'Dero vs Tigger

[z-weiser]

I think i'm right when i say a few of our bretheren have owned both machines, so rather than which is fave what are the positives and negatives of each?

i ask as i will, once tizer is fixed be looking to move on to a new bike!

exactly what, i have no idea but Tiggers seem to look ok for the taller gentleman!



discuss . . . .

[Lord Vader]

exactly what, i have no idea but Tiggers seem to look ok for the taller gentleman!
. .

You know tall Gentleman?

[z-weiser]

I have been known to fraternise with the non hobbit!

you ok LV?

[jasonbc]

My mate had a 2002 955i Tiger with 18,000 miles, didn't compare to the Varadero by night you couldn't see what speed you were doing as the clocks are white faced and illuminated florescent green. Some of the guages were tempermental and when we looked at the dash the soldered connections on the back of the dash had gone green with corrosion so we ended up resoldering them only to find the corrosion had also infiltrated the wiring loom so some cables were cut out and new ones soldered in.
The motor itself commonly blows coils as the the plugs are so deep in the head when water gets down there it has no way of escaping, not the end of the world as Vauxhal Vectra and Renualt Megane coils fit and are about £15-25 each ( JIm Crocker lives a few miles from us he was the dealer trainer and works from home now he told us that). Each plug has it's own coil and is located in the lead thats the negatives in my experience.
The positives comes, with luggage, when we did France for my stag week his bike was running sometimes on 3 cylinders sometimes on 2 but still averaged 55MPG if fuel economy is your thing. Revvy motor. Since owning that he has had a BMW r1150r and now has an Aprillia Falco

[Buggles]

I've only had the Tiger, so I can't compare it to the Dero.

The Tiger is a bit lighter, fully fuelled it weighs in at 247kg, opposed to the 284 (quoting from a bike magazine) for the Dero.

The engine is AMAZING! I love it to bits, torquey yet capable of high revs as well.

Service intervals are 6k miles apart, with a big service every 12k.

Most post '03 Tigers come standard with factory panniers (not the biggest in the world, but they fit nicely) centre stand and heated grips (they were factory standard late '03 and on...

The pre-05 models (with the spoked tires) come with tubed tires, '05 and on comes with tubeless.

Fully loaded it still goes like stink, it's quite comfortable, but the stock seat isn't fantastic for really long distances. I wore a pair of bicycle pants during the longest day, and that helped a lot.

Servicing is relatively simple (just don't break the fuel couplings, ask Chad ). There are lots of aftermarket parts available for the Tiger, must have are the crash bars!

I've done single track roads on this and the Tiger is fine, if a bit heavy. I wouldn't go greenlaning on her.

Find one and have a go, it's a cracking bike! If you're near london, come have a go on mine...

JB

[Buggles]

by night you couldn't see what speed you were doing as the clocks are white faced and illuminated florescent green.

I know what you mean Jason, but that manifests more during twilight. At night, I can read the clocks fine.

Fuel gauge is known to be dodgy, but just make sure you fill her up at 200 miles and you'll find you have about 2-3 liters left in the tank...

JB

[digitalcaptive]

Again I can only comment on the tiger as I have not tried the Varadero although I understand they are a very capable bike.
I owned my 03 plate tiger for a year, in that time I covered 7500 miles and ran it throughout the winter, at the time of selling the frame was rust free and the engine casings corrosion free.
A very quick powerful bike virtually vibe free (by the tripples very nature its perfectly balanced), Pulls like a train even full laden, produces 105bhp in stock form, although you can add another 10bhp with a race can and race mapping.
In the time i owned it other than normal service parts the only item I ever bought for it was a set of rear calliper rubbers. I only sold it as an opportunity to own a nice AT came my way, but I'd buy another 955 as a stablemate for the AT tommorow if I could afford to

[africajim]

Well, I've had both, actually two Varadero's, one 955 Tiger and five @T's.

Here's my tuppenyworth, the @T is, or rather was, the ultimate allround motorcycle. As Honda stopped making or improving the @T I tried the carbadero, 5 speed 2001 model. The 5 speed Varadero was a very capable machine, it could be ridden spiritedly until the pegs were traling on the ground in corners and would pull to the rev limiter in top approx 135mph. I toured Europe on mine, 3500 miles and didn't even adjust the chain! Downside was the economy, 45mpg riding sensible but could see low 30's ridden in anger! Also looking like something out of Judge Dredd didn't help!

