Triumph Tiger 800

[Rob Dirt]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The complete lack of communication is unacceptable. I hope your back rolling again soon.
Just out of curiosity, how are you clean & lubing the chain? How many miles did you get before it came off.

[Yossarian™]

Originally Posted by clax

Now the question is, would I be foolish if I took a small detour to Uyuni and the salt flats or should I be riding straight to the dealer in Buenos Aires? hmmm.

With a newly fitted final drive, and with the engine case fix holding well, I would take your detour and enjoy it. You've spent enough time waiting to do the riding. Besides, you might get to BA and find that Triumph won't do anything for you there anyway.

Here's hoping your parts are in tomorrow.

[clax]

Originally Posted by ssevy

In this era of wireless, smart phones, SPOT trackers, GPS, etc., it is natural to get lulled into a sense of the world being a much safer and smaller place to ride than it used to be. Then something like this occurs, and you realize that all of this technology is only as useful as the people on the other end in the customer service department. I am sorry to hear about your situation, and especially disappointed that now that Triumph has entered the ADV market seriously, it hasn't established the kind of dealer support that other companies already have in place. Let's face it, if you were on an old R80, you would have been on your way weeks ago.

That is the downside of Triumphs and Ducatis, Guzzis, etc., and why many experienced world travelers stick with older but proven technology that has existed so long that parts are plentiful everywhere. I really love Triumphs because of the triple engines, and I think they have some great designs. Still, the paucity of dealers is a concern, as is their communications and your story highlights this point dramatically.

While I do agree that carrying replacement spares for consumable parts is a good idea and would have prevented your situation, that doesn't excuse Triumph's piss poor treatment of you. The problem could have been something else that is unpredictable, like an electronic component, and in such a case, Triumph's poor communication would have been just as inexcusable. Had they responded quickly and offered to expedite parts to you, your experience would have been a different one, and even had you been laid up this long waiting, such a simple gesture would have you in much better spirits I am sure. Good luck to you, and I hope this story eventually has a happy ending!

Thanx for your comments and support Ssevy. I was really reluctant to carry an extra chain, sprocket and tires, but I'm really starting to see the value in that, even if it means having heavy panniers on the rough roads and lugging stuff in and out of hostels, and finding ways to secure it when you have to leave the bike. I still have a lot to learn, but I figured the only way was to stop procrastinating and get on the road.

So, I put a lot of stock in Triumph and took a chance. The TIGER has been great and I do love the triple engine. The truth is, I want to keep travelling. I have to go back home and take a course first, but I plan to travel the rest of the world. I'm going to wait and see what TRIUMPH does here and then make some decisions, about how I will be making the rest of my journey. There is some good people back in Canada that work for Triumph and I really think the folks at Triumph USA are in my corner too. I'm putting some faith in them and that Triumph wants be be a serious contenter in the ADV Riding world. I think the only way they will succeed is by winning some trust. Right now, I'm on the fence, but there is still hope, for me at least.

thanx so much for your comments... I've been sitting here in La Paz silently since last month and finally had to vent a bit; but my trip has still been awesome and I'm sure things will work out.

take care,
Clay D

[The Breeze]

Originally Posted by clax

Thanx for the support Breeze! I didn't think the DR650 had the 525, but thanx for mentioning that. If all else fails im going to look. Too bad the KLR doesn't have 525, there are tonnes of them here!

Oh ya, I will check the chain slider on the swing arm. Don't wan't that to get chewed-up.

Hopefully the new chain and sprockets will be here soon. I just tracked them and they are in La Paz! Maybe, just maybe if I'm really lucky, they'll be at the shop tomorow morning and I'll be back on the road tomorrow.

Now the question is, would I be foolish if I took a small detour to Uyuni and the salt flats or should I be riding straight to the dealer in Buenos Aires? hmmm.

ciao and thanx,
Clay D

Here's to hoping your chain/sprockets show up tomorrow. If they don't, post up, and I'll count the links on my DR650 and compare to my 800 XC.

Regarding your trip to the Salar........I wouldn't hesitate to take your bike there with the JB welded case (with new chain/sprockets). Again, if the repair was done properly (and the hole wasn't too big), the bike should be as good as new. If you're concerned about the repair, take a picture and post it up for the inmates to review......I'm guessing you'll be good to go.

Regardless, keep some JB weld, or quick steel, etc. in your kit!!! The stuff is as handy as duct tape!!

