Vfr800 Vs. Tiger 1050

If you run with high performance bikes then don't sell the VFR...

You probably skipped over the part in my post where I said I'm not a knee-on-the-ground drag-the-pegs type rider. When I go out with high performance bikes I show up at the meeting point a good 15 minutes after everyone else. It doesn't matter how high I make the bars or how low I make the pegs, it still doesn't have the long travel suspension. Most of the roads we end up on when touring aren't glass smooth.

The Tiger 1050 may not be as pricey as the Duc Multistrada, but they aren't exactly cheap either, especially once you start adding farkles...

As for the triples...Have you checked out the Tiger 800?

The 1050 isn't available new in the US right now so I'd be buying used. I found a nice 2010 with ABS, bags, heated grips, center stand, and 2200 miles for $10.5k. About the only thing I'd need to add would be a Powerlet plug.

I looked at the Tiger 800 but a new 800 is more expensive than a nice used 1050. Plus the 19" front wheel and narrower rear limits tire options. If I need a quick tire change on a trip I can pretty easily find tires in the 1050's standard sport-bike sizes. I'm a little concerned about finding the slightly less standard-sized 800 tires.

Sounds like a great deal on that 1050!  That's cheaper than a brand new, stock 800.

Great point about the tire sizes on the 800.  That would concern me, too, but not enough to keep me from buying one.   :wink:

Try to find an older 955i. (01-09)

Motor's hold up better, less weight, better looking, more comfortable seat.

I owned one for 3 years, put over 30k on it... only sold it because I'm in the opposite stage as you... I wanted a low bike I can flat-foot and crouch into... lol.

The 1050 is nice, but it's awkward after about 75 miles. Crap seat, crap peg position.

Sounds like a great deal on that 1050!  That's cheaper than a brand new, stock 800.

Great point about the tire sizes on the 800.  That would concern me, too, but not enough to keep me from buying one.   :wink:

I haven't ridden one, but from sitting on the 800 I do really like it. Also, I think the blue that the 2013 comes in is gorgeous. But by the time you add bags, center stand, hand guards, and heated grips you're up to about $13k. Also, for some reason insurance on the 800 is really high compared to similar bikes. I had my agent quote me on the 800 and the BMW F700GS and the 800 was about 40% higher. Not sure why, and she couldn't explain it either.

Sounds like a great deal on that 1050!  That's cheaper than a brand new, stock 800.

Great point about the tire sizes on the 800.  That would concern me, too, but not enough to keep me from buying one.   :wink:

I haven't ridden one, but from sitting on the 800 I do really like it. Also, I think the blue that the 2013 comes in is gorgeous. But by the time you add bags, center stand, hand guards, and heated grips you're up to about $13k. Also, for some reason insurance on the 800 is really high compared to similar bikes. I had my agent quote me on the 800 and the BMW F700GS and the 800 was about 40% higher. Not sure why, and she couldn't explain it either.

My first year insurance was high but it dropped by half in year 2 so double the VFR year 1 and the same year 2. I bought mine last April when they were going well and I still got 1K off retail. I paid retail OTD for an ABS model and I have added another grand in accessories. It's a bike. It's a lousy investment. Riding it I never feel like I paid too much. It definitely has a high quality feel.

I had a nice pace ride this past Sunday and did almost exactly 50 MPG. 199.9 miles, 4.05 gallons. I already have 16K on the bike and even flogging it gets mid 40's mpg. There are better deals but not many better bikes for comfort and performance. If it had been me I would have just got another Versys but after yesterday's ride I see the fun side of the 800 a little clearer.

I really like having the choice of 3 different bikes and more than anything I like having the Tiger and the Versys for our private rides. We take some pretty gnarly roads that would not be fun for a lot of folks and we have a blast. So chock that up for the Tiger 800, it makes really crappy, chip-sealed goat paths through the mountains a lot of fun to ride.

KEB

That subject line probably got your attention, eh?

