New Tiger or GS1200

[Blackal]

As someone has already advised........... don't base your choice purely on the test rides.

The gearbox and clutch of the Tiger will be a lot less agricultural than the GS and could sway your decision unreasonably

I love the look of the new Tiger, but the GS will take you further and in more comfort. Ultimately, there are more luggage options too.

On the downside (GS):

People will call you a "Tosser"
Aftermarket accessories by Wunderlich, Touratech etc are seductive and will cost you dearly

Al

 

[North]

I have to agree on what is being said about test riding a GS.

On my first ride, I though that I was riding an oversized dirt bike. The bike felt too tall for a street bike. I was afraid to lean it over. I thought that it or I would fall.

I was impressed with how smooth the engine was for a twin and happy with the power for a twin.

The more I rode it, the more I found out what it could do. It did not take long before I was riding like a crazy man on it. It never fails to bring a smile to my face when I ride it.

It's also really nice sitting upright and not being cramped.

 

[Alan B]

Thanks for all the responses, some excellent comments. To the guys suggesting other bikes, no thanks, I'm 6'3" and prefer the trailee style, so the choice is strictly between the Tiger and GS.

As many of you have pointed out the Tiger has moved away from the trailee style and is more like a Faser, but it still has that lovely engine, and is a great ride.

However, I borrowed a friends GS1200 yesterday and went for a good ride round South Wales. Your worries about poor first impressions were unfounded. It only took about 20 minutes to appreciate excellent handling, superb brakes, good comfort, and fun,fun, fun ! The bike had done 17K and the gearbox was fine, so I don't understand adverse comment.

The only problem now is finding one at the right price, I really can't stomach the new price, don't you guys feel you're getting ripped off by BMW ? Will have to wait until I see the right bike second hand with extras already fitted, for less than new price.

thanks for your help, cheers,

Alan

 

[Cess]

Had a Tiger before I changed to an 1150 GSA. No comparison.
Tiger had a stonking engine but the rest was crap, bouncy suspension etc etc.
If a new or newish 1200 is too expensive think about the 1150. Loads of lads and lassies here love em. worth a test ride.


"my mouth has to be this big so that both feet can fit in"

 

[Eastriding2002]

the torque has to be experienced to be believed, 30 MPH in 3rd Gear = 3000 revs when you see the overtake opportunity just ease the throttle open and it goes like the clappers, smooth no snatchiness, lovely bike.

I'd be seriously disappointed in any 1000cc in line 4 that didn't do that. My Fazer Thou would pull from 30mph in 6th gear.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I think it's a shame that the new Tiger has been taken out of the 'Adventure Giant Trailee' class. Being well over 6 feet and having bad knees I need this type of bike. It's fun to have CHOICE and any choice is now even more limited. It's fun to read reviews and look at other bikes in the same category and occasionally try em out if only to confirm the GS is the one for me. What's left? Varadero? Old design and just too heavy. V-Strom? No more reliable than a GS and no better (possibly worse) in the 'finish' category (my best mate's got one). Tee-di-um? OK but not the same leg room as a GS (when the seat's on 'high'). I was looking forward to seeing a new Adventure Giant Trailee from Triumph equipped with that superb triple... As its come out I'm not interested. I thought the old one was pretty good - a bloke from the Island's got one and has commuted to London on it throughout the past four years (including the severest of winters). I'll be sticking to the GS... And what everyone else has said is quite right: they take time to grow on you.

 

[dave hendy]

I like the look of the new Tiger and found it comfortable when I sat on it at the NEC. But it has the smallest panniers which are no good for touring especially 2-up. I bet its great to ride as i've ridden the ST and loved the engine. It might be good at somethings but it is no GS. I think I will be getting a new one in March if they don't put the price up too much and give me a reasonable PX.

 

[beermonster]

Alan

I like the look of the new Tiger, however if money is tight and you intend doing a lot of miles it’s not just the initial purchase cost of the BM or any bike for that matter which you need to account for but the cost of maintaining the thing. The GS, provided you do your own servicing should work out cheaper in the long run as it’s easier to work on. Add in shaft drive, cost and convenience and things start to stack up in favour of BMW. Shame no else produces a competitor with shaft drive as that might encourage BMW to reduce prices.

As has already been pointed out the current glut of GS’s may well reduce second hand values in the not too distant future, so may be worth hanging on to ensure you get what you want.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Your new/sh GS ?

If it is new specify heated handgrips because you will want to ride it all the year round; if it is secondhand remember that althoughheated grips cost £200as an extra when new, it is not so easy nor cheap to fit them afterwards;

 

[BBB61]

Alan

I The GS, provided you do your own servicing should work out cheaper in the long run as it’s easier to work on. Add in shaft drive, cost and convenience and things start to stack up in favour of BMW.

Very true. Check out the cost of servicing a Triumph at a main dealer. While the 6k service is nothing to worry about, the 12k service is a biggie. It is not uncommon for it to come in at between £4-500 just for the routine work. Any extras such as chains or brake pads will bump that up even more.

 

[Blackal]

While the BMW shaft-drive is more durable in everyday running, it appears that when a shaft-drive fails (and this forum has more than the odd report of catastrophic failure) - it is often terminal.

Chain-drive, on the other hand, (with the addition of a Scotoiler) seems to be ultimately - more reliable?

