Triumph Tiger 2006

Garibaldi

Hey,

Is the guy who bought one of these (and mentioned it on here, in a thread of the same title - the original seems to have disappeared) still on Boards? If so, now that you've had enough time to be a long-term owner , how's it working out for you? Any comments, complaints, praise about the bike and/or the dealer you'd like to mention? I'm still considering the Tiger for my next bike, so would be interested in how you've done with yours.

madrab

i was looking at one before i got the africa twin, it was a real nice bike but unfprtunately i didnt have the money (but i still love you toto!!!)

the new one is 1050 injected right?

Garibaldi

Not yet, if ever:

However, the latest 2006 version of the 955cc motor boasts a new cylinder head and is now fitted with the same high-pressure diecast crankcases as the new 1050cc engine used in the Sprint ST and Speed Triple, with the previous rather messy-looking and very evident external plumbing and copious pipework, now tucked away behind the engine in pursuit of a cleaner appearance.

http://motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/2006_triumph_tiger_955i/

art

Me?

I actually got the 2005 model in the end as BikeWorld gave me a nice all round deal, money off, free alarm...

So I picked it in December but only hitting the 500 mile mark now (bad time of year for getting a new bike I suppose really, with the weather and all...). Yet to see the type of first service BikeWorld give it, though the last bike I left in to them for a first service I thought they did a really excellent job).

It is definitely the best bike I've ridden and I'm really happy with it. I'm 6'2", kind of long legged, so the height of the bike is just perfect for me. I can pretty much exactly get my feet flat on the ground. I carry a pillion to work most days and she says she is more comfortable on this bike than any other too.

Complaints? It has cut out on me several times but in very unusual ways - think it might needing just a tweak of the engine management computery bits??? ie if I snap off the throttle, the revs sometimes die right down to just about 500rpm and sometimes cut out altogether. Has happeed twice while tipping down a slope too so not sure about it at all... But it hasn't happened now in over 100 miles so maybe it was a bedding down type thing? Can't think of anything else... perhaps the dials could be a bit easier to read in all lighting conditions (though, a sort of cool thing is that the back light comes on automatically when light levels fall). Oh! The other thing is that the standard fairing is a total pain in the ass (ie it creates a lot of buffeting up around 60mph and over, depending on conditions) but I discovered that if you take off the rubber strip around the screen it helps. It hasn't been bad enough to make me hate it.

Pluses: This is the first bike that I haven't felt nervous about driving for the first few weeks - you know the way you have to get the feel for a bike etc etc. Well I just got up and drove it and felt at home right off. Going through heavy traffic in the morning I find the steering light and responsive and even with two big boxes sticking out at the back I filter with confidence and snap between traffic if needed (I was talking to a much smaller bloke than me who had ridden one and he complained about heavy steering so that might be a size related thing too?). The boxes that come with the bike are very good quality, heated grips work nicely... Obviously, don't have it long so shouldn't be revving the engine but I kind of have occasionally and it fairly flies when opened up.

I suppose I could go on like this but the basic thing is that I really, really like it and am very happy with it but I would be uncertain about recommending it to anyone below six foot maybe as the riding position just seems to suit taller people. It's not perfect but it just feels very right to me, so I've no regrets at all (yet!)

If you've any specific questions about it fire away...!

Garibaldi

I'm 6'7", so......I'LL TAKE IT!!

Only 500 miles??!! I'm shocked. I'm approaching 62000 all weather kilometers. No "only ridden in dry conditions" on my For Sale ad.

art

Garibaldi wrote:

I'm 6'7", so......I'LL TAKE IT!!

Only 500 miles??!! I'm shocked. I'm approaching 62000 all weather kilometers. No "only ridden in dry conditions" on my For Sale ad.

Yeah, it's a bit embarrassing really but just haven't had the chance... Been an all year round biker most years but, don't know, getting older and lazier i guess Bike looks filthy already though, thanks to Dublin streets :rolleyes:

Garibaldi

You could mistake mine for a tractor some days. And I don't just mean by the feel of the engine. It's practically been like going off road on the N7 for the past few months. Not too much longer until they're finished, though (fingers crossed).

art

So you decided yet?

