Maybe not a problem in the UK where temperatures are lower than in Oz, but what has stopped me from buying ANY Triumph triple to date has been the ridiculous amount of engine heat blown onto one's upper legs when stopped at traffic lights.

Even on a 15C August day (which is our winter) I found the heat way too much. 3 weeks back I test rode the new Tiger XC 800 - and guess what, Triumph still haven't fixed the problem.

On the servicing front, valves are a breeze on boxers and a lot easier than many tank/airbox off bikes. I imagine the Tiger would need at least the tank off.

Oil change intervals are 6000 miles (or were on my 1150). Being a seperate gearbox, you could use car oil in the engine: a lot cheaper than bike oil, and it has a shaft drive: no more chain adjustment.

So, yes, the clutch could be a pain, but other jobs that you do more often are not.

Ultimately, go for the bike that is most comfy and you'll enjoy the most: the service costs would not be so different to justify getting the one you like less.

See if you can get a back to back test ride a few days apart....

Let us know!

Ted - go and ride a DL650, it's a very comfortable bike for one or 2-up (and yes, I am biased because I won one):innocent:...

Won one ??? You lucky sod !! :thumbup1:

doh:blushing: ...fat finger syndrome. I OWN one...

I had a 2001 Tiger, put over 35,000 miles on it. You need to keep the brake calipers clean. I didn't pay attention to them first winter and had to get new seals and pistons. They collect dirt off the road, so need to be cleaned, I'd say evey 5k miles, pretty easy to do. I also had an oil seal go and it somehow misted oil into the air box fouling up the air filter.
The fuel injection can be snatchy at very low speeds, like filtering through traffic. Mine didn't like me putting on aftermarket heated grips and the engine warning light came on a few times when I flicked the grips on whilst bike was on stand ticking over. The EWL does go off eventually and bike didn't go into 'limp home' mode as a consequence.
Others have mentioned, being top heavy...it is , don't try tight turns at walking pace. Front forks do dive when braking hard at speed.

Having said all that, I loved mine and finally sold it with 52,000 miles on the clock.
Got a BMW F800gs now and its much better than the Tiger, but costs more to purchase.
Hope you have some good trips out on it if you buy it.
Cheers
CP

Forgot to mention....If you do buy it, let me know cos I've still got a new gear lever and indicator left in my spares...yours if you want them.
Cheers
CP

I run a 955i Tiger and its a great bike, mines got some miles on it too (50K). The clutch actuator rod broke a bearing and the repair meant you had to buy a casing from Triumph for £270 and a new rod for £55. That didnt sit right so I bought bearings and a seal off the net for next to nothing and an actuating rod from triumph for £55 and re-conned the casing.. quite easy really. The tiger is very comfortable and easily does 500 - 600 mile days in comfort. At 70mph 250 miles on the 23ltr tank is achievable. The casings and original bolts suffer from corrosion mainly off the front wheel but a generous application of scotchbright and some satin black paint alongside a set of stainless allen bolts off of ebay for £15 turn a cheap bike into one that will hold its money and look great too.
Buy one Ted, I had XT600, Transalp and a whole host of mid range bikes too and the tiger has been a good move for me, if you drop it tho' get a m8 to help you pick it up!
Cheers MPF

I bought mine new in 2004, I love it..... its here to stay... bit heavy I suppose, but very comfortable.... I usually fill up around the 200 mile mark...
I traded my Africa Twin for mine... previous to that was a Varadero & Transalp.....

Well, I have to say.......

I bought a 2004 DL 650 V-Strom....

£1950 with full luggage, crash bars, centre stand, scottoiler touring, heated grips etc etc.

It was in need of a service and has 45,000 miles.. It now purrs like a kitten though..

Bargain me thinks !!! It does 280 miles in its 22L tank and cruises nicely at 80-90mph.

I had a 2006 955i and loved it - funnily enough it was a Royal Enfield that made me realise it was a bit top heavy for me when manouvering on foot!
The minute it was moving it was fantastic - a beautiful engine and really well balanced. At a squeeze I got 300 miles out of the tank (fill up before you have to!) but generally 250 was fine. It easily cruised at 70/80mph (still with enough oomph to overtake) but I also did a few pretty rough gravel roads with hairpin bends etc - may not have won any marks on style/speed but it was feet up and the bike performed better than I did. It was very comfortable with great weather protection. A friend toured Europe for 5 weeks two up, fully loaded, with no problems regarding comfort but pretty heavy for slow handling. Mine was slightly 'lurchy' at slow speed in traffic but slipping the clutch solved that - the friend had no problem. Only other problem was that the ignition barrel worked loose (fixed under warranty) and the footpeg mounts loosened off until a bit of Loctite was applied. I also fitted a MRA Vario screen as the original resulted in a lot of buffeting. I had Triumph heated grips with no problems but after 25k the throttle grip lost it's heating element on friends bike. If I hadn't got an Enfield I'd still have the Tiger - as it is I now have a Transalp. The Tiger always felt like a big bike but then I'm a 'gurl'! (5'8" 60kg) Had it weighed a bit less, had the C of G a bit lower or a lower seat I'd still have it. It was a lovely bike and I was sorry to see it go.

V-strom sucked...

Just bought a 2002 Tiger....... So far so sexy :)

Hi Ted.
I used to have a 650 strom,I put nearly 20k miles on it around Uk, Ireland and France and sold it last year for an FJ1200!:confused1:
I get to ride tigers a lot in my job, (just done a couple of hundred miles on the new 1200 explorer, now thats a seriously good motorcycle).
My favourite is the Tiger 800, but I have allways had a soft spot for the 955i, its very underated, really comfortable and has a great tank range.
Im curious as to what you you didnt like with the V-Strom?
Good luck with the Tiger, you'll love it!

The V-strom 650 is just REALLY underpowered for the size of the bike. My Tiger is probably the same weight and makes WAY more power and knocks out the same MPG... The handling is also very slow.

I dunno, it just never felt right and I tried EVERYTHING...

It always felt asthmatic.. As a one up overland bike, I would still consider it as it smooth, reliable and the weight is well distributed.

Tiger
 

Yeah I know what you mean about the lack of power..
I allways thought the 650 was a great bike, utterly reliable and dependable but also really dull and boring, no excitement whatsoever.
I bought the FJ to do some quick 3 or 4 day European trips,I cant get away for very long now cause we have a little boy.
But its a big cumbersome lump and so lately I have been thinking of selling it and getting something like a 885i or 955i Tiger, very flickable,nice riding position, and great sound.
Have you had a chance to do any trips on your one yet?