BMW VS TRIUMPH How does it compare to the Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer?
Triumph targeted the GSA and attempted to trump it on every important stat. Costing £19,100 the Tiger 1200 is cheaper than a similar-spec GS, makes 14bhp more (but 9lb.ft less torque), is claimed 7kg lighter despite the same 30-litre tank size and has some tech the GSA lacks such as blind-spot detection. But it is different as well, with a 21in wheel and inline triple.
Weighing a genuine 269kg, the Triumph is 16kg lighter than the 285kg GSA, although the BMW we tested did have a few extras so this is a realistic 8-10kg. Triumph have centralised the Tiger’s extra tank capacity to minimise its impact and it feels the lighter bike to pick up off its sidestand, but despite its 15mm lower seat it does sit taller than the GS, making feet-down work trickier.
On the go the Tiger feels the more agile and instantly ‘natural’ bike to ride due to its forks and Triumph have done an amazing job of making the 21in front wheel feel very confidence-inspiring. It’s a great handling adventure bike but doesn’t quite have the GSA’s feeling of complete stability in a bend, but careful set-up of the electronic suspension can improve this sensation.
Back-to-back the two engines have their positives and negatives. The Triumph’s triple is smoother but requires more revs as it lacks the boxer’s instant lowdown punch where the GSA’s twin is more engaging and less vibey than the Tiger’s motor at constant speeds. The riding positions are also slightly different with the GSA having a more open-armed flat-bar stance that sits you
‘on top’ of the bike where the narrower bars and taller tank on the Tiger give the feeling of being ‘sat in’ it more.
Buyers of the Explorer will be delighted with their purchase, but the Triumph doesn’t do anything that much better than the BMW to tempt GSA fans to consider switching. It’s a great alternative – but not a better bike.