More bike related stuff

**learningtofly** · 3rd July 2021, 11:48

Originally Posted by downer

A friend of mine just traded his Tiger 800 XCA for a 900 GT. He reckons the improvements are substantial, although I think there is a) some need to convince himself his cost to change was worth it and b) the switch from 21" front wheel to 19" front wheel which probably makes the bike a bit more user friendly on the road. Either way, he certainly rates the Tiger 900 pretty highly.

Well, I'm sure it's a lovely bike. The applause that greeted the 900 range from within the Triumph fraternity was for the most part quite muted, though, which to my mind is more telling.

The spec of the the 800 above is pretty good, and certainly good enough that I wouldn't be losing any sleep over the 900s.

**skmark** · 3rd July 2021, 12:05

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Thanks very much for that, and the timing is actually quite bizarre in that I was thinking about this specific version last night. It's a good spec in terms of components and with the seat set at it's lowest height would theoritically fit me pefectly. I think I need to have a scout around to see if anything's available outside of the Triumph dealership network as well... it's bloody tempting though.

I'm also aware that the improvements in the new 900 are for the most part incremental (although the new TFT screen is a beauty).

Oooohhhh that looks nice

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**blackal** · 3rd July 2021, 12:08

Originally Posted by Dave+63

TFT pah!

I must confess though, that if I were to go fir and adventure bike, the Tiger 800 would be my first choice or possibly an Africa Twin.

Tiger 800 is a great bike, and to my mind - better built than the BMW 800GS.

Only thing I don't like is lack of 17" front wheel. That steers me towards the Tracer.

**learningtofly** · 3rd July 2021, 12:14

Originally Posted by blackal

Tiger 800 is a great bike, and to my mind - better built than the BMW 800GS.

Only thing I don't like is lack of 17" front wheel. That steers me towards the Tracer.

Forgivable, though, considering the Showa front and rear and the genuine off-road capability.

Originally Posted by skmark

Oooohhhh that looks nice

Yes, it's nice, isn't it? Anyway, I've asked for a test ride

**downer** · 3rd July 2021, 12:59

^^^ Look forward to the pictures.

I've been idly looking at this MV Augusta. A local dealer has one in at a reasonable price, but I reckon it may still be considered a "brave choice". Nice looking bike though (IMO).

**Stanford** · 3rd July 2021, 14:10

Originally Posted by learningtofly

I'm also aware that the improvements in the new 900 are for the most part incremental (although the new TFT screen is a beauty).

Originally Posted by downer

A friend of mine just traded his Tiger 800 XCA for a 900 GT. He reckons the improvements are substantial, although I think there is a) some need to convince himself his cost to change was worth it and b) the switch from 21" front wheel to 19" front wheel which probably makes the bike a bit more user friendly on the road. Either way, he certainly rates the Tiger 900 pretty highly.

I also think the 900 range (GT and Rally) is a significant improvement on the 800 range - apart from anything else, and without actually checking the numbers, the engine feels like it has more grunt; it doesn't feel as (top)heavy; the gearing is better; and the radiator/fan doesn't cook your right leg.
The only bit I don't like of the 900s is the TFT display which, to me, looks a bit toy-like.

**Plake** · 3rd July 2021, 14:45

Originally Posted by downer

^^^ Look forward to the pictures.

I've been idly looking at this MV Augusta. A local dealer has one in at a reasonable price, but I reckon it may still be considered a "brave choice". Nice looking bike though (IMO).

They are nice looking in real life.

I was very, very impressed by the look of the Rush 1000 in real life too. Menacing…

**chris2982** · 3rd July 2021, 14:58

Thought I'd post this here incase it's any good for anyone.
Seems cheap to me for 55 quid, they also got the 2m one for 63.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oxford-OF...-127635-2958-0

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**higham5** · 3rd July 2021, 15:47

Originally Posted by downer

^^^ Look forward to the pictures.

I've been idly looking at this MV Augusta. A local dealer has one in at a reasonable price, but I reckon it may still be considered a "brave choice". Nice looking bike though (IMO).

I met a guy in Denbigh N.Wales with a MV F3 looked stunning and tiny. His concern was the nearest service garage was north of Preston eg 90 plus miles away.

Having said that when my BM was in for service im Manchester a guy pulled up on a Superveloce. I think I would happily travel to Edinburgh or Somerzet to get that serviced it was that drop dead gorgeous.

Steve

**downer** · 3rd July 2021, 15:58

Originally Posted by higham5

I met a guy in Denbigh N.Wales with a MV F3 looked stunning and tiny. His concern was the nearest service garage was north of Preston eg 90 plus miles away.

Having said that when my BM was in for service im Manchester a guy pulled up on a Superveloce. I think I would happily travel to Edinburgh or Somerzet to get that serviced it was that drop dead gorgeous.

