BMW R 1250 GS vs Triumph Tiger 1200 2022: Which Is The Best?

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A huge thanks to Superbike Factory for their support! You can find all their stock here, including some great deals on almost new bikes like the GS featured in this video:

[jesseonamotorcycle]

I went with a Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer and so far it’s a beast of a machine! Love it.

[gavinfraser]

I went for the tiger Rally Explorer and no regrets love it 🏍👍🏍👍🏍

[Jarlecritters]

Hi Bob. I got something to say.. This video is brilliant! Perfect light, perfect angels on the cameras, perfect lenght and you speak loud and clear and not so fast so us foreners can understand what you are saying. You are in my top 3 spot!
Keep it up, im already excited for your next video 👍🏻

[thomaswolkenburg]

You also forgot that the Triumph only has to be serviced every 16, 000 km, which is certainly a big argument for people who travel to buy a Tiger.

[ianfreshwater]

I’m definitely on the Tiger team. In respect to price, shouldn’t you have compared the Tiger Explorer model to the GSA? 30 litre tank and wire wheels for example. The GT Pro was probably a better comparison for the GS in the video. Just my opinion however I’m heavily biased to the Tiger 😁

[ronhamilton]

Tiger 1200 for me !! I think it’s the best looking ADV bike on the market today 👍

[soissle]

If Triumph had given me a better test ride/dealer impression, I probably would have bought one. They didn't though, and BMW were reasurringly professional and patient, so they got by business. With so little to choose between the bikes, the "living with" component and knowing that I'm going to get looked after if and when things go wrong, is worth the cost for me.

[danieldociu]

Great review! Objective and professional. And I say this despite the fact that the Triumph won by a hair, while I'm actually a 1250 GS HP rider (my 7th GS, since "96). I stuck to BMW because of the better dealer support in the Pacific NW. Not many dealers, but they stand behind their product. No questions asked, never giving me a hard time, just going out of their way to keep me loyal to the brand for 26 years now.

[ElliotDooleysmith]

I think both are fantastic bikes, but the Tiger takes it for me.

Regarding comfort, I've only taken both for a 1 hour test ride, but I found Tiger much more comfortable.
I have quite large feet and kept kicking the boxer engine.
I found my legs were much more bent on the GS, which caused a bit of cramping. Then trying to stretch out was difficult due to the engine being in the way.

[owenmiles]

Triumph is an iconic brand and one that I am proud to ride. That does not mean that there is anything wrong with BMW, they also build fantastic machines. I test rode both and felt that the Tiger had more grin factor and character.

[darthnatas]

I have never ridden a bike like this. I have to say, coming from the dirt bike world, the thought of riding and jumping! a 550 lb bike like these off road is hard to even imagine.

[michielvandepol]

Had a Tiger 900 RP. Best bike I've ever owned. Switched to a T1200 RP. Although the Showa system is much more sophisticated than the ESA, the T1200 RP seems to be unbalanced when it comes to stable driving. The bike has a tendency to shimmy (dealer tried everything to solve the issue but just couldn't find the problem), it's very difficult to get onto the center stand, difficult to get off the center stand when on a smooth service and the vibrations and lack of proper wind protection are really annoying on long tours.
So I switched to a T1200 GT Explorer. Better road handling and cornering, no shimmy effect, getting it on and off center stand was much easier but the vibrations and lack of wind protection are the same (of course).
For my type of riding (long tours) the vibrations, buffeting and the seats (too soft on both T1200's) were ultimately the reasons I switched to the 1250GSA. Doing 650 kilometers on a day with the 1250 is easy. You come home after 9 hours of riding only to want to go for just a few hours more. Where as the T1200 just doesn't offer the same comfort.

I love the 1250GSA but I hate the BMW brand and the way BMW treats it's customers. If only Triumph would have given the Tiger a smoother engine and a bit more long touring capabilities I would have never switched to

[RichDunn]

Had four GSA's. Just traded a Multistrada V4S for a Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer - very happy, combines the best of both worlds nicely.

[adventureffroad]

Recently switched from a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R to the BMW GSA, and I don't know how anything could be better. My personal opinion of course.

[MOTOUK]

Disagree on the T Plane Vibration, did 2300 mile trip to Switzerland and back on the triumph and can say i never had any tingling through the bars or pegs whilst touring. The bike i took was a Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer.

[gregsilver]

I don't have either but have had my eye on the Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer since it was launched. There's just something about the Tiger I can't explain but draws me in. Maybe because it's not so popular but I'd love to own one.

[ttrguy]

I own the 2023 Triumph GT Explorer and it is amazing! I've ridden the BMW and it is bland in handling and character. I traded my previous Tiger XCX for the new one. Vibration? Not an issue. Feature for feature, it is the best ADV bike out there.

[loriendastafford]

I've never owned or ridden either one and based on your review, I'd have a tuff time deciding between the two..looks like you couldn't go wrong either way!

[ravivhaddi]

Test drove both. I ended up with the GS.

Three main reasons:
- The Tiumph build quality wasn't what I expected
- The vibration, reminded me my S1000XR.
- The BMW keeps its price better.

It was a hard call, as both are great bikes, yes, while adding running costs, insurances and depreciation the GS is a much better option (for me).

Ride safe