Ive been out of the tiger world for a long time, but a month ago my two bikes were stolen--a BMW R1150GSA and a KTM950A. Since I didn't have theft insurance on my bikes, I'm back to zero, and a $10k bike is not going to happen. I was thinking to start cheap, just to get back on two wheels, and it looks like a 955i Girly usually goes for around $3k. I remember really liking my old one (a 2003) and thinking for the riding I do it would be well suited--around town commuting most weeks, and once or twice a year a 7 day 2100 mile mostly pavement trip. Oh, and the occasional dirt road, but nothing too difficult.
It seems most of the aftermarket (what little there was) has dried up, but if I find a properly sorted bike to begin with, thats not too big a deal. I assume maintenance parts are still easily available from triumph? Were there any issues that really need to be sorted? I vaguely remember stator/rectifier issues, but I don't remember exactly what they were?
I know you're all Triumph fans, but with a $3k budget and a desire for a street biased, reliable adv bike, would you go for a Girly, or would you look elsewhere? Should I swallow my pride, pull a paper bag over my head and get a vstrom?
Quote from: abruzzi on September 25, 2017, 05:52:41 AM
Were there any issues that really need to be sorted? I vaguely remember stator/rectifier issues, but I don't remember exactly what they were?
Fit a Shindengen series reg/rec (see decosse posts elsewhere in the Triumph forums). And check that the rear shock bushes are lubed properly.
Still riding my 2nd Girly and with over 100k miles on the clock the only parts that have really caused me any bother are the Regrec and stator as mentioned above and clutch drag (which appears to only be a problem on the 2006 model with the 1050 casings)
I have a similar ride pattern to you, commute every day (80 miles or so) and a few longer rides a year and the Girly does me just fine. So much so that I still have Girly number 1 in the garage and a low mileage engine on the bench to go into it when I get a minute!.
If you can get one with reasonable mileage for a reasonable price I would go for it. Service parts are still readily available.
The one I'm considering at the moment is a 2002 with 15k miles for $3k. Its clean and has the three triumph cases, but almost no other accessories. There is also a 2006 with 25k miles for $3500. I tend to prefer minimally accessorized bikes because I never really trust that someone else did it right, or made the same choices as I would. Sadly there is nothing local so most of what I've seen would be a 800-1000 mile fly and ride which would add ~$400 to the effective cost.
The one thing you do want to check on an early Girly is the fuel pipe quick connects, if any are plastic change em, male or female( The males were a recall, the females not)
$3k for a 15k bike? Wow!
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/2002-triumph-tiger-955i-northern-utah-3000-00.1249414/
Seems pretty clean, and about 800 miles away. Perfect for a fly-and-ride. (assuming none of you guys buys it out from under me...)
There's at least one on here who's in that general area and coincidently currently or at least recently been visited by a UK member. I doubt they'd nick it from under you but might be able to have an eyeball before you buy a plane ticket.
Seems at least a fair price and there might be a bit of slack which would ease the cost of travel.
Plain Jane bikes are as you say always a better bet, who spends good money on changing all the fairing screws for purple anodised ones to match the screen and brake hoses, yes really :icon_rolleyes:
Good luck.
Drives me nuts when folks as the same question on a forum but the old 955 Tiger has very few skeletons in cupboard the one Tim mentioned is the major one with the female fuel connectors and the charging system has its moments.
Ideally you need some knowledge of Tune ECU or in my case know someone who does for when the stepper gets old.
Just waiting in Barcelona airport to come home after the Aragon GP wishing we had a bike down here :icon_lol:
I recently went through a similar exercise by looking at buying a Girly with 7k miles, same year, and color. I immediately started making a list of things I would cannibalize from my old girl to the new girl.
- Ironwork
- Skid Plate
- TOR Exhaust
- Panniers
- Shindengen Rectifier
- Aftermarket pegs
- Even my rotors...
The only thing I would gain is a newer engine, some newer bearings and a less scratched up tank. And, when I factor in that I would miss the old girl... I couldn't bare do it. :icon_cry:
Quote from: Chris Canning on September 26, 2017, 10:58:02 AM
Drives me nuts when folks as the same question on a forum but the old 955 Tiger has very few skeletons in cupboard the one Tim mentioned is the major one with the female fuel connectors and the charging system has its moments.