The new VA9 I ride now is just as capable, with the 6 speed box and EFI the consumption has improved to 50mpgand almost 60mpg being sensible. Looks to die for compared to the older models. Ok, it's a bit agricultural engine wise compared to the Triumph but damn it can pull! Wheelies off the throttle and with aftermarket pipes sounds like rolling thunder! I do love my VA9 Varadero, damned sexy in black, suspension is light yrs ahead of Triumph, lights, OMG! Compared to the candles in a jar on the Tiger they're great!

On to the Triumph, I had the 955i so can't compare the 1050 but Sean has given plenty of feedback on them! The 955i on the other hand, I loved. Super smooth engine with oodles of power. 30,000 miles and no problems apart from petrol guage sender unit, replaced and problem solved, £48. Economy was 50 to 60 mpg, around Europe twice, also Stella Alpina rally in Italy twice, a truly great motorcycle. Downside was poor lights, wind noise and suspension was very wallowy for two up touring. On the positive side, the Triumph is more comfy and has an engine note to die for!

Which of the two? Well, I might have went for the 1050 if not for the price and Sean's reports on them, I ride my bikes like I stole 'em as well so reliability is high on my list. The Mighty Varadero may well have big hips but damn she can shake 'em when she wants! With aftermarket pipes sounds very sweet. Pricewise, the Vara is a lot of bike for the money. The Showa suspension on the Honda is miles above the Triumph. Not only is the Honda as big as a supertanker it has the presence of one! I stand by my statement over the yrs that the Varadero is probably the best touring bike made in the world to date.

Opinions, like ar*eholes, everyone has one, this just happens to be mine!

[Lord Vader]

Well, I've had both, actually two Varadero's, one 955 Tiger and five @T's.

Here's my tuppenyworth, the @T is, or rather was, the ultimate allround motorcycle. As Honda stopped making or improving the @T I tried the carbadero, 5 speed 2001 model. The 5 speed Varadero was a very capable machine, it could be ridden spiritedly until the pegs were traling on the ground in corners and would pull to the rev limiter in top approx 135mph. I toured Europe on mine, 3500 miles and didn't even adjust the chain! Downside was the economy, 45mpg riding sensible(You must have heard that from a friend,cause i never did see you riding sensible.Just would like to remind you about THAT overtaking and the Hairpin bend in France) but could see low 30's ridden in anger! Also looking like something out of Judge Dredd didn't help!

The new VA9 I ride now is just as capable, with the 6 speed box and EFI the consumption has improved to 50mpgand almost 60mpg being sensible. Looks to die for compared to the older models. Ok, it's a bit agricultural engine wise compared to the Triumph but damn it can pull! Wheelies off the throttle and with aftermarket pipes sounds like rolling thunder! I do love my VA9 Varadero, damned sexy in black, suspension is light yrs ahead of Triumph, lights, OMG! Compared to the candles in a jar on the Tiger they're great!

On to the Triumph, I had the 955i so can't compare the 1050 but Sean has given plenty of feedback on them! The 955i on the other hand, I loved. Super smooth engine with oodles of power. 30,000 miles and no problems apart from petrol guage sender unit, replaced and problem solved, £48. Economy was 50 to 60 mpg, around Europe twice, also Stella Alpina rally in Italy twice, a truly great motorcycle. Downside was poor lights, wind noise and suspension was very wallowy for two up touring. On the positive side, the Triumph is more comfy and has an engine note to die for!

Which of the two? Well, I might have went for the 1050 if not for the price and Sean's reports on them, I ride my bikes like I stole 'em as well so reliability is high on my list. The Mighty Varadero may well have big hips but damn she can shake 'em when she wants! With aftermarket pipes sounds very sweet. Pricewise, the Vara is a lot of bike for the money. The Showa suspension on the Honda is miles above the Triumph. Not only is the Honda as big as a supertanker it has the presence of one! I stand by my statement over the yrs that the Varadero is probably the best touring bike(for the smallest amount of money) made in the world to date.

Opinions, like ar*eholes, everyone has one, this just happens to be mine!

[Snaphappy]

Another 1+ for the dero cant make a fair comparison but cant fault the dero, apart from being too wide at the rear. If your happy touring slowly with wide load boxes it will carry everything, you wont need the kitchen sink it will handle the dishwasher as well