2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro | Better than a BMW GS?

[@BigRockMoto]

🏍 SUPPORT BIG ROCK MOTO BY USING THESE LINKS WHEN SHOPPING! ⚠️Rocky Mountain: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚠️Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚠Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚠️Amazon: amzn.to/3viGZ0A GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO: ⚡ Klim Krios Pro Helmet(RevZilla): imp.i104546.net/WD9gOM ⚡Klim Arsenal 15 Backpack: bit.ly/3xdS2dU ⚡ Klim Baja Jacket/Pants: imp.i104546.net/oeGVN9 ⚡ Cortech Sonic-Flo Gloves: imp.i104546.net/RyqrW2 ⚡ Sidi Adventure 2 Gore Tex Boots: imp.i104546.net/b3q5kx

[@TomReinerDE]

Ian, I will NEVER make fun of you for being out of shape. Dropping and then lifting the bike up again is a great service for your viewers and I REALLY appreciate you letting us watch you doing it.

[@AdventureGlide]

Right

[@sv650nyc7]

Exactly, the lift test alone makes your channel a must watch.

[@hagestad]

It would be nice if it was a proper drop not gentle one but we cant have everything. It would be nice to compare it to GS since those are suppose to be pretty rugged compared to competition.

[@paulocelso68]

Agree.

[@cmletona]

This great review sealed the deal for me and I picked up my Tiger 1200 Rally Pro last week! I ran into Ian at the dealership and thanked him personally for great content and great reviews!!!Thx Ian.

[@Tripplebeem]

I love how anytime I see an adventure bike online that I don't know about and I copy and paste the name of it into youtube, you are always there with some detailed information about it! Thank you!

[@kee7678]

The best, most real world, direct feedback, understandable, and well put review I've seen out there so far. Well done Ian. Excellent. I'm buying the Rally Pro 900 and am glad the GS has a worthy contender now too.

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Top review, very considered and well balanced. Ultimately I think it is the most helpful review made about this particular model for anyone considering it as an option.

[@BigRockMoto]

Thanks.

[@craigh8810]

Theses videos have been super helpful to me trying to go from a cruiser the last 25 years to a more capable bike.(ADV). Was impressed yesterday with the tigers when I stopped at the dealership for the first time. Kinda felt out of my element and a little embarrassed, but I have to start somewhere I guess. Your straight forward videos are very refreshing. No BS. Some of the best out there.

[@christopherg9806]

Good on you for trying something new! I switched to an ADV bike in 2018, after doing 17 years of sportbike touring. I'm TERRIBLE at riding offroad, but as you say, you have to start somewhere. Please be reassured, I (and probably most riders) wouldn't think poorly of you for being out of your element. It's great that you're branching out.

[@rodhoover9158]

Just bought one yesterday. Beautiful Machine. Thank you for your in-depth review. I adjusted my windshield and had minimal buffeting even with entire face-piece elevated above the helmet. Really appreciate you Ian!

[@antcream61165]

Another great review Ian. Interesting you did the drop test comparison. I actually dropped a GS 1250 on a very steep camber edge...it went over so far it rolled past the boxer engine guards and was practically upside down !!

[@patrickcooper9641]

The 1290 R is fantastic. I have a GSA and never had a complaint. Haven't tried the TT yet!

[@danemoll4065]

Excellent review! I just test drove a rally pro 900 and 1200 in Fresno today. I am 2017 dct Africa Twin 1000 owner. I would consider the 1200. I did notice vibrating in pegs and handlebars. I loved the torque. I did stall out once in town. The quick shifter is smoother than my 22 Hayabusa. Thanks again.

[@gsd32i]

We can all get in a bit of a head muddle about which bike to go for . Keep it simple , what’s my budget ? What am I using the bike for ? And do I go into the man cave and go “yup love that bike “ and do you look back at the bike as you leave the garage ? My new GS triple black with all the bling 719 does that for me . Bottom line is go out and ride the bike you are interested in . No bad bikes in this category, enjoy whatever you have 👍

[@ZuminaZX]

Ian, thanks for touching on the fact that this class of bike is more techno barge than ADV bike.

[@oldtimer3824]

This review makes me appreciate the perfectly smooth linear fueling of my 2017 Africa Twin - without any throttle or clutch AT can chug at 5-6 mph off-road and without jerkiness, then throttling up to 12 mph, shift from first into second, then without any throttle AT chugs along at 12 to 14 mph. But no cruise control on a 2017 AT? For 960 I bought and installed Mccruise electronic cruise control. I think my 2017 AT is my forever ADV machine.

