is there a better bike?

birdseye

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I am on my third 1200GS and apart from a brief flirt with a KTM990 I have owned nothing else since they first came out. Ridden a few others for Blood Bikes and on test rides but thats all.

Now I've been looking for a change, out of boredom as much as anything, I'm struggling. I cant find any other bike that offers the same mix of all round practicality, comfort and quality. The Tiger 800 comes close but the chain, and the finish. Both Ducati and KTM seem like sports bikes in an adventure frame. Ordinary road bikes dont give the protection or the same luggage capacity. I'm really struggling and suggested alternatives would be gratefully received.

Meantime cant help but think that the GS is the all time best bike ever.
 
Tiger Explorer. Great Bike, wish I'd never sold it!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
JonnyBravo said:
My new Explorer back in 2012 was not a patch on my current 2011 GSA :thumby:
Click to expand...

Horses for Courses I guess but I much preferred the smooth, roll-on power of the Triple over the Boxer.
I like the GSA but I feel it lacks the ooomph of the TEX.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
Get another one then ;)
Click to expand...

I may do at some point but for now I've got too much invested in the GS.
As I said, I like the BMW but I miss the Grunt of the Triumph.
It doesn't make the BMW any less of a Bike, just characteristically different.
Most things in life are a Compromise in my experience.
 
For what I've heard, the Tigers are supposed to be better road bikes and the GS is better in all other aspects.

Considering that the GS is a damn good road bike too, I don't know... Tiger should be amazing!

I would consider having a second bike, but can't see myself selling my GS. It just does everything!
 
RTV said:
For what I've heard, the Tigers are supposed to be better road bikes and the GS is better in all other aspects.

Considering that the GS is a damn good road bike too, I don't know... Tiger should be amazing!

I would consider having a second bike, but can't see myself selling my GS. It just does everything!
Click to expand...

I never go seriously Off-road so I can't comment on the Tiger's abilities (or the GS for that matter) in that department, but it is certainly great On-road.
I had a 2012 Ex Demo Bike for about 10k miles and it did have its Issues, Final Drive, ECU Recall, Heads Replaced etc BUT Triumph Customer Service was second to none and I didn't have to fight to get any of the Work carried out.
When my Gearbox became rough and notchy (I mean worse than normal) on the K1600, it took a public shaming exercise to get anything done at all.
I love the BM's, they're quirky in their looks (in the case of the K1600, Spaceship Like) and loaded with great, usable Features and Accessories but there is room for improvement, as with all the Manufacturers.
In my Opinion, the answer to the OP's Question is "No, there isn't a better Bike out there, just a Different one".
 
After test riding the Ducati Multistrada (Adventure flavour) the KTM and the Honda Africa twin the only one that comes close for me is the Africa twin.
As I said in another post some time ago the Honda more than makes up for any short falls in the saving on the initial cost. It rides very well with superb
suspension out of the box and a very nice very flexible engine. What it does lack is the fit and feel of the R1200gs, thats not the mechanical side its the ergonomics of the
bike. Mechanicaly if its like the other Hondas I have owned it will be bullet proof. The finish on the BMW paint wise is enough to tell me I would not ever buy a new R1200gs.
THe Ducati and the KTM are as the OP said sports bikes in adventure frames, with poor use of the riding modes making them feel less confident. The KTM's riding modes seemed
to me to consist of more what people want to see than what works in the real world.
The Ducati just reminded me of my old 916BP and that was a bike I spent a lot of money on and didnt enjoy.
Dont get me wrong I love my GS and plan on keeping it a long time, what I replace it with in the end I dont know but I am leaning toward the Africa twin just for cost and reliability.
 
The last time my GS went off road was to do a U turn on a narrow lane. The winding lane was too narrow and too cambered to be safe and a dry looking field was handy so why not? I got about 30 feet before both wheels went sideways. No harm done but these bikes really don't like mud and are a bar steward to pick up when the wheels keep sliding sideways.

TBH a Skidoo would have been more appropriate on that particular field.
 
Bendy toy said:
The last time my GS went off road was to do a U turn on a narrow lane. The winding lane was too narrow and too cambered to be safe and a dry looking field was handy so why not? I got about 30 feet before both wheels went sideways. No harm done but these bikes really don't like mud and are a bar steward to pick up when the wheels keep sliding sideways.

TBH a Skidoo would have been more appropriate on that particular field.
Click to expand...

I have to say sticking up for the GS, mines not bad off road. I have taken my 12 green laning a few times and off road across a few fields that could best be described as very wet mud.
My tyres are BT023's so most certainly road tyres and not off road tyres. with a set of half and half tyres I reckon it would do nicely on mud
But yes it is a very heavy lump to pick up and I found that out in a car park. I fell sideways in what I can best describe a Del Boy through the bar fashion. And no I have never been back to that car park!
 
This is slightly tongue in cheek but it always surprises me when people on here say the 1200GS is the best bike ever and then that they are on the their third or fourth example of the bike - I guess that mean's the first, or second, or third model wasn't the best bike ever or you would have kept it? So is it a particular 1200GS (the latest one?) that is the best bike ever? I suspect most of those claiming that have never ridden any bike for long enough (I'm suggesting at least 10 years or 100,000 miles) to make an informed decision.

IMHO the best bike for you is the one that does what you want from a bike and brings a smile to your face every time you ride it; and it will undoubtedly be different for each of us. :thumby:
 
Grim Rider said:
This is slightly tongue in cheek but it always surprises me when people on here say the 1200GS is the best bike ever and then that they are on the their third or fourth example of the bike - I guess that mean's the first, or second, or third model wasn't the best bike ever or you would have kept it? So is it a particular 1200GS (the latest one?) that is the best bike ever? I suspect most of those claiming that have never ridden any bike for long enough (I'm suggesting at least 10 years or 100,000 miles) to make an informed decision.

IMHO the best bike for you is the one that does what you want from a bike and brings a smile to your face every time you ride it; and it will undoubtedly be different for each of us. :thumby:
Click to expand...

And that is the stance i have always taken

My XR is the best bike for me. It wont suit everyone and could actually be the worst bike ever for them but for me.......
 
My GS is the best bike for me. It wasn't when I bought it but it is now, after about £2,500 worth of mods. The paint finish is fine, I guess I'm lucky.

It could lose 15kg and be an even better bike but that would cost a lot.
 
Last edited:
birdseye said:
I am on my third 1200GS and apart from a brief flirt with a KTM990 I have owned nothing else since they first came out. Ridden a few others for Blood Bikes and on test rides but thats all.

Now I've been looking for a change, out of boredom as much as anything, I'm struggling. I cant find any other bike that offers the same mix of all round practicality, comfort and quality. The Tiger 800 comes close but the chain, and the finish. Both Ducati and KTM seem like sports bikes in an adventure frame. Ordinary road bikes dont give the protection or the same luggage capacity. I'm really struggling and suggested alternatives would be gratefully received.

Meantime cant help but think that the GS is the all time best bike ever.
Click to expand...

It is - simples
 
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