Sorry, didn't see the question asked, and only saw strands of info. Anyway, since I've been keeping the place afloat for the last decade, I'm allowed to drive a few people nuts. :hat10
Quote from: Sin_Tiger on September 26, 2017, 10:01:12 AM
Plain Jane bikes are as you say always a better bet, who spends good money on changing all the fairing screws for purple anodised ones to match the screen and brake hoses, yes really :icon_rolleyes:
Actually, I'd make an exception for purple anodized screws, its stuff that I can't walk back that I don't like. Like the person that installs an aftermarket can and throws out the stock can, so I have to pay triumphs exorbitant price to not wake up the neighbors.
I'm in SLC with bemusedinsojo, we're nearly at the end of hols though. Where's the bike? I don't have s ADV login, so I'm not seeing the add
Quote from: London_Phil on September 27, 2017, 01:10:29 AM
I'm in SLC with bemusedinsojo, we're nearly at the end of hols though. Where's the bike? I don't have s ADV login, so I'm not seeing the add
Says its in South Ogden, just north of SLC. He's open to picking my up at the airport for a fly and ride, so mostly, right now I'm just trying to put together the money. My sailboat sold today for $1k, but the sale of what's left of the BMW fell through. I've exchanged a few posts with the seller, but until I know I have the money lined up, I don't want to ask anyone for favors (plus, having not been on the board in six years, no one knows me from Adam.) Also, it if falls through, more will show up, so I'm not too worried. Here's a pic of the bike (I do kind of love the in-your-face green):
I for one remember you. Good to see you coming back to the fold :icon_salut:
For the rest of you, the word "Administrator" under his name is a clue as to how much he's put into this forum in the past.
Quote from: Bixxer Bob on September 27, 2017, 09:21:59 AM
I for one remember you. Good to see you coming back to the fold :icon_salut:
As do I, welcome back!
No one knows you from "Admin" :mut
It's not my favourite colour but it does suit the Girlies. I had a Striple in that colour that a friend in his usual backhanded complimentary way referred to as "rocket propelled snot". I hear what you're saying about the purple bolts but genuine bolts ain't any better value than the cans :^_^
Best of luck looking down the back of the sofa.
I have a friend here with a Guzzi v11 sport with almost the same neon green color paint job. We always teased that the color made mountain dew look natural.
Seriously though, silver has been my favorite color for the girlies, and was the color of my old Girly, but you take what you find.
Unless it was that weird pink that triumph did back then. Nuclear Red:
(https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/z74AAOSw~OVWxguo/$_86.JPG)
I feel mildly aroused when I look at that picture... Is that wrong? :*&*
Let me know if you want me to look at it. I can also meet you at the airport.
Quote from: bemusedinsojo on September 27, 2017, 06:54:14 PM
Let me know if you want me to look at it. I can also meet you at the airport.
Thanks for the offer. I a little closer to being serious about it. I should know for certain in a couple days.
I came across another, this one in Reno Nevada. I haven't called them yet, but it looks like the the front forks are dropped an inch or so, and the seat is shaved down reupholstered. Which makes me wonder if something was hacked on the rear shock to lower it? There are no lowering links for the tiger (since theres no links in the suspension) are there other ways people drop the rear? Just cutting a coil off the spring?
At first I thought this might be a good deal, for a 10k mile bike, but when I add up the cost of new spring (maybe), new seat, new wind screen, it adds up to a bit to whip into shape.
https://www.eurocyclereno.com/inventory/2006-triumph-tiger-955i-reno-nv-89511-1976836i
My guess would be its just the forks and saddle, there is no easy way to drop the rear on a cast wheel bike. Also the side stand looks untouched and the bike would stand up more if the rear had been lowered
Perfect example of someone who hasn't a clue!!! Lowered the seat and dropped the forks because no doubt they where having problems getting their feet on the floor probably couldn't tell that the steering had quicken up just a touch!!! all done on a 19" front hoop!!! frightening :icon_rolleyes:
As for fixing? secondhand stock seats are cheap enough and a couple of minutes to ajust the forks.
