Tiger now that I sold the Speed Triple.
I'm sweating this a little because if I'm serious I may have to actually buy a new one.
The speed triple has an awesome motor with ample handling but it wasn't comfortable over the long haul.
The KLR is all day comfortable, not only because of the riding position; it soaks up potholes, frost heaves and anything else you can throw at it.  It has no motor though.
The Buell was also all day comfortable and had exceptional handling but needed more motor.
Enter the Tiger...
Is it all day comfortable?
I'm pretty sure it has enough motor, right?
Is the suspension plush?
I have no interest in taking the bike off road so that's not an issue.

Help me out Tiger owners.

[1000lbs]

I switched from a Speed Triple to a Tiger about a year ago. I made the change for similar reasons.  The Speedy was ok for me for tourning comfort, but I wanted better luggage and passanger capabilities.

Comfort:
The Tiger is much more comfortable with more leg room and higher bars.  I actually found the bars a little too upright, so I switched them out for a set of Speedy oversized bars.  The stock seat is also more comfortable, even compared to the corbin on the speedy.

Motor:
In stock form the Tiger is a little down on power compared to the S3, not much but some.  Tigers do respond well to light mods.  I've got a K&N, opened the air box (now the same as the S3, the Tigers have a snorkle that cuts off an opening on the right side of the box), Leo Vince muffler, and approriate map (loaded through Tune ECU software).  I've not put it on a dyno, but there is a tangible improvement, and the snatch that was present from closed throttle is all but gone. I'd say its at least on par with a stock S3 and I'm actually considering switching sprockets to match the final ratio of the S3.  The gear ratios are the same 1st-5th with 6th slightly taller on the Tiger, but runs 2 extra teeth on the rear sprocket. I find fast starts a little too short on the Tiger now, and wouldn't mind spreading them out a bit.

Suspension:
If you aren't a heavy rider the Tiger would probably pretty good right out of the box.  I'm about 220-230 geared up and found it to be pretty softly sprung but over damped.  While I would consider the ride pretty good for rough pavement, the hard bumps were a little harsh for the amount of travel availible. It also had a tendency to wallow a bit in the sweepers and in general turned sluggishly compared to the S3. I had mine resprung and revalved at Race Tec and couldn't be happier.  It now holds lines great with much less dive under braking and the bumps are much less harsh aswell.

Off road is not in the T1050 vocabulary, so yeah not a purchasing consideration.  

Other points. The headlights are not the best to put it lightly.  I've not addressed this on my bike, but if you do a lot of night riding, I'd plan on improving the lights after purchase.  SW moteck luggage is very slick, and out of the way when not in use.  The stock windscreen is ok, but I had some buffeting and switched to a touring screen.

Not trying to make the Tiger sound like it has a lot of short comings in stock form, they are really good right out of the box.  But all of the things I listed were what I wanted to address to dial the bike in for my needs.  I'm glad I did, none of it was too much work/cost and made a good bike into a great bike that I'm confident in on any road and any range of travel.  I'm very pleased with the switch (though its about impossible to not miss the Speedy from time to time)...

Good luck

[scottzilla]

Awesome, thanks.    this is the kind of info I need.

[Rincewind]

As a former owner (3-years), I agree with 1000lbs summation.  It is a very comfortable touring bike, and a good sporting bike.  I found the rear suspension had pooped-out (technical term) just before 20,000 miles and replaced it with Ohlins.  The bike has excellent cornering clearance.   I found the tall suspension was a handling hindrance at times, but a godsend on bad pavement.  On/off throttle snatchiness was sort of an issue for me, but I had not messed with the fueling like others who say they fixed it.  The 1050 motor is a peach - though mine was a bit of an oil-burner, which bothered me.  Headlights are crap, as said - for both seeing at night and being seen during the day.  The seat is incredibly comfortable for long-distance.

I went the opposite way, going from Tiger to Street Triple R.  It meant less all-day comfort, but much better handling and an overall "tighter" package.  I think back fondly on my Tiger, and sometimes consider another one.    Though I would also consider the Sprint GT strongly at this point.

[pushr0d]

SZ, the 800XC might stir your fudge as well...

The 800 doesn't have the grunt of the 1050 (of course), but it is a sweet bike.

[scottzilla]

SZ, the 800XC might stir your fudge as well...

The 800 doesn't have the grunt of the 1050 (of course), but it is a sweet bike.

Well, the bike will not see any off-road stuff and I really prefer 17" tires on a street bike.

