'Dero vs Tigger

[Freerangestormer]

OK my ar$eholes worth, let's hope I don't offend anyone.

I have an 03 Vara, an 09 1050 and a 96 Tiger 885.

The Vara performs almost faultlessly and hasn't really let me down yet. Performance is pretty good considering the barge like statistics and I dare say others could make it really sing. The box is a bit agricultural bit works faultlessly if you ignore the clunks. Comfy ergonomics for me @ 5' 10", although the seat lets me slip forward all the time, maybe just getting old, the seat foam that is . 400 km in one morning was not any more wearing than you would expect. The suspension does the job but even uprated with Hagon kit it's not what I would call nimble and the standard suspension was poor considering the mileage, all city & highway. Brakes are good but the combined system takes a bit of getting used to and I still treat it with some care when the surface is tricky, sort of defeats the purpose of the system . Wind and weather protection is decent out of the box. Lights are excellent with decent lamps. Done a bit of gravel on it and managed without too much drama, all my drops have been at parking / walking speed, my heart is always in my mouth moving it around both from trepidation and exertion. Getting genuine Honda parts seems to be a real pain just now, I have waited over 3 months to get brake balance valve seals . Miss Weston Supermare 1985 might have been achievable on a good day, an Alison Moyet, sweet songs and pretty to some beholders.

The 1050 roadie I have done less than 1k miles on it so far. The engine is brilliant, probably will be considered one of the greatest of engines in the future if not already, amazing torque anywhere, smooth and even economical . Sportsbike like capabilities way beyond my abilities to explore. Gearbox is sweet if the chain is adjusted properly. Brakes are excellent with plenty of feel. Ergonomics are excellent and the seat is perfect for me but not everybody finds that, 200 miles in a morning left me fresh and well ready for the rest of the day with no aches. Stock suspension is very good with plenty of adjustment, many uprate it again to get more sports like capability, I briefly rode a friends with uprated kit, which proved just how good the chassis is, I watched him harrie an R1 in the Trossachs, respect, well he does have an R1 himself that stays in the garage most of the time. Buffeting from teh standard screen is not good and very few riders seem to stick with it, quite a few have two screens, one for town / fun rides and a barn door for touring, weather protection is fair but not quite to Vara levels. Lights, ah yes, don't think it gets more than one star, even properly adjusted with a good lamp the dip gives little confidence, HID and or Aux lights are pretty common mods. I move the Tiger around quite happily at slow speeds even though I have less of my foot on the deck although I was very wary at first, I nearly launched it backwards into the showroom putting it on the centre stand after being used to the Vara, luckily the salesman was behind it and provided a buffer, much easier to move around but that will probably be my undoing one day . That bit closer to a supermodel, more of an Amy Winehouse, fiesty, great range and undeniably capable.

The Steamer is in most ways a very obvious precursor to the later Tigers, even with huge milage, been less loved than I would have hoped for, it is still a wild ride, even in the state it's in with the carbs well out of it running rich, the front brakes only making the front go up and down on the space hopper springs instead of actually doing serious stopping and running geriatric Tourances, it will still keep up with the Vara and never fails to give me jaw ache from grinning, can't wait to rebuild it, it deserves it.

A the end of the day I will probably move the Vara on when I have rebuilt the Steamer but only because I couldn't justify all of them that doesn't mean I wouldn't keep it if I could and I will definately miss it some days but I just couldn't put in words why and I will happily defend the Vara on Tiger forums in the unlikely event I need to.

On the other hand, I would have to be very down on my luck before you could prise the Tigers out of my grip.

[sean]

well, I havent owned a vara but i have ridden a couple, however my 1050 tiger did 70,000 miles in 2 years and is without doubt the best all round bike i've ever owned in terms of engine, brakes, comfort and finish - its also the most unreliable bike i've ever owned....

saying that though it only actually broke down twice.

sean

[jasonbc]

[QUOTE=Freerangestormer;388933]OK my ar$eholes worth, let's hope I don't offend anyone.
Getting genuine Honda parts seems to be a real pain just now, I have waited over 3 months to get brake balance valve seals .

Maybe it's your dealer or suplier. On Friday afternoon 3pm i ordered a Cam Chain and Camchain tensioner for my Xr400 they arrived At 1000 Saturday morning (yesterday). So guess i spent this morning doing??????

[sparklymarkly]

I've got one of each and love them both for different reasons.
The Vara is a brilliant touring bike. Massive road presence, great riding position, comfy and cruises with little effort even when 2 up & fully kitted with luggage. However, it is heavy! Moving it slowly with a full tank (specially in & out of the garage by hand) you really notice the weight, but not so bad once you're moving. It's a Honda so it's ultra reliable (touch wood) so far. Not bad on fuel - about 44-46ish on the few trips to France I've done, and that's not hanging around (80-90 cruising mostly). Above all, passengers love it - sooooo comfy aparrently! And the lights - best standard lights on any bike I've owned.
The Tigger is just mad! The engine is amazing - super smooth and it just wants to be ridden hard. Mine has a Triumph sports can & engine remap so it spits back on the overrun which is cool! It is a fair bit lighter than the Vara but feels really nimble, almost sportsbike-like and the steering is lightning-quick. Riding position feels lower than the Vara (not measured it) but still gives a commanding view of things. Mine's got Bridgestone BT20s fitted and it is seriously chuckable and just begs you to throw it into corners, much moreso than the Vara (although that's got OE Deathwings on still). Better fuel economy - about 55mpg giving it some, even more if you're careful. However, not nice for passengers (wifey doesn't like it!) as rear pegs are too high and seat not as big or comfy. Not as much comfort for rider either even with gel seats fitted. Wouldn't want to go abroad on it without regular stops. Wind protection not as good as the mighty Vara. Lights are pretty good but probably cos mine's got an HID; most folk rig up both to come on together I think, so maybe they're not too good as standard. Reliable so far.
All in all, two great bikes with different strengths.

[Freerangestormer]

That is a bit spooky Sparkly' I had a slighlty earlier GP150 back in the 70's too, powder blue and cream one.

Spares issue is partly due to Singapore Stealer consolidation to be fair but I had a similar issue getting throttle body rubbers last year and that was when I was in the UK, took nearly a month through my mate who owns the local Honda franchise. He said it was down to all Honda spares now being distributed through the clearing house in Belgium and they hadn't quite got the system sorted yet, looks like they still haven't

[sparklymarkly]

Originally Posted by Freerangestormer

That is a bit spooky Sparkly' I had a slighlty earlier GP150 back in the 70's too, powder blue and cream one.

Good on ya!

[sparklymarkly]

......and having just been out for a ride on Tigger, I realised that I forgot to mention the brakes.
Compared to the Vara, they are rubbish!!!
Still a great bike though.

[digitalcaptive]

Originally Posted by sparklymarkly

......and having just been out for a ride on Tigger, I realised that I forgot to mention the brakes.
Compared to the Vara, they are rubbish!!!
Still a great bike though.

Odd, I'd always considered the brakes on the Tiger as good especially compared to the AT.....but then I've never ridden a Vara

[sparklymarkly]

I think that's it DC, it's what you compare them to that counts. The Vara's brakes are (in my opinion) fantastic so compared to them, Tigger's just don't feel anything like as good (although mine might need a bit of a service anyway).
However, compared to my Lambretta, the Tiger's brakes are awesome!

[sean]

i found the radial calipers on the 1050 tiger to be superb, much better than on my hayabusa!!!!!!(they are dire) to the point of having the back wheel lifting under severe panic braking on the approach to the dartford tolls when some **** changed lanes without looking - bear in mind i had panniers and top box fitted and full of kit.