Tiger Considerations

[Aeschere]

Hello all,

Currently, I own a 1996 Tiger 900 (steamer) but I am in the market for a new bike. I like the look of the tiger but it is quite a big beast. We haven't gotten off on the right foot as well and I don't really trust the bike to take me where I would like to go. You can find my posts on this forum to find out more about my trust issues

For a while, I was dead set on getting a Bonneville T120 black. The looks, the sound, the customizability and the trusty engine looked like a dream package. It might still be my "dream" bike, but lately, I have been having second thoughts. Stock Bonnevilles aren't really my cup of tea, I like the scrambler look a lot more. Getting the bike to look the way I want will cost quite a bit of time and money. I have been thinking about the scrambler 900 and will definitively take one for a test ride, but the high exhaust might be to much of a downside, also, the stock versions do require some modifications to be to where I would like them to be, which again, will cost additional time and money.

My current rides mostly consists of a short commute, combined with some short rides to towns in the area. I have been on a few weekend trips (one nighters) but nothing fancy. However, there are a lot of things that I would like to do:  Tours through/to England, Norway, Germany, France, etc. for about a week or two (camping), weekend trips around the country (Netherlands) or neighboring countries (with and without a tent), some (light) off-roading and random exploring.

While the Bonneville might be able to handle most of it, I do feel that it sometimes can be a limiting factor and I have been thinking that maybe a Tiger will be a better fit. The 1200's seem to way to much for what I need/want but the 900's are looking very good.

But now the hard part, which of the vast amount of available bikes will be a better fit? I mostly do road riding at the moment so I would think that the GT Pro should be fine, however, reviews mention that the Rally Pro can handle roads just fine. I am not a fast driver and mostly drive between 80-100 km/h (50-65 mph) with short bursts up to 130 km/h (80 mph), and don't need sportsbike performance or handling. On top of that, the Rally Pro seems to have the best range of rider modes, not that I have any idea what they are since I have been riding a 1998 Yamaha XJ 900 and a 1996 Tiger 900, both of them don't support modes.

On top of that, Triumph"just" released an updated version of the 900 models which seem to be worth the extra costs?

So that leaves me with a few questions; GT Pro of Rally Pro (or perhaps even an 850?)? 2000-2023, or 2024+ model? Or scrap the whole Tiger idea and stick to getting a T120?

What would you do?

[Lee337]

If you're looking to buy new, I don't really think there's much in it between the Rally Pro & GT Pro. I've been looking on & off at replacing my 2014 800XC, with the flash new TFT screen, rider aids & for me, more importantly cruise control for those longer motorway journeys.

Most, if not all of my riding is on roads but the state of the UK roads, especially where I live (pot holes, gravel, mud etc), some would consider it mildly off road riding. I had the chance to buy the more road biased version of the Tiger 800 but chose the 800xc more on looks than anything else. I just liked the spoked wheels, larger 21" front wheel and, although some will disagree, I prefer the handling having ridden both.

I mention my experience with the, now 11 year old bike as the only real benefit I could see between the 800XC and a newer Rally Pro or GT Pro was it has cruise control. I couldn't justify the cost. I have also looked at the Tiger XCA (2015 - 2019) as a replacement for my XC, extra riding modes, better suspension, heated gris & seat, but again, I couldn't really justify the price for a few extra bits & a newer bike when the XC does all I want it to.

I found the 1200 a bit too bulky for me although the 900 is a nice looking bike. Having looked at both, I'd probably go for the Rally Pro but that's be because I like the look of them over the more road biased bike.. Whether they're worth the extra dosh for spoked wheels, bigger front wheel sump guard & engine bars, I don't know. The extra setting on the rider modes (Off-road Pro) I'd never use anyway.

Can't really comment on the T120, while I do also ride a 1993 Trophy 1200, it's no where near as comfortable as my Tiger to ride long distance (read more than about 2 hours) and I'm getting old, I prefer ADV bikes. 

[London_Phil]

I've got a 2012 800xc Tiger, and it will handle road riding and Motorways without issue, but has ABS and nothing else.
The 800's are good but the 900's are even better, and 1200's are motorway munchers, but heavier.
I tried someone's 900 XCX with the T-plane engine and all the goodies, and it's a far more modern bike than the 800. Faster, lighter, cooler on the nethers (the orig 800's blow hot air straight to the family jewels)
I do find the Tiger is a tall beast, and I'm not getting any younger...Road variants just don't have the adventure look, so have never been interested.
I am looking for an 865 Bonnie or Speedmaster as it would be a better daily run-around, I feel (Addition, not replacement, Lol)

[Aeschere]

Thank you both. If I am reading it correctly, your are advising on getting a Rally Pro instead of the GT Pro if you like the adventure look (who doesn't?) since it will handle most roads comfortably while offering some additional options.

I most likely won't be an off-road maniac and neither will I be a motoGP imitator. I just want to be able to ride where I want, when I want for how long I want.

And even though I truly like the T120, it seems that the Tiger 900 Rally Pro is the most "logical" candidate for my use cases. But then again, since when is motorcycling about logic instead of feelings?

