This month's Bike just arrived, and there's a Tiger/8GS comparison, good review, and more balanced than some of the other magazines that love Triumphs. Good outcome for the GS too.
Still doesn't address long term ownership, but a good read.
I've just read that test, and the F800GS comes out of it very well. Bike is normally quite pro Triumph. However, in most tangible areas the GS wins. The triple feels quicker, but isn't.
There has been much debate on this forum (in the pub) about the relative merits of each bike. The general consensus was that the GS was better off-road, but that the Tiger had a peach of an engine. Bike Dyno'd both bikes, and the results are quite surprising. The Tiger makes 3bhp more than the GS, but only makes those extra ponies above 8500rpm. At every other point in the rev range the GS is ahead, often way head. At 5500 revs the Tiger makes 50bhp, the GS makes 60bhp. All the tests and reports comment on the Tigers creamy torque, however at no point in the rev range does the Tiger even get close to the GS. The GS makes 55 lb.ft against 49 lb.ft.
Side by side roll on shows both bikes equal at 30mph in third, and again equal from 40mph in both third gear and top gear. Anything above 60mph in top, and the GS has the edge. Obviously the twin isn't as refined as the triple, which feels happier above 90mph. Over 90 miles of motorway riding at 90mph the GS did 66mpg, whereas the Tiger did 51mpg (29% more fuel used).
I love my bike, but love it even more each time I fill up. The fuel consumption is amazing. Something that I think will be become more and more important. It's great when you're on a ride out with your mates. I've even had some of them acuse me of not filling up properly.
When the Tiger first came out I loved it. However, 1 year on, I now think it looks a bit cheap and plasticy.
The interesting part of the comparison was the conclusion. The F800GS compared favourably with the KTM 990 Adventure, they even preferred it to the 1200GS. Final word though to MFG (Martin Fitz-Gibbons), 'So smitten he's looking for one'.
He can't have mine!