BMW 800GS or Tiger 800

[RJT_Berlin]

Hi

am sure this has been done before but wondered if you guys have experience with the comparison and advantages / disadvantages of ownership

Just sold my GSA, am considering what options I have as cannot be bikeless and wondered if these two models are worth considering

Any thoughts and opinions appreciated

Thanks

 

[Smythson]

I think Doofry of this parish went Tiger to 8GSA so may be worth a PM...

S

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

What do you want to do with it?

Have you tried either of them out for yourself yet?

 

[gteps]

F800GS or Tiger 800

I would strongly suggest trying both of them on an extended test ride, as with any bike it's going to be personal choice, make a list of things that are important to you in a bike and tick them off after each text ride

I tested both of them, I went back to both the Triumph and BMW dealers twice for half day test rides giving me time to try them both out on every type of road and some mild gravel tracks, I decided on the F800GS as for me it ticked all the boxes, returned great mpg regardless of how I rode it and left me with a big smile on my face, it just has so much character.

I've now owned this bike for 18 months and I still feel the same way about it, currently the only bike I would replace it with would be the new F800GSA

Hope this helps a little

 

[GADGET]

If you dont want to go off road, look at the Honda NC700X or new NC750X too.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Cheers all! Dont want to off road but dont like the look of the hondas

I rode the tiger, albeit briefly - appeared very light and easy to ride.....

 

[Nutty]

I was in the same predicament a couple of years ago, and went for the Tiger, as it was, IMO, the better road bike, and I had no intention of taking it off road.

 

[Straydog]

Wife had similar choice, found after riding both the F800 alot more comfortable, although off road on GS1, found it a little tooo spritely..

 

[Muppet]

Cheers all! Dont want to off road but dont like the look of the hondas

I rode the tiger, albeit briefly - appeared very light and easy to ride.....

I don't think either of them could be described a light - both over 200kgs if I recall from when I was looking at different options. In Fact, very few bikes are anywhere near that weight now, even the 700cc machines. Why do manufacturers not pay attention to weight, rather than keep trying to get more power from engines to overcome the flabbiness?

 

[Ford_Stuntman]

I tried both. Bought the F800GS in April '13 and absolutely no regrets - on and off road.

The Tiger seemed a bit gutless around 70. Mirrors were a bit shit too if I remember rightly.

 

[ymfb]

One of my friends tried mine and loved it so much had bought the Triumph. His two reasons are, the triumph has more power, second is he wanted to be different as there are so many BMWs on the road. It certainly looks good and he has had no issues, however, it's a lot more plasticky and he hasn't done many miles. Some of the dealer accessories look like something from the Paddy Hopkirk catalogue.

 

[SteveT]

It's been said already - go try them both, and which ever one press's your buttons, thats the one for you.

For me it's the F8GS. After much anticipation I tried both versions of the 800 Tiger when they were launched.

Left the rides feeling . . . . nothing really.

My test ride of the second hand F8GS that I bought had me whooping inside my lid before I'd even covered a couple of miles, such was the difference for me.

Go out, try them, then come back to this thread and tell us which ticks your boxes / floats yer boat etc etc etc

SteveT

 

[Mad_Accountant]

If you dont want to go off road, look at the Honda NC700X or new NC750X too.

They are Ok for the different price bracket that they are in but if you test ride an NC700 then an F650GS it's game over. 49 bhp plays 71 bhp (or something like that), the riding comfort, luggage possibilities and performance are in a different league, and so they should be at the price.

But the question was Tiger versus F800 and their relative fuel consumptions would settle it for me.

 

[Grizzly To55er]

Hi,

I had a Tiger 800 for 2 years and chopped it in for a ex demo f800gs a few months ago.

Tiger was a great bike with a top engine. My only niggle on the Tiger was the front end bounce, which appered after it had new rubber on, never cured it, just learnt to ride around it.

For me the BMW does everything better.
All the accessories ie heated grips, suspension adjustment etc are just intergated, not some aftermarket add on.

Mainly ride on the road, no off roading for me.

Hope you choose the right bike for you.
Andy

 

[Dean]

am considering what options I have as cannot be bikeless and wondered if these two models are worth considering

Any thoughts and opinions appreciated

Thanks

Yes both worth considering, Test ride both then you will know the answer, It's your thoughts that count the most

You should notice the more power from the three engines, that's why it uses more fuel innit


My brother in law has a tiger 8 from new on a 10 plate he likes it, I like my F8GS

 

[MAR.600]

If you dont want to go off road, look at the Honda NC700X or new NC750X too.

Honda nc750x
Great on fuel.
Bike lacked power when loaded up
Struggle to get over 85mph

 

[Reggie P]

Feel exactly the same as Grizzly to55er. I rode a Triumph around California on vacation for a few days.
At first I thought .." I'm going to sell my GS and buy one when I fly home". The Triumph engine is amazing , the standard seat is better and I thought it was very sure-footed through the bends.

However , after 3 days my thoughts changed and I think the quality of the BM F GS cycle parts, the "looks", the integrated accessories , riding position, economy , running costs (cheaper insurance), trip computer, gearbox etc etc made me prefer the BMW.

 

[Nutty]

Feel exactly the same as Grizzly to55er. I rode a Triumph around California on vacation for a few days.
At first I thought .." I'm going to sell my GS and buy one when I fly home". The Triumph engine is amazing , the standard seat is better and I thought it was very sure-footed through the bends.

However , after 3 days my thoughts changed and I think the quality of the BM F GS cycle parts, the "looks", the integrated accessories , riding position, economy , running costs (cheaper insurance), trip computer, gearbox etc etc made me prefer the BMW.

That's the problem with the Tiger. Once you get used to it, the shine wears off, and you end up back on a GS. That's what happened to me.

 

[Reggie P]

You may have seen this before... but a fabulous balanced and fair review of the Triumph here ;

http://advgrrls.com/final-triumph-tiger-review-plus-gear/

 

[Wal2]

they have both got GS800's now.................