Stared With a Suzuki DR Z400, four years ago bought a Yamaha FZ07. Now I’m looking to upgrade to get more comfort, Wind protection and storage. Will use 97% on road. Mostly commuting to work plus 2-3 times per year a 3 day trip. Narrowed down to the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro and BMW F900XR. Maint cost , reliability. I do like the nimbleness of my FZ. I don’t really need more power. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Matt, welcome to the forum. If your mostly on road, try to avoid anything with a big 21' front wheel. The road manners will suffer for it.
I had a tiger with a 19" front, it was fine. Then a tiger with a 21", and more recently, a scrambler with a 21". Both just felt awkward and a bit cumbersome on twisty roads. Fine if you just like to relax an take it easy but I do like a bike that turns well
Welcome to the forum. I had a Tiger 800 XRx and test rode both the new 900 Gt Pro and the BMW F900XR. I really thought that I would like the BMW but it was a huge disappointment - uncomfortable seat, useless windscreen, no character and poor power delivery. (you need to open the throttle fully to get it going and it all happens in the very last twist of the grip!). Also, it's f*cking ugly, especially that exhaust! Bought the Tiger 900 - no comparison at all - a better bike all round.
If cost and reliability are top of the list have you looked at the Yamaha Tracer 9/9GT, you already have a Yammy, I have no experience just saying...
Cost is a low on the list since I plan to keep the bike several years. Don’t like the tracers 2 mini display screens. Eyes are not as goo as they use to be the 7 in Screen looks good.
And @steve lovatt did some extensive and excellent reviews on the bikes on this forum, @Matt Talbott, so you may want to track those down. Of course, he's given you the short and sweet of the reviews and wound up with the Tiger 900 which kinda says it all. I agree with @littleade, test ride them both. I was deciding between a 2019 BMW S1000R and a 2019 Speed Triple RS. I did all sorts of research, read every review I could track down, picked owners brains about their experiences. Heck, I even compared insurance costs (the BMW was 3x as much!). But it was the test ride helped me make my choice quickly and easily. Good luck making your choice and let us know what you decided! Photos, too, please.
Just stating the facts, steve. You really do write a fine bike review...as good or better than many in the mags.
Thanks Sandi - I think I will have to test ride some more bikes as soon as we are out of this third lockdown. Probably the new Trident first
I'll be looking forward to that review, Steve! Any ideas on when the lockdown might be lifted?? Soon I hope!