Triumph TIger 800 Test

Had a chance today to take the new Tiger 800 for a two up test ride. Conditions were pretty poor and the bike was still in the running in period so I was gentle with it.

First impressions then; very low and compact for the genre. A bit too small for me to be honest. The pillion seat was described by my co-pilot as the worst she'd tried. The engine feels light and fresh, happy to rev and not buzzy. It's a good thing it is happy to rev, as you need to keep the revs up in the mid range in order to make progress.

The bike feels long and no doubt the addition of a pillion added to this. Adjustment on the shock is preload only (that I could see) and I wound it in 2/3rd of the way to account for the pillion. The test bike had the Arrow silencer and alloy sump guard fitted from the accessory catalogue; the silencer gave a little rasp to the exhaust note, though most on board sound came from the airbox. The sump guard appeared a little extraneous and was really there it seemed in order to take your eye away from the under-sump catalytic convertor.
I was a bit disappointed in the bike to be honest. I had hoped for something with a bit more grunt to it. There was no denying the bike was smooth to pull from low revs even in a high gear, but it really needed revving to get the most from it. Rumour has it a 1200cc version will be with us mid next year. I will hold on until then.

It's that time

I'm off to go and spend time with family. Have fun and take care out there.

Chores and more

Had to go out and pick up a lamb from the butchers over the valley yesterday morning. Roads were fine, just slush. Got home and went out exploring.

The lanes were a little more snowbound, I got stuck going up a few of them. The horses didn't have as much hassle.

Relaxing

Still snowy out. Took the pushiron out for a pedal.

Revlon

Make good air filter driers... Just have to hope the g/f doesn't notice the smell.

You're an idiot

Prod the snow long enough and it will prod back. Turning around 2up in some woods and the bike slid over on the sloped verge edge. All fine. I don't think me laughing went down too well with the girlfriend.

Nice

Lamp

Made some headlamp brackets for #3. Still need some tweaking, but I'm pleased with how it's coming together.

Fruity nut loops

What do you do with a seized Fiat Punto engine? You don't Fix It Again Tony.

Cut a cylinder off

Weld it up

Stick the resulting single cylinder engine in a push bike

Still not enough? How about a Turbo?

Stepping back and off

Took time out and had a break on a narrow boat. Three days of pretty much being off the radar. It was properly enjoyable and a good counter to the cut and thrust of daily existence.

I am the Night Rider

Out last night in the cold to take a few pics of the Triumph by moonlight on the Blorenge.

Cold enough that there was frost forming on the seat by the time I'd done.

Pics done with EOS1000D, 50mm f1.8 lens, small tripod.

Dossing in the Dales

Took a little run up to the Russian Bike Owner's October rally held in Dent. Weather was good, if a little windy, and I only rode up there for the Saturday night.

Run up was nothing special; usual route of A49/M6 then I headed off to Gargrave via Clitheroe. Reason being I wanted an ice cream and some sweets from the Dalesman Cafe there.

Post ice cream it was up to Malham and past the Tarn

before dropping down to Stainforth and up past the Ribblehead viaduct before taking the Cowgill road into Dent and passing under the Dent viaduct.

Tipi up and had a good nose about the site. Populated by a lot of GS's this year. Some nice Russian/Eastern Bloc stuff in evidence.

Floral MZ tank art, contrasted nicely with the NATO green bike.

Daihatsu Turbo Diesel engined Cossack-

Right hand side chair means 2wheel drive. Shark mouth is pure decadence

Ariel Leader sounded really clean and crisp when it came in, thankfully it stayed upright through the night despite the wind-

Down to the Sun Inn for vittles in the evening.

I was awake before even the sparrows were farting, so packed the Tipi down and departed before half seven. I rode with the breaking dawn on my own until the sun ghosted the sky around Burrow.

After that it was a steady run back, with a bit of dicing with a pair of Guzzis and a new VMax for part of the homeward stretch. Jolly good fun.

Comfort Zone

I was almost out of mine on the weekend; ushering at a friends wedding meant wearing a suit. Thankfully it was the classy top and tails combo. Stick courtesy of my great grandfather.

Oh and I'm not a pixie, my g/f is 6' 4" and she's wearing a pair of hefty heels.

Uncle Tom

Well, my 100th post and a celebratory one at that. As of just before midnight last night I became an Uncle when my Sister gave birth to Joshua David. I only just found out, seems the little bugger (9lbs 10oz) wasn't so keen on coming out. No pics, but hey.

Some show pics

Long day.

Triumph Live

Is on this Saturday 18th at Mallory Park, Leics. My Speed Turnip was shortlisted and invited to appear in the custom show, if you see me about, come say hi.

Triumph Live site

A weekend wasted

Is never a wasted weekend. Or at least that's how the saying goes.

The original plan was that I was taking the g/f up to Lake Windermere for her to compete in a swimming race. Her race was postponed due to algae, so I was set then to head over to Spalding for the Kustom Kulture weekend, until the bends and tube from OJZ arrived. With the weather looking promising I set to doing a job I'd been putting off for a while; making the exhaust system for the DR.

2 days later, and I've got a finished system. Chuffed.

Good evening

First off my copy of Sideburn 6 arrived, no thanks to the posties who managed to lose the first one sent out. So I retired to the local to enjoy it, along with the best crisps ever.

Then I got home and fitted my new beartrap pedals to the pushiron. So much better than the clip pedals it came with. The cat has decided they make a good scratching post too...