[@joeybobbie1]

Thanks again for another Great Video. I learn a Lot from your Videos, and watched your Videos with the GS1200 before I got mine. The R1200GS is just hard to beat Period. I love the Anti Dive front end on the GS. Also the Low Center of Gravity, and the fact that it doesn’t fall flat. I’m 61 Years old and can barely pick up the GS. There’s no way I could get a Bike up that lays flat. I have been riding my whole Life from Motorcross to Road Racing. I have never been more comfortable Riding than I am on the GS. I’m Disabled, and the GS is the only Bike I can ride that the ergonomics are so comfortable, I don’t hurt. I actually traded my Harley for the GS because the Harley made my Back hurt, not to mention the Heat. I don’t feel any Heat From the GS Engine.👍

[@BigRockMoto]

You can't beat the GS

[@BigSkyImagery]

Which year do you have GSA? No heat felt from exhaust either?

[@joeybobbie1]

@@BigSkyImagery I have a 2006 1200GS. It has about 38,000 Miles on it. I can turn the ABS off for off road riding. It doesn’t have all the Modern Electronics but that’s fine with me. Because of the Heat and Ergonomics of the Harley. I would hurt before I got to the Store, a mile away. I have 4 Fusions in my Neck and 2 in my Lower Back. Because of the Seating position and Ergonomics of the GS. I don’t hurt really at all. I also don’t notice any Heat from the GS. I Love it. I’m a Disabled Veteran and can’t afford a newer one, but I’m fine on this one.

[@BigSkyImagery]

@@joeybobbie1 thank you, I’m in the same boat as yourself with back issues and currently have a 16 street glide special that I’m selling and looking into the GSA 1250, or Tiger. But probably going BMW since better overall ride. My Harley heats me up in the summer and beats up my back too much!

[@joeybobbie1]

@@BigSkyImagery that’s the same problem I had with my Wide Glide. You asked about the Exhaust if it was hot on the GS. It’s not. It’s tucked away where you can’t get a Leg on it. I don’t feel any heat from the Exhaust either. It’s really nice after riding Harleys for Years. After Riding the GS, I won’t ever go back to a Harley. It’s that much of a difference. Good luck on selling your Harley. You will be glad you got the Gs.

[@jimmin9802]

Just bought a triple black 1200, watched and rewatched your videos and at my height this just felt right. Overkill? Sure but you only live once! Warranty is pretty awesome as well and the dealer worked with me, very friendly And triumph has 1k back and free paniers w mounts for april, no way i could have gotten a gs at this price and i tried. You have a great channel and the future camera girl is too cute!

[@emfl4437]

The drop tests and difficulty in picking up a bike is very insightful. Another great review, thanks for sharing

[@brucechilders1319]

I purchased this bike and just completed 4000 miles, some dirt and mostly payment he is right on point with this video, I killed it a few times until i adjusted to it. Knowing about the high rpm vibrations i put foam sleeves on the grips and not a significant issue. Can't wait to get rid of the stock tires, front tire started with the road noise you get on some tires when they start to wear. I have had a BMW but not the GS so can't compare. I like the fact in off road mode the bike lowers down a couple inches. Thanks for laying it down and picking it up, first video i saw someone do that for this bike. Having a Goldwing I bought the Triumph tiger to discover the dirt back roads in Arizona.

[@ohTHATaaronbrown]

I think your overkill comments are spot on. That's why I opted for the 900 Rally Pro. I get all the power I need from it, both on-and-off road. Weight was also a big factor for me. I traded a previous generation Tiger 1200 (the 2020 Alpine, which was the road-focused model) for the 2022 900 RP after I took a week long trip into the Texas desert with friends, and had to pick up that huge heavy 1200 multiple times while pushing out of my comfort zone in deep and soft sand. A 1200 gets exhaustingly heavy in those conditions. If I were going to spend more time on the tarmac than I do, I would go with the 1200 GT Explorer, with no doubt in my mind at all. It's hands-down the best distance touring bike I've ridden. But, given the fact that those paths through the woods and the desert increasingly call my name, the lighter and smaller 900 RP was the right choice. For me. I also agree with you that Triumph does a great job here offering well thought-out options that are tailored toward very specific types of riders, and there's probably exactly the right bike for whatever type of riding someone is contemplating somewhere in their model range.

