New 2024 Tiger 900

[sikatri]

I already have the bike - a 1200.
I thought I would get a smooth triple, to replace my lumpy Bonny.
But I got a lumpy triple instead, which was a profound disappointment.
And they would not take it back.

R

Well, selling privately is always a solution. I get the impression the dealer doesn’t share your opinion that something is wrong. It really boils down to keeping it for the parts you enjoy or getting rid of it. Being unhappy is not a good solution. I’m not sure what kind of smoothness you’re expecting out of the Bonnie line either. Obviously more than it has. I have a 2005 Thruxton and it is smooth enough for me anyway. Not that I have a great range to compare to. You sound very disappointed at both your Triumphs. It’s probably time you should think about the motorcycles that had that smoother ride you’ve experienced. Get rid of them if that’s what you think is best. Good luck. I’m not sure I want to go there, but what motorcycle from your experience had the smooth ride you were looking for in the Triumph and why didn’t you just buy it?

 

[sikatri]

There was a video sometime back on this forum that went through all the characteristics of different types of motorcycle engines from one cylinder, two, three and beyond. Tried doing a quick search, didn’t find it. They all had some interesting points.

 

[CarlS]

There was a video sometime back on this forum that went through all the characteristics of different types of motorcycle engines from one cylinder, two, three and beyond. Tried doing a quick search, didn’t find it. They all had some interesting points.

Fortnine has a YouTube video on this subject.

 

[sikatri]

Fortnine has a YouTube video on this subject.

That’s the one I was trying to find. It was posted here sometime back. LoL.

 

[CarlS]

I thought that might be the case.

 

[rodders]

That’s the one I was trying to find. It was posted here sometime back. LoL.

Probably this video. He is always informative and entertaining, but here glosses over the advantages of triples. The summary of 'inherently unbalanced' is not a fair description of a triple. With a triple there should be pretty good primary balance, pulse-balance, and secondary balance - even if you end up with a twin engine's rocking couple. So 'inherently balanced with a few issues', would be a much better description.

Fortnine - all engines explained

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOTz0Ol8fLA


Triples and T-Plane engines explained

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU7faKiQleM


The T-Plane has an unbalanced primary balance and power pulses, and thus increased vibration.

Note that the T-Plane does not improve torque, this was a marketing cover-story to bamboozle non-technical buyers. And the claim that the uneven power intervals can 'relax' the tyre is garbage. The difference is miniscule, in comparison to a single or twin, and has no effect whatsoever above 3,500 rpm. And this effect is worthless on tarmac.

Face facts - the only difference with a T-Plane engine was a change in exhaust note, a difference which would only appeal to a numpty rider. So the bottom line here, is I get more vibration because a numpty can be bedazzled by an exhaust note.

R

 

[sikatri]

And yet all those engine types have their fans. LoL. It’s pretty simple buy what you like. It doesn’t do much good to be a minority opinion in the world of public opinion. I think we all understand the OP’s point on the planar triple. Still there are many more satisfied Triumph triple owners that are not bothered by the vibration. To my knowledge there is no proof that the vibration is so excessive that the bike vibrates apart which was mentioned by the OP I believe. Also, I did ask which motorcycle had this perfect triple and why didn’t the OP select it. I don’t believe there is much more benefit in the direction this thread is heading. I’d much rather read a thread on how to mod and improve engines and motorcycles. A thread dedicated to pointing out a perceived design flaw is rather useless and unhelpful. All engine designs have their own peculiarities and advantages. To the OP I understand that you would have liked Triumph to design the triple differently, but the engineers at Triumph didn’t. People have different sensitivity tolerance levels, apparently most triple Triumph owners have a higher level of tolerance than the OP. My final question to the OP is, what do you intend or want out of this thread?

 

[CarlS]

I will add that I have not ridden a bike with the T triple. I thoroughly loved the smoothness of my 2012 800XC engine.

 

[atomsplitter]

I will add that I have not ridden a bike with the T triple. I thoroughly loved the smoothness of my 2012 800XC engine.

My Speedy RS 1200 is smooth as butter, but it does require some revs. The engine isn't happy off idle but spin it up and it will launch the front wheel into the ozone (OH SH*T!!). Keep it spinning and you get a grin an undertaker couldn't remove.

 

[triumph900]

I already have the bike - a 1200.
I thought I would get a smooth triple, to replace my lumpy Bonny.
But I got a lumpy triple instead, which was a profound disappointment.
And they would not take it back.

