How the Triumph Tiger 900 did on 2500-mile road trip

[@billdee9622]

The Rocket and the Tiger did a great job on our 2500 mile ride. I too have a Tiger 900 GT and have no vibration issues or heat from the radiator outlets. I just don't know what others are complaining about.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I can see why some riders are complaining about the heat on their knees depending on how close they keep their knees to the vents, position of their feet on legs, if they hug the tank with their knees and wear non-protective pants. As far as vibrations I'm about as sensitive to them as anyone and they just are not a factor for me. I'd like motorcycle reviews to include an objective measurement of rating vibrations at the handlebars, seat and foot pegs. I guess even then some vibrations are more bothersome to some folks than other vibrations

[@markheinig]

Since I'm in bike-shopping mode, I do a LOT of research - reading, videos, and talking with owners. These issues exist for many people, there are many others who acknowledge they exist but are not problematic for them, and then there are the lucky few like you who don't notice anything at all. These issues are very real, but their impact varies from person to person.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@markheinig Fair comment.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Really glad your Hoss did you well!! Wish my uncle had kept his old Daytona 500, that's what made me love motorcycles to begin with ..really got a soft spot for Triumph.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

That does sound like a sweet ride Roger. You know we might be that uncle to one of our nephews.

[@ronmoore1]

I put oil in my V85TT twice on my trip. The high freeway speeds and possibly being air cooled in the heat caused it to use some oil. I ended up with 5800 miles total getting back to Alabama. Hope you are feeling better.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I feel bad that we could not get together because I was sick, but I'm much better now. You were really hauling in terms of mph, distance and time in some very hot weather so I'm not too surprised you used some oil. In 1987 I bought a new BMW K75S that went through a quart of oil every 350 miles. The dealership said that was a little high but it would soon break in. After three thousand miles and a lot more oil they finally agreed it wasn't normal. They replaced the engine because it was improperly bored.

[@2631Fred]

Mate, the heat deflectors can be done with very thin 1..2mm alu. You just need to bend them and perm attach it to the plastic. There is a you tube vid on it.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks. I wanted something easily removable and easy to put back on.

[@judaschur4809]

I like the fact that you don’t make a video while you’re riding. I don’t know why people think that’s some one wants to hear a review over their choppy engine noise , while they are barely concentrating on what they are saying cuz they’re busy driving their motorcycle. .

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks but I've made videos while drag and land speed racing. 😄😄😄

[@fazerstorm-oap]

Great real world review. Trying to wear out my metzelers so I can get the road 6 tyres but they are refusing to play ball. Hopefully the white lining will go away when I change!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You motorcycle tires in general seem to be in short supply in my area. You might want to consider ordering them or checking on their availability a couple weeks before you need them. I think you will notice more stability in cornering and better grip in braking. I noticed a big difference moving from my Tiger to Mr. Bill's Tiger with the OEM tires,, mine was more stable front end.

[@fazerstorm-oap]

@@flatcapcaferacer yes I will start checking around well before I need them.

[@phelansa23]

I would not put a Michelin on my bike to save your life. I will show you photos of how they delaminated on my Z. Tore the tail piece off my bike and sent me to hospital for stitches on my back. Michelins rep accused me of mistreating the tires (less than 600 miles old), refused to take any responsibility. So, I could not disagree with you more about tires. Other than that, I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Sorry to hear that, what Michelin tire was it?

[@phelansa23]

@@flatcapcaferacer was a Road 3 rear. We were on our way to join the Bundesautobahn. So we were not even traveling very fast. Yet! Thank goodness for that. The left side of the tire delaminated about 70% of the circumference of the wheel. From the center to the shoulder. The Shoei helmet I was wearing and the broken up tail piece are mounted in my bar, still with the rubber scuffs. Great conversation piece.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@phelansa23 I read that Michelin has a bad batch of tires and did recalls but that was in 2011. I've run Michelin Road 6s without issue on the Tiger 900, Moto Guzzi Sport, BMW R9T and Thruxton R. However, just yesterday I got a recall for the front Dunlop on my Kawasaki Z900 RS SE.

[@phelansa23]

@@flatcapcaferacer yes, this was back around 15 years ago or so. All I can say then, is may you continue to be happy with them. As for myself, I will burn any Michelin that arrives on any motorcycle I buy. The worst is, I worked in the tyre manufacturing industry for more than a decade. So I understand the technicalities better than most. And when I hear something like a “bad batch”, it makes my toes curl. GoodYear had a bad batch in the US. It cost them many, many millions, but worse killed several people. I wonder how many people that “bad batch” of Michelin’s affected…… any ways! Good luck to you Sir. And many, many safe miles of motorcycling.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@phelansa23 I understand why you feel that way and don't blame you.

[@Banditmanuk]

Hope you are feeling better now? Sounds like the Triumph did pretty good. Both Carol and I are massive fans of those Michelin tyres. She has the 6s and I've got the 5s on my XSR900, super grippy hot or cold wet or dry.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Feeling much better now and I'm leaving on another trip next week. I have bought a 3rd set of Michelin Road 6s, this set is for my Thruxton R.

