Classic To Adventure - Anyone Made The Change?

I recently jumped from a cruiser (albeit one set up for touring) to a Tiger 1200. I have zero regrets, and have loved every mile I've ridden on the Tiger since I got it. I've put 12000 miles on mine since March of this year, about 1/4 of which were off-pavement. My advice would be go for it.

 

Have you seen these as an alternative?
https://www.motoguzzi.com/gb_EN/models/v85-tt/

 

Welcome back, @learningtofly! Good to have you back on the forum. But I'm sorry to read about your financial hit due to Covid.

Have fun researching that new bike and, as @littleade said, test rides will help you decide. From what I've read, it doesn't sound like you are particularly focused on riding off road but have other reasons for looking at the Tiger. Mr. Sandi and I have a good friend and riding buddy who loves his Yamaha Tracer GT. I don't know his exact height and inseam but I think his inseam is even a bit shorter than mine and he fits quite nicely on the Tracer. I think his bike is a 2019 and he's had his bike a couple of years and is very pleased with it. He was part of our group on the 1800 mile southwest US trip we just did and said the bike was perfect for that purpose. At the other end of the spectrum, he says it's great fun to ride up Mt. Lemmon which is in our back yard--a twisty climb from 2500' to well over 8000'. So the Tracer is a very versatile sport tourer that's priced well and great bang for the buck. I am a bit sad to read that you'll trade in your Thruxton. The one bike I'd most like to have back in my garage is the 2016 Thruxton R that I traded for my Speed Triple RS. Not that I'd give up the Speed to get it back.

Happy hunting! I'll be eager to learn what you choose.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport-touring/models/tracer-900-gt

 

Yep, Mr. Sandi and I and our new boxer, Ellie, are doing well over here across the pond, thanks!

I do understand about making a decision about a bike and moving forward with that decision. What I realized is that if I've made a choice that I later wish I hadn't, it's not as though I can't make a change back at some point. For me I've found over the years I've been riding and the bikes I've owned, I learn a bit with each choice what I most like and value in a motorcycle. And sometimes that changes, too. The great thing is that we have so many choices when it comes to motorcycles!

I also understand your comment about not really seeing yourself on a Yamaha. I feel the same way because for some reason Japanese bikes in general don't capture my fancy. My best girlfriend has the same feelings. She currently rides an Indian Scout and really likes it. Like you, her bike choices have been limited by her height as she stands 5' 1" on a good day. So she has even fewer choices that you! Prior to her Scout she rode a Harley Sportster (Iron). Recently however, she's having major problems with her hands--arthritis, trigger finger, etc.--and riding any distance at all makes her miserable. She was also on the week-long trip we did (she's married to the guy with the Tracer, actually) and it has taken over two weeks for her hands to start to feel better. Consequently she's been contemplating her options one of which would be the new Honda Rebel DCT so she doesn't have to use a clutch. Pus it comes stock with cruise control so she would also be able to more easily rest her right hand. But she just isn't "feeling the love" for that bike at all. But I do predict that if it's between not riding at all and getting a bike like the Rebel, she will probably opt for the Rebel. But she won't be particularly excited about it.

 

Good to see you back @learningtofly hope all is well now.

Being a short arse too, the Tiger 800 was the only option available to me for a rugged, ugly, but dependable steed.

I have since learned that I can also ride a GS Tractor (and quite enjoyed it). I almost didn’t take one out for a test ride as when I started it up and revved it, I was v surprised by the engine torque nearly throwing it on its side. I stuck with it and learnt to enjoy it.

I like the style and implied culture of the classic Triumphs but have never ridden one. I think them a little like HD’s as style over substance but have NOTHING one which to base that idiotic opinion.

One day it would be nice to ride a retro classic just to see what they’re like.

Till then will carry on with Tigger.

As mentioned before Tigger hasn’t been upgraded because of Triumph’s design decision to have squiffy headlights.

 

You need to have a long test ride! Personally I don't get on well with adventure style bikes. I find sitting bolt upright puts all your weight on your arse and that gets sore, also wind screens create a lot of noise with turbulent air, that gets very fatiguing. They are generally very heavy bikes too which is contradictory to their off-road capabilities. I much prefer naked bikes, they do everything and do it well! Although Triumph naked bikes are not the most practical! If you want to do green lanes then a naked will struggle obviously but buying an adventure bike just for green lanes would mean less fun/more compromise everywhere else. Off road and carrying a pillion is where naked bikes fall short, if those aren't a consideration then I see no reason to buy anything else to be honest. I've toured thousands upon thousands of miles on naked bikes in all conditions and many big mile days. They are the most fun and for me, the most comfortable all things considered. I've had 2 tiger 800's, they left me in agony after less than 200 miles. Last month I done 6 days in Scotland with an average of 280 miles a day on a naked with ease. Yesterday I done 330 miles in Donegal with lots of small bumpy roads and I'm just getting ready to go out again. Most folk seem to love adventure bikes, I really don't get it? Best thing to do is a very long test ride to see if it works for you. Good luck with whatever route you go

 

I managed to get a two day loan of a Tiger 800 to try it on my weekly commute run (300
Miles). Getting a proper feeling for the bike was really useful.

 

I'd never had an adventure bike before i got my GS, i did take out a Multistrada and an Explorer for about 2/3 hours but i felt the GS was the one for me, it really does everything and brilliantly at that. I've taken it on some forest tracks and other dodgy roads that i would never have gone on before, I'm hoping to explore more of the single track roads that go deep into the Glens (Glen Affric is one I've always wanted to do but I've been put off in the past because of the single track) that's a big plus with an adventure bike, you can go slow if you want and you are really comfy doing so, but it will also scratch with the best of them, in fact i think the riding position and the wide bars make for easy handling
I've not done any serious off roading with it, I'm sure it would be more than capable, but I'm not!
I've never really had an issue with comfort on any of the bikes I've had, but i find the riding position on an adventure bike probably the comfiest, but to be honest i never usually do more than about 60 miles before i want to stop for a break anyway.

 

What about a Suzuki V Strom? it's a very underated bike,they do a 650 and a 1050 and are great value.

 

I was getting ready to pull a wheelie if you must know

 

I can feel with you. I started after 25 years without a bike with a Yamaha SCR 950. It was great to ride. It had an additional exhaust with a cool sound. But: For international journeys or long touring it was not comfortable enough and the fuel tank was to small. Every 200 km I had to look for a gas station. Therefore I changed after 26.000 km to a Honda CB1100EX. This was a great and good looking bike with a very smooth engine. But again: For long touring it was also not the right bike. So I changed after 13 months and 16.000 km to a TIGER 1200 Alpine Edition. Now I am there were I wanted to be - "touring bike heaven". Yesterday I passed 16.500 km after 11 months and many more will follow. With my wife, with her TIGER 900 GT and my father in law, with his TIGER 900 GT Pro, we launched the "TIGER FAMILY". But: My wife and I love retro bikes. Therefore we will get our 1200 Bonnies in April 2022, which we ordered some weeks ago.
May be you will be able to keep your Thruxton beside your TIGER. Then you can change the bikes in order to your daily mood.