Hi from Newbury

[frot]

Hello everyone,

I am currently driving a 2005 Tiger 955i Executive Edition and I registered in the forum as I am looking to switch to a TTSE.

You have a wonderful forum, very well maintained and with tons of useful information. A great community indeed.

I am not such an experienced rider (26 y.o.) so I am still debating whether the Trophy would be a good option for me in relation to its weight and the skills required in low speed manoeuvres.

I have lots to read in here and I am looking forward to discuss with more experienced members of the forum about the Trophy.

Regards,

Phil

[digital]

Welcome to the frot forum.

I know people who are used to other types of motorcycles and buy a Trophy and they don't end up adapting to it. In the end, he changes his bike and returns to what he really needs.

My advice is that before you buy a Trophy, if you have a chance to try it, give it a try.

It is a very easy motorcycle to ride and very noble, it is like an attraction, an amusement park.

At first it gives you respect or fear and when you go up and down you want to do it again.

The Trophy is exactly the same, once you take it for the first time, when you get off, you want to pilot it again.

It is a motorcycle that, due to its width and weight, is kept at a very low speed. For example, on retentions, you notice that the motorcycle is almost stopped and that you are still sitting without having to put your feet on the ground.

I also want to add that in the years that I have ridden a high-powered bicycle.

I have to agree with the great masters I fortunately have and thank them for the advice they gave me when I started riding a high-powered bicycle.

One of the tips was like this example: "Francis, motorcycles are not known until after a while with the motorcycle"

Sometimes it takes a year or more to connect a motorcycle, how it behaves at low speeds, high speeds, braking, gravel, cornering, with passengers, stops, parking lots, etc., etc.

Of course, after saying this, I understand that you also realize that it has a lot to do with the kilometers that one can do, the period of time shortens as you travel more kilometers with these devouring kilometers like the Trophy.

[Canes1]

Welcome to the forum! And while the Trophy was designed for long distance riding, it doesn't mean it's not fun for short hauls.
Sometimes I make excuses to run up to store to make a quick pickup, just ride mine for 30 minutes!

And , of course, the more I ride it, the more comfortable I get with it. It is a big bike but, once you get rolling, all that weight disappears! 

[Coconut]

Hi frot, and to the Club ! 

The weight is certainly something to consider - the Trophy feels much lighter at anything more
than walking pace, but can catch the unwary out at low speeds, and when coming to a stop.

A lot can depend on your physical stature, inside leg measurement, body build etc.

The Trophy Seat is adjustable for 2 height positions, and is also "available"
( if you can find one ! ) in a Low version.
The Low seats were fitted to all U.S. export models, and were an accessory option in the UK.

Some Owners finding this to be an issue have lowered the Suspension
around an Inch, with the use of "Lust" or "Soupy's" Lowering Links.

I gave another Member some advice recently about slowing down and stopping,
which you might find useful here :

1 Week ....

Also, if you do go ahead, I would consider taking a couple of Slow riding lessons
with you local Riding School - the cost of which will probably be a lot less
than the cost of replacing or painting cracked or scratched body panels
if you were to drop the bike !

There are lots of good videos on YouTube etc. about slow speed riding too, where you might
pick up some tips, but the main thing is to practice and get comfortable with any new Bike.


Cheers 

[1675]

Hi Frot and welcome. I would advise a test ride to see if the bike suits you. Mine is ideal for what I do, others may be different. Oh to be 26 again and get a bike like this!

[cecilt]

Welcome Frot, and good luck with your decision! If you are worried about the handling and size of the bike - there are a lot of elderly riders on this forum (including me), with no apparent problems. But it is by no means an old-person's bike!

[Novocastrian]

Originally Posted by Coconut

There are lots of good videos on YouTube etc. about slow speed riding too, where you might
pick up some tips, but the main thing is to practice and get comfortable with any new Bike.

Coconut is right.  There are plenty of slow speed riding techniques on YouTube.  I've been riding since I was 16 (50 years) and still learnt something from those videos.  It is a big bike, heavy and not for people with short legs and they are female bikes because they will do their best to catch you out when you least expect it    I would say try before you buy.

[frot]

Thank you all for your advice. It has been very helpful.

I am 6'4'', athletic build so I guess I will not have an issue with the seat height. The Tiger 955i is a particularly top heavy bike with around 250 kg wet weight and 33.1 in (840 mm) minimum seat height. I have to admit that after riding it for 18 months I still have difficulty with the low speed manoeuvres.
I will definitely take some slow riding lessons when they become available again as I clearly lack confidence in that aspect.

I am visiting a dealer this Saturday in order to take a look at a used TTSE 2013 http://tiny.cc/n5igoz, and I will check whether I could take it for a test ride.

I mainly want the bike in order to commute comfortably to my work every day and also travel around the UK and Northern-Central Europe with my partner when it is possible.

Kind regards,

Phil