Steve

Yeah, that's one of the issues - although it's only 55 miles in my case.

**kildareman** · 3rd July 2021, 17:42

Originally Posted by blackal

Tiger 800 is a great bike, and to my mind - better built than the BMW 800GS.

Only thing I don't like is lack of 17" front wheel. That steers me towards the Tracer.

The 19" front steers very nicely.

**djjuk** · 3rd July 2021, 17:58

Originally Posted by learningtofly

Well, I'm sure it's a lovely bike. The applause that greeted the 900 range from within the Triumph fraternity was for the most part quite muted, though, which to my mind is more telling.

The spec of the the 800 above is pretty good, and certainly good enough that I wouldn't be losing any sleep over the 900s.

I had a 2018 Tiger 800 XRT that was a fantastic bike. Test rode a new 900 recently but preferred the 800. If I was going back to a Tiger I would stay with a later gen 800.

**learningtofly** · 3rd July 2021, 18:03

Originally Posted by djjuk

I had a 2018 Tiger 800 XRT that was a fantastic bike. Test rode a new 900 recently but preferred the 800. If I was going back to a Tiger I would stay with a later gen 800.

That does seem to be the view of those who actually know Triumphs. It’s all too easy to be swayed by slick advertising and sexy images.

**GOAT** · 3rd July 2021, 18:08

Most of my riding friends (we’re all around 60 now) have recently moved from 1200gs’s and the like to smaller, lighter bikes-KTM 790/890, Tiger 900xc, Tenere and in my case the F900xr. (BMW)
None of us are disappointed with performance or handling. I was very tempted to go the 890 route but got a great deal trading my R9T urban for the F900 that clinched it.
Personally I’d take the 890/F900 over the tiger, which is still a great easy going bike. Tenere is nice , but both it and the Africa twin felt a bit under par in terms of performance (in my view at least)
Don’t buy the tiger until you’ve ridden an F900xr, at least, and also the KTM 890
Incidentally all of us have “others” such as Husqvarna, Metisse, classics etc,
I guess when we can travel again we’ll all end up back in shift-cam 1250 GS’s……

**manganr** · 3rd July 2021, 19:21

Still looking forward to pics GOAT. Not a bike you hear much about but on Google and spec it looks great!

**manganr** · 3rd July 2021, 19:24

.....also given that 90% of adventure bikes never leave the road it looks like a great choice. A real life adventure tourer from the looks of things!

**blackal** · 3rd July 2021, 19:33

Originally Posted by kildareman

The 19" front steers very nicely.

Not compared to a 17” that takes good road-rubber.

Take that further, where 17” rims are compared to carbon fibre wheels, and there is a further quantum leap in handling.

Rotating inertia and gyroscopic effect difference between 19” and 17” is immense.

**GOAT** · 3rd July 2021, 19:39

Originally Posted by manganr

Still looking forward to pics GOAT. Not a bike you hear much about but on Google and spec it looks great!

here we go Ray...F900XR TE picture from the sales ad...

at home in my Garage...rides a bit like the excellent Husqvarna Nuda from the era when BMW owned the brand, and now a cult machine in its own right.

and my Husqvarna 701e- I've had this one mapped for the carbon/titanium exhaust and the suspension bespoked to my rider weight- it's just a tad short of 80bhp but weighs approx 138kg, so much more bike than I will ever be a rider but just amazing to ride- it has a Husky spec KTM engine with more mid range and the white power suspension they come with is sublime My old R9T urban that I traded for the f9 is behind it...

**awright101** · 3rd July 2021, 19:59

Smart bikes and a very smart garage

**manganr** · 3rd July 2021, 20:54

That's a stunning pair Goat. Considering the 701 myself. Looks like a very capable all rounder.

**manganr** · 3rd July 2021, 20:55

....but yes, your garage is way too tidy. Mine looks like Steptoes yard!

**GOAT** · 3rd July 2021, 21:04

Cheers!
If I’m honest I’m not sure the 701e would be a single bike solution, though it handles and goes and stops really well, it’s just possibly too focussed to do it all, dealers are more sparse ,but its special !
If I had to go to just one bike I could see a Ducati hypermotard 950sp being fun and with a touch more refinement than my 701…
It’s all great fun!

**manganr** · 3rd July 2021, 22:03

That's okay GOAT. I'm not a single bike person. Recently sold my mental KXF450 and am looking something a little more user friendly and capable off road. It's the one that seems to tick all the boxes for me at the moment. It also looks great and that's a big plus for me too!