[jphish]

Clax - sorry for your troubles, exacerbated by pretty marginal support from the mother ship. I own 2 tigers & like em' a lot - but if Triumph wants to be a world wide brand - they'd better practice better world wide support. I also think your 'home' dealer should have jumped on getting a chain / sprocket set to you pronto. That said - Chains & sprockets on terrain your riding, may only last 12-15 K mi max. So plan accordingly. JB weld IS great stuff...dont leave home without it...ever! DONT use the 'JB quik' for heated components - Use the regular, longer set time stuff - much higher temp rating. I watched JB being used to patch a KLR case, as long as you remove all oil / dirt from surface with laquer thinner (or similar solvent) - Its damn near miracle epoxy! The KLR guy used a 20 peso coin, smeared with JB as a "patch" - let it set overnight - 10K mi later, still holding up with NO leaks. Good luck on your continuing adventure!

[bross]

Originally Posted by clax

Thanx Bross and you're certainly right, and I was somewhat skeptical about the chain lasting to Buenos Aires when I did look at it. I'm not tryiing to be confrontational, but if you think I haven't looked at my chain, you are wrong. And I should of trusted my instincts instead of the dealership. My bad for trusting a certified Triumph Mechanic at the unknown Triumph dealership with the big Triumph sign out front.

Anyway, the bike has made it from Canada to here in Bolivia and I will get it to Buenos Aires. And it HAS been an adventure. I've seen more in the last 5 months then I probably have in the rest of my life, so in the end, whatever happens, it was all worth it to me. It would just be a lot better if Triumph helped fixed the bike, instead of leaving me up shit creak, without even responding to me. I spend a crap load of money on the bike and I at least deserve a response.

You have some great points, but I can't knit a new chain when there is none. I knew the chain was on the way out! That's why i asked Colombia Triumph to check it and get an expert opinion. That's why I emailed them back after I left asking for a new chain, why I emailed Triumph in Buenos Aires asking for a new chain, and why I emailed Triumph in the UK telling them my chain was on the way out asking for help contacting the dealerships here, and also why I contact Supersprox and had priced out a new chain and Sprockets before this happened.

Like most people, I have to try and stay on some sort of a schedule, keep moving and try to get the parts and service laid out down the road. If any one of those Triumph representatives would of responded to me in a timely fashion, I probably would of had a new chain and sprockets waiting for me in Lima or Cusco and had them put on before this happened.

Maybe you've been around the planet on motorcycle, but myself and a lot of othe people haven't and at some point I've had to trust and have a little faith in people and people that know more (about certain things) than I do. Was I wrong to trust people? I'm going to keep doing it, wheather on not you think it's a good idea. Sometimes it will work out and sometimes it won't but what is life like when you can't or won't trust anyone?

Anyway, basiclly sitting on the side fo the road in Bolivia and it's pretty easy to call me an idiot from your armchair. I'm feeling pretty responsible for getting exactly where I am, no one else did it for me. I know I messed up by not sitting and waiting for a new chain to materialize before this happened, but at the same time, I have a right to tell my side of the story and I asked for help and support not for a critique from the peanut gallery.

But, thanx for your good wishes! I'm just not feeling the sincerity.

Ciao,
Clay D

I sure never called you an idiot and apologize if it appeared that way. I got the impression from your first post that you basically left it up to the dealer to check/adjust/replace your chain. You've now clarified that you in fact did check your chain and had some concerns but chose to risk it. I was simply suggesting that on a trip like you're taking, it sure helps being as self sufficient as possible. Sure it's nice to just roll up to a dealer and have some work done, but as we all know, that doesn't always happen, whether in North or South America.

As ssevy suggested, a lot of people think they can turn on their spot and head out in to the back country or another country all together and just hit the button to summon the cavalry. I'm not saying this is you and I think you did all you could in your situation to try to get your bike fixed. And there's no excuse for the lack of communication from the dealers or from Triumph UK etc. I have found a lot of these corporate e-mail addresses just don't go to a person any more so they go un-answered sometimes. Does it make it OK, no way.

I seriously do hope you can get this resolved soon so you can carry on your trip.Sorry we can't be more help from Canada. You're on a ride many of us can only dream about. Enjoy it.

[browneye]

Yeah, the story changes. And just exactly what is Triumph supposed to do? I am unclear what kind of communication has been initiated and what has been asked. I've seen people do this in Mexico and even if you wanted to call them back you couldn't. If you have internet I am unclear why someone can't ship you parts if you pay them and ask them to ship.

Sure is quick to bite back from a network of co-owners that any one of them could be a possible source for help.

I put a Canadian up for a few days and wrenched on his bike to get him to Panama. He knew exactly what he needed and I was able to tell him exactly where to get them, we did the work, and he was on his way. Fellow Canadian helping another.

Hope it turns out well.

[av_mech]

Hey cyclingtom,

How's that 5200 holding up? You taken the bike on ride yet? Any air pressure loss? I'm on my way to pick up the 5200 now. I'll do the mod tomorrow pending your reply of it worked or it didn't. Thanks!

