I've had the Tiger 900 GT low for 2.5 yrs and 56K km. I agree on most of your statements. The comfort seat, much better that the low seat designed by the Marquis De Sade. The comms module is a waste of money, only time it works is in front of the local triumph service manager, I've never bothered with the heated seat, I live in Queensland Australia. So what's gone wrong in 56K km, the first front seat base cracked, the windscreen cracked around the mounting holes, both covered by warranty without issue, other than that nothing. Front fork oil life seems to be around 15000 km, the rear shock has remote preload and adjustable damping, Ive never adjusted the damping whether solo or loaded, it just works. One thing that is annoying is the speedo accuracy, it over reads by 10%, but the odometer is meter perfect. You are guaranteed to become a hood ornament or speed bump over here if you follow the stated speed. The low has no center stand available due to its being 50mm lower than the GT and it has its own special side stand. I havent been to Scotland since 1966, seems the weather hasnt changed. Good review, keep up the good work.
A great honest no frills review. Going for a test ride on the 900GT low on Sunday at A1 York in the rain. Not been on a big bike for many years so hoping it will be kind to me and if so it will be 'Add to Basket'. Thanks for the review,
Great review, I just purchased the 23 model in the GT Pro, The extra's are good. I will use it for commuting 172 klm's per day lol. Test rode it, awesome bit of kit. I too live in Australia Queensland. I have owned 2 Speed Triples and definitely prefer the GT Pro. Subbed 👍
Nice review - must say that while you were describing much of it, and the experience of riding it, it sounded like you were describing my last Tiger 900 - which I bought new in 2000 (the 885cc model). Good to learn that it hasn't lost anything. Choosing between the 850 and 900 will not be easy, though.
I have a GT which I bought after weighing the price difference and extra kit on the PRO. I specced the shift assist and a centre stand which were the only extras that mattered to me. I would recommend negotiating them as part of the purchase price rather than going back later when the dealer has already got your money from the bike sale to get the best deal. Only issue might be that PROs seem to be more plentiful. A couple of errors in the review. Only the PRO has backlit switches and the suspension is not adaptive, only electronically adjustable. Other than that, a fair review of an excellent bike.
@@piratepugwash8930 awesome I am hearing that all the time from riders with bigger adventure bikes, the 900 just hits the sweet spot and is more than enough for the road, loved riding it.
Nice review. I really appreciate the simple, real-world ride viewpoint. I have an 850, and I feel it is an excellent overall bike. In particular, I think the new 900 range has a really good weight balance and that is a huge benefit. I had a 2017 F800GS before and I will say that the Tiger 850 is much easier to handle, and to pick up. Yes, the GS is much better off road, but for those of us who spend more time on pavement, and ride at modest speeds off road, the Tiger is, I believe, the better choice. I do hate the tach display, however. That is just terrible. Oh, beautiful scenery, BTW. Thanks.
Thanks Damon, you have 1 special bike, the 850 is one sought after bike at the moment we cannot seem to get Triumph to get us any new ones through, we only have 3 from now till September and they're all sold.
Nice one Si. I have the GT Pro. Coming from a Honda NC750X where I had to spend a lot on extras, it was the fact that with the GT Pro I didn’t have to which attracted me. Plus of course it has fabulous brakes and excellent suspension. If like me you swap between solo and pillion a lot with or without luggage, the Pro electronic suspension was the sales clincher, allowing me to easily adjust rear preload and damping on the TFT. The only thing I disagree with in part are the standard OEM Metzler Tourance Next tyres. Yes, they are good. However once on worn tarmac with longitudinal grooves the front tramlines badly. Fellow owner Keith who also bought a GT Pro from you found the same. The solution, a pair of Dunlop Mutants which I fitted at 1,500 miles. What a difference and here’s why. The standard front tyre is a non radial 100/90 aspect ratio. The Mutant front is a 110/80 radial. Both these aspect ratios are considered optimal for the 2.5” rim. Standard 150/70 fitting on the back. What a difference. The bike steers way better now and just flows in and out of bends. They’re an all season tyre with confidence inspiring grip wet or dry. To my mind a very worthwhile upgrade and perfect for our Scottish variable tarmac backroads. Whilst I did get a deal on them due to an issue on my previous bike in not being able to get an OEM Dunlop after a puncture, I’ll always fit the Mutants now. One tip from your workshop, make sure if the Pro that the tyre fitter understands the TPMS as apparently it’s easy to break the pressure sensors if they’re not familiar with them and apparently they are not cheap!