Okay - in real "off-road" jaunts - the shafty is sealed against contaminants, but for what most of us use the bikes for (not just the trek to Tesco) - chain-drive shouldn't be off-putting

If we were being totally honest, we would probably admit that the "macho-rugged" image of the GS is a huge attraction I think we are all guilty of "talking up" what we require for our interests:

The trout rod that will land a salmon

The "caravan site" tent that was developed for Everest base camps

The turbocharged computer for running MS Word and internet surfing

(yeah - I've bought them all )

Al

 

[ac92413]

I took the 1050 Tiger out just before Christmas with the intent of buying one. I also arranged a test ride of a 1200gs and GSA the next day just pacify myself that I was making the right choice.

I used to have the old 885 "steamer" Tiger which I loved, so was biased towards the Tiger anyway.

Unfortumately we had the grim fog down here those days and the conditions where less than ideal.

I thought the Tiger and a lovely engine, braked well and was generally a sportier proposition. However I strugged to change gear with the clutch lever almost vertical below the foot rest ... but I realised this was probably adjustable so didn't discount the bike because of this. It was obviously fast but didn't feel as robust as the very old one. It didn't blow me away.

I then took the the GSA out and smiled from ear to ear. It was a bit cumbersome, had bizzarre switch gear, clunky gear box, a bit vibey .... but I just loved it and its presence. I then tried the normal GS which I thought was the best of the three but went and put a desposit on the GSA because it just floated my boat!

My advice is try as many of these types of bikes as you can ... and then just go for the one that floats YOUR boat.

Only you will know which one that is.

 

[Blackal]

I took the 1050 Tiger out just before Christmas with the intent of buying one. I also arranged a test ride of a 1200gs and GSA the next day just pacify myself that I was making the right choice.

I used to have the old 885 "steamer" Tiger which I loved, so was biased towards the Tiger anyway.

Unfortumately we had the grim fog down here those days and the conditions where less than ideal.

I thought the Tiger and a lovely engine, braked well and was generally a sportier proposition. However I strugged to change gear with the clutch lever almost vertical below the foot rest ... but I realised this was probably adjustable so didn't discount the bike because of this. It was obviously fast but didn't feel as robust as the very old one. It didn't blow me away.

I then took the the GSA out and smiled from ear to ear. It was a bit cumbersome, had bizzarre switch gear, clunky gear box, a bit vibey .... but I just loved it and its presence. I then tried the normal GS which I thought was the best of the three but went and put a desposit on the GSA because it just floated my boat!

My advice is try as many of these types of bikes as you can ... and then just go for the one that floats YOUR boat.

Only you will know which one that is.

Good for you, You'll continue to enjoy the GSA

Al

 

[ac92413]

cheers ... you just know when something is right for you ... just like I know Kylie is too!

 

[MIKE R]

The only problem now is finding one at the right price, I really can't stomach the new price, don't you guys feel you're getting ripped off by BMW ? Will have to wait until I see the right bike second hand with extras already fitted, for less than new price.



Alan

IMHO you'll get a very nice, recent (with the balance of manufacturer's warranty) low mileage 1200 with luggage on this site for the price of a new Tiger with panniers if that's what you've decided.

Mike

 

[Wierpig]

Be very careful if you go for an ex off road school bike.I did,and whilst it was a great price and the bike looked good there where lots of concealed faults.If you are not mechanically adept take someone who is or get the bike inspected.still glad i bought it though

 

[GrinningGSer]

The new issue of Bike has them up against each other in a group test.

I'll not spoil the ending......

I will spoil the beginning then... all ready for the off...and Tiger would not start. Triumph had to supply a new bike

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Al,

I just went through a similar experience. I had a Harley for 6 six years and before that various sports bikes. I just felt the need for something quicker without going mad.

I tried a new ’06 Tiger and liked it, £6k on the road. Great value and good deals to be had, but I thought some components were cheap and nasty and would look cruddy in a couple of years.

R1200GS felt good to ride but expensive. The high price of second-hand ones indicates good resale prices.

The best one to ride was the Ducati Multistrada, the handling, the brakes, dealer, everything was fantastic. However, I found myself going everywhere too fast, the reason I bought the Harley was to slow down.

The heart said Ducati, the wallet said Tiger, the brain said GS.

The GS comes in three weeks but I’m not bursting with excitement. I hope it lives up to expectations.

JohnnyOldBoy

 

[Alan B]

Be very careful if you go for an ex off road school bike.I did,and whilst it was a great price and the bike looked good there where lots of concealed faults.If you are not mechanically adept take someone who is or get the bike inspected.still glad i bought it though

Thanks again for all the good feedback on this thread, have now decided the GS is the way to go, but still undecided about the ex off road bikes at Bath Road. The salesman says no worries because the warranty will cover everything. What were your faults, and weren't they fixed under the warranty ?

cheers,
Alan

 

[Wierpig]

Alan, the final drive had excess play,noticed by me and changed before i took the bike away.When i got home i thought the front end felt odd so got the spanners out.turns out the fork sliders were bent.the front wheel had a flat in it.fair play to bath rd,all these parts were changed.more recently,the front wishbone was changed due to wear in the ball joint hole.the rh switchgear was also changed as the heated grip switch fell apart.no problems with warranty at southport superbikes.
The forks and wheel were damaged,hence no warranty.if i had not noticed these and asked bath rd to sort it out i would have been riding round on it thinking the forks had a poor action,and maybe they were all like that!
Slight bends or damage to telelever front ends is hard to spot.
Bike is now fully sorted an i love riding it.