Newbie Tiger 800 Question

[StormRider]

I've been riding for 2 years now on a Suzuki S40 that has served me well. I'l looking to upgrade for next season and the Tiger 800 in quite intriguing. The problem? Well, I am of less than average height. I tried sitting on one at a Triumph demo day and couldn't get it fully upright. So my question is, what would it take/is it even possible to lower the bike by an inch or two? Even if it is possible would it be a dump idea? I am definitly talking about the standard version and not the XC. A vast majority of my riding is a short commute on town streets and trips on hilly, curvy, state routes of NH and VT. A few short interstate trips will be thrown in too once I upgrade.

Thanks for the advice. Yes I'm a noob.

[jstark47]

I believe Triumph makes an optional low seat for the Tiger 800, but not a lower suspension option. However, you can find aftermarket lowering kits on the web if you google for them.

If I could point you in a slightly different direction, BMW makes a very similar bike to the Tiger 800 called the F650GS. (Note: this bike is from 2009 on, the earlier bike called F650GS is completely different). The F650GS does have a factory low suspension option, and a lower seat option, or you can combine the two for a really low bike. My wife has a 2009 F650GS with the low suspension, and she loves it.

And yes, the F650GS is appropriate as a second bike for someone with two years experience. Initially it will seem like a race bike compared to the S40, but you'll find you can bridge the gap.

[mogster]

I have no idea whether the Tiger 800 could be lowered, tho probably the seat could.

If your mind is attuned to getting a Triumph have you considered the Street Triple?

I seriously considered it before buying my Speed Triple & one of the main reasons I changed my mind was it felt a tiny bit too low.

Also the Street Triple has consistently had rave reviews for nifty urban performance & yet is easily powerful enough to have fun on country hills.

Give one a go (if you haven't already) & you might be pleasantly surprised.

Either way Triumph's are a great ride.

Have fun

[jstark47]

I have no idea..............

Why are you up?? Are you on 3rd shift or something? Isn't like 2:00 am over there now?

[mogster]

Why are you up??

0246hrs to be precise! Am not working but as I said to Mike a while ago, one the many reasons I love this site is that Iam a bit of an insomniac (years of shiftwork doesn't help).

Having a long day out tomorrow so will definately sleep after that

[StormRider]

Thanks for the comments.
I forgot about the F650GS and its lowered suspension option. The Triumph just seems... I don't know... sexier for lack of a better word. Plus the reviews seem to love the triple engine.
The Street Triple is interesting too. It might be a little too "agro" (again for lack of a better word), but I will check it out.