Back to commuter trailies?

[stig]

'ello peeps.

Right, I've currently got an R1 and a DRZ400s. I use the R1 to commute when it's not snowing (about 500 miles a week) and the DRZ for off-roading.

Now that out glorious government have made it all but impossible to find green lanes to ride on I'm struggling to justify keeping the DRZ.

Secondly, given that I've had the R1 since new in 2001, I'm thinking it may be time for a change? It's a tough one, because believe it or not the R1 has been a FANTASTIC commuter bike

Anyway, I thought about this just before the winter and was considering a KTM Adventure to do both jobs (though in reality it will be 99.9999999% in road). However, since then, the new Triumph Tiger 1050 has come out and I think I'm smitten! I was due to test ride this week, but err... bit nippy 'innit

Due to the amount of miles I rack up and an abject hatred of petrol stations, a big tank/long range is essential - otherwise I end up filling up every day - which is a HUGE drag. I've also got to the age where I think things like heated grips are a GOOD thing Oh dear, it's all downhill for me now

So, suggestions please chaps on which way to go - or indeed other bikes? Superduke is also v.tempting - but I'm thinking a bit too thirsty.

[Andy Oh]

Stig, I know what mean about the R1 being a fantaastic commuter bike, I use mine for 350 miles a week and it is great, however, I too have been thinking about something else and I always come back to a BMW R1200GS, shaft drive, ABS, heated grips and a bullet proof engine, but I will buy a previously owned one as can't justify the cost of a new one to the better half as I'll keep the R1 (2005 model & almost 30,000 miles on it), clean it up and use it for the odd sunday blast, and trip.

Those 1200 GS BMW's are a very good bike.

[barry sheene]

The new tiger is cracking, best engine in a Triumph ever, but has moved away from any pretense of being an off-roader.

If you still want that, then try the 955i model . You can still pick one up brand new incl. heated grips, centre stand, panniers otr for just under 6K.

Don´t get me wrong , I´d love a new tig, but I can´t justify the extra expense just to get a more sporty version of an already brilliant bike.(The new ones don´t come with any extras thrown in)

But then you know I´m biased, this being my 5th Tiger

[remal]

[quote=barry sheene]The new tiger is cracking, best engine in a Triumph ever, but has moved away from any pretense of being an off-roader.

[quote]

I was talking to a guy last week who has a 2005 model and said the same thing

[stig]

Dave - your opinion doesn't count

Andy - I hear you brother. The thing is with the BM - and I know how much of an accomplished machine it is - it's just TOO teutonic for me. It's also pricey and the engine is just too wide for filtering as I'm used to - the R1 is king of filtering, scooters included. Narrow bikes rule in this regard!

I need a long test ride on the Tiger. The seat seemed comfy, if a little stiff (there's a gel option available), but I thought it was very wide between the legs (ooh err missus). Dunno how that will feel on a longer ride.

I like the attitude of the styling though. It seems very well put together and has some nice gucci stuff on it. The rear swinger from the 600 and the radial brakes are very nice indeed!

[barry sheene]

didn´t think it would

I have the gel on my 07 955i, it´s a magnitude of order better than the standard, and a bit slimmer too because it gives....

[stig]

barry sheene said:

didn´t think it would

I have the gel on my 07 955i, it´s a magnitude of order better than the standard, and a bit slimmer too because it gives....

My thoughts too mate. Not exactly a cheap option though is it!

Still, money well spent to save the ar$eache

[barry sheene]

stig said:

My thoughts too mate. Not exactly a cheap option though is it!

I bought mine for my 99 Tiger originally, so it didn´t cost anything to add one to the 07

[hornetrider]

My first bike was a Cagiva Canyon 500 - a single thumper with about 35bhp. I've also ridden the Gran Canyon - powered by the Ducati 900SS engine, a bit of a beast! I love the looks of the Cagiva as well, its a bit different from the norm.

The latest incarnation is the Navigator, powered by the engine from the TL - must surely be a real weapon in the right hands, worth checking out!

[eliminator]

I did commute (London) for a year on the 640 Adventure. 300 mile tank range (1x fuelling / week) but the engine not too happy with high mileage.

Wnt to the 1150 GS 3 years back. 35k miles later - best commute I ever rode.

Bullet proof, heated grips, bulk disappears when you ride her.

Filtering not an issue. Handlebars are higher than car mirrors (I have a 1" lift) and the lock allows me to change filter lines between cars. 200 miles per takn - the Adventure model will go further (bigger tank). If you go for a used one - look for additional lights fitted as the lights are not so good. You can fit them yourself.

I am still with the 1150 (not bought the 12) as I am not yet convinced by the electrics on the 12 (canbus system).

Oh, and they do go round corners! I took mine to the California Superbike School at Silverstone and it did the business!

[stig]

As I said, GS is a great bike - no question. But I reckon the new Tiger really gives it a run for its money.

Need to ride both to decide.

Thanks for the KTM info too! Still love that bike, but it would be the 990 I'd go for - more like 200miles range again I guess?

