New Bike!

[DaveB]

Our local Triumph dealer re-opened today after the holidays. My Tiger 1050 has been wonderful, but it's now 3 years old and it's time for a change. Why? Because life is short and I want a new bike!

This morning we did a deal in principle to trade the 1050 in for a new white Tiger 800 fitted with:

Tilt adjustment for the standard screen,
Hand guards,
Heated grips,
Headlamp protector,
Radiator guard,
Centre stand,
Givi top box rack,
Leo Vince or Remus exhaust (whichever is cheaper)
Engine protector bars

I've done many local rides with avion on his T800 so I'm very familiar with what this machine can do what it is capable of!

I've avoided the 'bigger is better' trend and have chosen the 800 over the 1200 Explorer. I hope I'll get the bike in a couple of weeks' time.

In the mean time I can't ride the 1050 any more, nor my XT660 Yamaha because I'm selling that too.

I also aim to fix the Daytona's charging problems once and for all over the next couple of weeks & I'm really looking forward to that. Then I'll be back to two bikes which is all I really need or want. It's a nice way to start the year!

 

[hemibee]

Congrats on the soon to be new addition to the stable.


Oh and we like photos of the new borns.


Posting with Tapatalk while riding my Tiger 955i at 15 over the speed limit.

 

[otherwise]

Well done.
I've ridden the Tiger 1050 but not the 800. I know what mid size triples can do being on my second 675 Street Triple. I'm sure you've done a good thing.

 

[DaveB]

The 800 is as smooth as the 675 engine. The 800 is only used (up to now) in the Tiger. It is in a relatively low state of tune and only makes 94bhp. It does not have the zap, power step or pep of the 675, but its torquey and linear power suit the Tiger's nature IMO.

Hemibee- have you ever known me not to take pics?

Slightly off-topic: MV Agusta are launching their new Brutale 800 triple. It's basically the same size & weight of the oh-so-desirable Brutale 675, but it makes 125bhp. To my eyes the bike looks ultra-fantastic. I wonder if Triumph are considering tuning their 800 triple to make that same kind of power and putting it in to a naked streetfighter?

 

[CarlS]

Congratulation, Dave. I think you are going to love that Tiger 800.

 

[Rocky]

Congrats

 

[hemibee]

Hemibee- have you ever known me not to take pics?

No sir, just making sure you don't forget.


Posting with Tapatalk while riding my Tiger 955i at 15 over the speed limit.

 

[DaveM]

Congratulations Dave but I am sure you know someone that will let you ride one of his two bikes on the weekend

 

[T-RIDER]

Wish you many happy miles on your Tiger 800

 

[avion]

Congrats Dave, hope you get it soonish, at least you're gonna join the white bike club. (they're the quickest you know).

...

Posted via ripped tapatalk.

 

[Sea Dog]

Congratulations Dave. The 800 is a great bike and can be dialed in to do everything very well. Now that I have mine set up for my riding style and purpose, it would be extremely difficult to find another, more versatile motorcycle. The 800 engine is a jewel and the motorcycle surprises many after you have torn them up in the twisties, then left them in a cloud of dust as you get up it on a dirt road and you do it all in comfort. A very capable motorcycle.

Fortunate you have the Daytona to fiddle with, keeping those motorcycle genes active while your 800 is on its way.

 

[DaveB]

Congrats Dave, hope you get it soonish, at least you're gonna join the white bike club. (they're the quickest you know).

...

Posted via ripped tapatalk.

Cheers mate. Enjoy yourself tomorrow if you're out riding.

I've never had a white bike before.

 

[DaveB]

Congratulations Dave but I am sure you know someone that will let you ride one of his two bikes on the weekend

No chance- he's out in the boonies! The far East Rand
.

 

[DaveB]

Congratulations Dave. The 800 is a great bike and can be dialed in to do everything very well. Now that I have mine set up for my riding style and purpose....

That's a very interesting comment. What set up adjustments/mods have you made?

 

[Sea Dog]

That's a very interesting comment. What set up adjustments/mods have you made?

Hi Dave,

Any updates as to when you will receive your new Tiger ?

The Tiger is a great bike out of the box, however coming from a Street Triple R which are super nimble and have ground clearance to burn, I needed to tailor my 800 to my riding style.

First up was to raise the side stand mount up about 12mm. On left hand corners it touched down too soon and nearly pitched me off once as I hit a dip in a corner. I posted details of this in a thread here with photos. That modification has worked really well.

Next was to get it steering faster into corners and to get the front tyre to hold its line and not wash out on dirt roads. To achieve this I pulled the front forks up through the triple clamps until they nearly touched the handlebars. I then rotated the handle bar risers to the forward position to aid getting my weight over the front wheel. I now use the rear shock in the hardest position. All this did the trick, and I am very happy with how the bike handles on the tar or dirt.

I now run Michellin Anarkie tyres which are better in the dirt than the Pirelli Scorpions.

The net result:

On tar sealed roads. Out of the box, I found the bike had a lazy feel to it tipping into corners and required a conscious effort to adjust your line mid corner. This may suit other riders requirements as these are incredibly stable bikes. After my adjustments, the bike tips into corners very easily. With an extra touch of counter steer it is easy to tighten your line in a corner. The bike is still incredibly stable.

On dirt roads. The front tyre had a very vague feeling in a corner and felt like it would wash out. The back end would push the front end with any opening of the throttle. After the adjustments, the front end is planted. I no longer have to think about the front tyre holding on, it just does and now I can play with the throttle to slide the rear end out after the apex of a corner. Magic !!!

I now believe as a spirited rider I have the ideal bike for 80% tar road / 20 % dirt road riding. Its a marvelous motorcycle.

 

[keystiger]

Very hearty congratulations on the fine new ride

 

[CarlS]

That is a very good post; great information. Thanks.

 

[DaveB]

Thanks Sea Dog. That is really interesting info.

I should be getting the bike in about a week's time.

 

[DaveM]

Oh boy bet it will be a long week

 

[Silli]

Congrats DaveB!!