I bought my 2012 Triumph Tiger 1200 used in 2015 from a private party. The bike had 9,000 miles on it and had good maintenance records from a reputable bike shop. It also had a 5 year transferable warranty. Long story short my bike has 26,000 miles on it now, I took it in for another preventative maintenance including a valve check and found that it has significant valve damage, taking in air and debris, and the rear shock is shot. I'm looking at pretty high costs for repair. Of course the warranty expired at the end of last year. I've followed a few forums and seem to notice some consistency with the OEM rear shock failing fairly early, in my opinion. I'm wondering if I made a mistake buying this bike. My riding buddies are on a BMW and KTM, their bike seem to be holding up better than mine (we ride the same trails and have all been on the same trips). I'm struggling with what to do, I have to get it fixed, but trying to decide if I should cut my losses after the repairs which are going to really pinch!!
You do have to maintain your bike I think 12k miles is the first valve check and you have to clean it as well too maybe your mates do this that's why their bikes fair better
Thanks, but I'm aware of maintenance schedules. The bike had all the regular maintenance done including valve check, at least according to the maintenance documents I received with the bike. I keep it clean as I do with all my vehicles. Been riding for 38 years on 5 different bikes, this is the first one I've had this many issues with. I was trying to get at the rear shock failing with 26,000 miles mostly, seems like a short life for a expensive part.
No offence meant You’re original post didn’t read that way sounded as you’d bought it five years ago with 9k on the clock and hadn’t touched it since
Hi Joel and welcome. Valve damage? How do they know that? A compression test may be lower than optimum just because the shim clearance is insufficient/nil. Doesn't necessarily mean damage has been done. Do they have a camera on a bendy stick (technical term) with a light, with which they can look inside the engine via the spark plug hole, and if so will they let you have a look for yourself? Am I being too cynical/sceptical? Are they just lying to you? Is your air filter damaged or just plain worn out (that won't help!)? Shock absorber could well be buggered by now. How does it feel when riding? Does it leak oil, feel like a pogo stick, bottom out over bumps? If not it may well be fine. If so then replace it with an aftermarket item e.g. Hagon or Nitron, or whatever you can get over there in the USA that is of good quality. Got to be cheaper than the Triumph replacement and most likely better performing/quality. Most aftermarket suppliers will build a shock to order, designed for your weight and riding needs - Hagon and Nitron both do just that. Others, as I say, probably will. Anyway, good luck with it, but don't let them con you. If in doubt take a mate with you - a big, fat, muscly, ugly one that looks like he could kill with his bad breath at 50 yards. Just sayin'!!
Joel Heinemann. Welcome to the Family. Something doesn't sound right. You had valve damage pretty sure you would notice it. The bike would play up differently on the cylinders. And would probably only happen if the valves were shimmed improperly on an earlier service. Shocks do go depending in the style of riding depends on just how quickly. Most people do change them out anyway for something more suited. Your dealer was he a trained Triumph Mechanic and even if he was I think I would be taking the bike somewhere else foe a second opinion. Ride Safe Joe.
First, welcome to the forum, Joel - very definitely THE BEST resource on the web for advice, support, banter and pure, good, old fashioned piss taking! Second, and to your original story - stevethegoolie makes some very pertinent points that you should consider - in particular the plain, obvious fact that a ".. preventative maintenance including a valve check.." CANNOT possibly diagnose "..significant valve damage .." without full removal of the head! Period - as you might say. If the check has used a 'leakdown' test of valve clearances, then a full clearance and shim check and change is in order and may very well resolve the "damage". ".. taking in air and debris .." suggests that the air filter is not clogged but is materially damaged; is incorrectly fitted, or of the wrong type/specification for the bike and/or the offroad and trail duties that you appear to be undertaking. You don't mention if the filter has been checked or changed during your ownership of more than 3 years? If it hasn't, that might be a clue to a first step to be taken by you or the shop doing the maintenance. IMHO the OEM shock failing at 26,000 miles wouldn't, per se, greatly surprise anybody if a lot of those miles have been ridden on tough trails; in dry and dusty, or wet and muddy conditions or for long trips with heavy luggage. It may seem like a short lifespan - and probably is - but it is, I'd suggest, very dependant on the prevailing conditions of use. The original fitment shock is, almost certainly, a compromise and may well be a weak component so Steve's suggestion of looking for a good quality aftermarket alternative is spot on if the bike's going to be used hard. It might also save you money as your Triumph parts supplier and the reputable bike shop will want their piece of the action for a branded part. You might feel better about the outcomes if you ask each of your riding buddies to 'phone their local dealers and get a costed quote for the supply and replacement of their rear shocks, air filters and valve clearance work. Whether for better or for worse, it might give you a much better indication of what is the best decision on your future relationship with the Tiger. The Triumph triple engine is, generally speaking, well regarded as highly durable, though that assumes proper care and maintenance and the use of good quality consumables like oil, etc. I think you'll find that, despite the pinch, it won't be much, if any, more costly to have the bike brought back up to full operational spec. and enjoyed rather than swapped for another 'unknown quantity'. I hope so as it's likely to mean you'll stick with the Tiger and the forum! Best of luck with it and I hope the outcome is satisfactory and a success for you.
Good morning and welcome in. I would not be put off a bike just because of shock performance. I consider these to have a very limited lifespan anyway. like batteries, cables, brake pads, etc. And I couldn't agree more with the observations of others about Significant valve damage. The head would need to be removed to be properly inspected, if this was suspected! You saved money when you bought the bike used. You need to take that into consideration before replacing her. Best of luck and let us know what you decide/find out..
Thanks for the response! I'm pretty trusting of the mechanic. He's been good about communicating with me, sent pictures, and brought me into the garage to show first hand what's going on. Carbon build up on the valve faces and one of the intake manifolds failed and sucked dirt inside the cylinder. He did a leak down and compression test on all three cylinders. All 3 failed the leak down and one failed the compression test. The rear shock is definitely bad, little to no rebound. It definitely seems like after market is the way to go. I'm leaning towards getting it fixed completely and sticking with it.
Thanks for the response. Definitely feel after market shocks are the way to go. I'll keep you posted.