Saw the 2011 Tiger 1050 today.. May have to sell the V-STrom.. Thoughts?

[jeffreyjames]

Saw it at the dealer in flat grey.. Really cool looking.  Especially with the gold forks and hard bags.. Was very tempted.. I think it was $13,400 plus the freight/prep of about $750..

I have a 2006 V-Strom 1000.. I really like this bike, but it does feel like it's lacking some refinement.. I'm tempted to get a Tiger 1050, a really cool asphault (flat black) 2004  VFR 800 ($5900), or  a R1200GS.. Not sure which one.. Unfortunately they don't have demos of either bike..

Would love to hear your analysis on the different bikes.. I do like to have some power, some zippiness, and great handling.. I love how balanced the V-Strom is, but would like it to be smoother, with less buzz and more fluid acceleration..

Also, what are the year differences in the Tiger?  Is there anything different about the 2011 compared to the 2007?  I could get a nice 2007 for around $7k with low miles compared to $14k on a brand new one.. Or I could get a 2010 brand new for about $9500.. Hmmmmmmmmm...

[Rincewind]

I have ridden all of those except a GS.  I owned a 2007 Tiger 1050 for nearly 30,000 miles.  I have not been following Tiger news since selling, but AFAIK the 2011 Tiger 1050 is close to identical to the original.  I believe they changed the clocks in 10 or 11, around when the tire pressure monitors became optional.  I loved my Tiger!  

The V-Strom 1k is not as refined IMHO (not a negative if you like that).  The VFR is sportier in feeling with the ergos and engine performance, and it's more glued to the road.  The Tiger is a wild cat and will leap about and give rewarding power and lots of practicality for touring.  

The biggest gripes for me was the rear shock didn't last very well, and mine was an oil-burner.  If you want to stay with an adventure type, the Tiger is a good performance-oriented option.  If you want to try a ST, the Sprint is more fun than the VFR, IMHO.  But the naked Triple roadster are the best of all.

[bomber]

Rince has got the changes right -- very little  . . ..

I've got pushing 80K on my 07, likely will hit 100 by years end . . . . . it's been a great bike (though I'll agree that the suspension is too soft, and will add that the stock, projector headlights are awful -- easily fixed with the addition of inexpensive LED aux lights.

I've ridden the GS -- great scoot, but the monster mill in the Tiger swayed me.

No experience with the Honda, so I can't comment.

Well, I could, but I won't. ;-}

I've got about 10 hours on various Stroms -- very similar, as one level, but smoother, faster, more refined are good terms to describe the Tiger compared to a big Strom (which I was on the way to purchase when I stopped to demo the Tiger).

The Tiger, to quote a Strom pilot I know, is a 3000 dollar better Strom.

[Dan]

A 1050 Tiger is one of the bikes I am considering for my next bike.

A mate has just bought a KTM SMT which might also be worth a look if they have them in the US, same sort of thing but supposedly more fun.

[rottenscummytroll]

I came off the little Strom (650) that I'd put 25,000 miles on and went to an '07 Tiger 1050 ABS.  

I can't get enough of that sucker. Fast, smooth, handling, braking...it's the tits. I can't speak for the Strom 1k, but compared to the little one it's night and day.

There's more wind around my helmet and it's louder, but the airflow is smooth - something I could never say for the DL. Ergos are about perfect for me.  Cornering - feels like I can be a bit more aggressive on the Tiger, notwithstanding the somewhat crappy rear shock (not that the DL was a gem in the suspension department either, mind you.)

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

As far as buying new - I don't believe there are any reliability issues that would necessitate having a warranty (it's not a Beemer, heh) but that's up to you.  I got mine for $6300 with 20k miles and some nice farkles, and I think that was about $700 less than the going rate.  

Also, bear in mind that with the Tiger 1200 coming in the somewhat near future, the 1050 might take a bit more of an initial depreciation hit - another reason to buy used.

Killer bike, I suspect you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.  I know I did.

[Professor ST]

I'm also looking very seriously at a 2010 Tiger 1050.

What do you think of the headlights?  I do a fair amount of commuting after dark and have heard the lights aren't very good.

[scottzilla]

The Tiger was on my list for a while.

[Rincewind]

I'm also looking very seriously at a 2010 Tiger 1050.

What do you think of the headlights?  I do a fair amount of commuting after dark and have heard the lights aren't very good.

The headlights are fine as long as you don't make any turns on unlit roads.    

I used Motolights on my Tiger to help; others use various spotlights, HID retrofits, or wiring to run both headlights on the low-beam.  It's a well known issue and there have been lots of threads about it at tiger1050.com and triumphrat.net.

[Flightar]

What is the touring range?

[CosmicCowboy]

I'm in the same position, looking at some of the same bikes.

[Lee.R]

I'm in the same position, looking at some of the same bikes.

I went wee storm to a 2010 Tiger 1050. Tiger is at 15000 miles and counting.  
Its basically a better storm in every way save the headlights, which from the factory are an attempt at your life until adjusted. You basically must buy aux lights if you are not under street lamps.

I had some loose sump bolts and a head stock top nut in the early miles but its been solid since, tiger1050.com has that well documented.

The triple is addictive, one test ride an d I was hooked

[jfusaro]

for a couple of bucks more buy a Ducati MTS  

[Croak]

for a couple of bucks more buy a Ducati MTS  

If by "a couple bucks", you mean several thousand, then yes, by all means, go for it.  Bumping from the "loaded" 1050 SE ABS new to the base MTS (which is sans panniers and sans DES) is still about two grand, and you can probably haggle the price easier on the Triumph than the Ducati, to boot.  

So you have to ask yourself if the extra horsepower and lower weight is worth the hugely increased price and lack of panniers.  That doesn't get into the increased overall cost of Ducati ownership (not just Desmo maintenance, I know that the new MTS is more "reasonable" in that regard, but the whole dealership ball of wax).

[jfusaro]

If by "a couple bucks", you mean several thousand, then yes, by all means, go for it.  Bumping from the "loaded" 1050 SE ABS new to the base MTS (which is sans panniers and sans DES) is still about two grand, and you can probably haggle the price easier on the Triumph than the Ducati, to boot.  

So you have to ask yourself if the extra horsepower and lower weight is worth the hugely increased price and lack of panniers.  That doesn't get into the increased overall cost of Ducati ownership (not just Desmo maintenance, I know that the new MTS is more "reasonable" in that regard, but the whole dealership ball of wax).

Base model MTS touring with heated grips, panniers that will hold a helmet, 4 engine maps, much more H.P.,DTC, centerstand and an overall better package was 2300 USD apart from the Tiger SE, I shopped them both before I purchased, and the Tiger did not come with heated grips and was not nearly as comfortable and cost of ownership is on par with Triumph in fact my first service on the Duc was 100 USD less than my 08' Sprint's first service