£3k Touring / Adventure Bike - Tiger 955i ?

[MajorMajor76]

Aprilia Caponord for a leftfield suggestion? Know nothing about them but was looking at them a while ago. Online info seemed to suggest you didn't necessarily need to be as brave as you might think.

[Jag_NE]

You can’t go too far wrong with a VFR. Obviously not fully upright but it’s a world apart from a sports bike in terms of comfort. My old one had 70k on the clock and still ran beautifully. I like the Triumphs but at that price point the Honda quality is a nice thing to have.

[LFB531]

If you like the Griso, how about a Stelvio?

[V8RX7]

Thanks for the replies I have been furiously googling

It doesn't help when I don't know many of the models nor exactly what I want to do with it.

IE the dream is crossing deserts the reality is riding to Wales, Peaks, Lakes, Yorkshire

Having tackled the more interesting green lanes on my KTM 450 EXC I'd prefer a smaller Freeride yet to get around the UK in comfort everything is literally twice the size / weight so I'm ruling out any off road stuff on this bike.

I like the higher riding position and it helps my back so I'm going to eliminate Tourers

From googling alternatives to your suggestions I've come up with a short list:


Tiger 955i - cheap, heavy, looks ok. I fancy trying a triple
KTM 950 / 990 - lightest of the type, I like twins, I like KTM but not as comfy as the Tiger and more expensive

A few have mentioned age / mileage - I'm used to 90's cars surely as bikes are generally garaged ad maintained better, age is irrelevant ?

Mileage - for a Triumph / KTM what is considered high mileage and what likely issues ? I've seen a few bikes with 40k on them is this getting toward likely engine / gearbox issues ?

[Jazoli]

V8RX7 said:

Mileage - for a Triumph / KTM what is considered high mileage and what likely issues ? I've seen a few bikes with 40k on them is this getting toward likely engine / gearbox issues ?

There shouldn't be any issues with the Triumphs, you need a decent battery on them as the starter sprag clutch can fail, IACV hoses are brittle and leak but they are an easy fix and the fuel tank connectors are st, keep an eye on the valve clearances too, you can also diagnose and remap them (if you want) with the tuneecu app, I have had loads of triples up to 80k miles and as long as you service them regularly with the correct oil they just run and run....can't comment on the KTM's.

[V8RX7]

Jazoli said:

There shouldn't be any issues with the Triumphs, you need a decent battery on them as the starter sprag clutch can fail, IACV hoses are brittle and leak but they are an easy fix and the fuel tank connectors are st, keep an eye on the valve clearances too, you can also diagnose and remap them (if you want) with the tuneecu app, I have had loads of triples up to 80k miles and as long as you service them regularly with the correct oil they just run and run....can't comment on the KTM's.

Thanks, I suspect a Tiger engine will have had an easier life than many of the other models and than the KTM too

[2wheelsjimmy]

I had an SMT LC8 that I put 35,000 miles on, there are adventures with 100,000. Parts arent thay much if needed.

I just got a 990 duke, I'd tour on it no problem. New one has 26,000 and I plan to keep it forever. I used to do 1,000km days on SMT, I'd do the same on duke. Though need ti look at fitting a palmer screen. Probebrly get an airhawk seat too. But the ergos are more comfortable for me than SMT.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Tuesday 7th July 13:47

[CousinDupree]

PartOfTheProblem said:

CaptainSlow said:

Sprint ST1050. End thread.

I disagree. The riding position is way too sporty for a tourer in my opinion. I love my old Sprint 955i, but I couldn't tolerate an ST1050.

From 2007 onwards, they got high bars. It's like a Goldwing compared to a VFR / Blackbird etc.

Great bikes, although the seat is annoying.

[Stuart Fordyce]

AceOfHearts said:

What about the old shape Multistrada? Can be had well in budget with luggage nowadays.

Superb bikes to ride, not too bad to work on either. Which is just as well as mine broke down a lot. Plastic tank swelling will now be a big issue, causing leaks. Side stand wears out its bolt hole. Dashboard immobilizer has a mind of its own, fuel gauge tells fairy stories - although they're quite good on fuel and you ought to get 50mpg.

