Triumph Tiger 1200 vs 900: Which Should You Buy?

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[jesseonamotorcycle]

I decided to go with the New Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. It’s a big/tall bike but I love it. It’s a beast. Awesome travel machine. I even dropped it on the trail off road and it handled that really well.

[MOTOUK]

Having just returned from a 2300 mile europe trip to Switzerland on the new Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, the fuel range is immense and only filled up 6.5 times 👍 for the money its an amazing bike! You can see my thoughts after my trip on my channel. Ive ridden the 900 GT Pro and again very hard to fault and at an amazing price for the equipment you get. I guess the 1200 is tall and wont suit many so i can recommend the 900 an excellent motorcycle. If you want a adventure tourer that crosses continents in so much comfort then the 1200 is superb.

[theevrider]

Great review of the pro's and con's for both bikes and you have confirmed my choice for the 1200 with a low seat that I test rode. I really want the maintenance-free shaft drive, the carry capacity and range. Keep up the great videos !

[caseyworthington]

Nice review - thx! I love my T900 RP. Use it extensively on logging roads here on Vancouver Island, where there is way less tarmac to gravel. So for me, lighter is better, with plenty of go power all 'round.

[rogerlastinger]

After owning a Tiger 800 and 1200 I've chosen the 900 GTPro. It does everything and handles excellent. I'm not a big fan of the display compared to the 1200 but the 900 gives me a key which I much prefer over keyless. The 800 had that buttery smooth engine but the 900 does perform and handle better.

[BBANorthumberland]

I had the 900 rally pro and now have the 1200 GT pro. At 6ft2 and about 100kg I feel a lot more comfortable on the 1200. I felt like I was perched on top of the 900 and it was a tad small for me. Tbh they are both very capable bikes but the 1200 suits me more as off-roading is very limited for what I do. Great video 👍🏼

[mamunchowdhury]

Great review MOTOBOB. I live in BC. Canada. Originally from Bath UK... Just splashed out on the Triumph 900 Rally zero complaints and huge love for this model. Perfect size and plenty of power for the roads and off road options over here. Keep up with the reviews. Never know, I might have to start one over here in BC

[jamiemcgrory]

Test rode the 900 Rally Pro at Fowlers a few weeks ago, genuinely fantastic. Cross shopping with the Scrambler 1200.

[davidcrilley]

Hi Bob, I’ve got the 900 Rally Pro. Went for that over the 1200 due to its size/weight, more than anything else. Bought it second hand so cost was a factor too as a new 1200 is more than I wanted to pay.

[martinfield]

I test rode them both (with a pillion) and am picking up my new 1200 tomorrow. My friend who rides a KTM 1290 SA said the 900 was gutless (after he’d shot off into the distance!), but I found it plenty fast enough. I went for the 1200 for the added comfort for both rider and pillion, with more power and torque than I’ll ever need, and a better dash and features overall including the automatic pre-load adjustment. The extra cost is painful, and I hope the extra size and weight won’t make commuting in London too hard, but the 1200 feels like a real step-up for me whereas the 900 didn’t. It’s a hard choice! I just couldn’t bring myself to try the GS, and as long as the vibes don’t affect me then I think the Tiger 1200 is the best bike for me to do everything (except serious off-roading that I’ll save for my KTM excf).

[ADV-Rider-Dude]

I picked the Rally Explorer and am loving it more every day.

[StreetTwinRider]

Took the GT Pro out for a test ride a few weeks ago, the engine is lovely. the 1200 is probably a bit too much bike for me! Its probably comparable in weight to a KTM Super Adventure (which I had as a courtesy bike in June) - it's MASSIVE. 900 GT for me!

[MrMikey]

G’Day Bob,
I bought a Tiger 800ABS new in 2012 and kept her for 8 years. I’d had 7 bikes in the previous 6 years as an example. Got off her and onto a 2020 KTM Super Duke R in Sept 2020. Done 10, 000ks in two years. Three rear hoops. Has oodles of power and is a hoot, but every single day I miss my old Tiger 800. I saw my old bike last Sunday on a ride and was seriously tempted to go swap my big SDR, but I couldn’t take it off the current owner (who loves it to bits). Needless to say I’m shopping again and the one thing I know - I’m going back to Triumph for my sixth. Whether a Tiger 900/1200, Speed Triple RR or Speed Twin 1200 will have to be decided. I can tour on anything, so it will be all about the feels.

[marwood]

I rode the 900 GT Pro and 1200 GT Pro back to back a few weeks ago. 900 first, which was great but the 1200 blew me away. It was so comfortable and sure footed and it just felt so much more nimble than I expected. I ordered the 1200 GT Explorer on the spot and have had it about a month. Apart from a rather annoying incident with the clutch, it's been great.

[chrisdagnall]

Really good video I enjoyed the way you overviewed the two bikes highlighting their differences which are relavent to real life. As a solo rider who has never had a sports bike I think the 900 GT Pro would be my choice.

[chalkphil]

Will have to test ride the new 1200. I chopped in the previous-gen 1200 for a Tiger 900 GT last year, and despite the step-down in power, and to be honest, comfort too, going for the 900 was still one of the best bike choices I've made. In terms of usable power (for me), 94bhp is more than enough, and combined with the light weight of the bike, it's a joy to ride. However, I do like to do at least one big tour into Europe each year, so it'd be good to see if the new 1200 has dropped below the level of sheer intimidation that the previous-gen used to give me!
Good review though...cheers!

[fmab]

I went with the 1200 Rally Explorer and tour 2-up round Europe. Awesome bike and very capable off road. Its heavy but worth it gor the power and comfort

[seanheadley]

Just ordered the 1200 GT Exp, come from GS Adventure which was a good bike, but think the Triumph will be a little more exciting to ride. Time will tell lol

[scottamolinari]

Subscribed. I like your vids. I'd take the 900 because of price and my use case. No really super long hauls. Just normal cruzin with maybe the one or two weekend tours. :)

[parf]

900 is all you need. Personally think anything over 100bhp is unnecessary on today's roads. The bigger the bike the heavier and harder to maneuver at slow speeds. Lose the ego go lighter.