[@KiwiMoto72]

super interesting - thx for this. I am considering a Tiger 900 Rally Pro too

[@jimmallery294]

The telelever suspension makes the BMW much more stable in buffeting wind like riding at highway speeds passing trucks. The triangle in deference to traditional forks makes it both very stable and eliminates any front brake diving. The feel on the BMW is that the front rides about an inch or two off the pavement. It is excellent for very long days on the bike coupled with the smaller front wheel that (as you indicate) tends to be better for on highway riding. The more traditional front forks on the Tiger are better off road but coupled with the 21 inch front wheel will cause it to be less stable at higher highway speeds when encountering windy conditions. I tend to view the 21 inch front tire as a detraction of the Tiger not an asset. Try at 45 mph (or any speed really) pushing the bars one way or the other and see if it centers and how quickly or if the bike just wants to wander around. Most of the time a 21 inch bike has a slightly different geometry to compensate for the larger wheel so what do you gain except being able to go over bigger off road obstacles easier. But on the highway the gain with the 21 inch wheel is almost negative. For long 600 mile days the BMW is more comfortable. On the Tigers asset side is the more exciting engine and better off road performance. As far as the off idle stumble of the Tiger that could be partly due to riding the BMW and being used to the almost perfect linear power performance idle to max, while the Tiger's power delivery is definitely more exciting. It does buzz some and some of the stumble off idle can be mitigated to some extent using different ride modes as the modes can limit how fast the power is delivered. You never really mentioned long distance high mileage days as a criteria that many adventure bike riders often undertake. You are also remiss in mentioning anything about two up riding comparing the bikes ride quality for the passenger. For a brutally honest review high speed interstate wind buffeting/stability and passenger comfort would be part and parcel of any large adventure bike review.

[@AdamLewis1]

Excellent review - Thanks for all the work you do, Ian! I really like this bike but, at the end of the day, one of the things that matters the most to me is the incredible low-end torque from my GS. The difference is really made clear by the low-speed stalling.

[@straycat1115]

PS gewinnt am Stammtisch, Drehmoment auf der Straße, as the old saying goes: horsepower wins at the regular table, torque on the road..greetings from Germany

[@BigRockMoto]

Agreed about the torque

[@hawgietonight]

Thanks Ian for the review. Sounds like they rushed the release of this model. Bad fueling and engine vibrations shouldn't be present on a bike at this price level.

[@creedm3040]

Great review and honest thoughts. I remember in college marketing class the greatest compliment is when everyone is comparing themselves to you. The biggest thing here is the the Triumph triple. What a sound! All the ones you mentioned are awesome bikes. No doubt. I own a ‘22 GS primarily because the dealer is 15 minutes from my house versus over an hour for the Triumph or Ducati. Just makes it easier for service and its a great dealership. And its a great bike. Mine came with the Enduro Pro and Dynamic Pro so adjustment is endless. Enjoy your videos! Best!

[@creedm3040]

Probably because of my age . Please let the blade down on that quad. At least rest it on firewood. Just saying. Little safer. Just thinking about your beautiful little girl. What a doll! Best!

[@mikemills5144]

Thanks for the drop test...note to self, don't drop this sucker! Overall an excellent review and great comment about leaving it in second, it will just torque along, even on the road. The one other point I will give the GS is the amount of accessories is massive, this just does not have anything available yet. I would really like to get a larger screen and some side racks but will have to wait for the aftermarket to catch up.

[@BestMotorWerks]

Triumph's new bikes are game changer

[@Missin44]

Since the 2023 Tiger 1200 is a pretty major redesign I would love to see you review it.

[@fauveride]

Finally, a proper review is out! After you showed the trailer, I couldn't stand the wait and bought the r1250gs. After watching all the reviews, it seems like it would have been interesting to choose whichever one I chose.

[@MathiasKarlssonErik]

I now own this bike now for about 2.5 months with now over 8000 km (about 5500 miles) on it ... at 173 cm (about 5'8") she is quite something to handle She is really fun to ride ... and feels way lighter then she should be ...however over time small things start to nag ... Throttle response: you cannot easily truck along in 1st gear idle like a 1250 GS ... if it is not perfectly flat she stalls in 1st without extra throttle Clutch: road has a weird rpm bump from 1.5k idle to 2.5k just before engaging, stalled her regularly. Sport is more predictable. With short fingers I have to pick between being able to 2 finger disconnect the clutch completely far away OR easily reach the clutch but get all the fingers out of the way to pull the lever in far enough to disconnect. (not good) Engine Vibrations: in 6th gear start around 100kmh, i.e. highway speeds. This also causes the mirrors to be blurred, making it very difficult to judge the distance at highway speed, which is especially important in Germany when some cars zip by with 190kmh+. These vibrations also do not smooth out at higher rpm or speeds. The foot peg rubber insert do very little to dampen it, I ended up removing them permanently. The Yamaha CP2 Twin is MUCH smoother than this the Triumph Triple ... why .... Stock Tires: The Metzler Karoo Street tires are good on street and okay on some gravel roads, but not a good choice for anything else. After about 2000km the front tire started to "sing" pretty loud between 100-120kmh ... not great ... Why are there street tires on the RALLY, because most buyers will ride it most of the time on the street... thats just reality Weight: dropped her on the first parking and a few more times since. Holy shit she is hard to pick up, especially for short riders. Tank crash bars are an absolute must. Quite hard to get her up, especially for short riders. An R 12xx GS is much easier to lift, because she does not fall flat and lower center of mass. For the Tiger I also recommend a luggage racks to provide lower grab handles since the pillion seat and handles are VERY high up. Therefore, the pillion and luggage position is very high, making her very top heavy and a huge (negative) impact on balance. However, the weight helped in strong winds. Vertically challenged I cannot agree with Ian, for me the GS and GSA are much easier to get off the stand. Suspension: hmm, middle is generally okay. But with a lot of luggage it felt quite unstable and I nearly maxed it out. Offroad actually uses the preload settings to change the bike geometry to provide more rake angle. The R 12xx GS is simply unreasonable good in slow technical stuff due her low center of mass, calm throttle response, unperturbed power delivery and last but insane steering angle. At highway speed she is confident, calm and comfortable. Rationally, the GS is most likely the better, more refined choice ... however, the Tiger 1200 wins the heart I think the biggest mistake Triumph made was trying so hard to sound and feel like a Twin with the uneven firing order. This sacrifices the inherent advantage of the Triple, its smoothness, for a bit more unnecessary HP and torque on the spec sheet. Instead of staying true to its nature and strength it tries to be something it is not and falls a bit short.