Quote from: Chris Canning on September 28, 2017, 09:53:57 AM
Perfect example of someone who hasn't a clue!!! Lowered the seat and dropped the forks because no doubt they where having problems getting their feet on the floor probably couldn't tell that the steering had quicken up just a touch!!! all done on a 19" front hoop!!! frightening :icon_rolleyes:
As for fixing? secondhand stock seats are cheap enough and a couple of minutes to ajust the forks.
:icon_lol: :icon_lol:
Mind you, with the stock rear shock probably still steers like a barge
Quote from: Chris Canning on September 28, 2017, 09:53:57 AM
Perfect example of someone who hasn't a clue!!! Lowered the seat and dropped the forks because no doubt they where having problems getting their feet on the floor probably couldn't tell that the steering had quicken up just a touch!!! all done on a 19" front hoop!!! frightening :icon_rolleyes:
As for fixing? secondhand stock seats are cheap enough and a couple of minutes to ajust the forks.
Yeah, none of the pics are far enough to see how it sits, but I suspect you're right that is was just the seat and the forks. The rear could be lowered if someone swapped out the read shock--from my googling, at some point Hagon made a lowered shock for the 955, and a talented shock rebuilder could modify a stock shock. My hesitation is that maybe they did maybe they didn't. I'd hate to get into it then have to spend a bunch to undo the choices of the PO.
I did receive some more pics of the green 2002 and it looks quite nice close up. At some level I'd prefer the cast rims, and I do have a dim recollection that some people had issues with the swingarm cracking on the eccentric chain adjuster (though I think that was pretty rare.) Nonetheless, I'm leaning more towards green.
Doesn't look to me as though the rear has been dropped,looking at how upright the bike is on the side stand the previous owner didn't do anything with that either it even has the right!! Crash bars on.
I can't see the other in the ADV link but it would have to be a good one to be better than this blue one apart from the silly screen obviousley the previous should have bought a GT or RT!!!
Right colour though, I want one that colour in the UK, with the three boxes!
Howdy stranger, and thanks for keeping us up and running, real bummer about the theft. You've been gone so long folk wont know you are reason we have a forum. Welcome back to the fold, go on you know a Tigger suits
Silver will always be my favorite color for the Girly, that what my old one was and I loved it. After silver I lean toward the more outrageous colors--the crazy green always appealed to me as does the orange. Somehow the blue and black just aren't crazy enough. (mind you, I'll take any color at the moment just to get the right bike.) My old silver 2003:
(http://xy.cx/pics/bikes/955i/skid/6.jpg)
I zoomed in on the rear shock; looks pretty standard but an email to the seller would settle it :thumbsup
Reno got back to me with pictures of the shock as best as he could take with his cell. I'm guessing he didn't bother removing the luggage. It doesn't look aftermarket, and the coil doesn't look cut (the cheap method for lowering)
found this pic online. The lower one is the 955, the upper is the 885. The shock is definitely the lower one (interestingly, it makes it look like the easiest way to lower the rear on a 955 is to swap in a 885 shock):
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VryiyYPHtYs/Tx5EHk6eXnI/AAAAAAAAApA/4nsKDkTomzg/s1600/shock+comparison.jpg)
Sitting in SLC airport. Just looking at the green one. To me, it looks like it has a new/ non original starter, and I don't know how the cases are assembled on the Girly, but the sump cover may not be original too??
Photos show a typical shitty bog stock shock.
Comparing the the two shocks just say the 955 shock is mag wheel shock not wire wheel,put a 885i Shock on a 955 wire wheel it'll be exactly the same.
The blue one in Reno is out of the running. I forgot how dealerships like to tease you with a come-on price then pile "fees" on top of it. This particular dealership has $750 in fees (not counting tax, title, and license) on top of the cost of the bike. I'm still talking to the guy in UT with the green bike, and 95% sure that will be my next bike. My fallback, if that falls through, is a Buell Ulysses that is local. I like the Ulysses, and this is a good example, but I'd prefer the Tiger.