You're probably thinking, "What is this idiot talking about, those two bikes are totally different?" And you'd be right. I've had my '07 VFR for five years now, but with each passing year (I'm 51) the bike gets a little harder to do long days on. My buddy (41) got rid of his Sprint ST a couple of years ago for a KTM SMT and swears he'll never go back to a sport touring bike for traveling. I rode the SMT and it was pretty comfy and handled better than I expected. I just don't really want a KTM due to some of the maintenance "quirks" that my buddy was telling me about.

Now before you suggest bar risers and peg lowerers (probably not a word, but WTF) I figure, if I'm after a more upright position why not just get a bike that was designed that way?

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has owned both or gone from one to the other that might have any thoughts on the subject. Keep in mind I'm not a knee-on-the-ground drag-the-pegs type of rider. I just like to do 400 - 500 miles a day along scenic, twisty roads.

If they have fixed the gearbox and stator issues, buy one...  I've only had one short ride but found it comfy with bucket loads of useable power...

Edit: mates is an '09 I think, he had gearbox issues but yet to experience a stator failure...

klr?

No new bikes are "bad",  They have gone past that. so it comes down to preference.  You have to make yerself happy.  Anyway you could have both?>  That would be a 50 gallon drum of best of both worlds right there.

Please remember to report on the new one if you buy it.  I for one cannot have enough info on all of the different bikes out there.

I'd look to a Vstrom 650 as my next bike.

I own a Multistrada 1200 and a VFR800, and the Multi is easier to do long distances on but the VFR is more fun in the twisties.

What really prompted my post was just returning from a ~900 mile trip over 2.5 days and feeling like I was 20 years older. :-) One of the guys on the trip had a new Multistrada. Really nice looking bike, but he mentioned he paid $20k for it, and that's too rich for my blood.

Sitting on the Tiger just felt strange. Before the VFR I had an FJR and before that a YZF600R, so I'm not used to that position. One of my concerns would be that I'd feel "tippy" being up so high, but after riding my buddy's SMT that went away. It felt stable and handled reasonably well so I don't think that'll be a concern.

As a guy who has just ridden several 400-500 mile days in the last month, I can understand your feelings about moving to a more comfortable bike.

The Tiger 1050 may not be as pricey as the Duc Multistrada, but they aren't exactly cheap either, especially once you start adding farkles like hard bags, driving lights, engine guards, etc.  I'm not saying you'll hit the Duc's $20k mark, but I think you could easily reach $15k MSRP.  Same goes for another bike I'd recommend checking out - the Yamaha Super Tenere.  One reason in my mind to seriously consider the Yamaha is the dealer network.  If you have an issue while you're out, you're more likely to see a Yamaha dealer on the road than a Triumph or Duc dealer, which are definitely more rare.

As for the triples...Have you checked out the Tiger 800?  Two versions available - the XC and the Street.  The XC seems to be more popular, but personally I'd go for the Street version, as I'm not a dirt rider and I have short legs, so the XC's taller seat height is a problem for me.  The biggest knock on the 800's, as far as I know, is that the hard bag mounts aren't as sturdy as they should be.  Too easy to break in a fall.  That being said, the Tiger 800 Street might be a serious contender to replace my VFR someday.   :wink:

I did 370 miles Saturday on my 07 VFR and 200 miles yesterday on my Tiger 800. The VFR was irreplaceable on Saturday as I did 4 Dragon (just for you BR) and two Cherohala Skyway runs. The Tiger would have been comparable on the tighter Dragon but it is not quite as thrilling as the VFR is for a road like the Skyway. The Tiger 800 is more comfortable than a TIger 1050 by virtue of one of the best seat-to-peg set-ups out there but the 1050 is still great. The Tiger 800 is a fantastic all day ride which I heartily recommend.

Have you put lowering blocks and Heli-bars on the VFR? Even better is an LSL bar conversion on the VFR. With blocks and an LSL you end up with a more comfy bike than the Tiger 1050. Friend of mine back in Orlando had this and it was amazingly comfortable.

