BMW or Triumph

[Chris Terry]

I'm thinking of a new GS...should I wait and wait for the BMW GS water kettle or try somthing different, The new Triumph Explorer?. Not to sure about the look of the Trumpet but the engine looks to give more power than the awaited BM. Perhaps BMW will get the GS to offer a few more horses.. not to many around 120 should be good.
Just thinking aloud

 

[John Armstrong]

Go and buy a G/S or GT750

 

[GreatScott]

err....the clue is in the title : UKGSER.com get a GS

 

[dieselpower]

Chris,

Was thinking the same myself but I think the GS is the way to go. The Explorer will be all new so potential teething problems, current Triumph's tend to be thirsty (800 Tiger drinks petrol) and the servicing costs is enough to make your eyes water. 12000 mile/2yr service on the other half's Street Triple is getting on for £500!

As for the water cooled GS, 1) it isn't actually working yet and 2) it's taken them this long to get the the niggles in the air-cooled bike sorted. You know what to buy

 

[Rasher]

Seeing as it has taken BMW nearly ten years to make an FD for the current model that lasts longer than a chain and to get the EWS / FPC and otehr electrical gremlins sorted do you really want to pay to prototype test the next model?

I am sure the Triumph will be pretty reliable from the start, service costs you can probably guestimate from existing triple service costs.

I am sure the new GS will be a bit more expensive to service with coolant to change from time to time, but probably not massively so

Maybe last of the air cooled models is not such a bad idea, not forgetting a new Honda on its way and the Tenere's that can be had for under £10k new right now.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I think it depends on what you want. If you want a pure road bike which looks like an adventure bike, the Trumpet, Ducati and the new Crossdresser will do the job. Loads of power and look the part and you can attend HU meeting with a modecum of street cred.

However, if you want a bike that will do everything from running to Tesco's to get your loaf, overtaking power rangers on B roads or riding fully loaded to Vladivostok, the GS is your bike. It has no competitors in the true all rounder section except for the Yamaha which seems to be a half decent bike.

For me, the GS power is enough to make great progress anywhere and only needs a few tweaks to make it the best riding bike out there.

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

I don't know how anyone else feels about Triumphs, I've had 3 in the last 6 years before buying my last 2 bikes which were BM's.

I was thinking of going for the new Triumph Explorer, then read that a more "serious" version ( equivalent to GS Adventure ) was already being prepared.
I'm going to Motorcycle Live in a couple of weeks and thought I might sound out some info whilst eyeing up the 1200, BUT, then I remembered why I bought my GS.

My 2 Daytona ( 955i and 1050 ) and Speed Triple 1050 all had serious build quality issues, with blebbing powder coating, alloy furring and seized bolts and fasteners. Whilst the handling, styling and engines are excellent all of these bikes seemed to rapidly age in appearance after they'd reached 3 years old.

I'm happy with my '09 GS, it's build quality isn't perfect but is a lot better than my Triumphs, it has enough power for me and what I do with the bike and the whole package lends itself to my current motorcycling attitude and lifestyle.

So I guess it's horses for courses, you pays your money and you takes your choice !

 

[snerkler]

I've had 2 Triumphs (Sprint St 1050 and Tiger1050) and loved them both, the triple engine is great. However, as good as they were/are they don't have the same character as the GS imo. The GS gets under your skin, the Trumpets never did for me.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I love my Triumphs but I also love my BM's but which one is best? There's only one way to find out ........... FIGHT !!!!!!

 

[Pip_UK]

To add to the well-made points above both + & -, if you regularly take a pillion any distance, the GS is the one to go for. Great comfort, but the BMW telelever front suspension is what really makes the difference - it gives the pillion a steady, level ride, and the pillion doesn't ruin the handling and steering for the rider. It saves a lot of fatigue over a long riding day.

 

[wrightyboy]

To add to the well-made points above both + & -, if you regularly take a pillion any distance, the GS is the one to go for. Great comfort, but the BMW telelever front suspension is what really makes the difference - it gives the pillion a steady, level ride, and the pillion doesn't ruin the handling and steering for the rider. It saves a lot of fatigue over a long riding day.

Would have to agree re. the telelever point, but can't go along with the GS having 'great comfort'. Myself & pillion(s) have to take regular 'arse breaks' because of the seat on my adventure. Saddle on my previous non adventure GS was a little better but not much. (old 1150 was much better!) From the pictures I've seen so far, the seat on the Trumpet looked quite generous, but I don't suppose you can really tell untill you swing your leg over.