Edited by stig on Thursday 22 March 16:13

[barry sheene]

That's lovely, i sure do miss my Steamer (it was quicker than the girly model) but the new 'roadie' will have it licked. The 1050 is one rapid machine and carries it weight noticeably lower than the 955i. (I noticed this after getting back on the 955i after test riding the 1050)

I test rode a KTM 950 a while back too, also a fantastic bike, but the trumpet is still the cheapest option. It's also got an engine that is specifically designed for British roads whereas the others don't.

Edited by barry sheene on Thursday 22 March 16:55

[stig]

barry sheene said:

That's lovely, i sure do miss my Steamer (it was quicker than the girly model) but the new 'roadie' will have it licked. The 1050 is one rapid machine and carries it weight noticeably lower than the 955i. (I noticed this after getting back on the 955i after test riding the 1050)

I test rode a KTM 950 a while back too, also a fantastic bike, but the trumpet is still the cheapest option. It's also got an engine that is specifically designed for British roads whereas the others don't.

Edited by barry sheene on Thursday 22 March 16:55

I didn't realise the KTM was so pricey!!!

More reason to buy British again

[barry sheene]

I wouldn't mind a read of that if you don't mind uploading it.....ta

BTW I'm saying nothing as to why I've owned 4 tigers, hooligan tool you say , ahem, shhhh

Edited by barry sheene on Thursday 22 March 17:18

[barry sheene]

brilliant ta.

Wonder if Triumph would be as helpful now.
My 955i tiger with Daytona internals sounds rather interesting
Can't imagine the 1050 needs it, but boy that would be outrageous, just the sort
of thing Stig would get up to , hint, hint

[aeropilot]

I really like the new Tiger, very tempted by one instead of the Duc Multistrada I was thinking off, when I need to get a commute bike for the next contract that's based in central London.

However, the attraction of the relatively maintainence free kevlar belt drive, plus it's comfort, huge torque and a few other things has lead me in another direction of thought....

I fancy one of these instead.....

www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/ulysses/xb12x/features.asp

[stig]

aeropilot said:

I really like the new Tiger, very tempted by one instead of the Duc Multistrada I was thinking off, when I need to get a commute bike for the next contract that's based in central London.

However, the attraction of the relatively maintainence free kevlar belt drive, plus it's comfort, huge torque and a few other things has lead me in another direction of thought....

I fancy one of these instead.....

www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/ulysses/xb12x/features.asp

Funky bike - but 16.7l tank on a 1200! Paltry range methiks.

A bit too agricultural for me

[aeropilot]

stig said:

aeropilot said:

I really like the new Tiger, very tempted by one instead of the Duc Multistrada I was thinking off, when I need to get a commute bike for the next contract that's based in central London.

However, the attraction of the relatively maintainence free kevlar belt drive, plus it's comfort, huge torque and a few other things has lead me in another direction of thought....

I fancy one of these instead.....

www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/ulysses/xb12x/features.asp

Funky bike - but 16.7l tank on a 1200! Paltry range methiks.

A bit too agricultural for me

I think you'd be surprised at what range it'll have. Those engines are quite frugal for their capcity. The 1584cc V-Twin in my Harley is twice the capacity of my old Monster 750 and yet uses almost 50% LESS fuel.

Agricutural.......

Gone on I dare you to go and try one before making that statement, although I grant you the gearbox could be better.

I would have to say though....err, agricutural.....isn't that the exact desirable feature for a pseudo-off roader..

[stig]

aeropilot said:

stig said:

aeropilot said:

I really like the new Tiger, very tempted by one instead of the Duc Multistrada I was thinking off, when I need to get a commute bike for the next contract that's based in central London.

However, the attraction of the relatively maintainence free kevlar belt drive, plus it's comfort, huge torque and a few other things has lead me in another direction of thought....

I fancy one of these instead.....

www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/ulysses/xb12x/features.asp

Funky bike - but 16.7l tank on a 1200! Paltry range methiks.

A bit too agricultural for me

I think you'd be surprised at what range it'll have. Those engines are quite frugal for their capcity. The 1584cc V-Twin in my Harley is twice the capacity of my old Monster 750 and yet uses almost 50% LESS fuel.

Agricutural.......

Gone on I dare you to go and try one before making that statement, although I grant you the gearbox could be better.

I would have to say though....err, agricutural.....isn't that the exact desirable feature for a pseudo-off roader..

So do you have tank range figures for it?

Don't get me wrong, I like Buells - but an air cooled V-twin just doesn't appeal to me.

Happy to try one and be proved wrong, but it's got its work cut out against the Tiger, BMW and KTM.

[jvaughan]

I did the city commute for a while on my Africa Twin. Plenty of height, twin lights to be seen, and most days going up the M3, sports bikers would pull in behind me and follow me through the traffic since people saw the bike and got out of the way.

In the city itself, the bike was great again. Crash bars and the physical size of the bike meant you could bully cars out of the way.