I regularly do 400 mile days on the VFR and I never regret it. The upside of the VFR is it has just enough performance to run with the just about anything on the street. At least around here with all the mountain roads that limit your top speed. I led a group of sport bikes over the Skyway Saturday and one of them was a former VFR guy that I rode with a lot last year. He bought a GSXR 750 and wanted a private lead over the Skyway but the other 6 or so sportbikers with him decided to tuck in behind us. When we got to Telico...or should I say when they got to Telico...they all pulled up next the VFR and told me how they could not believe how fast the VFR was.

Not sure how they knew how fast it was because I never saw them after the first set of turns and I was checking my mirrors all the way. :wink:

If you run with high performance bikes then don't sell the VFR...make it more comfortable. My $.02. If you just want all day goodness that is a blast to ride then I would say the Tiger 800 is hard to beat. If you try and find a bike that matches what the Tiger 800 does in terms of affordability, handling, performance, economy (50 mpg easily) and comfort then I would like to know about it. The Ducati Multi-Strada is the one exception I know of and it is in a class by itself. It is probably the best back-road missile you can buy right now if you are looking for comfort and performance but you mentioned you are no a knee dragger so probably not worth the extra dough. You should ride one though, it's as close to perfect as I have ridden yet.

KEB

If you run with high performance bikes then don't sell the VFR...

You probably skipped over the part in my post where I said I'm not a knee-on-the-ground drag-the-pegs type rider. When I go out with high performance bikes I show up at the meeting point a good 15 minutes after everyone else. It doesn't matter how high I make the bars or how low I make the pegs, it still doesn't have the long travel suspension. Most of the roads we end up on when touring aren't glass smooth.

The Tiger 1050 may not be as pricey as the Duc Multistrada, but they aren't exactly cheap either, especially once you start adding farkles...

As for the triples...Have you checked out the Tiger 800?

The 1050 isn't available new in the US right now so I'd be buying used. I found a nice 2010 with ABS, bags, heated grips, center stand, and 2200 miles for $10.5k. About the only thing I'd need to add would be a Powerlet plug.

I looked at the Tiger 800 but a new 800 is more expensive than a nice used 1050. Plus the 19" front wheel and narrower rear limits tire options. If I need a quick tire change on a trip I can pretty easily find tires in the 1050's standard sport-bike sizes. I'm a little concerned about finding the slightly less standard-sized 800 tires.

Sounds like a great deal on that 1050!  That's cheaper than a brand new, stock 800.

Great point about the tire sizes on the 800.  That would concern me, too, but not enough to keep me from buying one.   :wink:

I haven't ridden one, but from sitting on the 800 I do really like it. Also, I think the blue that the 2013 comes in is gorgeous. But by the time you add bags, center stand, hand guards, and heated grips you're up to about $13k. Also, for some reason insurance on the 800 is really high compared to similar bikes. I had my agent quote me on the 800 and the BMW F700GS and the 800 was about 40% higher. Not sure why, and she couldn't explain it either.

My first year insurance was high but it dropped by half in year 2 so double the VFR year 1 and the same year 2. I bought mine last April when they were going well and I still got 1K off retail. I paid retail OTD for an ABS model and I have added another grand in accessories. It's a bike. It's a lousy investment. Riding it I never feel like I paid too much. It definitely has a high quality feel.

I had a nice pace ride this past Sunday and did almost exactly 50 MPG. 199.9 miles, 4.05 gallons. I already have 16K on the bike and even flogging it gets mid 40's mpg. There are better deals but not many better bikes for comfort and performance. If it had been me I would have just got another Versys but after yesterday's ride I see the fun side of the 800 a little clearer.

I really like having the choice of 3 different bikes and more than anything I like having the Tiger and the Versys for our private rides. We take some pretty gnarly roads that would not be fun for a lot of folks and we have a blast. So chock that up for the Tiger 800, it makes really crappy, chip-sealed goat paths through the mountains a lot of fun to ride.

KEB

Thanks for the info about the 800.  I'm looking forward to test riding one at the local Triumph dealer soon.

I put thousands of miles on the Tiger 1050 and owned an XC.  I have to agree with what was said already- the XC is a far superior bike.  As it should be since it was designed well after the 1050.