[clax]

Originally Posted by browneye

Yeah, the story changes. And just exactly what is Triumph supposed to do? I am unclear what kind of communication has been initiated and what has been asked. I've seen people do this in Mexico and even if you wanted to call them back you couldn't. If you have internet I am unclear why someone can't ship you parts if you pay them and ask them to ship.

Sure is quick to bite back from a network of co-owners that any one of them could be a possible source for help.

I put a Canadian up for a few days and wrenched on his bike to get him to Panama. He knew exactly what he needed and I was able to tell him exactly where to get them, we did the work, and he was on his way. Fellow Canadian helping another.

Hope it turns out well.

That's great that you were able to help another biker and a Canadian get back onto the road.

You're right about the phone being a mostly uselss way to comunicate while travelling. Email if the best, but they have to be updated and people need to be there to respond. It allows a 2-way communication, which has been all impossible with phones here.

I'm still unsure why I wasn't able to buy the parts from Colombia and Buenos Aires, but they did not not responded to my emails, so that wouuld make it a hard start. Anway, Triumph has copies of all the emails I sent, so they know to who and exactly when I sent them and that I'm I'm not making this shit up.. Maybe I can post those on here later.

What are they exaclty, suppsed to do? First off, they could have the correct information for contacting dealers posted on the international website. I think they did make some changes now, but they REALLY need to make sure to keep it up to date.

GPS coordinates for dealerships would be helpfull to.

They could respond to emails! When customer have more serious problems they could make sure they would be able to get the proper repairs at the nearest dealer. Maybe pre-order parts to get the customer back on road. Get the warannty process started and see if Triumph can figure out warranty and tell the customer what will happen. Commincating with the customer rergularly and telling them what is happening and what they "the customer" can do to hlep the process and get moving again, and get there bike fixed permantently as soon as possible. I did have a bit of the hlep, from my dealer "Savage Cycle" back at home, with some good advice.

anyway, I'm tired and not making sense any more, but I'm gonna look back that this tommorw.

thanks for your 2 cents brownye. I hope I didn't ramble on too much.

thank-you,
Clay

[Masterblaster]

Clax try calling these guys, they deal with South America all the time, Pompono is more American oriented, North Miami is more Latin American oriented, both are familiar with shipping parts or can direct you where to go to get what you need.

http://www.atlcmotorcycles.com/

http://www.motorcyclesofmiami.com/

Originally Posted by clax

That's great that you were able to help another biker and a Canadian get back onto the road.

You are right about the phone being the uselss was to comunicate while travelling. Email if the best, but they have to be up to date and people need to be there to respond. It allows a 2-way communication, which has been all impossible with phones here.

I really unclear why I wasn't able to buy the parts from Colombia and Buenos Aires, but did not not responded to my emails before so that wouuld make a hard start. Anway, Triumph has copies of all the emails I sent, so they know to who and exactly when I sent them and no I'm not making this shit up.. Maybe I can post those on here later.

What are they exaclty, suppsed to do? First off, they could have the correct information for contacting dealers posted on the international web. I think they did make sure changes now, but they REALLY need to make sure to keep it up to date.

GPS coordinates for dealerships would be helpfull to.

They could respond to emails!!! When customer have more serious problems they could make sure they would be able to get the proper repairs at the nearest dealer. Maybe pre-order parts to get the customer back on road. Get the warannty process started and see if Triumph can figure out warranty and tell the customer what will happen. Maybe commincating with the customer rergularly and tell them what is happening and what they Can DO to get moving again, and get there bike back on the road as soon as possible.

anyway, I'm tired and not making sense any more, but I'm gonna look back that this tommorw.

thank for your 2 cents brownye. I hope I didn't ramble on too much.

thank-you,
Clay

[bross]

Originally Posted by av_mech

Hey cyclingtom,

How's that 5200 holding up? You taken the bike on ride yet? Any air pressure loss? I'm on my way to pick up the 5200 now. I'll do the mod tomorrow pending your reply of it worked or it didn't. Thanks!

I wanna know how you're going to do this mod. I didn't think your bike sat still long enough for the quick setting stuff to cure.

[bross]

Originally Posted by clax

GPS coordinates for dealerships would be helpfull to.

thank-you,
Clay

I can totally vouch for this. On our last day riding into San Jose, Costa Rica we knew we had to get to the US Embassy and from there we could find the BMW dealer. Well my GPS sent us on a wild goose chase and no where near the embassy. I pulled out one of the dealers cards to give them a call and I noticed they had the co-ordinates on the card. 2 minutes later we were on our way right there. Worked brilliantly.