R

I really wanted to buy a Tiger 900 when they first came out. I demo'ed one and I found the engine to be vibey. Some folks don't object to the newer triple's feel. I do, so I didn't buy one.
I don't know if you demo'ed before you bought. If not, that's on you.
Sometimes things don't work out, and that sucks. Sell/trade it and move on.

 

[brooke]

I’m living with mine .
IMHO
The vibes lessen as the miles go by and the engine really gets to like the higher revs as well .
I concur that the t plane doesn’t hook up much better on dirt but the extra displacement allows you to run it at lower rpm and that helps considerably .
The bark busters help the bar vibes too but if your running a 50/50 tire every shakes anyway .
The one that really gets me is they try to sell the 1-3-2 firing order as if jumping from one side of the engine to the other is different from a 123 engine . It still has to travel 321 to get back to the beginning and a 123 engine still has has to skip the middle to get from 3 back to 1 .
Or , am I missing something here ?

 

[CarlS]

I have recommended and sold several folks on the Triumph triple because it was so month. After trying a 900, I can no longer recommend this new triple. I will recommend they avoid or thoroughly try it out before purchase. I am well satisfied with my T120 parallel twin.

 

[Hookalatch]

I have recommended and sold several folks on the Triumph triple because it was so month. After trying a 900, I can no longer recommend this new triple. I will recommend they avoid or thoroughly try it out before purchase. I am well satisfied with my T120 parallel twin.

Interesting. I was also very satisfied with my 2018 T120. It is a great bike. However I find my 2021 Tiger more fun to ride in every way. It does vibrate more than the Bonneville but I don't find it objectionable.

Chuck

 

[CarlS]

Chuck. I loved my 2012 Tiger 800XC and I traveled most of the US and parts of Canada on it. However, an errant cager totalled it. I stepped down to the T120 because I don't do much off road anymore and I wanted something with a lower center of gravity. I'm getting old!

 

[sikatri]

Most valuable piece of advice in this thread is test ride before you buy. Also, confirms, people’s perception and acceptance level for vibration differs. I’ve never been on one of these triples, but my curiosity is certainly peaked by this thread. Not to buy, but experience.

 

[atomsplitter]

I own a herd of Triumph 1200's. Three twins, a triple and a four pot. They are all good at what they do and so-so for everything else. I can ride my Bobber like I stole it and scrape the feelers off in a couple miles, so 'sporty' isn't it's forte, laid back cruising is a big thumbs up. Do the same on my T-120 and the feelers never see the pavement, but my bum goes numb after an hour, so 'sport touring' isn't its ticket. I can go like stink on my Trophy, never scape the pegs, comfy for hours, has hard bags for touring, but in the summer the heat off the engine cooks my legs to medium well. And I can go on and on, bikes have things they are really good at and somethings you just have to learn to live with, it's all in the mission you want it to perform whether it puts a smile or frown on your mug when you're going down the road. I decided to get something for every occasion.....works for me.

 

[brooke]

I couldn’t keep them all serviced and registered etc . You must have manager to take care of that stuff

 

[Tiger009]

I realize that. He is claiming that was done on the 24 models because of the excessive vibration caused by crankshaft design and the firing order on the 900's. I was just pointing out that at least on my bike the vibration is so minimal that even the mirrors are clear at any speed. A far cry from "hand-tingling and component destroying vibration".

Chuck

The left hand mirror on my '23 Tiger is steady at all speeds. However, the right hand mirror does vibrate z bit. Still functional though.

As for the low-end torque though, the new 900 definitely has more low end torque than the 800. The 900 is so much better it caused me to trade in my 3 year old 800. Not just a marketing claim.

 

[brooke]

You’re right, the mirrors are very clear and it has more grunt but it won’t chug along at 1500 rpm without complaining like the old one could . Going into a slow turn I now down shift more , with the 800 it required one less jab or perhaps none at all .

 

[rodders]

Most valuable piece of advice in this thread is test ride before you buy.

I considered and tried the 1200.

I was promised a tri-ple but got a two-and-a-half-ple.
Vibration did not show up on the short test ride.
Too many other new sensations to notice.

Was then promised extra torque from the layout.
But discovered that was all sales buIlshiite.
A T-plane two-and-a-half-ple cannot produce more torque.

Shame, because the handling and braking on the 1200 is exceptional.
And ultra safe - even with heavy braking on a sharp bend.
Those braking gizmos really do work.

Shame the shaft drive is so loose and sloppy.
It is worse than Lucy at the local bordello.
Slip, slop, bang, clash, crash, crunch.
A disgrace to the engineering profession.

R