The 1050 is a nice "all arounder", even more so than the VFR because you can ride it down some fire roads and very light trails without worrying about ripping anything off.  But the "all roundness" makes sport riding and the other 3 even more of a comprimise.  It does'nt sound like you need it to be high performance, but you will still get aggravated at how bad the stock suspension is.  The front fork is way too soft and the rear shock lacks damping. 

Other gripes of the Tiger 1050-

Windscreen sucks, lots of buffeting for most people including myself.  Either go taller or take it off completely.  that seems to work for alot of people

The OEM bags are horrible.  They leak, they wobble, they look silly.  You can fit a sandwich in the right bag thanks to an exhaust that really didnt need to be there.  My suggestion- get a Zard low mount Tiger exhaust and fit aftermarket bags.  They will work better, be more durable, and you can hold more than that sandwich

The stock tires are absolute crap.  Get them off ASAP and put on anything else, like an Anakee III or Pirelli GT.  Road 2s and Road 3s are nice also.

The gearbox is really notchy.  also lots of false neutrals going from 1-2

Check out the maintainence history.  Most have no problems.  but it seems that when they do go bad, they go really bad with the same issues over and over until Triumph finally cries uncle and gives the owner a new bike

Headlights-  forget about seeing anything in the dark.  Buy a set of aftermarket lights and you can actually see where your going.

good luck!

Other gripes of the Tiger 1050-

Windscreen sucks, lots of buffeting for most people including myself.  Either go taller or take it off completely.  that seems to work for alot of people

The OEM bags are horrible.  They leak, they wobble, they look silly.  You can fit a sandwich in the right bag thanks to an exhaust that really didnt need to be there.  My suggestion- get a Zard low mount Tiger exhaust and fit aftermarket bags.  They will work better, be more durable, and you can hold more than that sandwich

The stock tires are absolute crap.  Get them off ASAP and put on anything else, like an Anakee III or Pirelli GT.  Road 2s and Road 3s are nice also.

The gearbox is really notchy.  also lots of false neutrals going from 1-2

Check out the maintainence history.  Most have no problems.  but it seems that when they do go bad, they go really bad with the same issues over and over until Triumph finally cries uncle and gives the owner a new bike

Headlights-  forget about seeing anything in the dark.  Buy a set of aftermarket lights and you can actually see where your going.

I'm really not interested in the XC. If I did anything else it would be the Tiger 800, not the XC. I don't need the more aggressive off-road capabilities of the XC and I'm not keen in that 21" front wheel for 99% street riding. The 18" of the Tiger 800 is questionable enough whether I want it or not.

I have heard about buffeting from some folks, others say it isn't a problem. My guess is it depends on the height of the rider. I'm about 5' 10" with a 32" inseam.

I actually like the look of the stock bags, but looks is subjective. Leaking would be a problem. I had a BMW R1100RT many years ago and the bags were asymmetrical on it as well. On the Tiger the smaller bag is the right one IIRC, and that's the one I use for stuff I need during the day (jacket liner, camera, snacks, extra shirt). I'll definitely take another look at that bag to see if I can fit everything I need in it.

Tires also seem pretty personal and subjective. I loved the Shinko 009s on my VFR, most folks around here claim they are crap and will kill me. I've put 20k miles on two sets and I'm still around, so YMMV.

I also posted this on the Tiger 1050 forums and have some comment on the lights and others say they're fine. One person stated:

Regarding the lights, I used to leave for work at 5:30am, with no street lighting at all, and there was nothing at all wrong with the brightness. The lens cut off is quite sharp, so when leaning around bends, you get quite a black spot on the lean side. It was not ever a serious issue and as I am in a rural area, I was generally on main beam.

Regardless, I rarely ride after dark, and if I do it's usually along freeway or major highway just trying to get from point A to point B.

