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wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

I have a dilemma which I'd like to share with you all, and get your ideas.

Regarding the French Tickler Deux in June. I have the choice of two motorcycles with which to do this 2500+ mile trip - the Pan European and a 955i Triumph Tiger.

The dilemma is this.
The Pan European needs some work doing to it - the radiator needs replacing (have one from Fleabay), and I'll replace all the cooling system hoses while I'm doing that job. Also the clutch is playing up, have replaced all the piston seals, but I still lose all clutch when the bike gets hot. Which it did a lot of in France last year..... Embarrassed

The Trumpet needs MOT'ing, taxing and insuring.

PRO's
The Pan European is a known quantity to me. I have a lot of faith in it, I like the smooth power delivery from 100 bhp. Even though the bike is heavy, the centre of gravity is very low. I love the linked brakes/ABS, and I have every faith in the Bridgestone 020 tyres, particularly on the twisty roads we will be riding in Provence. The luggage carrying abilities are second to none. Weather protection and comfort are excellent. I've been riding them since 1993, so there is very little about them that I do not know. Those that have ridden with me know that the bike is very capable. This bike can be ridden all day long. 200+ mile tank range. Predictable.

The Triumph has a superb stonking 3 cylinder fuel-injected engine, loads of torque at any revs in any gear, and also 100bhp. You could potentially leave it in 6th gear all day long. Very light and flickable, and very quick if using the revs as opposed to pottering. It needs no work doing to it before the trip. It only has 8000 miles on the clock. Fun.

CONS
The Pan overheated a lot last year in France - I should have changed the radiator cap before we went away.... Embarrassed

. It needs work doing to it before the trip. It has 75000 miles on the clock, but these things do astronomical mileage.

The Triumph is a very tall thing, and the C of G is very high. The suspension dives all over the place. The brakes are only okay. The open-block treaded Metzeler Touratech tyres are basically .......... shite. Not much good on the road, and certainly no good off. Not confidence inspiring, I don't feel as though I can lean it over as much as the Pan. A very unknown quantity for 10 days riding. Not a relaxing ride for all day. 150+ mile tank range.

To sum up.
The heart says take the Pan European.... Thumbs up

The head says take the Triumph.... Big Devil

What would you do given those two choices?..... Shifty

biggus · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

Buy a GT1400 Smile

Or if you were to insure and tax the Tiger (depending on your policy & insurer, this might cost just pennies), you could have that on the road giving you the time to give the Pan the TLC it craves, and also give you a chance to see how you can get along with the tiger.
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wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

Flipper · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:

Get the Pan repaired! You'll regret it otherwise. Rolling Eyes

biggus · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

Flipper · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

Check the scenario - early afternoon somewhere in the middle of France on Sunday 10th June at a closed petrol station 130 miles since the last fuel stop..........

WD " The Pan would have been good for another 100 miles"
Doh!

Wivvy · GrandCnut Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 10928

sell the lot and get a proper bike.....

R1.

(pan it is then)

Wivvy · GrandCnut Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 10928

may i also point out your incessant whining when riding that trumpet ref: the constant too-ing and fro-ing of the suspension giving you neck ache?

OR...you could cable tie the suspension down 20-30mm and put some proper road tyres on the tiger

lost again · Dancing tree frog! Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 2861

buy the harley you always wanted Laughing

Matty · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject:

The pan would win it hands down for me Very Happy

Baloo · Guest

One of these?

'tis a Honda Rune Trike!!

biggus · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:17 pm Post subject:

GT · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

Sadly the Pans at work have had the padding cut out of the seat for the vertically challenged (Yes mouse thats you Laughing

) v v uncomfy after a days riding. by comparison my bike is more comfy, hard to believe but true.

No WD stick with the Pan and spend out a bit to get the clutch sorted etc, sell the trumpet and put your time and money into that armchair of yours Very Happy

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Incubus · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject:

let me loose on either of them for the day to see if I can fix the pan or find a better road going set of tyres for the tiger and make the suspension a little more user friendly for you Smile

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wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

GSEX-SLAPPY · Guest

The man from del chatham say PAN

WD with no PAN is like ............shit without the toilet paper

its just shit Wink

JimBo · Pedantic Cnut Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 5394

Pan. I wont be able to keep up otherwise!
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Roughie · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:47 am Post subject:

Pan man .. Pan man... Pan man yous the Pan Man.

we will need the extra fuel when we send you off scouting on the Sunday for us Smile

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Chuffster · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:08 am Post subject:

Doesn't so far appear that the Triumph is a popular choice Laughing behind hand

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Wivvy · GrandCnut Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 10928

wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

ardee · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

You're going to want to get the Pan fixed eventually I assume? From what you've written it sounds like you think the Pan would be the best option for this trip as well. Therefore I think you should go ahead and get it fixed now and use it for the trip.

ninjabob · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

Sounds like you like the Pan and not the Triumph.

Chop them both in for a later, lower mileage Pan - seems logical to me?
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Flintstone · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

It has to be the Pan ! Very Happy

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wivvy's dad · Cabbage club member #3 Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655

Okay, I get the message....

I shall blat around on the Tiger, while Craig tears his hair out fannying about with the Pan.

Cheers peeps.............................................. Laughing