Black ‘n’ White | lookin’ purdy with the Corbin seat. It looks ready for the open road.
July 8, 2019
A pair – Twin ‘n’ Triple
Fifty Years | that’s the time between these two Triumph models – half a century. Both prime examples of what is possible with technical ken of the respective day. Be it the simple but strong Bonneville 650 to the technical hefty Tiger 800. Both can give you a grin as wide as a slice of watermelon! The Bonneville belongs to riding buddy Dean.
July 7, 2019
The Cat Purrs
The Single Step | today was the Tigers first true ride: a short 80 mile jaunt up to Zion IL and back through Lake Country. Impeccable manners and a joy to travel on; the prospect from the Corbin saddle is commanding and controls are all ‘at hand’.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Chinese Proverb
June 29, 2019
By a Nose
On/Off Road | Here are the two main models of the Tiger 800. XR and XC. As well as the wheel differences the other major distinction is the beak: short on the road like a parrot and long on the off road version like a kingfisher.
June 28, 2019
Wheel Size
R or C | There are two forms of the Tiger 800 model: the road oriented R and the off-road aimed C. Main difference is front wheel size. The R is shod in 19″ cast wheels and the C in 21″ spoked hoops.
June 27, 2019
Up Hill & Down Dale
George | The new scooter arrived today. Fresh off the dealers floor and glimmering with subtle verdancy under a warm bright summer sun. Like the previous Tiger it fits me like a glove. Named after my grandfather who rode khaki colored British bike across North Africa during the War and our pup Geordie whose birthday it would be today.
June 23, 2019
Jorge
The Replacement | I dropped into Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks yesterday and utilizing their deals on ’18 model bikes made good on this Tiger 800 XCx. Triumph are including pannier boxes for bikes in June too so the old black crow has a successor. I’m considering the name George for it after my grandfather George Lawrie who rode olive drab motorcycles in North Africa during WWII.
June 17, 2019
It’s a clean machine
The View from the Bridge | Another snapshot from a fortnight ago. Waiting for the gang to fill up at the Mount Carroll gas station. I always thought the windscreen had cat ears atop it…
June 14, 2019
Indian Blue
Tigress | On Display at a recent New Delhi Motorcycle show are a pair of Triumph XC 800’s . The model is Prabhjot, a model from Chandigarh, who, at the time, was pursuing a masters degree.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera
June 7, 2019
Heavy Man!
Leadville | The prime destination last weekend was the old mining town of Galena. Historical seat of Joe Daviess Country and home of Ulysses S Grant. In the early C19th it rivaled Chicago in population and was the busiest steamboat hub north of St Louis.
June 6, 2019
Le Corbeau elle est morte!
Totaled | A sad day in GeordieBiker-ville. The insurance evaluation guy came by today and, after an exhaustive hour looking at the damage, wrote her off. Damages far exceed the value. Simple accounting with far reaching implications. The bike of my dreams was taken away in the back of a van.
June 3, 2019
She’d
S’mores | When the tents are pitched, the tea brewed it’s time to build a fire and light it. Luckily there was an ‘honesty box’ wood shed near the weekend’s outing. The Tiger toted fuel for the fire pretty good. Graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows anyone?
June 2, 2019
Collision Course
It’s not IF it will happen, but WHEN | So this was the reason for shortening the weekend: I had an accident on the bike, the first serious one. At an intersection in deepest Illinois farmland as I was leading the group the route took a left turn at a Stop sign. As I rolled to a stop the bike behind me barreled into the rear of the Tiger. Next thing I knew it was a scattering of me and bikes. The Tiger is beat up superficially and I managed to ride it the 200 miles home last evening – I frankly don’t know how. Today I went to the ER. X-rays found 2 broken ribs, a fractured wrist and a crack at the tip of my ring finger. Splint, pain meds, then healing. Remember kids! All the gear all the time! I could have come off a lot worse! The ride to that point was marvelous!
June 1, 2019
Motorcycle Wheels on a Gravel Road
Tiger Trail | the days riding around north east Illinois was enlightening. A good 150 miles of rural gravel roads crisscrossing Jo Daviess County. I learned to finally use the back brake on the loose surface; and to power through the looser gravel. The new tires performed exceptionally. The day (and weekend) were cut short… but we’ll get into that tomorrow…
May 31, 2019
Geodesic Dome
Tramping | That stands for Triumph camping. Here’s the tent set up at Blandings Landing on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. Rolling farmland interspersed with shady woodland connected by clean gravel roads. Good ride across the Northern part of the state along Stagecoach Road.
geordiebiker.com 