[@trd4d]

Far and above the best reviews out there. You almost had me sold on the bigger guy, but in the end, the 900 will be finding a home in my garage.

[@benwells2338]

Oy…seeing that drop test…it’s honestly giving me hesitation over the GT Pro model now. Plenty of reviewers have said the new 1200 feels nearly the same as the 900 in it being nimble and feeling physically slim. Put two and two together and I guess it only makes sense that a bike that feels thin would also lie flat when on its side. Thank you for including that in your review, I hadn’t considered that aspect in my comparisons.

[@chamade166]

I was going to buy one of these, but ended up with a used GS and glad I did.

[@mikemerrill175]

When the competition targets the GS as the benchmark, it’s clear that the best choice is the GS.

[@kitesurfnutter]

Everyone's perception is that the BMW is best. My physical stature prevents me from riding the GS. The GSA is a little bit better. but still not comfortable.

[@ibmujic4764]

If GSA is not comfortable then you should drive just a Mercedes s class

[@kitesurfnutter]

@@ibmujic4764 Thank You for your useless comment. But maybe you should re read my post. I was not saying the BMW is bad, I’m saying for my height and build Triumph was more comfortable when I test rode it…

[@Gnerko123]

@@kitesurfnutter why, are you too tall? You can put the same windshield, seat and risers on a gs that are on the gsa. Only remaining difference is that your legs are more spread out on the gsa versus the gs due to the larger tank.

[@kitesurfnutter]

@@Gnerko123 The seat height, screen height was never a problem… it’s the Boxer Engine and it’s cylinder heads. Cause of my long legs multiple time on and of the bike I hit my shins on cylinder heads hitting brakes knees and shins hit the crash bars…

[@AdventureGlide]

What a fantastic sounding engine. I'd be brapping that thing all day long. I bet with a nice pipe, it sounds incredible. Great Video thanks for sharing this.

[@kawabungah20]

This is, by far, the most thorough and honest review of the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro on the www. You laid all the cards out on the table! The drop test, the ride on the new off-road trail and the on-pavement demonstration with the 21-inch front wheel were all very helpful. The things that stick in my mind are: the Honda ATAS is the value leader, the BMW R1250GSA is a more refined package for about the same price, and, for me, the Triumph 900 Rally Pro would provide everything I need in a Triumph at a significantly lower price. Nevertheless, this 1200 Rally Pro is an impressive bike, especially with all of Triumph's improvements for the new model year. It was really fun riding along with you! Thank you.

[@advredbikes]

Great Review Ian, you always give us what we want, Reviewing all the different models helps if we are looking for new bikes, thank you.

[@Swedeonamotorcycle]

Personally i would say no, it's not better than the GS.. But you pretty much sums up everything i think about it myself.. In my own review i mention: "Is it better then the GS? No, ... Is it worse? No".... But the competition is getting closer to the king..

[@tommillar2821]

the gearbox on the bm is not a patch on the triumph bm boxes have been clumpy since before 1978 and not a lot has changed, i had a 1200 explorer for three years now have an r1250 gsa hp, but triumph have fixed most of what was wrong with the old bike it needed more power, less weight, rad moved away from rider, and bigger tank , so the jury is out on the bm for me just need a ride on a new triumph. no one has mentioned the headlight that i have seen,the old bikes h/light was pretty good backed up with a couple of denalis even better i know the bm headlight is no better.

