BMW R1300GS vs. Triumph Tiger 1200: Which Is Better?

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[bmuugcx]

Owned a GS and a Tiger, I thought the Tiger was a much better motorcycle. The triple is such a good engine.

[danielbukowski]

I own a GT Explorer and I just had a ride on the GS1300.. To be fair, I should compare it to the upcoming GS Adventure but as is I do have to say the GS1300 is a truly remarkable machine. The new engine makes it feel at least as brisk as the Tiger 1200, the suspension is on the firmer side compared to the Tiger but still comfortable. It retains the typical sublime balance the GS is known for but there are differences. The GS foot pegs are further up and further back compared to the old GS and Tiger so you do sit a bit more cramped on it. Half of the bike is gone so it doesn’t give you that king-of-the-road-feel anymore. It’s a hell of a lot smaller than the 1250 and Tiger. The stock wind protection is better on the GS than on the Tiger. The Quick Shifter isn’t good at all in my opinion. It shifts really jerky but the engine is a lot smoother with less vibrations.

All in all, the GS feels sportier but isn’t due to some things like the telelever front suspension giving you less front wheel feel and it is a lot smaller. I do sit more relaxed on the Tiger with its riding triangle and the suspension is softer on the Tiger. If you ride them back to back, most will have an extremely hard time choosing. Reliability I would say is on pair at the moment.

[DJAguitars]

I'm not in the market for either of these... I just like your videos and am interested in where bikes are going in general 👍

[alainvankerkhove]

I bought a Tiger GT Explorer in 2022 in Lucerne Blue and this is my experience : jerky driveshaft, too soft suspension even in hardest mode, vibrations in mirrors, not enough ground clearance when cornering, despite weight loss compared to the previous Tigers still gravity point too high, the feel of the clutch is like a dry clutch and not as a hydraulic one. As a matter of fact, I have had two clutch issues in less than 6000 miles : an air bulb formed into the hydraulic system causing almost a standstill : I couldn't almost shift gear anymore and it was very hard to get it in neutral. Clutch lever got very hard (stiff) as well and the travel became worrying . They purged two times at the dealership ( first time at 3000 miles, second time at 6000). My confidence in the bike is lost somewhere. Although the engine is not top compared to the GS, KTM or Ducati, it sounds nice and the quickshifter is smooth ... and fast enough to me. Next purchase somewhere in the future : again a GS, a 1300 of course after having had three 1200 GSes ! But despite this rather negative statement, I enjoy riding it and shall keep it for some time !

[centralcoastcruiser]

Would really like a comparison between the Triumph 900 vs 1200. Thank You.

[andrewshore]

I bought an ex demo Tiger GT Pro for well under 14k last March - sweetened the deal with upper / lower crash bars and a heated seat plus an additional years warranty. Paying through the nose for a brand new bike these days just doesn’t make any sense, PCP is a bit of a rip off also. I considered the old GS1250 but the dealers just wouldn’t move on price or do a deal, unlike Triumph, so that swayed it for me. Both great bikes, pro’s and con’s for both, but for me the riding experience was better on the Triumph just like you said - exciting

[wenditaylor]

I had a 2013 Tiger 800XC for my 1st bike which I loved. I test rode the 2014 Tiger 1200 and hated it. I bought a brand new R1200GSA with all additional tech and it was my favourite bike (also had a Ducati DVT multistrada and GL1800). I've now got a 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 which is great for day trips out on country roads but this new GS really has me salivating and I'm struggling justify waiting a year to see how reliable it is (my Ducati was brand new in 2015 and was in the dealers for 8 months of the 1st year with 14 different issues and I swore I'd never buy a mark 1 new bike ever again).

[josetinoco]

Totally my pick will be the Triumph.
Fun, fun, triple sound, handling to ride with a safer feel at high the looks are amazing.

[maximchouinard]

I have 2023 Tiger 1200GT Explorer, I installed Evotech bar ends, Grip puppies and DNK Tuneworks ECU map and the bike is smooth fast and really comfortable. I am 6'2" 205 lbs.

[ADVrainORshine]

27600 miles on a 1200 Rally Pro and vibrations are an after thought, although I never did get along with the abrupt throttle, until after a 20000 mile service; it was smoother, I don't know what they did, but fueling is now smoother.

Sport Mode is the only thing that reminds me of the way things were — and Sporty throttle is not at all miserable.

[thelocodude]

I test rode both and went for the Tiger in the end, plus those Germans bombed our Chippy!

[Chromatrix]

I ended up with the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. It’s just fun to drive and makes me giddy when you twist the throttle. There will always be pros and cons when comparing bikes however it’s most important to choose a ride you connect with.

The quick shifter on the Triumph is butter smooth and makes shifting super fun. Because of the two tier seat heights, my wife can see over my head when she’s riding as pillion. It’s way less neck strain for longer trips.

This bike is a transformer. Switching between the modes you can cruz with soft suspension, sport mode tightens up the front end and increases throttle response, and off road lowers the suspension turning it into a giant dirt bike. You’re able to customize all of the modes. This bike is so much fun.

Lastly maintenance intervals is every 10k for Triumph and every 6k for BMW.

[gavfr]

Tried both with a view to buying, I didn't like the T-plane triple in the Tiger, it's lost the smoothness of the old 1200, and felt really lumpy and agricultural at low revs, I liked the engine on the BMW, but found the handling a bit strange, a bit understeery in corners, and lazy and unresponsive, and very expensive onced speced up, looking forward to a ride on the new Stelvio.

[ogasi]

tiger has all crash protection as standard? if so then you need to add about 15kg to the BM, also, did BM do the sneaky trick of reducing fuel capacity on the 1300? I know they have on other models to make them appear lighter....

[paulneedham]

I own an BMW R1250RT and I am not a poser.

[brucekendall]

Wait until the bikes need a valve clearance check?BM wins hands down.Taking off rear wheel also goes to the BM for simplicity.

[docproc]

Backlit switches mean the BMW would always lose for me. Plus the Triumph is just so much more fun to ride and it is very comfortable on long motorway journeys. It ticks more boxes for me, but as with all the opinions here, mine are subjective and suit me. The GS will always have fans for the same reason.

Great video as ever. Ride free and safe.

[rocketful]

Waited so long for the 13 so I could have a great laugh at the looks. And have you seen the 'Adventure'?! Absolutely hilarious. Triumph has nothing to worry about.

[ientwistle]

Even though I haven't ridden either Id take the Triumph any day just on looks and reliability .

[Xavier]

I wouldn’t dare go off road or adventure riding with both of them.
I go for enfield Himalayan. Save money and probably many more smiles on my face.