I honestly wouldn't though, having owned one for 3 years. For what you want I'd personally look for a SV1000S

[Pothole]

V8RX7 said:

Jazoli said:

There shouldn't be any issues with the Triumphs, you need a decent battery on them as the starter sprag clutch can fail, IACV hoses are brittle and leak but they are an easy fix and the fuel tank connectors are st, keep an eye on the valve clearances too, you can also diagnose and remap them (if you want) with the tuneecu app, I have had loads of triples up to 80k miles and as long as you service them regularly with the correct oil they just run and run....can't comment on the KTM's.

Thanks, I suspect a Tiger engine will have had an easier life than many of the other models and than the KTM too

Heavier duty battery cables can help...a lot.

[mister_ee]

£3k will get you a lovely Fazer 1000 - I had one for 12 years and it's got to be the best all rounder I've ever ridden, fast, comfy, good handling on twisty roads and motorways, reliable, good 2-up and pulls monster wheelies

[V8RX7]

Been looking at £2k 955i and £3k 1050 - good ones are selling bloody quick !

[Pothole]

V8RX7 said:

Been looking at £2k 955i and £3k 1050 - good ones are selling bloody quick !

If you FAcebook, there's a good Tiger 1050/Tiger Sport page which often has bikes for sale. (you'll have to trawl through endless blather about which colour is fastest and what tyres/chain and sprockets/oil/lightbulbs are in favour this week...)
Tiger 1050 headlights are acknowledged as poor, btw.

[CousinDupree]

Later 1050s came with 14Ah batteries which also really help.

Just a good stock sized Motobatt battery transformed the starting on mine, although there are lots of fakes out there!

[V8RX7]

Update:

Budget creep to almost £4k - decided that I wanted ABS as I intend to tour on it, have placed a deposit, sight unseen on a Tiger 1050 with panniers, on the basis that I like it on the test ride - it's a Dealer bike and they won't let anyone ride it until it's been through their workshop

[NITO]

That is all!









Fantastic ride, V-Twin grunt, bulletproof Rotax 1000cc engine. A couple of silly mods (replace 2 connectors, replace rectifier and metal fuel quick connectors in lieu of stock plastic ones) is all that's really required to address the weak spots for a reliable tourer.




Edit: I see you've placed a deposit...if it doesn't work out one to consider then ^!

Edited by NITO on Monday 27th July 17:50

[Pothole]

Always liked the look and the idea of those Caponords...maybe one day. They seem very good value, too.

[Derventio]

I would definitely recommend a Tiger 955I I kept mine for three years. That is a very long time for me to keep a bike as I usually get bored with it after 6 months.

I would absolutely not recommend a Versys 650. Great engine but my god they are uncomfortable. The VFR and Varedero are good shout. I would suggets a Transalp but some might find them a bit pedestrian. The handling and comfort are top notch, though.

[Derventio]

MajorMajor76 said:

Aprilia Caponord for a leftfield suggestion? Know nothing about them but was looking at them a while ago. Online info seemed to suggest you didn't necessarily need to be as brave as you might think.

I had one of these. It was without doubt, the fastest bike point to point, over any road surface that I have ever ridden. It was immensely comfortable, handled brilliantly and sounded absolutely epic through a set of Remus Cans.

However, the list of there reliability shortcomings is both long and expensive. £700 each to replace the badly corroded fork stanchions on mine was a bill too far. and that was just the chrome bit, not the full leg!

[Pothole]

Derventio said:

MajorMajor76 said:

Aprilia Caponord for a leftfield suggestion? Know nothing about them but was looking at them a while ago. Online info seemed to suggest you didn't necessarily need to be as brave as you might think.

I had one of these. It was without doubt, the fastest bike point to point, over any road surface that I have ever ridden. It was immensely comfortable, handled brilliantly and sounded absolutely epic through a set of Remus Cans.

However, the list of there reliability shortcomings is both long and expensive. £700 each to replace the badly corroded fork stanchions on mine was a bill too far. and that was just the chrome bit, not the full leg!

That must have been OEM prices, surely?