[cyclingtom]

Originally Posted by av_mech

Hey cyclingtom,

How's that 5200 holding up? You taken the bike on ride yet? Any air pressure loss? I'm on my way to pick up the 5200 now. I'll do the mod tomorrow pending your reply of it worked or it didn't. Thanks!

Several rides-some light off-road, but no long interstate romps. Everything is good.

If you go with the fast cure 5200, make sure ya got "all your ducks in a row". This stuff doesn't give you any play time like the regular stuff.

[Kawidad]

Clay, I wish you the best and hope things turn out well and hope this helps.

Supposedly, and I say that because I have no personal knowledge if this is accurate, but it does come from a vendor's website. (Pro-Tek sprockets) But, the following are cross references to front sprockets from other brands of bikes that will work for the Tiger 800. The chains are obviously going to be the same pitch.

http://www.protekk.com/media/documen..._app_chart.pdf

Kawasaki
'08-'12 EX250F Ninja, '87-'09 EX500A/D, '90-'95 ZR550 Zephyr
'90-'04 ZX6D/E, '07-'12 ZX6R, '06-'12 EX650 Ninja, '07-'12 KLE650 Versys
'87-'03 ZX750F1-F4/H/J/L/RK/R/RR ZX7/7R/7RR, '95-'05 VN800A/B Vulcan
'94-'03 ZX9R, '03-'12 Z1000, '04-'12 ZX10R, '11-'12 Ninja 1000

Suzuki
'89-'93 GS500E, '89-'09 GSX600F Katana, '92-'12 GSXR600
'94-'97 RF600R, '04-'12 DL650 V-Strom, '95-'03 GSF600S Bandit
'05-'12 GSF650S Bandit, '08-'11 GSX650F, '09-'11 SFV650 Gladius
'99-'08 SV650, '07-'10 SV650(ABS), '99-'12 SV650S, '11-'12 GSR750
'89-'97 GSX750F Katana, '86-'12 GSXR750, '97-'01 VZ800Z Marauder
'94-'97 RF900R, '02-'11 DL1000 V-Strom, '03-'07 SV1000/S
'97-'03 TL1000S/R, '01-'08 GSXR1000, '88-'93 GSX1100F
'86-'98 GSXR1100, '97-'11 GSF1200/S/SA Bandit
'10-'12 GSX1250FA/SEA, '99-'07 GSX1300R Hayabusa

Yamaha
'94-'07 YZF600R, '89-'99 FZR600, '92-'93 TDM850/C

Triumph
'06-'12 675 Daytona, '11-'12 675 Daytona R, '08-'12 675 Street Triple, '10-'12 Street Triple R, '11-'12 800 Tiger, '11-'12 800 Tiger XC

Hyosung
'04-'09 GT650, '10-'12 GT650 EFI, '05-'12 GT650 R/EFI & '05-'09 GT650 S

[deltamark]

Today is one of those special days. I'm taking off work early to go pick up my 2012 Tiger 800 XC with ABS. I am geeked! The rest of this post is stuff that has already been thoroughly covered in this thread, but I'll repeat it again.

I was tossed up in my decision between the Roadie and the XC. Went a couple of weeks ago and test rode the XC. Liked it, but really wanted to try the Roadie because I thought it would better suit my purpose, which is commuting, highway traveling and camping trips with very little off road. I did also feel that the XC steering was a little vague compared to the F650GS and R1100RT that I'd been riding.

My dealer eventually got a roadie and I went to test ride it this past Sunday. For me, the big difference was the suspension. For the type of ride I prefer, the suspension on the XC was definitely more suitable. Not sure if the Roadie suspension was tweaked properly, but I didn't have tools and there wasn't anyone there who offered or even seemed to know how to adjust it. It also seemed like the rear wheel on the Roadie slipped once or twice, but I take that as brand new tires on a hot day, along with my lack of familiarity with the bike. I expected a big difference in the cornering over the XC, but really didn't sense that. Granted, this is NW Ohio where the roads are flat and straight for miles and miles. (There are only about 4 curves in all of NW Ohio, anyway! )

I then asked to ride the XC again and right away it felt very right to me! I didn't have to take a long ride to know I wanted that bike. I also didn't have to negotiate a price because on my first visit, the dealer gave me what I thought was a good price for the XC. Their initial offer on the Roadie wasn't as appealing. Another reason I initially wanted the Roadie was for the tubeless tires, but decided while on my second XC test ride that I'll learn to deal with them. Watched the Youtube how-to video using the kick stand to break the bead and so it looks more doable.

So, the countdown begins. "T" for Tiger minus four hours, 11 minutes, 12 seconds ............