Triumph Tiger 800 XRT vs 900 GT Pro || Back to Back Test

Benchmarking the Tiger 900 GT Pro against the previous generation 800 XRT
Gear:
Sena 10c Evo: amzn.to/3pOzAXT
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[@applecorp]

Had my gorgeous matt blue Tiger 800 XRT since August 2019, I usually end up trading in bikes after 12 to 18 months but this one is a keeper, I just can't find anything that I think would be a worthy replacement without getting a completely different style of bike, which I don't really want to do as I use bikes all year round and the Tiger is perfect for all weathers. As you said I don't think it's worth paying all that money for a slightly better Tiger 900. Funny you mention the Scrambler 1200 though, I was looking at that as it seems superb but I gather it's very tall and for someone like me (32 inch inside leg) I'd be on tip toes, which would be a deal breaker. I'm flat footed on the Tiger, which again is perfect.

[@london_biker6177]

This is the only problem with making a bike that functions so well, very hard to improve on. I'm hoping Triumph release a Tiger Sport 1200 based on the new Speed Triple engine but I'd expect it to cost at least £15k

[@jgp9260]

Loved the vid, thank you. Take care.

[@thehumpybongkid8206]

Extremely helpful! Leaning towards 2023 Tiger GP Pro BLUE instead of a 2nd hand XRT, very few on the market anyway.

[@london_biker6177]

Excellent choice, you'll not regret either bike. The 900 series is cheaper to service as well!

[@ShineBright__]

Finally someone who has the old 800 and did a straight comparison with the new one i am the same situation with the 800xr so.... you just touched base several crucial points between them so all i gotta do now is going fot a test driver Cheers Man 🍻 👍

[@london_biker6177]

Happy it was helpful, for me the 900 is a great platform but not enough of a change. I'm hoping they launch a 1200 Tiger Sport, then I might consider upgrading

[@ShineBright__]

@@london_biker6177 she is literally on his way out in few days 👍

[@toby7504]

Was in tought of trading in my 800xc for a rally pro, but that would only be for getting a newer bike, and the 900s good look, but l keep my 800xc. The only trade in l will do now is if l find a Explorer 1200 desert editon. A very good comparison sir. 🇳🇴☕

[@peterhague3472]

Very good review. Thank you

[@MrSweetharmony123]

Nice review!

[@billf1305]

I've just bought the same bike on a 20 plate. one owner low miles. my mate chopped his 800 in for the 900 and he just cant get on with it. said its no were near as smooth and very busy,

[@lboulay]

Thanks for the review as I, too, own a 2019 Tiger 800 XRT that I love a lot. Nice video but I would have liked to see a sportier review of the 900. First and second gears in city driving doesn’t in any way reveal the true personality of the bike. The sound seems very interesting though… have to do more research 🧐.

[@london_biker6177]

This is a fair point, thanks for feedback!. For me the mid range improvement was noticeable even at slow speed, I didn't miss taking it on faster roads. Also, just dropped thoughts on the Harley Pan America, you may prefer this style of review!

[@GenDoshirack]

Hi! Could you please tell me, is there any difference between brakes on 800xrt vs 900? Thanks!

[@london_biker6177]

The brakes on the 900 are much better, they are Brembo Stylemas. 800 also has brembos, they aren’t bad but they aren’t mind blowing. Combined with better front forks the front end on the 900 behaves a bit better than the 800.

[@MrWhyNot]

Thank you for this review, I was thinking about 900 gt pro, but then thought wait a minute, probably it's better to take a previous model on a market, still doing some research.

[@london_biker6177]

This guy gets it. The old model still has more than enough to offer and can be had for a good price

[@pontypete7357]

Hi Well done great honest thinking Review! I am torn between the old 2018 Tiger 800XRX with 8000 miles on it in white immaculate at £8400 at local dealers! or diving into the 900 Gt Pro at £13000 its a very hard decision? The old xrx does not have Heated seats but then at a price difference of £4500 maybe take an hot water bottle with you? I would have loved a quality second hand XRT Low sachet model! Hard to find! What would you and others looking at my comments go for? Many thanks, Pete!

[@london_biker6177]

Actually, I’m fairly sure you can buy the heated seats as an upgrade for the 2018+ XRX or at least you could. If not available on Triumph’s website then you can ask the dealer to order or source aftermarket. The upgrade cost around £250 or so but compared to £4K difference it’s a good deal I think. Hope that helps!