Buggers :cp
The Ulysses is not much fun in traffic and hot.
WTF has traffic and hot got to do with it :icon_wink: if you want a tractor go buy a Massey Ferguson.
Quote from: Chris Canning on October 04, 2017, 08:25:33 PM
WTF has traffic and hot got to do with it :icon_wink: if you want a tractor go buy a Massey Ferguson.
Yeah, cause were not at all biased on the Tiger forum, are we........ :augie
Full Disclosure, I'm a Harley owner.....Had 2 at one point.
2 wheels good....
Quote from: London_Phil on October 04, 2017, 09:25:51 PM
Yeah, cause were not at all biased on the Tiger forum, are we........ :augie
Full Disclosure, I'm a Harley owner.....Had 2 at one point.
2 wheels good....
I'm not bias towards Triumph I dislike Harley's a perfect example of the 'Kings Clothes' they are a mechanical pigs ear :icon_evil: one of the great PR cons if folks like riding and pretending they are what ever fair enough but the bikes are to mechanics what myxomatosis is to rabbits :icon_biggrin:
mmm, I have this tasty can of worms, now where is my can opener?
Seriously, I'm not a fan of Harley, but thats more that I don't like cruisers or the like. Nonetheless, the XB series Buells were very nice bikes, and handling was especially great. They had some foibles--noisy rear cylinder fan when you shut the engine off, a lot of year on your leg, but they were still fun. It amazes my that Buell got so much more power out of the same engine (reliably) compared to the Sportster 1200: 70 vs 103 hp, 79 vs 84 ft. lbs.
Anyway, the agreement has been reached on the green lightning. Pickup date will be 10/18--two weeks, then I have a short list of upgrades that I want to do fairly quick: center stand, heated grips, check the fuel connectors and regulator. Longer term: better bags, better suspenders, crash bars (I'm a sucker for Thunderbike if I can justify the cost. The saved my leg once.)
a dumb and simple question, so I'll tack it on the end of this thread. I can't remember, and I can't find corroborating pictures, but do early 955's (i.e. a 2002) have the powerlet outlet on the left side of the frame, below the tank? I know the later ones do, but I cant remember with the older models. If it does I'll throw my powerlet powered air pump, tire spoons, and patch kit in my bag as a safety measure for the fly-and-ride next week.
Quote from: abruzzi on October 04, 2017, 11:44:52 PM
mmm, I have this tasty can of worms, now where is my can opener?
Anyway, the agreement has been reached on the green lightning. Pickup date will be 10/18--two weeks, then I have a short list of upgrades that I want to do fairly quick: center stand, heated grips, check the fuel connectors and regulator. Longer term: better bags, better suspenders, crash bars (I'm a sucker for Thunderbike if I can justify the cost. The saved my leg once.)
I just logged in this morning after not checking this forum for some time. There are two Tigers on the Two Wheeled Texans forum, www.twtex.com. A 2002 and 2004. Probably not interested now but you would have to create an account to see the For Sale Section.
Sorry I didn't get here sooner but good luck with Green Meanie. Cool looking bike.
Forgot to say that I have an OEM shock off of my 2006 that has less than 8K miles if you end up needing one. I bought a HyperPro from Sasquatch here on this forum.
Also, Michelin Pilot Road 4 trail tires and the HyperPro shock completely transformed my Tiger. Take a look at them if you need either one.
Thanks. I'm on day one of my ride home. I'm pretty happy with the condition of the bike, given it's age (not perfect, but pretty darn good.). The bike runs great, though I haven't pushed it too hard. It's got a loping idle, but my recollection was this could be fixed by running the TOR map with the stock can. I'll try that once I get home and order the tuneecu cable.
Quote from: abruzzi on October 12, 2017, 02:04:30 AM
a dumb and simple question, so I'll tack it on the end of this thread. I can't remember, and I can't find corroborating pictures, but do early 955's (i.e. a 2002) have the powerlet outlet on the left side of the frame, below the tank? I know the later ones do, but I cant remember with the older models. If it does I'll throw my powerlet powered air pump, tire spoons, and patch kit in my bag as a safety measure for the fly-and-ride next week.