[@dennism665]

Again, another great review Ian. I’m reviewing choices for the next phase of my riding and am leaning heavily toward the 22 Africa Twin AS DCT. I really wish they had a shaft like my Goldwing. The Triumph looks like a good choice, but those issues of slow speed jerkiness, for whatever reason, give me pause. And then there’s price. Still, a nice bike and thanks for all your efforts. Your reviews are best in class in my opinion. I’m sure the R1250GS is a fine bike. But I’m just not a BMW fan. They just seem over-engineered, and pricey to service.

[@baarni]

I’m in Australia and just bought this exact bike as a run out model only because it was almost the same price as the 900 but also can with Panniers. For me definitely overkill but for the price I couldn’t pass it by.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Ian, I want to say how much I love your videos. I can count on you to talk about the little things that make or break a bike decision for me. The Tiger stalls at slow turns; you're not the first I've heard that from. When I get nervous on a sandy hill and want to turn around, I don't need stalling anxiety too. The GS (and anything DCT) will win this round. Anyway, You have a gift for staying on topic with no script, and I stammer around pretty bad at that. You cover all the bases. If you are ever vacationing in Colorado, let me know, we'll ride. Two questions, and I only ask for an answer on one: 1. Have you had any issue with your GoPro only recording on 1 channel with the media kit? 2. What is with the urine-sample clutch and brake reservoirs on a Tiger off-road machine? I haven't seen something so cheap since my last V-star 950!

[@Ably1972]

Great review Ian. I would love for you to touch on the maintenance intervals such as valve checks, how easy or difficult to replace air filter, ease of oil change access ie skid plate removal etc. I think it’s important to know what bikes are maintenance friendly when considering a purchase. Keep up the great reviews!

[@MathiasKarlssonErik]

Maintenance interval is 16000km or about 11000 miles ... Stuff seems accessible ... but I wont do that ;)

[@Ably1972]

Thank you for the info. Actually going forward I’d like to have Ian touch on the maintenance items I listed in all future reviews.

[@ajojoseph6052]

Love the head and heart comparison. That’s how motorcycles choices are made. Like you to revisit this video in 12-15 months and see the sales numbers. In all probability the GS will be the sales king and with the new 1300, it’s will seal the GS even further.

[@richardd9976]

Excellent review, thanks. Having covered 25k miles on an R1250GS, I switched to a Tiger GT Explorer a couple of months ago. As you say, Triumph offer a more tailored model choice, so I went with on-road focus together with the 30 litre tank, which suits my needs and usage. The Tiger is certainly a more engaging bike although in some ways less refined than the BMW. Horses for courses, I guess, but so far, I have zero regrets about making the switch to Triumph. Keep up the good work.

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

Do you ever miss the insane torque of 1250 GS mate??

[@marcin76454]

One thing I have noticed comparing Triumph vs BMW is headlight is better in GS due to its automatic leveling. Although in Triumph is also some kind of auto leveling byt it doesn't work as good as BMW.

[@PapaDougsAdventures01]

I rode the Tiger 1200 Rally Pro at the Touratech rally and found it to be a fine bike. I would have to get the Explorer model for the extended range. I have the 1250 GS Adventure and I NEVER have range anxiety. I always had range anxiety with my previous GS. I do like that the Tiger doesn’t have the huge jugs(and not in a good way) that the BMW has. I also like the windshield adjustment much better. Another great review thanks

[@jakubpla]

The most thorough bike reviews on YT. Love your channel even though I haven't ridden a bike in 15 years, think it's time for me to pick one up!

[@brianharradine8130]

Great review, agree with your comment that many large size adventure bikes are overkill and many mid size bikes provide sufficient hp and torque to suit the majority of riders

[@ramoneortiz]

Great video. Had a ‘13 1200 GSA and had difficulty lifting it, so I appreciate the drop demonstration that you included. Keep the videos coming.

[@crisjeria-adventurerider124]

Great video as always. Thank u so much. I have been waiting for it since I got my 1250 GS last year. No regrets so far. The low centre of gravity and low-end power make the GS a great option if you do more technical rides; you just stay in second gear and don't need throttle. I have the GS Rallye X, and the ground clearance is the same as the T1200. On the other hand, the ride position on the 1250 GS gives you comfort and stability, increasing confidence, it is easier to ride compared to smaller GSs and easier to pick up, faster than you need, and in my opinion, the Rallye colours look awesome!

[@skipole09]

Great review Ian, thorough and hits all the key points. I’m debating on a 1250 vs one of these (currently own a 1200gsa) and hear what you’re saying on the refinement piece..GS’s are so good, but sometimes the boxer motor isn’t quite as fun to ride as some of the competitors these days. This bike seems to be slightly more well rounded than the GS, but I guess it depends what you’re after.

