Triumph or BMW ?

Firstly I'll start by saying I owned a R1100GS for six years. I nearly sold it after the first six months as it just didn't have enough power for fast A road overtakes especially two up.
My previous bike was an early 1200 Trophy which was like riding an automatic, stick it in 6th and ride the torque. I eventually came to love the GS. I changed my riding style to suit the bike, but after 6 years and having bought a ZZR1100 (ZX1100) as a second bike I decided to sell it.

I'm currently riding a Suzuki GSX1400 (never sold in North America) which is a torque monster especially with free breathing cans and a power commander fitted.

But I miss the adventure/dual sports bike for the little back/unpaved roads. So I'm thinking of getting a R1150GS or a Tiger 955i

IMO the BMW suspension is far superior but the Tiger as the edge is performance if not handling The GS is Ugly but the Tiger is F-ugly ! (who thought that fairing looked good?)

As for reliability I'm surprised at some of the issues I've read on this forum my GS never once gave me any major problems including a 3000 miles tour of Europe and I've owned 4 Triumphs and only one, with 60,000 miles on the clock, had a problem which turned out to be the HT leads breaking down.

I'll be interested too hear what you guys think Tiger or GS ? power or handling ?

The 1150GS is HEAVY !! It's also pretty unreliable and expensive to fix. And in my opinion it's a dull dog when it comes to performance too. Compare it to a 1200GS and it feels like a Sherman Tank dragging the QE2..

The 995I is also heavy. And it's top heavy too. This is where the BMW beats it.

However, the Tiger is light years ahead in terms of performance and handling. That 955 triple engine is a real peach. A joy to ride.

The 1150GS would be better on dirt roads, but not by much... If you spend 99% of your life on tarmac, get the Tiger...

It's also considerably cheaper and more reliable too.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

GS is 15kg heavier than the Tiger or put it another way a good breakfast

The whole reliability thing always makes me laugh one person will tell you the GS is unreliable another the Tiger.

I ran my R1100GS for six years with no major issues, and was an active member of the UKGSER.com were reading the threads there would point to the 1200GS as being the BMW with reliability issues.

I service and repair my own bikes so paying rip off dealer prices are not an issue for me.

Think I'll end up with a Tiger see what it's like to live with, especially as second hand BMWs like Harleys are overpriced

Why not pay a bit more and buy a KTM 990 adv, far better than the above and it will make you smile!

A bit more ??

You could have a 1150 AND a Tiger for 990 prices.

Then you really could have the best of both

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ach I'd only need another 2 grand !

To give you a sense of perspective, I recently sold my MINT 2002 Tiger with lots of extras for about £2300.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Which is at least a grand cheaper than a GS of the same age

QBTO....I understand exactly what you mean here, but just have a look at Touring Teds signature......specifically where he works. It does add a bit of weight to his argument.

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The electric monk always has faith.

Hi Monk,
I did notice Ted's signature I have been in that dealership quite a few times, (got friends in North Wales) I am only going on my own experience of 6 years on a R1100GS and being an active member of the UKGSer forum. I used my GS all year round in all weathers

You could argue that Ted see's all the unreliable GS's because he works in a BMW dealership, the reliable ones don't need repaired. If you pop down the local Triumph dealer I'm sure they see plenty of Tigers in the work shop. [IMG][/IMG]

[QUOTE=QBTO;422040]Hi Monk,
I did notice Ted's signature I have been in that dealership quite a few times, (got friends in North Wales) I am only going on my own experience of 6 years on a R1100GS and being an active member of the UKGSer forum. I used my GS all year round in all weathers

You could argue that Ted see's all the unreliable GS's because he works in a BMW dealership, the reliable ones don't need repaired.

I do far more routine servicing of one's that don't need repairing than fixing those which do...

If you take reliability out of the argument completely, I'd still have the Tiger. However, I do have to point out that the Tiger is a ridiculously reliable bike. I don't know anyone who's ever broken down on one, ever !!

The Tiger is just a far better ' day to day' bike in my opinion. It's really fun to ride and handles great. There is loads of grunt and power from the dreamy Triple. The 1150 feels like a tractor in comparison.

The one thing is really hated on the Tiger is the heavy clutch. If you're a two finger clutch user, you're going to have aches and pains. And the gearboxes are pretty clunky but you do get used to them and they always work.

However, if I were to go off tarmac, I'd pick the GS any day. Even if it is a lumbering beast. The Tiger is crazy top heavy (even on road) and the GS boxer engine with telelever suspension is far nicer on the rough stuff..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I would be happy with either, I'm currently enjoying myself hacking around the local back roads on a 26 year old Transalp

I loved my R1100GS never ridden a bike that feels so planted, even a huge black Labrador that charged into the side of it as I was passing at 30mph couldn't move it off line. Or the time I misjudged my speed over a hump back bridge on a bend and took off both wheels of the ground while cranked over, GS landed without a wobble or a weave, but your right Ted their a heavy beast, but then I've rarely ridden anything under 500lbs in the last 15 years GPZ900R ZZR1100 Trophy 1200 x3 Daytona 1200 GSX1135EFE and GSX1400.

I always fancied the early Tiger 900 (Steamer) now that is a top heavy bike, with the same frame as the Trophy etc only on higher suspension and skinnier wheels.

Just an update on this thread, I'm now actively looking for a 955i Tiger

Just need to sell my GSX1400 first

+ 1 for the Triumph Tiger 955. I agree with everything Touring Ted says in the thread.
Touring Ted knows his stuff and whenever he posts on here, I always take time to look at what he says.

I'm afraid my opinion of KTM bikes is not great - overpriced, highly strung, plentiful and expensive servicing and parts.

I will concede they are well put together and that the 990 is rapid compared to most other big adventure tourers.

I'd take a BMW before a KTM but I think big BMW's are way too heavy, cumbersome and ultimately damn expensive.

Yes KTM's are great BUT they are not cheap to buy, own or run.

Anyone looking for a BUDGET bulletproof reliable, robust CHEAP bike should stay well clear of German bikes as you pay a huge premium for the badge (just the same as their excellent but overly expensive cars). I guess if it says made in Germany you pay a premium. Some of us refuse to do so.

I apply the same rule to most aspects of my life not just riding bikes (and I have owned and ridden many in 30 years plus riding).

My best (and oldest) mate has a Triumph Tiger 955 and we both agree that it does almost everything well without breaking the bank.

Another mate has a KTM 600? trail bike and he spends most of his time changing oil and servicing it instead of riding it.

Plus the Triumph is BRITISH designed and made.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

The Tiger handles well enough in my view, which is based on a shortish test ride at the time I was thinking of buying one.
It also has all the power that anyone needs on real roads (rather than the race track).
Certainly it is top heavy with a big fuel tank perched up high above an engine that is also high in the frame.


Ted has earned a crust with BMW for about 6 months: prior to that he was on the road to conversion, but it took many, many years.

BMW must be working hard on the brain washing (errrr, induction training)!

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Dave