2020 Triumph Tiger 1200

[Grumpy Goat]

I had a 2018 Tiger 1200 before getting the RS. Your description is spot on. It was comfortable though.

Moved this thread over here ... 

There was no doubt that the bike was a beauty and in excellent condition but at $18k it had to be special, even with 5400 miles on it. I doubt the panniers were ever used and had TecSpec Sharkskin grips on top that appeared to be new. It was very comfortable and had a nice gearbox but on riding it compared with my Tracer I was uninspired. Here is a picture. The BMW F850GS was a more like it but was more basic. I demo rode that (as well as a 2023 GS) in a video on my YT channel.

   

[Paul911]

I should elaborate on what I didn't like. I got the Tiger as my first bike after a very long time (15 years) away from riding. It was a mistake but I got out of it pretty well.

I found a 2018 Tiger 1200 XRX Low on Craigslist and it was about 100 miles away. It only had 180 miles on it and the price was very good. It turned out the guy was moving and had to get rid of it. I didn't even have a helmet or gear yet so I had a friend ride it home for me. On paper, the bike did what I wanted which was to do multi day tours in New England and up into Canada. In reality, I didn't like how top heavy it was, it through a lot of heat on the rider and I found the clutch to be difficult to modulate. The high CoG and clutch ended up biting me and I dropped it taking off from a stop and making a tight left turn.

A few weeks later, a friend asked if I wanted to go to the BMW dealer because he was going to test ride a bike. I got there and while looking at an RS, the salesman asked if I wanted to test ride it. It was sooooo different in all the right ways. Then, a couple of days after that, I stalled the Triumph again and saved it from tipping over, but that convinced me to sell it.

I got lucky again and found a 2020 RS with only 360 miles on it at Kissell. They were willing to give me a great trade on the Triumph (I lost $400) and that was it. I've put about 9000 miles on the RS since and I love it. I want another Triumph, but it'd be a Bonneville of some sort.

[Grumpy Goat]

I did experience a little of the top-heavy nature of the Tiger when I was leaving the dealership on the test ride but thankfully didn't dop it. After that it was fine in that regard. I guess I was accustomed to a taller bike as I ride my Tracer which I can almost flat foot with the seat in the lower position. The Tiger did generate some heat, yes, and I only went maybe 5 miles or so on this test ride. Getting back on the RS after the Tiger was another occasion for a big grin on my face.

I think I may like the middleweight Tiger better than the 1200.

[Paul911]

I agree. The 900 seems like a great bike.

[MrVvrroomm]

I spent a week in Turkey in September of 2020 on a '20 1200 Tiger.

I was grateful to be able to rent ANY motorcycle during the pandemic. 

Two things I preferred over my GSA:  a) electrically adjustable windscreen, b) quick-shift could be actuated at ANY throttle position.  Was fun being WOT and being able to tap it down a gear or two.

edited to add:
Tiger 1200 cruise control had a max setting of 100 mph vs 130 mph limit for my '19 R1250GSA

[Grumpy Goat]

I spent a week in Turkey in September of 2020 on a '20 1200 Tiger.

I was grateful to be able to rent ANY motorcycle during the pandemic. 

Two things I preferred over my GSA:  a) electrically adjustable windscreen, b) quick-shift could be actuated at ANY throttle position.  Was fun being WOT and being able to tap it down a gear or two.

edited to add:
Tiger 1200 cruise control had a max setting of 100 mph vs 130 mph limit for my '19 R1250GSA

Yes the bike I tested had the electric windscreen although I didn't get to test it. The quickshifter was very nice and refined. BMW could learn from this I am sure. As for the cruise control max ... I do know that the RS's CC can be set at 105 ...  Maybe it also is limited to 130 mph ...

[MrVvrroomm]

As for the cruise control max ... I do know that the RS's CC can be set at 105 ...  Maybe it also is limited to 130 mph ...

12 - 130 mph per the manual

[Grumpy Goat]

As for the cruise control max ... I do know that the RS's CC can be set at 105 ...  Maybe it also is limited to 130 mph ...

12 - 130 mph per the manual

Thanks. The Tracer has "restrictions" like you have to be in 4th or greater and has to be doing at least 28 mph. The BMW CC is much more convenient.