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**Martylaa** · 3rd July 2021, 22:08

Originally Posted by GOAT

here we go Ray...F900XR TE picture from the sales ad...

at home in my Garage...rides a bit like the excellent Husqvarna Nuda from the era when BMW owned the brand, and now a cult machine in its own right.

and my Husqvarna 701e- I've had this one mapped for the carbon/titanium exhaust and the suspension bespoked to my rider weight- it's just a tad short of 80bhp but weighs approx 138kg, so much more bike than I will ever be a rider but just amazing to ride- it has a Husky spec KTM engine with more mid range and the white power suspension they come with is sublime My old R9T urban that I traded for the f9 is behind it...

How do you find the wind buffering at speed on the BMW?

**GOAT** · 3rd July 2021, 22:31

It’s not as bad as my pals KTM 790 but needs improvement so I have a puig taller screen on back order
The F9 has a lever adjustable screen that you can raise but it doesn’t make as much difference as you’d think
My 701 got the same treatment (puig) and it made a huge difference so happy to stick with them- they include the aerodynamic studies with the screens
Mra screens are also highly recommended for the F9….
The stock seat is also not fantastic so I use the BMW comfort seat that is massively better….

**Martylaa** · 3rd July 2021, 23:24

Originally Posted by GOAT

It’s not as bad as my pals KTM 790 but needs improvement so I have a puig taller screen on back order
The F9 has a lever adjustable screen that you can raise but it doesn’t make as much difference as you’d think
My 701 got the same treatment (puig) and it made a huge difference so happy to stick with them- they include the aerodynamic studies with the screens
Mra screens are also highly recommended for the F9….
The stock seat is also not fantastic so I use the BMW comfort seat that is massively better….

Thanks for the I fo, enjoy looks a beauty…

**Gyp** · 4th July 2021, 06:54

Bit of a rubbish end to the working week, so decided to wave the spanners at the Triumph.

Not that I needed to; it was therapy.

Popped off the Givis (which will make LTF happy) and put on the Triumph single sided pannier. Thar gave me the space to pop on the V&H

I prefer the sound of the OE silencer so this will likely be a short lived arrangement, but as the activity was for therapy not practicality, I'll get more therapy later swapping it back :-)

Also removed the PIAA driving lamps. I've demonstrated their effectiveness with a night time cross country ride, but I don't like the positioning, so they are off until I can get some better brackets made up

**pacifichrono** · 4th July 2021, 16:19

Just FYI, in my research to find the right electric bicycle to buy (top speeds of 18-36 mph), I encountered this café racer electric for under £5,000. It's the Rumble Air SST, good for 65 mph!

...and the Rumble Henry Air SST for a bit over 5K:

**Tifa** · 4th July 2021, 16:31

Handy for nipping down to the shops and back to impress the chicks....

**Chicken Pox** · 4th July 2021, 17:03

Originally Posted by Tifa

Handy for nipping down to the shops and back to impress the chicks....

I presume the Rumble is in your back, and the shop being the chemist for the prep-H probably won't clinch it with the senoritas...

**Tifa** · 4th July 2021, 17:31

Ahhhhhh....sorry.
My mistake....I thought it was a motorcycle.

**oldoakknives** · 4th July 2021, 18:16

Originally Posted by Tifa

Ahhhhhh....sorry.
My mistake....I thought it was a motorcycle.

Got pedals, so I thought it was a moped!

Garellilectric perhaps?

**pacifichrono** · 4th July 2021, 19:45

Originally Posted by oldoakknives

Got pedals, so I thought it was a moped!

Garellilectric perhaps?

I think it's a hybrid: too fast and heavy for a "bike," but with pedals I don't think you can call it a "motorcycle." The pedals are probably an attempt to get it categorized legally as a bicycle.

**pacifichrono** · 4th July 2021, 23:29

Originally Posted by Gyp

Bit of a rubbish end to the working week, so decided to wave the spanners at the Triumph.

Not that I needed to; it was therapy.

Popped off the Givis (which will make LTF happy) and put on the Triumph single sided pannier. Thar gave me the space to pop on the V&H

I prefer the sound of the OE silencer so this will likely be a short lived arrangement, but as the activity was for therapy not practicality, I'll get more therapy later swapping it back :-)

Also removed the PIAA driving lamps. I've demonstrated their effectiveness with a night time cross country ride, but I don't like the positioning, so they are off until I can get some better brackets made up

Don't think you can do much better than V&H!

**Matt8500** · 5th July 2021, 12:29

After some deliberation, I am considering swapping the Tangerine Dream (Tony, then Greg’s old bike) as it’s too close in engine etc to my GS.

I fancy a sports bike but it needs to be big enough to be comfortable for a 6 foot creaky middle aged man. First on my list is the Aprilia RSV1000R, as I had one years ago and I still miss it, but what else would be an option?

Also if anyone is interested in the R9T staying on the forum let me know!

**blackal** · 5th July 2021, 12:40