JonF
Member
Hello everyone. I doubt many if any of you will remember me because I didn't post much. I bought an 05 ABS FJR last summer to replace my beloved Kawasaki ZR-7. I traded in the FJR this February on a 2010 Triumph Tiger 1050. The FJR is a great bike but it just didn't fit my riding style. One test ride omn the Tiger and I knew it was the right bike. I've got a little over 4900 miles on it now and I thought maybe you guys might like to here some comparisons in case you ever wondered about the Tiger.
The Tiger is taller than the FJR and maybe a little shorter in wheelbase. It is much much lighter. Moving it around the garage or lifting it off the sidestand or putting it on the (optional) center stand is much easier. It's also easier to handle at stops if your passenger if figgiting (sp?) around. The passemger sits up high on the Tiger. My gf can see over my head and I'm 3-4 inches taller than her. Although the Tiger is taller I think ift has a lower center of gravity. The FJR carries a lot of weight up high. Part of that is gas. The Tiger holds 5.3 gallons vs 6.6 I think for the FJR. Speaking of gas. IIRC I was getting 42-43 mpg on the FJR. With the tiger I've gotten anything from 43-48 mpg, but the higher numbers were on a trip and I think the gas quality is better in the mountains of VA, NC, and TN than around here. I usually get 43-45 around here.
The Tiger is much quicker handling than the FJR. I like the windy back roads and the FJR was...well not as happy on them as I would have liked. It did love sweepers though. Although the Tiger is tall, kind of like my KLR650 was, it transitions side to side easily. Steering is light and precise. Even though it is only a little over 500 pounds it rides nice on the highway. Both bikes had pretty well damped syuspension. The FJR was too soft on "soft" and too hard on 'hard". The Tiger has adjustable preolad front and rear plus compression and rebound damping on the front and rebound only I think on the rear. The long travel suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the tires on the pavement even when the pavement is rough. I thought the front end on the FJR was better than the rear.
Both engines are nice. The FJR is bigger and makes more power. It pulls like a freight train on PCP, yet is docile at low revs and light throttle. The lean surge got on my nerves but otherwise I liked it. The tiger has a great engine too. I like it better actually. It is responsive, quick revving, smooth, and it makes good low end torque and good top end power. It is very responsive on acceleration. Couple that with good torque and it moves quickly when you twist the throttle even at lower rpms. The FJR makes a good bit more torque but the peak is higher in the rev range. The 6 speed trans and gearing on the Tiger suits the engine very well. The FJR doesn't *need* a six speed but it would have been nice to have another gear on the highway. The shaft drive on the FJR was nice. Chain maintenance for the Tiger. Fun. lol
The transmission on the FJR is much better. Smooth and precise. The Tiger is a bit balky and it will let you know if you get lazy on your shifts.
The sock FJR seat sucked for me and I added bar risers. The Tiger seat is sooooo much better and the riding position fits me well. It is the most comfortable bike I've ridden.
The FJR luggage is much better. It's bigger and more level so it's easier to load and close. The latches are a bit smoother too. the Tiger luggage is on an angle and much smaller. The latches are OK but the locks are a bit stiff and fumbly. I cant even fit a full sized helmet in the big side. Yes, the right back goes around the muffler so it's smaller. I leave them off and have installed a 37l topcase for daily use. I use the bags only when needed.
The Tiger has great brakes but mine does not have ABS. the FJR had good brakes too and the ABS was a welcome feature. It is optional on the Tiger.
The FJR has better wind protection of course. Te adjustable shield was helpful with noise and buffeting depending on speed. I installed a Cee Baileys short screen the noise and buffeting but i still had to put a wind curtain on the bottom of my helmet to bring the noise to acceptable levels even with ear plugs.
Thats about all I can think of right now. The FJR was a great bike but it just really wasn't for me. I liked the FJR but never loved it. It made me really miss my poor little ZR-7. I'm loving this Tiger... and no longer missing my ZR-7. Well, maybe a little. It was my first new bike.
Jon
The Tiger is taller than the FJR and maybe a little shorter in wheelbase. It is much much lighter. Moving it around the garage or lifting it off the sidestand or putting it on the (optional) center stand is much easier. It's also easier to handle at stops if your passenger if figgiting (sp?) around. The passemger sits up high on the Tiger. My gf can see over my head and I'm 3-4 inches taller than her. Although the Tiger is taller I think ift has a lower center of gravity. The FJR carries a lot of weight up high. Part of that is gas. The Tiger holds 5.3 gallons vs 6.6 I think for the FJR. Speaking of gas. IIRC I was getting 42-43 mpg on the FJR. With the tiger I've gotten anything from 43-48 mpg, but the higher numbers were on a trip and I think the gas quality is better in the mountains of VA, NC, and TN than around here. I usually get 43-45 around here.
The Tiger is much quicker handling than the FJR. I like the windy back roads and the FJR was...well not as happy on them as I would have liked. It did love sweepers though. Although the Tiger is tall, kind of like my KLR650 was, it transitions side to side easily. Steering is light and precise. Even though it is only a little over 500 pounds it rides nice on the highway. Both bikes had pretty well damped syuspension. The FJR was too soft on "soft" and too hard on 'hard". The Tiger has adjustable preolad front and rear plus compression and rebound damping on the front and rebound only I think on the rear. The long travel suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the tires on the pavement even when the pavement is rough. I thought the front end on the FJR was better than the rear.
Both engines are nice. The FJR is bigger and makes more power. It pulls like a freight train on PCP, yet is docile at low revs and light throttle. The lean surge got on my nerves but otherwise I liked it. The tiger has a great engine too. I like it better actually. It is responsive, quick revving, smooth, and it makes good low end torque and good top end power. It is very responsive on acceleration. Couple that with good torque and it moves quickly when you twist the throttle even at lower rpms. The FJR makes a good bit more torque but the peak is higher in the rev range. The 6 speed trans and gearing on the Tiger suits the engine very well. The FJR doesn't *need* a six speed but it would have been nice to have another gear on the highway. The shaft drive on the FJR was nice. Chain maintenance for the Tiger. Fun. lol
The transmission on the FJR is much better. Smooth and precise. The Tiger is a bit balky and it will let you know if you get lazy on your shifts.
The sock FJR seat sucked for me and I added bar risers. The Tiger seat is sooooo much better and the riding position fits me well. It is the most comfortable bike I've ridden.
The FJR luggage is much better. It's bigger and more level so it's easier to load and close. The latches are a bit smoother too. the Tiger luggage is on an angle and much smaller. The latches are OK but the locks are a bit stiff and fumbly. I cant even fit a full sized helmet in the big side. Yes, the right back goes around the muffler so it's smaller. I leave them off and have installed a 37l topcase for daily use. I use the bags only when needed.
The Tiger has great brakes but mine does not have ABS. the FJR had good brakes too and the ABS was a welcome feature. It is optional on the Tiger.
The FJR has better wind protection of course. Te adjustable shield was helpful with noise and buffeting depending on speed. I installed a Cee Baileys short screen the noise and buffeting but i still had to put a wind curtain on the bottom of my helmet to bring the noise to acceptable levels even with ear plugs.
Thats about all I can think of right now. The FJR was a great bike but it just really wasn't for me. I liked the FJR but never loved it. It made me really miss my poor little ZR-7. I'm loving this Tiger... and no longer missing my ZR-7. Well, maybe a little. It was my first new bike.
Jon
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Glad you're happy with your purchase.
