Tiger pack... which is king?

[VFR]

My latest bike is the 1050 Tiger. Very smooth ride & plenty of power. I have only done a couple of 300+ mile trips on it so far so can't say about the long ones. Just got back from a 5800+ miler on the VFR & have also done those on the Blackbird. The Tiger is seriously smooth & should do just fine. The fuel mileage is better on the Tiger than either of the above as well.

I only use soft luggage. The bike I bought had racks for Jesse bags but the owner kept the bags. I was fine with that as I didn't want those or Triumph hard bags. I can put the soft bags on those racks. I only camp so I carry all my gear on the back.

Don'r ride two up so no opinion there. The Tiger has plenty of punch so it shouldn't be a problem. The only downside may be that it is a tall bike & doesn't sag a lot with weight. You need a long inseam to have both feet on the ground. That said, I saw a girl with very short legs on a GSA on the IBR last year. She didn't have any problem at all. No way she was getting both & barely one foot on the ground.

Just my .000002 cents.....

[wrecked'em]

the 1050 for sure. the stock luggage may be small but there are other options. i have givi. i have plenty of storage with two up. great mile eater.

[optimum_malarky]

Originally Posted by Paulvt1

I owned a 955, for a short time. Later cast wheel model. Comfy but with limited sports potential. I know these bikes are uber Trailies, but the poor braking had me close to wiping out once or twice.
I spent time on a steamer, which was fun - but a bit of an antique now.
Had a 1050 for a day and loved it. Well suited to quick road work.
Rode the 800. Very underwhelming. Didn't like the thrashy nature of the bike.
The Tiger 12 is very much a sports tourer in adv clothing. It's very quick. The touring screen is very effective. Damn good point to point weapon. If i hadn't spent a small fortune on buying and tailoring my Super Ten to my requirement, then i think i would have one now.

There is an awesome looking 955 for sale in my area with corbin seat, givi trunk, racetech fork internals and about 33K on the clock! I'm seriously tempted, though my mind says 1050!

Can you explain or expand on the limited sports potential comment and the poor braking experience? These are two issues that stand out to me!

The 1050 isn't getting good recommendations for two-up, but can that be solved with aftermarket seats, etc?

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by optimum_malarky

Can you explain or expand on the limited sports potential comment and the poor braking experience? These are two issues that stand out to me!

I put some time in on the Girlie Tigers. The long travel suspension is soft and the brakes are adequate.

The bike is tuned for rough roads or unpaved roads.

When you really push it on twisty pavement, the brakes and suspension don't hold up.

On the other hand, they shouldn't. It's a giant trailie, afterall, and if the suspension was great on pavement it would suck on gravel.

[cascadetiger]

I love my Steamer, all day comfort. I put about 100 miles on a new 800 XC. Better bike than the Steamer for sure, love the engine and transmission. Seemed very comfortable, will probably replace the Steamer someday with one. But that will have to wait as I just bought a 2012 Thruxton .

[mrbreeze]

it sounds to me like your choice is between the 1200 and the Girlie. Those are the two I suspect would most likely make the Mrs. happy. In my opinion, they are all ugly, the 1200 setting new standards for ugly. But that's just my opinion. If you were talking one up, I would say 800 Roadie.

[wrecked'em]

i have no trouble at all two up on my 1050. it has plenty of room and is comfortable. im 6 ft and my chick is 5 10.
get what pulls you though

[Deano955]

Originally Posted by optimum_malarky

Beyond the terrible title, I am looking for insight and experience about Triumph's Tiger.

There have been several incarnations of the Hinkley Tiger (I'm skipping the classic Meridan bikes here):

885 Tiger (aka Steamer)
955i Tiger (aka Girlie)
1050 Tiger
800/xc Tiger
1250 Tiger Explorer

I am a big fan of all of these for good looks, riding position and the triple motor in whatever version it comes. This leads me to my question -- which one would you choose as your only motorcycle?

Some caveats:

• Power is important -- I like a bike that will move
• Ability to ride long distances comfortably -- I know people ride their sportbikes for thousands of miles and survive... I'm just not one of those people!
• Luggage options -- if you are going to travel long distance, you need some stuff and a place to keep it
• Weight -- I decided to let the 1150gs go because it was heavy around town and didn't have the zip of a triple; good power to weight ratio is important
• Two-up capability -- for when the wifey wants to ride, I need a perch fit for a queen
• Affordability -- maintenance, mpg, insurance and purchase price

Which would you choose? I see plenty of 1050s for sale for respectable prices, and every once in a while a sweet 955i Girlie will catch my attention, but are these the bikes to seek out if it is to be the only bike?



... or I could go for the blackbird that recently popped up nearby!

Since you've asked, I've had the 955, 1050 and now an 800XC. I'll likely get an Explorer in a year or two. I put around 12k miles on the 955, 15k miles on a new '07 1050 and now have around 6900 miles on my '12 XC. All types of riding on all of them, though my XC sees more dirt action than the previous bikes. Given your criteria, the 1050 Tiger would be my recommendation. It was my favorite. All day comfortable, fast, good handling and 50 mpg. My full coverage insurance was classified as Dual Sport and ran me less than $350 per year. I had the full Triumph hard luggage set up that worked well. Took several longer rides with my wife, or son on pillion. It's an exceptional all-rounder.

[optimum_malarky]

Last weekend, I went to check out a 2006 Tiger 955i that was well set-up. What a sharp looking bike! It looked like it was ready to go the distance -- any distance -- at the drop of a hat. When I rode it, though, I didn't care for the soft suspension, the reach to the ground with the corbin seat and the height of the bike. Even my old GS seemed to settle down once I sat on the bike more than this Tiger. The motor is a peach (oh, I've missed the triples!), but the rest of the bike didn't excite me in any real way. I was more than happy to jump back on my SV1000 and cruise home past Alice's on Skyline Road.

So.... I don't think the 955i Tiger is for me...

I love the looks, but the platform just didn't get me excited. I guess it is time to take another look at the 1050 and begin researching the Explorer.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

[JillGat]

I rode into the local dealer this weekend on my 2006 Honda 599 to test ride an electric bike, just for fun. (It really was fun!) Then I found that they had a barely used (2100 mi.) 2012 Tiger 800 with lots of add-ons: heated grips, handshields, titanium pipe, engine guard, center stand, hard side bags, mount for tailbag, low seat, etc. I traded in my Honda and took home the Tiger. It's a dream on dirt and I got it up to 112 MPH on the slab, so not sure why I'd want anything more powerful. What a beautiful bike.

[Yankee Dog]

If gravel and dirt road are not in the mix, then the 1050 is your choice. Plenty of power and nice ergos, and as you mentioned very affordable.

[SPOAT]

I'm a bit partial to the 1050 Tiger...

[Burrito Bandito]

I just bought a new 2010 1050, it had been sitting on the show room floor for 2 years and they lowered the price down to $9900 to try and sell it, and i got it down to $9600 by the time i walked out the door. Triumph is doing an incentive to buy new old bikes too. my bike has ABS and hard saddle bags, Triumph(not the dealer) threw in a top box with back rest, touring screen, heated grips, machined levers and aluminum resiviors for free, all i need now is a center stand. the engine is sweet and my girlfriend loves it. i put a 4 hour day on it the day after i bought it and didn't feel fatigued, i could have never done that with my KLR!

[optimum_malarky]

^^^^^ $9600 out of the door?? What a deal! Congratulations -- Pics?

[See red]

I just got my orange 09 tiger 1050 and I imediately did a 550 mile day with no fatigue. I am diggin this thing, luggage is eh, ok.