I have absolutely no helpful information  to add since I have not owned, ridden, etc these bikes, but I can add one thing I see you doing.  (Because I do it!)  You already have you mind set on the 1050 you found and you are discounting the experience and opinions given to you so far.  You should do some test riding and sit on your decision a while longer...I would hate to see you spend over $10k and not be thrilled with your purchase.  Good luck!  Can you tell I'm jealous??  LOL

Other gripes of the Tiger 1050-

Windscreen sucks, lots of buffeting for most people including myself.  Either go taller or take it off completely.  that seems to work for alot of people

The OEM bags are horrible.  They leak, they wobble, they look silly.  You can fit a sandwich in the right bag thanks to an exhaust that really didnt need to be there.  My suggestion- get a Zard low mount Tiger exhaust and fit aftermarket bags.  They will work better, be more durable, and you can hold more than that sandwich

The stock tires are absolute crap.  Get them off ASAP and put on anything else, like an Anakee III or Pirelli GT.  Road 2s and Road 3s are nice also.

The gearbox is really notchy.  also lots of false neutrals going from 1-2

Check out the maintainence history.  Most have no problems.  but it seems that when they do go bad, they go really bad with the same issues over and over until Triumph finally cries uncle and gives the owner a new bike

Headlights-  forget about seeing anything in the dark.  Buy a set of aftermarket lights and you can actually see where your going.

I'm really not interested in the XC. If I did anything else it would be the Tiger 800, not the XC. I don't need the more aggressive off-road capabilities of the XC and I'm not keen in that 21" front wheel for 99% street riding. The 18" of the Tiger 800 is questionable enough whether I want it or not.

I have heard about buffeting from some folks, others say it isn't a problem. My guess is it depends on the height of the rider. I'm about 5' 10" with a 32" inseam.

I actually like the look of the stock bags, but looks is subjective. Leaking would be a problem. I had a BMW R1100RT many years ago and the bags were asymmetrical on it as well. On the Tiger the smaller bag is the right one IIRC, and that's the one I use for stuff I need during the day (jacket liner, camera, snacks, extra shirt). I'll definitely take another look at that bag to see if I can fit everything I need in it.

Tires also seem pretty personal and subjective. I loved the Shinko 009s on my VFR, most folks around here claim they are crap and will kill me. I've put 20k miles on two sets and I'm still around, so YMMV.

I also posted this on the Tiger 1050 forums and have some comment on the lights and others say they're fine. One person stated:

Regarding the lights, I used to leave for work at 5:30am, with no street lighting at all, and there was nothing at all wrong with the brightness. The lens cut off is quite sharp, so when leaning around bends, you get quite a black spot on the lean side. It was not ever a serious issue and as I am in a rural area, I was generally on main beam.

Regardless, I rarely ride after dark, and if I do it's usually along freeway or major highway just trying to get from point A to point B.

The level of grip, steering feel and overall goodness of the 19" (not 18) front wheel on the Tiger is superb. If you are getting 10K out of your tires you will love how it grips and steers. Cool thing about the Tiger is the front tire can assume all different wierd shapes and the bike absolutely does not care, it just turns and feels sweet.

Never apologize for using any tires if they work for you. I wish I could use 009's but I can't, but if I could I would. It's actually my sponsor (life) that prevents me from using them. It's a long story but I put a set of regular Pirelli Diablos on the VFR when I first bought it after I almost killed myself with the stock Metzlers. I had hellish slides with the Diablos that were nothing but me riding past the tires adhesion limits. I rode an FZ-1 with 009's and it was cool right up to interesting speed and they let go in spectacular fashion, a nice controllable slide, but I would rather not do that in the mountains.

BTW I gave up on Pirelli after they turned the Diablo Corsa from a grip monster into a rim protector. I won't even go into my thoughts on a regular Diablo other than to say if I ever want to commit suicide I would mount a pair. Now I am passing judgement on a company based on two sets of tires which is unfair so I will be testing the new Angel GT's as soon as my free front shows up and my S20's wear out.

Back on the Tiger we fixed teh screen buffeting with the Triumph accessory screen angle adjuster which works like a Madstad. Tilted all the way back the buffeting is reduced dramatically. We will probably add an MRA spoiler to finish off the little bit that remains.