[@883frederick]

I am on a Tiger800XRX low and won't be upgrading as it does everything so well. I wld strongly advise you to take out a Tiger660 Sport though. I put 150 miles on one whilst mine had work done and was blown away and just how nice it was to ride. It's fast, very flickable and looks good with the colour coded panniers. Slightly harsher suspension and a bit noisy but not deal breakers. Depends what you do on your bike of course, but I would tour the UK on one without hesitation.

[@GhettoSuguru]

Are they both top heavy or bottom heavy like the 890 adventure? Also heard that the older 900 has more vibration problems than the last gen 800

[@london_biker6177]

They are both relatively top heavy. The 900 has its weight slightly lower, it's not a lot but you can feel the difference. I would say it's easier to tip in the 800 at speed but the 900 has better slow speed balance for u-turns for example. Hope that helps! I will probably make a comparison video to the Scrambler 1200 as well which has much lower weight balance.

[@GhettoSuguru]

@@london_biker6177 what about the vibrations ?

[@nickfifield1]

What helmet camera are you using , and would you recommend?

[@london_biker6177]

Alright my man, we're going pro - affiliate link is now in the description. I use a Sena Evo 10c and love it. I use it mainly for radio with mates, phone hands free and music but it's worth the extra money over the other Sena's for the included camera. I used to film with a GoPro but the helmet mounting options are horrendous for such a big company. I would say the only drawbacks are the battery life for video is short, which is why I tend to use 1080p rather than 4k which it can do but will only last about 20 mins. That said, the device rations you so that the radio can still have enough battery for a full day's ride. Some might not like that but then it's good to recharge while you're out riding. If you like I can do a full review of the kit.

[@clivesmith395]

I'm in a similar position, looking at trading my 1200 Multistrada against either a 2018 XRT or a new 900 GT Pro. The local stealer has 3 used 2018 XRT's in stock and has just taken delivery of his first 900 Rally Pro which will become their demo but they don't have a firm date yet for delivery of the GT. I'm in Adelaide, Oz hence the delay. I was also considering the new Scrambler X as an outside bet but again there are no demo's locally for me to test. Common sense tells me that a good used XRT will meet all of my requirements without that huge hit in the wallet that I would experience if I bought a brand new bike and added a few options. The local Triumph dealer is open tomorrow after the Christmas break so I guess I'll just have to ride over, take the best specced XRT out for a test ride and then see how much they want to pull my pants down on my trade before deciding!!

[@london_biker6177]

You won’t regret the Tiger 800, with tweaked gearing it will take off just as fast as a big ADV. I would say though that it’s better suited to colder climates, long distance riding and commuting. If you’re in Oz I’d consider taking a punt on a used Scrambler 1200.. more on that in my next vid!

[@clivesmith395]

Thanks for the advice. I took the 2018 XRT out for a decent test ride earlier today and it felt comfortable from the get go, probably because I've had a few GSA's in the past along with an Africa Twin, my current 1200 Multi and I also own an S1000XR. All very similar riding positions to the Trumpy. It fuelled really well in the city which a lot of bikes don't. My BMW is snatchy as hell in traffic! I live in the Adelaide CBD, not as hectic as London but a city non the less, so how a bike behaves in stop/start traffic is really important. My only criticisms of the XRT were that the engine sounded pretty tappety/rattley, surprised me for a bike with only 18,000kms on the clock although to be fair when I stopped for a walk around it was probably not properly warmed up. I also thought the front brake was pretty ordinary to say the least. I needed to use a lot of pressure on the lever to pull it up and it had no feel whatsoever. The front end also creaked and groaned a lot when I rolled the back backwards down a slope while feathering the front brake. Don't know if the front brake on the bike I test rode is typical of the model or just a one off. I'm waiting for a call back with a trade in valuation on my Multi. No doubt they'll want to pull my pants down on the deal so I'm not optimistic. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Scrambler. My buddy owns an XE and he's trying hard to get me on one as he absolutely loves his. Haven't ridden one yet but I do feel that they're a little overpriced for the package as a whole. Thanks again for the advice and stay safe on those London streets! @@london_biker6177

[@xavierdomingo80]

Do you think it’s something stupid to try a Tiger 900 ( in any of his versions) if I’m going to buy (probably, not sure) the Tiger 800 (in any of his versions)…!?!? Thank you 🙏🏼 😊😎👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👋🏼👋🏼

[@Dan_TheMedic]

curious as to how you got on?

[@MaxHeadRush]

What year was your tiger?

[@london_biker6177]

2018 XRT, the final edition of this engine platform.