Triumph Tiger 800

[burmbuster]

Originally Posted by BlackBeast

Do you have to remove the skid plate to get to the oil drain plug when doing an oil change?

No. They have a pre-punched hole for the oil drain plug. The filter is accessable as well.

[burmbuster]

I would suggest finding a friend that already knows how to do what you want done and have him walk you through it a time or two. There is only one way to change the oil and filter but there are several ways to change a tube and tire. There are little tips and tricks in tire changing that can save you time and frustration.

[elan]

Originally Posted by SPX

I am not the most mechanical person (by a long shot!) but I am wanting to learn a bit about my bike. I own a Tiger 800XC and live in North San Diego county.

Any suggestions on how to learn some basic motorcycle maintenance skills would be appreciated. I am hopeful that I can learn how to do oil changes, and how to change a tube, since the 800XC has tubed tires. As I get more comfortable with maintenance, I would like to learn more too. Any suggestions for books, manuals, videos, etc would be appreciated!

The good news is changing the oil on the bike is about the easiest of any bike I've ever done it on. That said, the thing I often see with people who aren't very mechanically adept is doing things like cross threading bolts and over tightening (snapping them). Always start threads by hand! And when in doubt, a little torque wrench could be your friend.

[fbj913]

yep, what they said. changing tires can be a pain to learn. staying persistent and not giving up is huge. I've changed dozens of tires and I think I still have to reteach myself each time. youtube and google is a great resource. if you have access to a dirt bike wheel and tire those are better teaching tools. Good Luck everything is pretty simple after you see it done. its just intimidating.

[fbj913]

Originally Posted by elan

The good news is changing the oil on the bike is about the easiest of any bike I've ever done it on. That said, the thing I often see with people who aren't very mechanically adept is doing things like cross threading bolts and over tightening (snapping them). Always start threads by hand! And when in doubt, a little torque wrench could be your friend.

YES! good advice. And NEVER FORCE ANYTHING! (that's what she said)

[andoulli]

Just put one on the back of my Roadie. I noticed an immediate improvement in ride quality. The suspension on my bike is overly busy, I think others have noted this as well. I've had two different 1150 GS Adventures, V-Strom, KLR, two F650s, all had considerable amounts of travel. My roadie seems to react to even small bumps, producing a fairly gittery ride. Well, it is now much less so with the Michelin replacement for the OEM Scorpion Trail. Hard to believe a tire change could make this much difference? I've not had this tire long enough to reflect on anything else, plus I still have the Scorpion Trail on the front so any comments about handling in wet and dry, or cornering would have little meaning.

[fbj913]

Originally Posted by andoulli

Just put one on the back of my Roadie. I noticed an immediate improvement in ride quality. The suspension on my bike is overly busy, I think others have noted this as well. I've had two different 1150 GS Adventures, V-Strom, KLR, two F650s, all had considerable amounts of travel. My roadie seems to react to even small bumps, producing a fairly gittery ride. Well, it is now much less so with the Michelin replacement for the OEM Scorpion Trail. Hard to believe a tire change could make this much difference? I've not had this tire long enough to reflect on anything else, plus I still have the Scorpion Trail on the front so any comments about handling in wet and dry, or cornering would have little meaning.

So you dont like it? I've heard good things about this tire.

[andoulli]

Originally Posted by fbj913

So you dont like it? I've heard good things about this tire.

I like the improved ride quality for sure. Later when I put an Anakee on the front as well I'll have a better idea how they compare to the Scorpion Trail pair.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Originally Posted by fbj913

So you dont like it? I've heard good things about this tire.

The Scorpion Trails are great on the road but the front has a tendency to step out scarily on a loose surface. I have the Anakee 2's now and they offer a fair bit more bite off the pavement. Hoping the rear will get me 10k kms +.

[andoulli]

I like this Anakee 2 so now I am thinking, screw it I'll replace the front now with the Anakee 2. My ride quality might get even better,plus handling will be where it should be with two new tires. My economy self says replace just the back tire because the front has probably 2K left. My riding self says replace both and enjoy the best road manners the Roadie can give. I'm starting to listen to my Riding self, and my economy self might just be my false economy self. Ok, now I'm just babbling.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by andoulli

I like this Anakee 2 so now I am thinking, screw it I'll replace the front now with the Anakee 2. My ride quality might get even better,plus handling will be where it should be with two new tires. My economy self says replace just the back tire because the front has probably 2K left. My riding self says replace both and enjoy the best road manners the Roadie can give. I'm starting to listen to my Riding self, and my economy self might just be my false economy self. Ok, now I'm just babbling.

A matched set of new tires is cheap insurance.

[eram310]

I have an Anakee 2 on the rear and still use the scorpion trail on the front. After 2000 miles on the rear, I think the wear is better, but I will know at the 5000 miles mark for sure, when I had to replace my rear scorpion trail.

I could not tell the difference in handling so far.

[swimmer]

Originally Posted by andoulli

I like this Anakee 2 so now I am thinking, screw it I'll replace the front now with the Anakee 2. My ride quality might get even better,plus handling will be where it should be with two new tires. My economy self says replace just the back tire because the front has probably 2K left. My riding self says replace both and enjoy the best road manners the Roadie can give. I'm starting to listen to my Riding self, and my economy self might just be my false economy self. Ok, now I'm just babbling.

I've also got a set of Anakee 2 ready to go on. Just past 13k miles with the current pair of OEM Pirelli tires.

[Sound Farm]

So I'm really close to possibly going with a tiger 800 xc. But I am curious. With all the negative feedback they have recieved fo the abs on off procedure , What the possibility would be of triumph. Changing this on the new year To say , what the explorer has on the handlebar option like the Beemers . And thus making it worth waiting a couple months for th new year models to hit. I can't ride right now anyway where I'm from.
Thanx

[burmbuster]

Originally Posted by Sound Farm

So I'm really close to possibly going with a tiger 800 xc. But I am curious. With all the negative feedback they have recieved fo the abs on off procedure , What the possibility would be of triumph. Changing this on the new year To say , what the explorer has on the handlebar option like the Beemers . And thus making it worth waiting a couple months for th new year models to hit. I can't ride right now anyway where I'm from.
Thanx

Well I'm gonna give you my take and I may get flamed for it but here it goes. The ABS system on the Tiger is awsome. Works better than most from what I hear. That being said, yes, it is a pain in the ass turning on and off unless you do it a lot as to remember the steps. I now leave it on all the time. I believe most others do too from what I have read. I can see needing it going down a steep hill off road but thats about it. The bike is too great to let such a small item keep me away from the purchase.
I believe if they do anything different next year it would be adjustable forks and maybe a better shock. Thats what most people want to see.