[@Carlnewman68]

I have to say within 3 sec I’m smiling, your choice of music is epic sp powerful , can’t wait to start it again and thank for this . Carl uk 🇬🇧

[@rickhanna2606]

Hi Ian,long time subscriber and always value what you have to say,I watch alot of motorcycle utube reviews and one thing always screens in my head,that word is "SCOREBOARD"and 2nd is 40yrs,BMW has been making them for 40yrs,everybody tries to compare to them,when these other company's have a 40yr anniversary model then we can compare,until then gotta look at the scoreboard,your on the top of the scoreboard for bike and gear reviews,good job😜

[@ohenrycooper]

I love the fact that everything you compare to the GS and the GS usually wins, hands down. Great review, this bike doesn't check that box for me. I will wait for the GSA 1300

[@Desmo904]

I have a feeling that bikes with Euro5 compliance are made so lean low down that stalling is a real issue. I know that Scrambler 900/1200 Triumphs fair much better once they are fitted with a 'booster plug' in the airbox inlet to richen up the lower end. This stops the stalling and also provides a low end boost. Great review (one of the best on this bike anywhere)! One thing that does puzzle me is if it's the Rally Pro model, why fit it with road biased tyres? Hello? Rally!

[@MLoms]

Thank you. Nice review. My thoughts of this being an overkill over tiger 900 are the same.

[@ontherox2266]

Low end torque to keep the engine going without stalling at low revs is non-negotiable in an Adv bike IF the bike is going to leave the pavement. GS does that well. The 'problem' with the GS is that it does so much without a fuss and drama that those very things are missed. It lets you tune out of the bike and tune in to where you're riding.

[@Themotograndpa]

Thanks for the great review 👍 I live in the uk and bought the tiger rally pro 900 that’s great for me did a few mods put on Azande exhaust sounds great now and it also made throttle responses little better 👍

[@RamblingRuters]

Great review Ian, you also need to get your hands on a Multistrada V4S, I love mine and is great off road in Enduro mode, 8 level traction control, haven't seen you test any yet but wanted to throw that idea out there.

[@germaniack]

Great vid, would love to see you toss a leg over the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

[@kenscoots8177]

Good review Ian! One way to improve the "turn-in" slowness, is to poke the forks up the triple tree a little to counter the 21" wheel. Did that to my Tiger 900 Rally, ride mainly on-road.

[@manodehielo]

Hi from Spain. Thank you for including the metric system in yourtests. Great tests and videos.

[@mervenstackaway]

Thanks Ian. I love the effort you go to.

[@chrishughes4169]

Great video as always man, One thing though.... you talked quite a bit about how it stacks up against the Africa Twin, I imagine because thats your current heavyweight tourer. I was hoping for more of a comparison with the BMW, but I know it was brought up frequently as well. Thank you!

[@ryanmalone2681]

I loved the suspension on my 900 rally pro. With the suspension and the 21” front wheel I was able to float over some really gnarly pure rock sections where it was uphill and I needed to keep my speed up to keep momentum.

[@BigRockMoto]

Agree, very good suspension

[@gingernaut2550]

New subscriber, new to riding. I bought a Yamaha bolt R spec this summer. I've realized your first bike teaches you a lot about what you want in a second bike. I'm becoming obsessed with the idea of adventure bikes for camping and road trips. your channel has been a big help! One stat I'd like to see more channels speak to would be total weigh capacity of bikes. I know its not a huge problem for most riders, but I'm a 300 lb former Strongman competitor, and it seems like riding 2 up might not be a reality on an ADV bike as many top out under 500 lbs total. doesn't leave a lot of capacity for the wife, gear, hard case storage etc. Surprisingly tough stat to find even on manufacturer sites even.

[@jesseonamotorcycle]

Welcome to the world of two wheels, How are you liking it?

[@gingernaut2550]

@@jesseonamotorcycle Thanks! Loving it now even more than 2 months ago! Took the wife to a harley dealership, it was a set up. She was hell bent to wait 2 more years before the dream bike. So I convinced her to just come sit on a road king. They were sold out, but she really loved the street glide. Walking out she says " wellllll maybe we can talk about treating up next year...." wanted to propose all over again😂

[@rsmail7426]

Sad sight, a motorcycle on its side. I never even did this to my bicycle when I was a kid. Good review sir as always.

[@adv_rider]

I hope the competition makes BMW to come out with a 21" front wheel variant of the GS but I doubt it would happen, they have shown how stubborn they are in their design philosophy. Thanks for the great video.

[@chrissahlstrom8939]

I almost bought the africa twin. It wasnt exciting enough. Went with the 1290 super adventure r. Wow what a bike so happy with my purchase and looking forward to your review of that bike

[@daveo9844]

I’ve owned a 2013 GS. Yes the low speed stuff is smoother but the gearbox is clunky. I bought a rally pro and for me it is more engaging to ride with the exhaust/ induction sound and smoother gearbox . It’s also surprising how fast the 21” is through the twisties.