Bit late as your on your way, but the outlet should be where you say. Oh yeah, and a bit cheeky but dont forget I have an immaculate Wilbers shock on the shelf at home for this bike :icon_wink:
The first official pic of my new Tiger:
(https://i.imgur.com/5kdRL7z.jpg)
Lovely shot and she does look rather tidy, good find :wings
Nice, will look even better with a Wilbers :icon_wink:
Quote from: Timbox2 on October 24, 2017, 06:03:15 PM
Nice, will look even better with a Wilbers :icon_wink:
In Wales that would be thought of as subtle.
Timbox2,you have a PM.
So this weekend saw an oil change (the old stuff looks pretty clean) and a new map on the ecu - 10121. Even without the TOR can, the TOR map is an improvement. A little cooler running, a little more umph, a little less hunting at idle. Looking at the 10121 map in tuneecu, there is a weird little zig-zag on one of the lines in the table. Not sure what it is, but I used it anyway, and for the moment the bike is happy. There seems to be a version of that map that Removed the zig-zag, but I figured I'd use the stock 10121 map for now.
None of the suspension bits got installed this weekend because I don't have a center stand or any other way to get the weight off either end without the bike falling over. The center stand (and the quick release fuel connectors) arrive tomorrow, so will likely get done, along with some of the suspension work, next weekend.
You might want to remove the plugs in the swingarm for the shock lower mount and spray some form of release agent in there in preparation. And get ready to use a heat gun or similar.
Quote from: Timbox2 on October 30, 2017, 08:40:58 AM
You might want to remove the plugs in the swingarm for the shock lower mount and spray some form of release agent in there in preparation. And get ready to use a heat gun or similar.
I have even better. I have a brother that is a professional mechanic with $100k worth of SnapOn tools, and a hell of a lot more knowledge than me.
I'm also, not sure the difference but last year when I removed the shock on my 2006 KTM Adventure, it came out very easily. Maybe the desert doesn't tend to corrode things like you guys in greener parts of the world.
Small update--I got the SW Motech center stand installed today. Aside from the springs, it was pretty easy to install. My 2003 had the triumph center stand, and I saw a lot of people complaining about it "sagging". I never had any issue with mine, but I went with the SW Motech this time. I'm trying to access my old memory of the triumph stand, but it seems like the SW Motech reduces clearance more than the triumph because those mounting brackets stick down quite a bit.
Nonetheless, it worked well, and was a necessary first step to some of what I'm hoping to do this weekend which includes replacing the front springs with springs more suited to my weight. I'm going to let someone else install the racetech gold valves, but getting proper weight springs, and reducing the preload spaces back to a more normal amount should help get rid of the harshness in the front end.
Quote from: abruzzi on October 29, 2017, 07:36:00 PM
So this weekend saw an oil change (the old stuff looks pretty clean) and a new map on the ecu - 10121. Even without the TOR can, the TOR map is an improvement. A little cooler running, a little more umph, a little less hunting at idle. Looking at the 10121 map in tuneecu, there is a weird little zig-zag on one of the lines in the table. Not sure what it is, but I used it anyway, and for the moment the bike is happy. There seems to be a version of that map that Removed the zig-zag, but I figured I'd use the stock 10121 map for now.
None of the suspension bits got installed this weekend because I don't have a center stand or any other way to get the weight off either end without the bike falling over. The center stand (and the quick release fuel connectors) arrive tomorrow, so will likely get done, along with some of the suspension work, next weekend.
The improvementcould just be you've reset the trims mate. A few miles will reveal all. If it stays good, fantastic! If it reverts to type it was just the trims. I never did it, but current thinking is that if you remap then instll an O2 bypass it should stay locked to the zero'd trims. It would be good to see.....
Arrgh.
In the process of replacing the plastic fuel quick release connectors, one of the female connectors snapped off pretty much flush with metal plate, so there is nothing to grab onto. I tried the hot flathead screwdriver trick, but it just stripped off material on the inside. My brother is going to look at it tomorrow to see if he has any extractors that might work on it.