If you test ride a Tiger 800 you will immediately be taken by the stupid-smooth transmission and motor. The low end fluid-like flow of torque will also wow you. The comfort and control and braking will impress you as well. I wrote a check and that is not something I do lightly. It is a true gentlemans express presented in a semi-adventure style. The ADV version of a VFR.

KEB

You already have you mind set on the 1050 you found and you are discounting the experience and opinions given to you so far.

I disagree. I've been receiving contradictory information and am trying to derive objective information out of said contradictory information. The leaking bags is a concern, but I've heard that from one person out of dozens of responses here and on the 1050 forums. So, did that person get a lemon, were his expectations out of whack, or is everyone avoiding mentioning a chronic problem? I will absolutely take a closer look at the right bag to ensure what I need to carry in it will fit. I've seen pictures of the bag open and it will definitely hold more than "a sandwich."

I absolutely do not have my mind set on it, but I want objective, non-emotional opinions. Too many people base their feedback on what they want without reading what the other person wants. In my opening post I mentioned I'm not a high performance rider, yet one of the first comments I got was about how I'd miss the high performance aspects of the VFR. Not really helpful.

Just thought I recognized a flaw of mine in you that I get focused on a bike that I think is best and unconsciously close my mind to other opinions.  But you do seem a little defensive...

Anyway, I've said too much already...have fun in your search and I hope you get the right bike for you...I'm sure you will

Just thought I recognized a flaw of mine in you that I get focused on a bike that I think is best and unconsciously close my mind to other opinions.  But you do seem a little defensive...

Anyway, I've said too much already...have fun in your search and I hope you get the right bike for you...I'm sure you will

I don't know what I'd have to be defensive about. I haven't bought the bike or even committed to buying it. I'm just trying to weed out the subjective opinions from the facts. It's a conversation. If we were sitting in a bar talking about this and you said, "The right bag is too small" and I respond with, "Meh, not a big deal to me, I only carry three things in that bag anyway.", would you consider that defensive or simply think "I guess that's not something that's a big deal to him?" What might bug the crap out of one person is a "meh" to another.

Truth be told, of the several gripes that were posted I've had a few confirmed by 1050 owners, which is leading me away from considering the bike.

There just aren't a lot of options in upright bikes that use "sport-bike" sized tires/wheels. There's the KTM SMT (finicky maintenance, is hard to find, parts can be a pain, and it's expensive), the Ducati Multistrada (stupid expensive), the Tiger 1050, and the Versys (which just doesn't resonate with me for some reason). After that you get into 19" front wheels and narrower back wheels (Tiger 800, F700GS, V-Strom 650), which is something I've been trying to avoid.

Why the focus on the wheel size? A friend who I've ridden with for the past 15+ years, who I respect a great deal, made a few points about the wheel size that made sense to me. The smaller wheel turns in faster, there are more tire options in that size (which I've confirmed by browsing tires on BikeBandit.com), and if I need an emergency tire replacement while on the road I'm more likely to find one in common sport-bike sizes at just about any bike shop.

Just thought I recognized a flaw of mine in you that I get focused on a bike that I think is best and unconsciously close my mind to other opinions.  But you do seem a little defensive...

Anyway, I've said too much already...have fun in your search and I hope you get the right bike for you...I'm sure you will

I don't know what I'd have to be defensive about. I haven't bought the bike or even committed to buying it. I'm just trying to weed out the subjective opinions from the facts. It's a conversation. If we were sitting in a bar talking about this and you said, "The right bag is too small" and I respond with, "Meh, not a big deal to me, I only carry three things in that bag anyway.", would you consider that defensive or simply think "I guess that's not something that's a big deal to him?" What might bug the crap out of one person is a "meh" to another.

Truth be told, of the several gripes that were posted I've had a few confirmed by 1050 owners, which is leading me away from considering the bike.

There just aren't a lot of options in upright bikes that use "sport-bike" sized tires/wheels. There's the KTM SMT (finicky maintenance, is hard to find, parts can be a pain, and it's expensive), the Ducati Multistrada (stupid expensive), the Tiger 1050, and the Versys (which just doesn't resonate with me for some reason). After that you get into 19" front wheels and narrower back wheels (Tiger 800, F700GS, V-Strom 650), which is something I've been trying to avoid.

