New member Bjorn_OW

[Bjorn_OW]

Hello, Tiger World!

I'm a Norwegian "ADV"-rider. ADV being in quotation marks as my bike is used way more for the daily commute and tarmac touring than actual wilderness ADVentures. The laws on motoring in the wilderness are strict here in Norway, we better not stray off the beaten path! Also, the Tiger 1200 GT Pro really is a bit on the heavy side for true ADV'ing. Sporting tubeless radials with cast wheels and a 19" front wheel the GT Pro really doesn't cut it when ADV'ing gets single-track tough. But still, the 1200 GT Pro is good for dry, maintained gravel, dirt- and fire roads. Just turn off the traction control, the ABS and off you go!

Current ride now when joining the Tiger society is a my2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro, chassis PV01. I'll probably abbreviate it to TT1200 GT Pro / TT1200 PV01 as necessary when posting on the forum. My TT1200 PV01 goes by the nickname Black Beauty, aka "Silkesvarten" in Norwegian. I'd really like it to be either White or Blue, but given the immense shortage of these bikes in Norway in 2022, I was given the same choice as Henry Ford gave on the model T. I could have any colour I wanted as long as i chose Black. Hence, Black Beauty/Silkesvarten is my current ride for the time being.

ADV-style bikes have been my preferred ride in later years. Given the fact that the upright riding position, bla, bla, bla, I also have come to my senses and went the ADV style route. I started riding large displacement bikes in the early 90's. My first bike being the legendary Suzuki EF1100GS, a large displacement bike that sported a proven, close to bullet proof carburated engine. As my bike today is used for daily commute whenever I have the opportunity, I prefer a bike that has a good power and torque to weight ratio. Much of my daily commute is along major highways in southern Norway. Touring, twistie- and ADV-riding is mostly done on spare time, week ends and for vacations. With the experience of ownership to a my2012 Tiger 800, my plan was to get a new Tiger 900 to replace it. A German 1200 sized competitor came in the way of that plan and me being a sucker for torque and power, I fell a victim to the rides from Berlin. Come fall 2021, Triumph presented the much awaited next iteration of the large displacement Tiger. But I didn't know until late spring 2022 that one of the new Tiger 1200 GT Pro's should be my next ride. Test rides at dealerships has often just one outcome. Don't go there "just to have a look, see" carrying a helmet and riding gear! Ever! 


Black Beaty / Silkesvarten posing along a typical Norwegian gravel road. Me doing some light ADV riding there. 
Lower crash bars A9780106 and larger sump guard A9701408 are Triumph OEM and fitted by the owner, these parts are not standard for the 1200 GT Pro.
For light ADV traction the tires have been changed for Continental ones, TKC 70 front and TKC 70 Rocks rear.

[tdragger]

Welcome aboard.  Your country is high on my wish list to visit and ride some day.  I bet the western coastline is magnificent as well as the inland forests.  Nordkapp is a bucket list destination.

[Bjorn_OW]

Originally Posted by tdragger

Welcome aboard.  Your country is high on my wish list to visit and ride some day.  I bet the western coastline is magnificent as well as the inland forests.  Nordkapp is a bucket list destination.

Thanks! I sure appreciate it. 

Norway has excellent bike rides almost all over. I live close by the Telemark region and enjoy the inland twisties there as often as time allows. The Western coast of southern Norway sure has magnificent scenery! To get a feel of the western coast as well as southern Norway, you should see some of the Youtube videos this guy makes, he has a lot of quality footage: https://www.youtube.com/@tshansen/playlists

North cape / Nordkapp by bike is on my bucket list as well, and I plan for it to happen this summer. I hope you'll make it some time too. 

[Jon]

  to the family, Bjorn. Nice looking ride! Is it almost riding season over there? We've still got about 2 months of cruddy weather here in the Midwestern part of the States before we'll be done with the snow & ice. I'm getting to that age where I've become a fair weather rider...

[Bjorn_OW]

Originally Posted by Jon

to the family, Bjorn. Nice looking ride! Is it almost riding season over there? We've still got about 2 months of cruddy weather here in the Midwestern part of the States before we'll be done with the snow & ice. I'm getting to that age where I've become a fair weather rider...

Hi and thanks! 

Holy cow no! No Riding season here yet. Come mid April, it tends to be acceptable temperature during daytime. Riding season here in the South Eastern parts of Norway doesn't really commence until May 1st. Maybe a month earlier in the South Western parts, close to the North Sea coast. Way later further up North. Early birds here in the South East are proud when they start riding around Easter. Most bikers doesn't challenge the roads until the maintenance entrepreneurs quit salting the roads (salt for melting snow & ice) and there has been a few good rain showers to wash the last salt off the tarmac. Usually happens around mid April when the ambient temperature through day and night is over 5*C /41*F and there is not likely to be frost again before fall. I've come to the age and stage where I must be considered as a fair weather rider myself too now. I used to start the season at 5*C /41*F before, when we can be (almost) certain there is no surprising frost or ice in shadowy curves. But now I tend not to ride when temperature is below 10*C/50*F. 

[MTH]

Welcome Bjørn
Good to hear you chose the Tiger. I have a Gen3 myself and really pleased with it. Been on a lot of rides both in Norway and down in Europe with my wife riding pillion. No problems with two on that bike🏍👍
I live on Stord, south of Bergen and love riding the coastal roads here. And having family in northern Norway ( well, actually Vega, outside Brønnøysund, is pretty much in the middle of Norway) I heartily agree that those parts of Norway have excellent bikingroads.
Actually, two years ago we had planned to go to Nordkapp, but ended up heading back south in Tromsø😱 Someone in the group thought that was far enough😄 Anyway, this year we are heading for Croatia and head back up through Europe.
B.T.W. You will find tons of useful information in this forum.
Hope to see you on the road sometime.

[NorthumBryan]

  to the forum from the Uk, enjoy the new bike