[@SpringfieldFatts]

Excellent review as always. I think when it comes to these big bikes it would make sense doing the drop/lift test. Not so much the CB500X or something. Also man I blame you for making me trawl the net for used Africa Twins now. . .

[@arnarne]

It might sound silly but I just think the GS looks so much better! Then of course there is the torque and the non diving front. Makes it an easy choice for me.

[@AdventureGlide]

100% Agreed. I've had a few ADV bikes there is no comparison to the GS

[@samuraidoggy]

About the looks; I disagree , but also agree. The thing is, Rally Pro definitely should be in green colour only. I dont know what they were thinking with this ugly basic color scheme, with the green paint this was originally designed for, and black triumph pandeliers, Rally Pro looks really nice, and to me nicer than GS. Subjective of course, but the green Rally Pro is the "right" one and not this stupid colored one on video which looks much cheaper.

[@christophervincent77]

When the bikes are all this good, buying on looks is less silly than ever!

[@arnarne]

@@christophervincent77 You're absolutely right!

[@johnnymashedpotatoes9978]

Great review! I'm comparing the 1250GSA and Rally Explorer and this video answered a lot of questions. Great stuff! Thanks!

[@paproplop]

Thanks for your review! I test rode this model also but i felt that the 900 version is much more engaging and fun for me.

[@RayzGarage]

I owned the first year Explorer Launch model. The throttle responce was something you get used to. Easy peasy

[@markg7834]

Very nice review. Keep up the great work. I would readily consider this machine except for the following: a lack of Triumph dealerships in the middle portion of the USA. Honda and Yamaha have much better market penetration everywhere and, from my research, seem to have better reliability. However, YMMV, and this in only my view, anyway.

[@thecykotik1]

Really enjoy watching your vids. Just picked up a 1200 rally explorer replacing a KTM1190 adv. Just cant bring myself to like BMWs and the triumph has much smoother power delivery than my KTM.

[@milesdavis8665]

Excellent review as always Ian. That bike looks lean compared to the outgoing model

[@BigRockMoto]

The old one was a cow

[@milesdavis8665]

@@BigRockMoto 😆 yes it was. But I did enjoy riding it.

[@jasestorace9501]

Great video. Loving my new Rally Explorer 12, what an amazing machine.

[@PedroSilva-gb3gq]

Drop test is such a good idea! Props to you. Cheers.

[@chriscy2105]

My comment isn’t a direct comparison, but for some reason it’s like my 20’ Speed triple, seems to have better low speed fueling and throttle control characteristics. If the Tiger had the same gearing, fueling, etc, I think it’d be a winner. Slow speed “crawling” while filtering is flawless on my Speed 3. Even much better than my 1250 GSA. The torque also seems to be different than what you are experiencing in the video. Taking off from a stop requires very little throttle there is so much toque.

[@lifesjourneyat50]

Like the new area for riding and always another great review...very compelling!!!

[@vicprice1666]

Another good, well balanced review Ian, and food for thought. Looks like a great bike, but I would lean towards the GT Pro for touring duties. Trouble is, at 73 years old, I find a lot of these bikes too heavy now. Just about manage my 900 GT Pro.

[@axelfiraxa]

Why would you bother switching if you have the GT pro900? I am curious since i am considering both models

[@vicprice1666]

@@axelfiraxa quite happy with the 900, just attracted by the extra 50bhp and the shaft drive, but not the extra weight !

[@TzeiEm]

@@vicprice1666 Having owned the Speed Triple RS 1200 and now riding the KTM 1290 SAS, I tried the 900 GT Low a week back and in my opinion it had plenty of power, so much so that I didn't even miss the extra 60-80hp my own bikes were putting on top of it. If the torque is there, hp above 100 starts to become almost obsolete. From performance and feature perspective I could've easily bought a Tiger 900 (any of them) but purely for aesthetic reasons I decided to go with the KTM 1290 :)

[@vicprice1666]

@@TzeiEm I agree 100%. The 900 has sufficient grunt to dispatch most cars on the road. To my mind 100bhp is enough for most road riding as long as torque is where it needs to be. Certainly the 900 doesn't feel slow. Neither does my Speed Twin.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

A Rally 900 with shaft drive would be out all on its own in terms of practicality..

[@BigRockMoto]

Yes but shaft adds a lot of weight and you lose rear wheel power

[@keyboarddancers7751]

@@BigRockMoto True but I'd suspect that Triumph (or indeed BMW) could probably come up with a reasonably competent shaft driven 900 cc adventure bike as a dramatically improved homage to the legendary 1984 Dakar winning R80GS.

