My test of a GS12

[EzyMount]

I must admit, I tend to agree with the GS owners here. I have owned a Tiger for over a year and was reluctant to spend the bucks for the GS.. but I eventually did, when I traded the Tiger in. The Tiger does not bring a good price on the used market.

I had trouble with the Tiger's gauges at night. Probably my older eyes just not doing the same job they used to !

The Tiger's suspension was a bit too forgiving, especially up front.

One-up riding was good, comfortable on distance runs, but a bit too many vibrations at speeds over 65mph. I like to run 75-80 out on the road, and the vibrations were too much for long periods of time. Guess my age is telling on me in that department also !

I had a GIVI top case and it offered more room than the factory GS top case. I miss that ! After using the BMW cases, other than the limited room in the top case, compared to the GIVI, I prefer the BMW units, the expandability option is nice to have at your disposal. I also like being able to put the BMW Top case right behind the front seat.

I must admit, I am not sure that I like the linked brakes. ABS yes, and the ability to dis-engage it while off-road is great, but I could do with the linked system.

I prefer the GS, when it comes to taking the bike apart. Much easier, than the Tiger.

My inseam lenght likes the BMW better. I also feel more secure and the BMW tires feel more solidly planted to the road than the Tiger. I road the Tiger hard and fast, but I did not feel as secure as I do on the BMW.

The Cee Bailey's aftermarket screen offers much better protection than stock on the BMW. I had the factory extended height screen on the Tiger, and still wanted a little more protection.

I loved the gearbox on the Tiger, and so far, probably still prefer it over the BMW.

Of course I don't miss the chain drive. Enough said about that !

 

[Howard Millichap]

Hey guys! Heard the one about the fuel pumps failing now?

Good job BMW give you all Europe wide breakdown assistance. Sounds like you'll need it. That's if you survive the brake failure.

 

[Dahoum]

Re: My final post on this subject.

This is my final post on this subject.

Liar jerkit

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Hey guys! Heard the one about the fuel pumps failing now?

Wow we got a big one here old son...

Howard I bet even after all the years and the numerous shafts and gearboxes on that old airhead you do miss the bloody BMW

I see a guy coming past me some morning's on a Tiger and feck me they do shift but unfortenately it does not do anything for me. Have not tried the 1200 yet but will do shortly. Won't be surprised if when I don't swap my 1100 for it

Been on the Africa Twin now for 8 months and bored me senseless, can't fault it but it did nothing to the senses.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Heard the one about the fuel pumps failing now?

Old hat, dear boy. Been known for ages (and sorted).

Ref stalling - I think you must have had a young engine - they loosen up considerably as the miles go on and gentle starts are easy. I also found the clutch quite sudden at first but quickly got used to it.

Paul

 

[minkyhead]

you must be joking

i have ridden both at some length gs and ..the "tiger"
i dont know what planet you come from the bmw is light years ahead of that mobile bouncy castle your ranting on about
may be three grand cheaper but it feels 5 grand cheaper with the added bonus of looking like it has been smacked in the gob
list of good points
makes a nice noise ...the end

 

[GSmonkey]

Howard really does sound like a guy who wished he'd bought a GS, trying to justify buying the wrong one.

Just sell the Tiger - you know you want to.

 

[paddy]

TIGER V 1200 GS

Well Had a 650 gs.850 gs , 1150 gs and a Tiger Hey now Ive a 1200GS best bike ever, Tiger Great engine build quality Poor, suspension poor, Panniers Crap. Depreciation Even worse. Which planet is H from if he's a GS'rr on a TIGER.

 

[BBB61]

Having had a the use of a 955 Tiger for 9 days within the last 2 weeks ( my Sprint ST was in the shop while they tried to find its missing ponies), I have to come down on the side of the GS. The Tiger has a wonderful engine, smooth and powerful. The riding position is on a par with the GS, but the gearbox is very notchy and not at all nice. Whilst the GS gearbox is clunky, its consistent. With the Triumph gearbox, you get the occasional smooth gearchange, but so many of them suffer from the notchy feeling. My own ST is the same, though its a bit smoother than the gearbox on the Tiger I was using.

The Tiger brakes are weak too. Triumph are still using the older 2 piston calipers instead of the 4 piston ones used on the rest of the 955 range. They don't have the same level of feedback at the lever, and the amount of pressure needed to operate them is high. Perhaps with the level of dive from the forks Triumph don't want to cause more dive at the front by fitting the more powerful 4 piston calipers. I was also surprised at the lack of compliance from the rear suspension. Lots of crashing over bumps and not what I expected at all.

The location of the heated handlebar grip switch is poor too. Too much of a stretch to reach it, and trying to reach the button to switch between the mileometer and the trip meter is nigh on impossible while on the move.

As for the handling, it wasn't possible to give it a full assessment due to the weather conditions, but it felt top heavy compared to my 1150 and didn't have the same secure feel.

With the new 1050 engine getting good reviews in first impressions of the 2005 Sprint ST ( along with its gearbox), Triumph have a great chance to totally revamp the Tiger. Put in a single sided swing arm and the underseat exhausts, improve the suspension and brakes and they could have a real contender. But until then, the Tiger lags behind the later GS's, IMHO. And I say that from the perspective of owning both a Triumph and a GS.

Bob