Triumph Tiger 955i first proper ride report

So, as per the BOTAFOF thread, I finally got a chance/the weather to
take the new (to me) Tiger out for a proper blat, round the roads of
Herts and Essex.

Well, it's certainly different from anything I've had recently - very
tall (for a shortarse like me), but it's not actually a problem when
riding the thing - it's only when pushing it around that it's an
awkward bastard of a thing. But never mind that - riding it is what
it's for.

Firstly, it reminds me very much of my old R1150GS in terms of the
riding position, only slightly better as there's not quite so much of
a reach to the bars. Secondly, again in comparison to the RGS - it's
*so* much quicker - the BMW always had to be held WFO to get decent
acceleration, but the Triumph just seems to have so much more going
for it. As expected, it does feel slow compared to my 'blade, but not
nearly as much so as I thought it might, which is nice.

The thing that impressed me most was the handling/grip available from
the Metzeler Tourance tyres - at no point on the ride did I feel like
I was approaching either the level of grip available or the edge of
the bike's ability to hold a corner line over road bumps/loose
chippings/horse shit etc. without getting out of shape. Altogether
very confidence inspiring indeed.

Also, it's a very comfortable bike - in the three hours I was riding
yesterday, I did about 135 miles, and no aches and pains anywhere,
which is more than I can say for pretty much any other bike I've owned
- I'm a weird shape, I guess, and most bikes leave me either with
painful wrists or an aching lower back after several hours, but
absolutely nothing with the Tiger.

In short, I'm very happy with the bike, and weather permitting I'll be
taking it over to NI via Holyhead/Dublin, so we'll see how it works
out in touring mode.

 

Sounds nice. Is this the new 2007 model, or the 2006 one?

 

heh - the three hours included hanging around at South Mimms for 15
minutes, and about 30 minutes in John Lewis in WGC to return a dress
that Angie bought the day before and then decided she didn't like as
soon as we got home[1], So, that's more like a 60mph average, which
isn't too bad for the type of roads I was on...

[1] she does this all the time.

 

On Jul 9, 11:02 am, TOG@toil,,

neither - it's Phil L's old 2002 machine.

I don't fancy the new Tiger at all - it's prettier, but it's more of a
"giant supermoto" rather than a "giant traillie", as it doesn't have
the 19" front rim.

 

of course, and it's (one of) the reason(s) that when we're out, I'll
buy her stuff on my CC, so it's easier to return.

BTW, I meant to rant at JLP's opening hours - whilst I understand the
theory of opening at 10:30 but not starting to trade until 11:00, so
they can stay open to 17:00 and not fall afoul of the Sunday opening
legislation, this is very fucking annoying if you don't realise thise
before turning up at 10:30 to return something, and then have to wait
around for 30 minutes for a 2-minute transaction.

 

A bit like taking a new girlfriend out, then.

 

Ah, OK. Still basically the same as the '06 model though.

Agree 100%. It just doesn't look as butch. Girly, almost.

 

pretty much, yes, and as it still has (just) less than 2K miles on the
clock it's in fairly new-looking condition (except on the outside edge
of the rear disk, which is rusted - I must take some sandpaper to it
or something - also, as I rode it through a large muddy puddle
yesterday, it's not very dirty).

Exactly - I think it looks like a tall Yamaha Fazer that's melted in
the sun.

However, it's detailed a lot nicer than the 955i bike, which has a
fairly attrociously designed dash - the clocks themselves are nice
units, but they're just sort of plonked on a flat black slap of
plastic.

 

<Impatiently waits for Platy to confirm Brighton to Avebury Via the A272
in rush hour (120 miles)>

 

@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com:

Glad you like the new bike. The 955i engine is lovely.

Just a heads up re. the tyres. Metzeler have not improved the supply issues
that were around when you had the R-GS. As ever for this time of year,
Tourance are on back order everywhere. Just make sure you give your tyre
dealer plenty of notice or order from one of the .de Ebay merchants, who
seem to have no problem with supply. Personally, I've switched to Avons and
find them excellent for grip, wear and availability.

Ref. the new Tiger. One came blasting past me yesterday. They are certainly
quick in a straight line, for R-GS levels of quick. I didn't recognise what
it was: very bland, generic styling. I caught up eventually as the rider
was a bit of a wuss riding along the roads that had just been soaked by a,
fortunately just passed, thunderstorm. It wasn't until we both stopped at a
T junction that I saw the Triumph appellation and was rather underwhelmed.

 

I've still got some parts from my 955i daytona if you're after them. I
have the high-level triumph loud can[1] and a service manual. They're
going on ebay soon, but if you want them let me know.

[1] I've got some audio of it somewhere

 

Ah good.

From the bit I did - very well. Touring stress tends to build up and a
bike thats fine on the first day or so is killing you by day four..

Phil.

 

The Bridgestone Trail Wing rubber is good too. I spent a happy
afternoon 2-up chasing sporty types down the D9xx towards Dieppe.

[snip]

Yellow Tigers are naturally faster ;-)

 

ooh - is it the same item for the Tiger? If so, how much?

 

OK - well, I think they've got a good few thousand miles left in them,
anyway.

which Avons - Distanzas?

 

Well, for a trip to / from NI, it's basically 2 x 400 mile days with a
gap in the middle - I reckon it'll be a veritable piece of piss on the
Tiger.

I have toured on a bike that was killing me by day one (my SZR, which
when living in NI I took to Italy and back).

 

Yup. Especially when it gets cold and wet and you can put the heated
grips on..

My fireblade was the worst - it started of really well but by about the
end of day 3 I was just about ready to dig out the box of matches..

Phil.

 

Looking at http://www.hughendenm40.co.uk the catalogue numbers for the
daytona and the tiger are A9608000 and A9608018 respectively, and they
don't seem to list a high level pipe for the tiger.

I've had a quick google, but can't find anything as yet. The most
helpful site (http://www.triumphrat.net) isn't accepting new
registrations at the mo. I've got to go out, but I'll try to find out.
There's a few more bits and bobs I've got, but I'll have to post those
up later.

 

the Tiger only has a high level pipe.

 

<strangely proud>