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Well, Radar has reminded me of my obligation to introduce my new steed, so here goes.
Having test-ridden a few bikes last year I’d best liked the Triumph Explorer: trusty pillion Debs confirmed that I seemed most at home chucking the big lump around the Forest lanes. Other bikes did impress: namely the CCM GP450 and the new Africa Twin – both very good indeed on the gravel. One day…..
But I wanted a big tourer for European trips that could also cope with our pot-holed local lanes, preferably shaft-driven. Not being one to buy a bike that half my mates owned, I ruled out the ubiquitous GS and started looking for a Tex with non-Triumph panniers and a fitted sat-nav.
No problem: I soon found a nice looking grey one in Madrid. The owner rode it over and MOTed it in Cheltenham, all for a bargain price, then flew back. I’m sure the fact that it was based in Spain put everyone else off, but I did the HPI check and judged that a 2013 model with 16,000 miles on it and service history couldn’t be that bad.
StrippedIt has SW-Motech Trax aluminium panniers (as used by Ses) which are top-loading, matching top-box, Triumph tank-bag, Zumo 350LM satnav and heated bars & seats. Which is nice….
Dressed for actionWell, after some commuting, one Bikenight at Lower Lode, and a 450 mile two-up jaunt to Cornwall via the north Devon twisties and the Cheddar Gorge, I’m pretty pleased with the new Tiger.
Lower Lode bikenight last week
Tres amigos: Mike, John, me
Tex with John’s immaculate 636 behindSome good things:
Power – good for overtaking, great torque
Handling – very neutral when moving;
No chain to adjust/lube
Looks – not everyone’s cuppa, but I like the chunky aspect
Spoked wheels
Informative trip computer
Cruise control
Protection – when it rains I remain dry. Magic!
It’s a Triumph.Some things to change:
Handlebars – Rox Risers on order to get the bars closer and higher
Exhaust – Debs says she can’t hear the engine properly. Beowulf can on my wish-list
Fog lights – need to add some for that 100% macho look
Some things intrinsic to the big beast:
Quite weighty when man-handling around our driveway
Clunkier gear change than I remember from the test-ride.So far, I don’t ride it any quicker than the TDM, but there is a more accurate correlation between the heaviness of my right hand and the fuel consumption: cruising over 90mph does make it a tad thirsty… The 900 Yam was a model of economy, however fast I went.
We’ll see how it fares on our tour to Andalucia later this year….
Ha, ha, good to see you following orders! Many happy miles, impressive bike, look forward to seeing it in the flesh…you about next weekend?
Nice new steed
I’m looking forward to seeing it in the flesh too and those panniers really are superb! When not in use I take my frames offHa, ha, good to see you following orders! Many happy miles, impressive bike, look forward to seeing it in the flesh…you about next weekend?
Ha, Postlip Hall Beer Festival next weekend….. not conducive to biking….. :o
Nice new steed
I’m looking forward to seeing it in the flesh too and those panniers really are superb! When not in use I take my frames offI keep my frames on – as rear crash bars. Obviously that’s just ‘cos I’m lazy – I’ll have a look at removing them soon….
Nice looking bike and that luggage looks really usable. Can’t believe he rode it over from Spain, did you pay him first?!
Nice looking bike and that luggage looks really usable. Can’t believe he rode it over from Spain, did you pay him first?!
Nope – I trusted him that the bike was good – he trusted me to pay up the agreed amount. We met up at my works carpark: i had a quick look around the bike then transferred the cash into his account. His mate then took him to the airport to fly back to Madrid.
Job done!
bike looks aces mate
Thanks Pete – it rides really well, especially since I lowered it 40mm. The panniers are great crash protection (see my Spanish trip blogs!).
Looking forward to getting on it again soon to test my busted hand…. :-[
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