Thanks John and really interesting reading your thoughts about the Mezelers, that’s the thing with tyres it’s really hard to understand how good they are until your actually living with them on your bike. Maybe I will rethink my next tyre choice😀😀😀cheers for the tip too, all the best John hopefully see you soon, Si.
@@simotofoto My last tyres on the Honda were Road 5s. They were really good, but the Mutants are far better suited to our crappy backroads and will do a little off-road as you did on the GT in the review. The kind of road the Metzlers tramlined badly are where the tarmac is topped with chippings and sometimes they wear in small grooves down to the smooth tarmac. The Mutants far less so. I think it’s in part because they are radial and the different aspect ratio of 110/80.
I have a GT model very happy with it. Have done some updates, centre stand, quick shifter heated seat. which I found at at the demolisher from a bike from 2020
Hi Si I have one of these and also a T120 so two different riding experiences. Agree with all you said. The Pirelli tyres on the T120 though don’t fill me with confidence so will swap those out when I can. Options limited though as Tubed. Perhaps the Michelin Classics? The Metzlers are confidence inspiring. Regards Den
Good review, agree with all you say about the T900 GT, and yes I do own one. Only things I added(personal preference) were a wider screen , raised the bars by 20mm and better tyres( R1's then R6's , didn't get on the the Tourance tyres)..
Great review. Just subscribed. Love this bike. Might just be the perfect replacement for my Africa Twin which I’m not getting on with due to its size and diving forks.
Hi, I'm currently seriously considering a GT from local dealer with 8000 miles with original tyres, front still has plenty of tread, rear has gone a bit 50 pence shaped (flat on top) but still perfectly legal for a while yet, so the tyres must be pretty good for longevity..
Another brilliant video review, always honest and entertaining. You talked about stripped back bikes. How about a review of the Tiger 850 Sport? I love mine, bought from William at West Coast before you moved to the new showroom😊
Thanks again Thomas, we are finding it really difficult to get them at the moment and don't have a demo in the pipeline, however if I get a used one in I will get a review up for u dude....cheers Si
*****CORRECTION*****thanks to @piratepugwash Illuminated switches Innovative backlit switches on the top spec GT Pro and Rally Pro models enhance rider interaction, improving control in all lighting conditions. All buttons illuminate from LEDs housed inside the switchcubes. Real electronic suspension on the GT Pro is not semi auto - Marzocchi rear suspension unit, electronically adjustable preload and rebound damping, 170mm wheel travel
@@simotofoto that is so true but I often wonder if Triumph had built a 900 model with a shaft drive would I have bought my Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer I also suppose price comes into it don’t get me wrong I love my big tiger but it is heavy but I love the fact I don’t need to adjust a chain or get chain luv splatter all over the back wheel 😂
The "T-plane" crank just makes the bike vibey like a twin, and its lost is smooth Triple character. I found the vibrations in the footpegs/handlebars were really noticeable after less than an hour riding and on "touring" bike its going to be wearisome. I'll admit its got loads of torque, but if you want that then its easier to just stick with a big twin or better still a large displacement V4. A triple engine is meant to be the "best of both worlds" but this one, strangely misses the mark. I reckon Triumph should have stuck with the previous generation's 1050 smooth i.e. the Speed Triple engine in the Tiger Chassis. Overall I found the bike rather boring...
Fair enough Phil, bikes are so personal and thats what's great about having loads of bikes to choose from to suit your requirements. Cheers Phil thanks for taking the time to watch the video :)
The stock tyres Metzeler Tourance are dog shite! OK when new, but once they square off a bit they don't instill confidence at all. When brand new you have the feeling of, yes, these tyres are perfect for this bike, they couldn't have chosen a better Tyre. After a couple of thousand miles, that feeling starts to wear off! They tram-line quite badly after a few thousand miles. I'm on 9k Miles now on my GT Pro and can't wait to replace them with some Michelin Road 6's. Had Michelin Pilot Road 4's on my previous bike and loved them. Of course, tyres are very subjective to what the rider feels safe with, or gels with. Unfortunately, too many riders agree with myself with regards to these tyres so there musty be something wrong. Metzeler have now introduced the Tourance Next 2. The only good side of the original OEM Metzeler tyres is they seem to be quite long lasting. Plenty of tread left on front and rear tyres which seem to be wearing at the same rate rear. I'll soon be saying good bye, and good riddance to the Metzeler Tourance tyres!