[bomber]

I'll agree with 1000's statements --

I'll add . . .

at 225 geared up, the stock shock is on the edge of being undersprung and underdamped . . . that was when it was new -- 80K miles or so later, it's not quite a pogo stick, but it's going out for regrooving next winter . . ,

The engine is glorious -- makes enough torque down low to make urban riding easy, but just continues to wail all the way to 10 grand . . . if this motor doesn't induce giggling, you are not doing it right ;-}

First day I had it, I left home at oh-dark-thirty, and returned 675 mile later. .. . it's comfy for me (6'2", 34" inseam) . . . the addition of an Alaska Leather sheepskin buttpad means I can do 1000+ mile days without calling the UN.

The headlights suck. The cutoff is abrupt and complete, which renders spirited cornering after dark a frightening proposition without some form of auxilliary lighting . . .

Tiger1050.com is a wealth of good information and whining, like many forums.

It's really a great bike, zilla -- I think you'd dig it.

[Roadscum]

Well, the bike will not see any off-road stuff and I really prefer 17" tires on a street bike.

Then give some thought to the 800. I rode one for a few hours the other day and was very impressed. The Arrow exhaust and tune seemed to make a big diff. in throttle response and provided very linear power. I like the 800 much better the the 1050. I don't need the extra hp and perfer the handling of the 800.

Regards, Paul

[scottzilla]

I don't recall ever hearing so many consistant remarks about a headlight sucking so badly.
Surely Triumph has caught wind of this?

[bomber]

yes, they dropped the projector lights on the new gen tiger -- it would bug me if:

1 -- the aux fix can fix it for less that 200 cash dollars amurican, and
2 -- the engine -- you can forgive a lot for that engine

;-}

[Rincewind]

yes, they dropped the projector lights on the new gen tiger -- it would bug me if:

1 -- the aux fix can fix it for less that 200 cash dollars amurican, and
2 -- the engine -- you can forgive a lot for that engine

;-}

Do you mean the Tiger 800, or did they fix the 1050 headlights?  If so, what model year did they change that?

I had Motolights on my 1050 to help.  The problem with the projector headlight - the deeper you lean into a dark corner, the less of that corner it would show.  

RE: Tiger 800.  I'd like to give a firmer opinion on that model - I guess I need to test ride it.  Thanks for your thoughts, Roadscum.

[bomber]

Do you mean the Tiger 800, or did they fix the 1050 headlights?  If so, what model year did they change that?

Sorry - 800 Tigers gots lights that work.

[scottzilla]

I read all about the 800.  If you do some off road it seems like a screaming deal especially compared to the BMW competition.  I'm not interested.  The 1050 will smoke it.

One other question...
The Tiger is listed 11,999-$12,799 w/ABS.
The SE model is listed at $13,399.  The difference is the SE comes with bags and ABS, so it's $1400.00 for the bags (And ABS) or $600 if you have ABS.  I have this correct?
this is for 2010 and 2011 models.
Dealer will have to do better than that.

[Rincewind]

There is/was a current deal that included the 3-box luggage set - only applies to 2010 models, I think.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,61616.0.html

[Punchdude]

PM Sent...    

[scottzilla]

There is/was a current deal that included the 3-box luggage set - only applies to 2010 models, I think.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,61616.0.html

So basically I can get full luggage on a regular Tiger for free.  Thats seems like a good deal.

[scottzilla]

PM Sent...    

PM received, currently under review.

[bomber]

I've no direct experience with the Triumph luggage, other than to determine that it won't hold a helmet . . . .

I've heard some who love em, and others who maintain rain leaks in before it starts . . . . .

[Rincewind]

So basically I can get full luggage on a regular Tiger for free.  Thats seems like a good deal.

Plus center stand, hand-guards, and touring screen.  It's a stonking deal.  

That said, my friend Punchdude's bike is VERY NICE.  I have drooled on it numerous times.  

[expatbrit]

I don't recall ever hearing so many consistant remarks about a headlight sucking so badly.
Surely Triumph has caught wind of this?

They have, I'm pretty sure; the same problem was common in the Sprint ST and the GT has a different lamp assembly.

Turning after dark on the Sprint was exciting. Up near Durango on 550 in dear country doubly so. Who /needs/ to see what's ahead of you???

[Smoker]

I miss my (Rincewind's) Tiger. Loved that bike, wish I could've kept it.

I'll own another triple someday.

That said, my friend Punchdude's bike is VERY NICE.  I have drooled on it numerous times.  

+1, very nice setup on that one.

[Castaway]

Turning after dark on the Sprint was exciting.

This was true on my Superhawk and, unfortunately, appears to be true on my current V-Strom. Somehow the light coverage cuts off at the top in a fairly horizontal line. When in a turn leaned over, the light doesn't extend through the corner, if you know what I mean. I really didn't expect this from the Strom - the design would appear to have avoided this problem.