Perhaps it is because I am currently in Norway and seeing a lot of ADV bikes on the road which are triggering my feelings. I am not seeing a lot of naked bikes but I know it can be done (Freddy Dobbs just did UK > Nordkapp and back on a carbureted Bonnie), I am just wondering what would happen if it goes off the highway and into the back roads (not even off-road) where there are quite some pot holes and broken asphalt.

Also, what about the pre 2024 models? Compares to the 1996 Tiger, they have more HP (although less torque), more features, are truly off-road capable instead of just looking like it, are more fuel efficient and have injection instead of carburetors. However, from what I gather, they vibrate quite a bit at certain rev ranges (more than the 1996 Tiger?) and of course, there is the "new shiny toy" syndrome with the 2024+ models that have even more HP, a better dash, and some other minor improvements. Are they worth the extra cash? I am not sure. I am coming from such an old bike, that everything seems to be a lot better.

Choices, choices, choices....

[London_Phil]

My 800XC is a Pavement Princess, I am not a serious off roader. I have done very little "off road" riding, but have done some green lane style stuff. I have Michelin adventure look road biased tyres (10/90) on my XC
The thing about them is they just do it...commute, traffic, motorway, sweeping canyons...all taken in there stride, and if your up for it, with the right tyres, very capable off roaders.
I would never go back to Carbed bikes, and I went from my 1995 Steamer to the 800XC 8 years ago...
The 800 is  totally different to the Steamer, the later 800's are better, and the 900's are even better.
Personally, I think any 900 from about 2019 with the bells and whistles would not disappoint. I'd go for the newer tubeless tyred bikes.
Personally I don't think the vibes will be a problem, but these are all personal preferences.
Other than the look of the Steamer, which is unbeatable imho, everything is better on the 800/900

[Lee337]

I'd echo that, the 800xc is a do everything bike. I have 80/20 tyres on mine (Continental Train Attack 3). Good for tarmac & the odd easy trail, although a bit of light sand across the road & the very odd gravel road is about as far as I go.

I can ride all day with not too many aches although I do have a sheepskin seat cover to aid comfort. That's more to do with my bony a$$ than the seat though.

I like the ADV look, so for me the Rally Pro would take the lead in the new/replacement bike stakes, although I'm still toying with a 2019 XCX as a replacement for my XC if/when I decide to replace her. If I had the budget, I'd  go for a Rally Pro but at the moment, they're a little out of my price range.

Coming from an old Tiger, any new bike is going to be worlds apart in terms of riding. The biggest difference for me going from a Girly to the XC was how much more agile it felt around the winding Lincolnshire roads, a really light clutch, far less clunky gearbox and a riding position that felt you were more sitting in, rather than on the bike. I actually had both Girly and XC for about 2 year & regularly swapped between the two and the Girly was certainly more 'agricultural' than the newer XC, the xc is easer to ride IMO.

Are the gadgets & gizmos on the newer bikes worth the cost? well, there's more to go wrong, but being a newer bike than the Steamer, it's less likely. I have a car with 5 driving modes, snow/rain, eco, standard, dynamic & sport. I mention this as I stick it in Dynamic and leave it, whatever the weather. I'd probably do the same with riding modes on a bike, find one I like & leave it at that. If it gets a bit wet, that's what the right wrist is for. So for me, the only real benefit would be cruise control, maybe a newer TFT screen, traction control if the right wrist gets it wrong and ABS (which my XC has anyway).

Confusing I know.

For me, I like what I see, then look to get a test ride, go away, think about it, look at other similar options to try to counter that 'new shiny toy' syndrome, then dive right in with cash in hand, usually buying the first bike I fancied.

Oddly, I do the same thing with cars. Fancied a Jag, spent a couple of months researching Jags & alternatives on line, spent a couple of weeks getting test drives where I could of a Jag, Volvo, Alfa, Range Rover, Mercedes, I even looked at a Porsche and convinced myself after all this I'd buy a Volvo, got the money lined up and the day came when I was heading for the car dealer. I walked into the yard & next to the Volvo I was after was a Jag - I drove away in the Jag 

Go buy yourself a Rally Pro 

[Aeschere]

Nice to read the stories, thanks for sharing! The more I am looking into to Rally Pro, the more I start to fancy them. It seems to be quite a complete package and doesn't require a lot of upgrades to "finish" it. Even though the T120 is still a lovely bike, it might be something for the (distant) future as a complimentary bike.

The power of the 900 is enough, the lower torque might be something to keep in mind, and the vibrations complaints only seem to come from people who are riding a 800 triple version. Luggage options will be expensive no matter the bike but some bikes on the second hand market come with cases (although I would prefer soft panniers).

I am looking at some reviews of both the older and the newer versions, but the upgrades are starting to feel less important. The extra HP might be nice but 93.9 HP should be plenty and a top speed of 230 km/h is something I will never reach (the legal limit is 130 km/h here during the evening, 100 km/h during the day). It also saves quite a bit in the price. With some looking around and a good deal on the steamer trade in, a 2000-2023 Rally Pro with sub 10k kilometers can be purchased for around €10.000