 

[Rasher]

Would have to agree re. the telelever point, but can't go along with the GS having 'great comfort'. Myself & pillion(s) have to take regular 'arse breaks' because of the seat on my adventure. Saddle on my previous non adventure GS was a little better but not much. (old 1150 was much better!) From the pictures I've seen so far, the seat on the Trumpet looked quite generous, but I don't suppose you can really tell untill you swing your leg over.

I got a spair pair of GS seats modded by Tony Archer (£80 for the pair) who reckons he does loads of them.

I also rate the OE seats as a bit like planks of wood, no better than most sports bikes, but with some extra foam I can now do a 2-hour motorway stint OK (which is about how long it takes to drain the tank anyway)

 

[BBB61]

My 2 Daytona ( 955i and 1050 ) and Speed Triple 1050 all had serious build quality issues, with blebbing powder coating, alloy furring and seized bolts and fasteners. Whilst the handling, styling and engines are excellent all of these bikes seemed to rapidly age in appearance after they'd reached 3 years old.

Did you make any warranty claims for the finish related issues on the Triumphs Qjumper? If so, how did you get on?

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

Did you make any warranty claims for the finish related issues on the Triumphs Qjumper? If so, how did you get on?

All 3 Triumphs were second hand, bought from dealers but with very short warranty periods.
The 1050 Speed Triple was only 3 years old when I purchased it, and looked mint until the bad weather started.
It's first service during my ownership went into the local Triumph dealer who's technician admitted that 2 engine bolts had seized and need to be drilled out and replaced. He then pointed out the beginning of the powder coat blebbing. He claimed I hadn't cleaned it enough but looked abashed when I pointed out that the bikes only journey on salted roads was when I'd taken it in for the service ! "ah, well .. Triumphs do like to mark their spot and need to be highly maintained, they're not cheap to keep you know. If you want to ride all year round, maybe you should go over to the dark side (BMW)"
This same technician later admitted to me, after a couple of pints, that on some models the rear shocker would start to go soft within 12,000 miles but that he'd been advised not to replace any under warranty unless the owner complained or demanded a replacement.
I took his advice on the BM and never went back !

 

[Big Nick]

I'm thinking of a new GS...should I wait and wait for the BMW GS water kettle or try somthing different, The new Triumph Explorer?. Not to sure about the look of the Trumpet but the engine looks to give more power than the awaited BM. Perhaps BMW will get the GS to offer a few more horses.. not to many around 120 should be good.
Just thinking aloud

As nobody has actually ridden either one you may be struggling

 

[The Hobbit]

To add to the well-made points above both + & -, if you regularly take a pillion any distance, the GS is the one to go for. Great comfort, but the BMW telelever front suspension is what really makes the difference - it gives the pillion a steady, level ride, and the pillion doesn't ruin the handling and steering for the rider. It saves a lot of fatigue over a long riding day.

Not Always the case, My wife is much happier being on the back of my Bonneville than my 2011 GS.
We only use the GS if its not sunny (Bonnie is a pig to clean) or we are going more than a couple of hours

Barry

 

[mikeyboy]

I'm thinking of a new GS...should I wait and wait for the BMW GS water kettle or try somthing different, The new Triumph Explorer?. Not to sure about the look of the Trumpet but the engine looks to give more power than the awaited BM. Perhaps BMW will get the GS to offer a few more horses.. not to many around 120 should be good.
Just thinking aloud

i think it depends on what sort of riding your into,many gs riders on this forum use their bikes off road regularly,i dont think triumph adventure bikes are up to that are they?? a mate of mine dropped his 1050 tiger on a weekend away and it broke his footbrake pedal ,front brake lever ,bent the bars ,broke the pannier mount.bike went home on a recovery truck! bit of a pain if you are a thousand miles from home,gs gets my vote tough as feck.

 

[jeff]

Not Always the case, My wife is much happier being on the back of my Bonneville than my 2011 GS.
We only use the GS if its not sunny (Bonnie is a pig to clean) or we are going more than a couple of hours

Barry

Well Trish loves the GSA and can do two or three hours without any problems. 45 min tops on bonneville (but it is a T140V)

 

[steve case]

Comparing my Daytona 955i against my GS11

GS last longer, Triumphs get louder as the mileage mounts.

Triumph is easier to work on, person who designed the back of my GS11 was a TW*T!

GS11 would kill the Daytona over distance, but the Daytona is much MUCH faster and the new adventure is supposed to have more power than the Daytona. Read that as you will.

Fuel consumption on the GS11 is magical and the fuel just magically disappears on the Daytona.

If I were looking I would be looking for midrange drive and the current Tiger 1050 has more than my Daytona and a lot more than the GS11, so the chances are the GS and adventure are going to come down to durabilty vs drivability.

 

[IanNicky]

Moto Guzzi