Do I have to worry about scoring the threads when removing the plastic, or will the teflon goop I have seal any imperfections?
I did that on my daytona 955 some years back. Very annoying design fault!
Quote from: abruzzi on November 05, 2017, 12:31:47 AM
Arrgh.
In the process of replacing the plastic fuel quick release connectors, one of the female connectors snapped off pretty much flush with metal plate, so there is nothing to grab onto. I tried the hot flathead screwdriver trick, but it just stripped off material on the inside. My brother is going to look at it tomorrow to see if he has any extractors that might work on it.
Do I have to worry about scoring the threads when removing the plastic, or will the teflon goop I have seal any imperfections?
Yep, been there done that. I used a tiny file to file through the plastic then dental picks. Its a tapered pipe thread so as long as you dont totally muller it should be fine. Now, when you screw the metal ones in how far do you tighten? Thats when you find out how brave you are :icon_lol:
Getting the plastic bits out takes patience. If your brother has tools like a thread restorer he'll manage, if not you can make a little pick up by grinding down an old hacksaw blade to fit the thread profile, you can Haa the tip for stubborn bits but patience is the best tool, that's usually right at the bottom of my toolbox :augie
If you use liquid sealant on a tapered thread, use a lot less torque than you normally would, i.e. as soon as you feel resistance and there are 2 or less threads showing, stop.
It's a good idea once you've got everything cleaned up but before you do the final assembly, to carry out a trial run with a drop or two of light oil just to see where things all end up with alignment and get a feel for resistance. Don't forget to degrease the threads before final assembly.
Same as Tim small model file gently file through the plastic till you feel metal on metal do the same opposite side just prise it out the two half's with a small screw driver,if your in the States buy Gasoiler to seal the thread it's fantastic stuff.
Quote from: Chris Canning on November 05, 2017, 05:51:53 PM
Same as Tim small model file gently file through the plastic till you feel metal on metal do the same opposite side just prise it out the two half's with a small screw driver,if your in the States buy Gasoiler to seal the thread it's fantastic stuff.
The kit actually came with a small packet of gasoiler, so assuming we get the plastic out tomorrow at my brothers shop, I should have everything to go back together.
While your at it, unless you know its been done recently, I would swap the fuel filter
I recently did my K1200R it has a similar set up but trying to obtain Gasoiler in the UK!!! I'm not even going own up to how much it cost but luckily it's really good,for those wondering about such it only has a 12 month life span from opening the container :icon_frown:
Well the thread sealant didn't work. Once the pump powered up, the lower release started leaking around the threads. So today I tore it all apart, cleaned the threads with chemtool and a toothbrush, and reassembled with yellow Teflon tape. It seems to be holding, but my natural state of paranoia will have me watching it for the next few weeks.
What did the instructions say on the Gasoila tube? The problem with the PTF it'll work to start with but the fuel will dissolve it in the end although with a tapered thread shouldn't take a lot of sealing.
There were no instructions on the tube. I gave it 24 hours to set after applying it, but the moment the fuel pump was energized it started to leak. The yellow Teflon tape specifically lists being rated for gasoline (along with a bunch of other things) so, unlike the white Teflon, this should be ok.
Got a little more done to the bike in the last couple weeks.
First I replaced the front springs with something more appropriate for my weight. Turns out that what was in there was progressive. I'll need to muck around with preload spacers, but its not too bad at the moment. I still have a set of racetech cartridge emulators, but installing them is a bit out of my pay grade.
Next, my brand new set of Thunderbike crash bars came in, and I got them installed yesterday. They're pricey but well worth it.
The wilbers shock hasn't been installed yet because whoever pulled it forgot to include the lower bushings and o-rings. So they're on their way. After that proper luggage racks will be next. The stock luggage is small, not waterproof, and somewhat fragile. I'll probably go with Hepco Becker racks because I already have a couple of pairs of Gobi's that I can use in the short term, but in the long run, probably a set of Xplorers.
The view of the new crash bars:
Cool, if nothing else youve got somewhere to hang your shopping :icon_biggrin: