GS1200 V TRIUMPH TIGER

[Account removed]

Feckin' ballistic !!!!

Of all the bikes I rode that day, the SMT is the one I would change too from the GS. Yes, it has no off-road pretentions and in that respect, the Tiger is a direct competitor. But the SMT is worthy of all the praise heaped on it by the motorcycling media. Fast, comfortable, eye popping brakes, good ergos and a suprisingly effective screen. The biggest problem I see from buying one is the lenght of time you'll have to wait to get your license back ! It induces utter lunacy and I don't know if that explaination will stand up in court. I did try to ride it with restraint, but failed, and in that respect, it's not as good as the GS. Maybe with time the desire to thrash it so comprehensively would deminish.

As for the 990 Adventure......I can see why it is a better off road behemoth compared to the GS, but as a road bike, if falls too short for my liking. Less comfortable, noisy/buffeting screen, horribly spongy front brakes with dive one of those looneys who jump off tall cliffs into the sea would be proud off. Rather disappointing really.

The only downside to the SMT I see is the fuel range and that it's a KTM, not had much luck with them.

 

[Dave Cr]

One of my friends has a Tiger and although I've ridden it and really enjoyed its performance, it is not in the same league as the Gs when it comes to two up touring with panniers and top box etc. Horses for courses.

 

[Andy1200]

I tried both the Tiger and the GS back to back on cold January day, Even after half an hour of shall we say spirited riding the gearbox was still fighting me to change gears plus all the switch gear did seem abit toy town, I know i didnt like the indicator set up of the GS but that was the only down side so it was the Bavarian contenter that has pride of place in my garage,

 

[Arthurwg]

I have a 2005 1200GS and a 2008 Speed Triple. Love them both but have been riding the S3 more these days. Great fun in the mountains here.

 

[sven]

We tried both the R1200GS and Tiger 1050 in August as possible replacements for my K1200S.

The Tiger had a nice engine, but the suspension was far too mushy (no tools to adjust the suspension) and Trudi felt far too exposed sat high up on the back and couldn't tuck down out of the windblast. The heatshield also dug into her ankle. She likened it to travelling in a really cheap, basic and nasty small car after being used to an expensive rep mobile (like my Mondeo Titanium X). It may have been fun one-up, but was useles two-up.

We then test rode the GS and liked it better immediately. More substantial feel, better built and with a more protective screen. Not as quick, but with just about enough go when revved hard on fast overtakes. It was deceptively fast on the dual carriageway with 90mph feeling much more serene than my K12S. However, despite upping the preload, it wallowed badly on bumpy backroads and lacked the secure feeling when cornering compared to my K. Trudi said it was comfy but very boring and we may as well have been out in the car

I really liked it and wondered if one with ESA suspension in "sport" mode would solve the wallowing and allow us to enjoy the corners

I guess I should try one out, but at the moment I'm more likely to buy a K1300S or VFR1200F

 

[Stumpy]

I went from a 1200 GS to a Tiger 1050 more or less a year ago.
The extras I have on the Tiger are more or less the same as the ones changed on the GS. Touring seat, touring screen, heated grips, handguards, metal mule luggage. I've also added a TOR exhaust and tune and a nitron 2 way adjustable rear shock. The standard rear shock was fine solo but two up or with luggage seemed to struggle a wee bit.

Overall the Tiger feels lighter, quicker and more nimble than my GS. In fact I'm amazed how much lighter the Tiger feels, on paper they are more or less the same but I suspect someone is telling porkies about the weights.The power is slightly higher up the rev range so needs a little more throttle to get things moving but being a triple there is still plently of low down torque.

The switches for the trip computer and heated grips are in a stupid place and not as easy to use as the GS. Pillions have a little more room on the GS

For me the Tiger is as good as my GS in all areas and does everything I want it to do. If I'm heading off road(rarely) I take the Tenere. In the year I've had it nothing has gone wrong on it nothing has corroded or broken down. In the first year of owning my GS I had a new gearbox, 2 new batteries, new starter and new front cover plus various recalls.

Andy

 

[theop]

We tried both the R1200GS and Tiger 1050 in August as possible replacements for my K1200S.

I guess I should try one out, but at the moment I'm more likely to buy a K1300S or VFR1200F

i like the way you are thinking