[@freeheelsak]

@@keyboarddancers7751 would be more expensive and I’m sure the want to keep price disparities between mid and full size. A shaft sucking up 20% of your power will be more noticeable on a 850 than a 1250.

[@witofthestaircase1]

That laying down & picking up is box office. Impressive.

[@chuckcull5674]

Great review. This bike might appeal to experienced riders new to the ADV segment that are looking for a heavyweight. However, like many other viable choices in this segment of the market, it probably won’t convert many current BMW owners. 1200/1250GS owners tend to be as brand loyal as HD fanboys, if not for some very compelling reasons. I prefer the triple over the boxer. But, that puts me into the minority for sure.

[@frd-kj5qu]

In fact, the main issue is not the boxer engine itself but more the transmission including gearbox and its ugly shifter.

[@0HARE]

Excellent review of a great bike. I think this is the one for me. Thanks for the work you put into your channel, and all the information you provide. Happy Trails

[@4N2IN0JA]

The KLR got a blanket under it and the Triumph is laying in the dirt 😝 just messing. Great in depth video, The 900 Rally pro would be the one for me.

[@Not.stationary]

awesome review man i am gonna subscribe excellently done

[@asatti]

Great review as always. Just a comment on the clutch engagement. It feels weird because I think when you let the clutch out it revs up automatically I guess to stop you from staling. When I tested the GT Pro I did not like that

[@tinfoilhatplumber485]

Great review..test rode a new un sold 2023 tiger 1200 explorer today...awesome !....same price as 2024 900 tiger...

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

The clutch bite point is rather disappointing on this new Tiger and was something a lot of owners disliked about the outgoing bike. Some adjustable dog leg levers from Evotech or the like will sort that though. There are lots of owner comments about engine cut outs when stopping at junctions etc, they need to address that as soon as possible.

[@jeremymlucy]

Agreed. My new 1200 has stalled on me three times while riding and pulling in the clutch. One of those was mid turn, which is concerning. Hoping Triumph pushes an ECU re-flash

[@wayneh8767]

That was 😁 funny! "I can tell Truimph did a better job on the suspension.....oufff!! 😆 very cool looking bike, too tall first gear for sure. Another great BRM video!

[@Porsche996driver]

Nice riding Ian! Great to see you give ‘er the beans! But that stalling out so easy at low rpm - that’s a deal-killer on an ADV. My GS has never stalled in a normal situation, the Boxer motor loves to lug & tug. I’d get the GT and wind out the triple on tarmac.

[@JohnRushworth]

I’m 6ft, but a great idea as my joints get stiffer. A lower centre of gravity isn’t always a good thing when considering rear tyre traction, wheelie vs stoppie vs front/rear braking vs tyre grip, just out of interest. I used to have a program from the late great John Robinson which allowed calculation of these parameters. Regardless in this instance and for what you wanted to achieve it’s a great solution.

[@mehdibb4186]

Excellent detailed review ! very informative . Would love to see the GS vs the Ducati multistrada

[@marcs990]

@Bog Rock Moto It would be great to see you actually go on a long range tour, maybe with friends & give your findings at the end of each day. You can go south to Central America & get some great off road trails or go north to Canada 🇨🇦. Thanks for the content from across the pond in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😁

[@Warerdog24]

Great review you have given me lots to think about . What should my next bike be ?

[@uytouytoo9944]

as far as I understood if you wanna feel the ride choose ktm1290 sa. if u r more into comfort pick gsa. if you dont wanna have full size adv bike pick ktm890 or norden 901. btw what happened to norden 901 honestly ? what are your thoughts?

[@axelfiraxa]

Would also like an update on the Norden so commenting here in case Ian replies

[@mikewoodall1599]

Great review💯👍. Thanks for the ride🙂.

[@mentz8915]

Great review as well as your review of the GT Pro! I’d consider one but I’m in love with my DCT Africa Twin, nothing else like it 😎👍

[@fredh4641]

Well said sir! My biggest criticism is the fueling of these new Tiger 1200, very snatchy, on/off, my reason not to buy this bike (yet). Keep up the good work!

[@Ian-bq7gp]

It's a fab bike. I much prefer it to the BMW. Better engine, more reliable and it's a peach for touring. I'm amazed how good it is off road especially being shaft drive. I had a mid 1990s 900 triumph and the vibration made my hands numb at times but I think it was the bar end weights but for sure they're way smoother now. The triple engines have so much torque and they are very economical under 5000 revs and I'd get 10 mpg more than on a Yamaha 600 Fazer. The triumph make triple engines better than anyone and their frames handle so well and they seem to rack up big mileages. I got a feeling the GS would be a money trap on service costs and once the 3 year warrantee is over sell it or pay.