Greetings from Johannesburg! Q: This sixtysomething old goat has never owned a Triumph, so what brings him to this forum? A: Since my all-time favourite, a BMW 1150 GS, I’ve had a Suzuki Bandit for some years now. Fine bike, but it doesn’t do gravel (unless I encounter it unintentionally, as above). So I browse. The stuff tends to be too expensive, and/or hard to maintain for the spanner-challenged. Then, AHA! An advert for a Tiger 955i that equates to a cash-neutral swap for my Bandit after allowing for new tyres, chain, etc! (And won’t my Triumph-mad mate be rubbing his hands together with glee! For years he’s been trying to convert me!) So I’m at the research stage. Tiger 955i owners: What’s good about your bike? What would you change? Anything to be on the alert for in a 955i? If you ride on gravel, how well does your Tiger cope? How do you maintain your bike, esp. your chain? Looking forward to your comments. PS I’m slightly-built and 1,7 m/5 ft 8; short for a GS, short for a 955i.
Welcome to a great forum and wonderful online community, Stan! And welcome (almost) to the wonderful world of Triumph. Good luck with you decision and purchase!
Hi Stan and welcome to the forum You may get more answers under the Tiger forum, best of luck on your purchase
Stan L Welcome to the family. Great intro and choice of bike. Do keep us in the know as to your feelings towards the British Beef. Regards Joe.
Welcome. And a small caution. These are very tall bikes..I'm well over 6 ft and it fits just right. My friend is 5'10" and struggles to get his feet down at standstill. It's worth sitting on one and seeing how you feel Otherwise great machines. V occasional problems on early ones with head gasket leaks...most either ok or long since cured. Regulator/ rectifier can sometimes fail if ignored it can take out the alternator. There's a simple wiring conversion ( Google 'Sasquatch conversion' for a permanent cure. Oh and you won't find it in the literature but best to change the cam tensioners around 40 k. I didn't on one of mine and wrecked the engine when the cam chain jumped it's cogs when I rapidly decelerated from high speed. Great mile munchers and ok on gravel but I'd not take mine anywhere more demanding. Heavy to pick up when you drop it ( everyone does) engine crash bars essential to avoid tank damage. All if them have bubbling to the tank stripes( except mine!) Enjoy...my personal favourite machine Al
Thank you, that's exactly the kind of input I'm looking for. When you say 40k, is that in miles? For me that would equate to 70 000 kilometres. I shall indeed get the dealer to look at everything you mention, should I buy the bike. I did have an 1150 GS, my all-time fave but also for tall riders. Traded it for an 1150 Adventure. THAT was a mistake... Will keep you posted.