[@c3h84ever]

Interesting , normally i dont shift using the clutch, downshifts ,yes, upshifts no However I've got less than 350 miles on this and have been babying it during break in, I wonder how it will respond with no clutch and no shift assist? Appreciate the info, and appreciate your video, thanks

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Most bikes will let you up shift in normal riding if you match the rpms and shift point about right. The shift assist will do that shifting a redline and lugging the bike a bit.

[@Loiczzr]

For long distance ride, try a sheep skin, you can find the around $50 add some straps for easy on/off. Yes it's ugly, but it sure works.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You right👍

[@Naptime1953]

Thanks for sharing your mods and thoughts after a long trip. Never thought about using cramp busters on both sides. I also love the shift assist on the Tiger. What pegs did you install on the crash bars?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I never used one on the clutch side before either and I liked it a lot. The pegs came from an out of business Honda shop in 1980s. I think I need to look for proper pair clamp on foot pegs, I'll add that on a future video.

[@markheinig]

I have yet to ride this bike, but when I do I will go in with the expectation of hot air on my legs and vibes in the bars and pegs at freeway speeds. I know you haven't experienced these issues to alarming degrees, but many others seem to have. For example, this young lady's legs look sunburned after riding the bike (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r36uaah3jsxmetU). These kinds of stories give me pause. If I have no serious issues with the bike and end up getting one, I would definitely go with the Road 6 (or maybe 7 by then?) tires. In 2013, when I put the Pilot Road 3 Trail tires on my Tiger 800 they transformed the bike. The Pilot Road 4 Trails went on next and they were even better (didn't square off so quickly). Retiring next year so hoping to do a couple tours and maybe on a new bike. I prefer back roads so would prefer a bike the size of the Tiger 900. We'll see.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

That is fine but keep an open mind. I can't dispute the negative comments of others but I stand by my comments.

[@markheinig]

@@flatcapcaferacer As you should.

[@akhilmordia5921]

Hi Mark, I am riding Tiger 900 GT in Mumbai (India), and I can confirm that the problems that you mentioned are not at all bothersome.

[@markheinig]

@@akhilmordia5921 I believe you, and your experience is part of why this bike is so perplexing to me. I've read very many accounts of people experiencing these issues, very many accounts of people not experiencing them, and also very many accounts of people whose experience is somewhere in the middle. Given this variety, I can't possibly assume what my reaction to the bike will be until I ride it. I currently own a Tiger 800 which I have enjoyed, so I won't have a completely open mind when I test ride the 900. I'm going to want it to be among the final candidates for my next bike. We'll see. BTW, I watch videos from riders in India and riding in Mumbai looks like it could be challenging. Stay safe out there.

[@akhilmordia5921]

Hi Mark, what people might be experiencing is a side-effect of them comparing this motorcycle with something else. I ride the Yamaha R3 since last 4 years and if I compare Tiger 900 with it (funny) I won't do any justice to both these beautiful machines. I still love my Yamaha R3, but I like riding Tiger in many ways which I can only dream of doing on R3. Tiger 800 and 900, they are not the same motorcycles, not even close. Tiger 900 is purpose built from ground up and you will be riding a motorcycle like that for the first time. My 2 cents on vibrations and heat: 1. Vibrations: a particular rpm range is smoother than higher rpms in first 4 gears. That doesn't mean it has vibrations in top end. 2. Heat: Not at all bothersome, maybe because I am used to Mumbai weather. It is pretty hot here and lots of traffic. I usually ride with a pillion for 30-50km every alternate day. Never felt the kind of heat that I read about on forums. Please note, I have the latest (2022 manufactured) model. There is a possibility that Triump might have made some adjustments to fix the issue. I read online that the left radiator fan kicks in first for many people. In my case, both fans start almost simultaneously when in slow traffic (1st or 2nd gear) and go off within a few seconds of riding. Riding in Mumbai is challenging. But I am used to it :)

[@CL83biker]

did you drop the bike? I broke the clutch lever when I drop the bike. Thus I replace the handguard to barkbuster.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I did not take it off road, if I did I would undoubtedly drop it and I think barkbusters are needed if you do take it off even green laning. I have another video following this one riding around Colorado, that is where I got two bikes stolen. I did replace the 2021 Tiger GT Pro with a 2023 Tiger GT Pro and I'm just now getting some mods done.

[@CL83biker]

@@flatcapcaferacer I drop it few times as describe in my country as "stupid drop" or careless drop while bike is at slow speed or stop situation. I didn't expect big bike got stolen in US. It is rare in Malaysia.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@CL83biker Actually it was worse than the one bike ,they also got my BMW R9T and trailer too. Unfortunately our law enforcement community and judicial branch isn't particularly interested at this time to pursue nonviolent crimes which encourages such bad behavior.

[@c3h84ever]

I have a 900GT , no shift assist, what is shift assist?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

The GT Pro comes with it but you can have it put on. The shift assist allows you to shift up thru the gears from 2nd to 6th without the clutch and then to shift back down through the gears without the clutch. It makes shifting in the city quick and easy and also if you ride with a passenger you both will notice how little they move around during shifts. I never had one before and didn't use it for the first month or two but the more I used it the more I liked it.