I was thinking, your extra height will probably help with the wind buffeting issue: it hits me around the helmet but will probably hit you lower which is far more manageable. But if you fancy trying out a taller screen, I bought one (official Triumph one) with my BikeWorld discount card. Had it on for about two weeks before deciding to switch back to the stock one, so it's just sitting on a shelf now...

Garibaldi

Not 100% decided yet. But it's not entirely up to me, since I won't be changing until I can sell the GS. Fancy a permanent swap?

madrab

seen reviews of the new KTM 990 adventure, they really liked it, & the same can be said for the more unconventional Buell Ullyses(sp)

art

Garibaldi wrote:

Not 100% decided yet. But it's not entirely up to me, since I won't be changing until I can sell the GS. Fancy a permanent swap?

I gave a lot of consideration to getting a GS myself, it had been a fantasy bike for me for a few years (plus my own initials are GS as it happens!). But I think the Tiger is better value in the end - around 5000 yo-yos saved for almost the same spec! - and perhaps better by being a bit more conventional in a way.... the talk of occasional failures in the ABS on the GS, for example, was one thing that really started putting me off.

As for a permanent swap,... well ... er ... no

art

madrab wrote:

seen reviews of the new KTM 990 adventure, they really liked it, & the same can be said for the more unconventional Buell Ullyses(sp)

Don't think I'd ever see myself getting a Buell really, would you? No matter how good they said it was in reviews of bikes, a US built off roader just would not inspire any confidence in me. (Were the reviews on US sites maybe?)

madrab

art wrote:

Don't think I'd ever see myself getting a Buell really, would you? No matter how good they said it was in reviews of bikes, a US built off roader just would not inspire any confidence in me. (Were the reviews on US sites maybe?)

maybe, here is something about a harley engine in a race/overlander frame that intrigues me, plust they are the franck made evolution engines afaik

must look for that review again, it was quite a good read

madrab

madrab wrote:

maybe, here is something about a harley engine in a race/overlander frame that intrigues me, plust they are the franck made evolution engines afaik

must look for that review again, it was quite a good read

cant find the original one but here are a few

http://pages.infinit.net/mcrides/road-test/buell/ulysses.htm
http://www.biketestusa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=2368
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcharley/05_06_Line-up/index.motml
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=349&Itemid=126

plus i do love the styling of it

Idleater

madrab wrote:

plus i do love the styling of it

Not too gone on the Ulysses. The Lightining is okay looking but the Firebolt... ...now that is how to put a harley engine to good use!


L.

art

madrab wrote:

cant find the original one but here are a few

http://pages.infinit.net/mcrides/road-test/buell/ulysses.htm
http://www.biketestusa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=2368
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcharley/05_06_Line-up/index.motml
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=349&Itemid=126

plus i do love the styling of it

All American sites!! Not sure about the styling myself, and totally not a fan of the Harley engine. But the price factor would be a key thing I guess, Tigers and VStrums are about the same price so if the Buell came in significantly lower than that it might get more attention? Does anyone stock these over here?

Idleater

art wrote:

Does anyone stock these over here?

The Harley Davidson shop in Dublin - on Dorset street I think???

I don't think they are as refined as the Triumph or VStrom. There is a Lightening "city" version too but I don't know if that is what you are looking for. It is more of a streetfighter style than Trailie.
The Buell would be worth a look but as they are not commonplace here, servicing and parts etc should be factored into any cost differential.

If they have one in there, sit on a Firestorm.

L.

madrab

nereid wrote:

The Harley Davidson shop in Dublin - on Dorset street I think???

I don't think they are as refined as the Triumph or VStrom. There is a Lightening "city" version too but I don't know if that is what you are looking for. It is more of a streetfighter style than Trailie.
The Buell would be worth a look but as they are not commonplace here, servicing and parts etc should be factored into any cost differential.

If they have one in there, sit on a Firestorm.

L.

interesting OT fact that shop isnt a licenced HD store, & they arent suppose to sell HD's or even use the name, the licensed store is in waterford (used to be hog hill)