Why the focus on the wheel size? A friend who I've ridden with for the past 15+ years, who I respect a great deal, made a few points about the wheel size that made sense to me. The smaller wheel turns in faster, there are more tire options in that size (which I've confirmed by browsing tires on BikeBandit.com), and if I need an emergency tire replacement while on the road I'm more likely to find one in common sport-bike sizes at just about any bike shop.

I get the tire thing as I prefer 17" rims sized for popular sport and sport touring rubber. From a steering, turn in, grip perspective I can really help you. My facebook main photo is a high-def image of my Tiger laying down sparks on a mountain road. The narrower tires grip very well and turn in easier than my VFR's or Versys' 17" wheels. The Versys steers quicker when the tires are fresh but the Tiger turns in with less effort. That is a direct result of the longer wheelbase and larger diameter wheels. It would never keep anyone from buying the bike as it would be the last thing you would think about when you ride the 800.

There is a trend toward narrower rimmed adventure bikes so it looks promising for the future availability of these tires. My local Cycle Gear usually has them in stock. The world we live in today allows Fedex to get a tire anyplace in a day, for a cost of course, so the issue is not complete disaster but it is legitimate nuisance.

The Tiger is an expensive choice too so it is not perfect. LIke the VFR and the Versys in my garage the Tiger is worth its asking price so if you can get over the cost thing you should test rided the Tiger 800. You will know in a few feet what a quality motorcycle it is and after 16,000 miles I am still impressed. I feel lucky to own them all actually.

If someone had tried to sell me on getting a Tiger 800 I would have thanked them many times over the last year of ownership.

Bike shopping is fun so enjoy your quest 2thdr

KEB

Owned a VFR for about ten years.  Sold it and now have a multistrada because my buddy has a tiger 1050.  He really likes his triumph and will trade up to the newer, bigger bike next year.  The upright position takes a bit of getting used to but you can do plenty on those bikes.  I got the multi to do longer trips and to take detours that I normally wouldn't take. 

My friend got a new screen and he's happy with it.  Other than that its pretty stock. 

Good news is that you can always go back to a VFR as there are plenty of used bikes out there at very low prices. Plus the 1050s should be dropping in price because of the new bikes. 

I may have been incorrect about the bags "only holding a sandwich".  it will actually hold a foot long from subway :goofy:    I kid, I kid.

All jokes aside, no touring bike should have bags that are as sub par as what Triumph has produced over the years.  Especially a premium European model. 

But Each to their own- ride them and buy what presses the right buttons for you.  To me, the Tiger 1050 flipped only a couple, not enough to buy one.  The XC did.

Bike shopping is fun so enjoy your quest 2thdr

Thanks. I sincerely appreciate the time you've taken to respond. It's definitely given me things to think about. The 800 has been available for a few years now so there are some decent used options on the market as well to help keep the cost reasonable. I will be taking another look at them.

it is hard to make a decision, but just go with what you know and never look back.

klr?

:fing02:           

I've owned my 95 tigger  for 13 years and around 89k on the clock. I still love the bike . I added my 03vfr because I got tired of waiting on parts.  Shipping  was slow years ago but is much faster now. Triumph dealers are not plentiful and I'm lucky enough to be near a great one.  The inline triples have an abundance of torque and are so easy to ride especially two up with all the luggage full. If you want to save some bucks, look for a good condition 955i. I didn't know what it was like to have a flat tire until I bought the viffer. My tiger has tubes and will run with things stuck in the tire.  I think I now have two of the best motorcycles ever built and plan on many more miles on both. :beer:

The fuel filler opening on my CB1000R has it's orifice blocked by two bars of metal as well.  I can't even put the nozzle in far enough to let go of it for an instant.  Fueling is a slower process, only squeezing the pump lever half way or less to reduce overspray.  Must be some new kind of EPA crap or something...