07 Triumph Tiger 1050cc

**huck farley** · 30th October 2006, 08:24

I have been looking to buy a new bike to replace my 05 VFR800FI done 18000ks. I am not as young as I used to be so I am trying to get away from the cramped up sports bikes. As I am not really enjoying my riding of late. I have had a bike on and of for 40 years. Reading the specs of the new 07 Triumph Tiger, I think it will suit my style of riding from now on. On the road with two factory panniers for just over 20k represents good value for money. BMW I don't like. AS for cruisers, I think you would be better of in a mobility scooter. Is there anyone on the site in the same boat as I? I would like to hear what you have to say on my intended replacement, for my VFR800FI. Is there a better bike on the market in your oppinion? to replace it? If so I would welcome the advice:
cheers all.

keith14

**Devil** · 30th October 2006, 08:27

When you decide, let me know what you're going to flog the VFR off for

**Blackbird** · 30th October 2006, 09:25

I turned 59 the week before last and on the Blackbird, I get knee and wrist pain if I do more than about 800 km in a day. It's not so bad that I need to get rid of it yet, but I have turned my thoughts about what to do when the time comes. I'll definitely be going for a more upright riding position but as I'm only 5'8", the Tiger is too tall for me. My leanings are towards the Yamaha FZ1-N or the 2007 Kawasaki Z1000. They both have fantastic performance for real world riding, but offer more comfort for old bones!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Geoff

**sels1** · 30th October 2006, 09:57

Originally Posted by Blackbird

the Tiger is too tall for me.

The 07 Tiger has been redesigned and looks not so tall judging by the pics on the net. Front wheel has come down from 19 to 17 and the seat is different.
Us current Tiger owners bemoan the loss of some of the off road ability (not that many take them off road much) but the new model looks capable enough for gravel roads. And (without actually riding it) I would say it would retain the excellent riding comfort, good even power (love those triples) and and suprising agility (for a bike that size) that the older Tigers have.

Provided you dont have problems with seat height, I would say they are an ideal choice Kieth.

**ceebie13** · 30th October 2006, 10:18

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I turned 59 the week before last .... My leanings are towards the Yamaha FZ1-N or the 2007 Kawasaki Z1000. They both have fantastic performance for real world riding, but offer more comfort for old bones! Geoff

I turned 55 last week (not that age should mean anything) but I can't rate the CB1300 highly enough for all the reasons you state. Have you considered it at all BB?

**Blackbird** · 30th October 2006, 10:28

Originally Posted by ceebie13

I turned 55 last week (not that age should mean anything) but I can't rate the CB1300 highly enough for all the reasons you state. Have you considered it at all BB?

Yes I have, subject to seat height. I've seen photos of yours and it's a gorgeous bike. My boss has the forerunner, the 1997 CB 1000 "Big One" with all sorts of extras. I've ridden it and it's bloody impressive. Yours must be even more so.

**fazer** · 30th October 2006, 10:31

Am 54, had a fazer 1000 (in Uk), and was the best all round bike i`ve had. Not tried the new model though, not intending to cos I might be tempted!!!

**ceebie13** · 30th October 2006, 10:37

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Yes I have, subject to seat height. I've seen photos of yours and it's a gorgeous bike. My boss has the forerunner, the 1997 CB 1000 "Big One" with all sorts of extras. I've ridden it and it's bloody impressive. Yours must be even more so.

Cheers, yep I certainly enjoy it. The words "shovel" and "shit" come to mind!! I'm 6ft4 so no seat height worries for me. In fact I'm more at one with the CB than my old ZX9 cos I used to dwarf that!
I think Boyd Honda were/still are?? selling their ex-demo CB13 (in black) which has a lowered seat on it. Check out pics on TradeMe or M'C Trader.
About $10K I think.

**pritch** · 30th October 2006, 13:15

Originally Posted by keith14

I am not as young as I used to be so I am trying to get away from the cramped up sports bikes.

I chose the Hornet for the sort of reasons you mention. I tried several sprot bikes but they were painful as commuters and a constant temptation to up the pace in the interest of comfort on the open road.

The Hornet is OK for about four hours, after which the shoulders complain a bit. An FJR1300 or an STX might cure that, but then the Whangamomona runs wouldn't be so much fun.

The CB1300 has a couple more horses than the Hornet, much more torque, but weighs shitloads more Kgs. Can't see the point really.

You've got me a bit worried there though... I did want to try a VFR.
But hey! I'm only 62.

**Devil** · 30th October 2006, 13:40

I thought the VFR was seriously comfy!
Pritch: Just try one! I took one for a blat the other day and loved it.

**vifferman** · 30th October 2006, 14:06

Originally Posted by keith14

I would like to hear what you have to say on my intended replacement, for my VFR800FI. Is there a better bike on the market in your oppinion? to replace it?

Depends what you mean by "better".
If all that you don't like about your VFR is ergonomic-related, then there are things you can do:

Fit Helibars, GenMar risers, Tomaselli clip-ons or whatever to bring the bars up and back a bit.
Fit a double-bubble windscreen to raise the wind blast.
Lower the footpegs by fitting Buell footpeg brackets to the existing ones.
Have the seat customised by MacDonald Motortrimmers to fit your butt.
Add heated grips.

All of that should still leave you heaps of shekels from what you will lose by changing bikes.
As for changing bikes, I know that of the VFR owners who haven't gone to something more sporty, the majority seem to have gone for an FZR1 or whatever it's called, or a BMW R1200GS. Very few seem to have gone for the likes of the Kawasaki 1200 or any other sport-touring bikes. If they've wanted a more comfy sport-tourer from Honda, they've opted for the STX1300 or Honda's 2-wheeled car, the Goldwing.

**vifferman** · 30th October 2006, 14:29

Originally Posted by Devil

I thought the VFR was seriously comfy!
Pritch: Just try one! I took one for a blat the other day and loved it.

Yes'n'no.
It has excellent ergos: everything seems to be in just the right place. However, the seat does get a bit hard after a while, and if you're tall the pegs are a bit high.

I find mine just right, especially now I've swapped my leather trousers (which were restricting blood flow in my knees) for some better-fitting ones.

**dawnrazor** · 30th October 2006, 15:50

Just got a proper look at the new tiger in this months issue of BIKE, it looks damn good the only thing it has in common with the old model is the name, its off road stylings are gone, I reckon triumph will flog alot of them its going to be very appealing for all the reasons that have been brought up here but NOT boring at all. The new daytona will be interesting as well...

**Clivoris** · 30th October 2006, 17:10

Mmmm? Speed Triple? Tuono (if you don't mind felching around with it to make it go like it should)? FZ1? One of the Japanese naked muscle bikes? But the above suggestion to raise the bars a bit might be the perfect solution. Oooh, and I'm sure Big Dave would recommend the Buell Ulyses. What a fabulous excuse to go test riding. Woohoo.