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

[V8RX7]

I love my 525 Supermoto and it's staying but I want to ride 2+ hours to Wales etc around it and back so 6+ hours, my back won't let me do that on my 1100 Griso so I think it's going, which is a shame

So I'm looking for a comfortable tourer and thinking an Adventure style will suit me better than a Tourer as such.

I've an irrational hatred of BMW bikes, the Tiger 955i seems to fit the bill (circa £2k) although I'd prefer something smaller / lighter, I like to ride A/B roads 50-85 and as they are in poor repair, decent suspension is a must.

I started looking at the 855 but reviews said the 955 was better, I could afford the 1050 (seen a few at £3500) but don't really like the looks and as it's a third bike, cheaper the better.

What other bikes should I consider ?

Thanks

[V8RX7]

Thanks but:

I looked at V Strom but it's bloody ugly, 1000 is £1k more than 955 and it doesn't seem a better bike really

Bandit - a bit meh, didn't really want a 4cyl either

Multistrada - ugly to my eye, but I'll go and read up

VFR750 / 800 I have looked at them and like the noise but surely the position is at least as bent forward as my Griso (probably more)

[V8RX7]

leighz said:

You'll struggle to get a tidy tiger 1050 for that money. Great bikes though. However there's no point looking at them if they don't float your boat as you'll never be happy with it

suzuki gsf1250/GSX1250F a good shout a bit more relaxed than your griso according to https://cycle-ergo.com/

I'm not fussy about scratches etc - seen a mint one with 43k for £3k and two with scratches for £3500

You may be right about looks, although I love the look of the Griso but looks aren't enough

Thanks for the link I'd forgotten about that site

[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 ?

[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

[V8RX7]

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

[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

[V8RX7]

NITO said:

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 ^!

I'm considering one !

Test rode an 800 Tiger enroute to make sure I wasn't making a mistake - what a POS, it wasn't very quick, gave me a numb bum after 20 mins and made a horrid whine despite having an end can.

Got to the Dealer with the 1050, yes it was a bit heavy stationary but on the move it was fine it had the power I wanted and the exhaust sounded great from the Beowolf BUT it had a horrid whine too (google suggests it's the straight cut gears and affects every triple) it completely ruined the ride and was a joyless experience.

So the search continues - but google backs up what other posters have said that the Caponord has issues... but I've just tested a KTM 990 - nice to have the lighter weight, noise was ok but it seemed to lack torque.

Edited by V8RX7 on Friday 31st July 20:54

[V8RX7]

Pothole said:

The triple whine is epic!

That's the funny thing about people isn't it ...

I was disappointed the reviews hadn't highlighted it. I researched and travelled a long way to buy it, coming home and Googling, it seems it is a well known "characteristic" but as always you don't know, what you don't know, until you discover it 😃

[V8RX7]

Thanks guys - I have been reading up on them - because I've eliminated most of the other options !

[V8RX7]

Update after trying to find a Caponord within 150 miles that was sensibly priced and not clocked / a dog I gave up and went to a big bike dealership to see loads of alternatives - no test rides so could only make decisions on what I could see / sit on

Tiger 955 felt like a heavy, 70's relic

Sick of looking, made a silly offer on an 07 Superduke - which was accepted, never even seen one in the flesh so what could possibly go wrong

[V8RX7]

Update - discovered that the Superduke was a cracking bike but 90 felt like 30 just too much bike / temptation for me at this stage.

I mentioned it on a local group and sold it on at a profit within 48hrs

I then saw an early 690 Duke 3, a bike I'd originally wanted to buy so I bought that - but the vibration is worse than my 525 !

Have checked the usual suspects, engine bolts, serviced it etc and there's no change, far more vibration than the later 2016 - spent 4 uncomfortable hours on it yesterday so it's up for sale - shame as I think it's lovely.

As it's getting colder I'm thinking a screen, heated grips... 650 V Strom fits the bill but I don't feel old enough whilst I see the Shiver 750 doesn't compare to a Street Triple, surely the GT with the fairing must be a better option than a V Strom ?

[V8RX7]

NITO said:

Where are you based, there have been lots of nice ones recently and 150 miles is a big sweep of area!

Cheers
Nito

Near Warwick

But I saw a cheap KTM 950 SM on Monday night and bought it yesterday however if you see anything decent let me know I'm always happy to try new bikes

I looked at every sub £3k Cappo on Ebay / AT and none inspired confidence - no history etc