After months of looking for what is the best adventure bike for me, i've finally found it.
I had taken a Tiger Explorer 1200 out for a 2 hour test ride and returned thoroughly disappointed. The salesman listened to what I hated about the Explorer, then asked what it was that I wanted from my next bike, and suggested that I took out a Tiger 900 Rally demonstrator for a quick ride in the 20 minutes before they closed. I hadn't even ridden 60 yards to the first set of traffic lights when I knew this was the bike I had been looking for. Its light, comfortable, nimble and fun. It offers great wind protection at motorway speeds, wheelies on demand, enjoys chasing sports bikes on twisty roads and comes with all the options I want. Its not cheap, specced as I want it, it comes in at £16,300 (with luggage etc), priced between the same spec BMW 850GS and KTM 890 Adventure R, but it just feels right. The downside is I can't get a matt green one until November. Its my 50th birthday in 2 weeks, so i think its time to sign on the dotted line and finally treat myself to a new vehicle.
eta: the next day, i took it out for a 2 hour test ride to confirm it was the bike for me.
I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
-
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:17 am
- Location: Nth Somerset
- Has thanked: 39 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
I like the sound of your dealer.
I recently visited a Triumph dealer to look at the Tiger 850, they didn't have any in stock, nor did they have a demo bike, but I was allowed to sit on a Tiger 900.
When I asked about a test ride I was told "Oh, since lockdown we don't really have test rides / demo bikes, people just tend to buy the bikes", they then added "If you order an 850 today we can get you one by January". I thanked them, and left.
I'll have a good look at the new 660 at the NEC (I'm sure it will be launched there) and if I like the look I will ask Triumph where I can book a test ride, I feel certain it won't be at the dealer I visited.
Nice birthday present you just bought yourself. I look forward to hearing more about it.
I recently visited a Triumph dealer to look at the Tiger 850, they didn't have any in stock, nor did they have a demo bike, but I was allowed to sit on a Tiger 900.
When I asked about a test ride I was told "Oh, since lockdown we don't really have test rides / demo bikes, people just tend to buy the bikes", they then added "If you order an 850 today we can get you one by January". I thanked them, and left.
I'll have a good look at the new 660 at the NEC (I'm sure it will be launched there) and if I like the look I will ask Triumph where I can book a test ride, I feel certain it won't be at the dealer I visited.
Nice birthday present you just bought yourself. I look forward to hearing more about it.
-
- Posts: 4790
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:47 pm
- Location: Limousin France
- Has thanked: 2452 times
- Been thanked: 3293 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
Looks great Alan. Hope you're happy with it. Must say the price comes as a bit of shock, but that's because I'm out of touch with new bike prices. I still think of 16 grand as a pretty nice new car, but I'm almost certainly wrong about that too! I need to update myself.
Nothing quite like that brand new bike feeling, knowing that no other bugger has fiddled with it before. Have fun!
Nothing quite like that brand new bike feeling, knowing that no other bugger has fiddled with it before. Have fun!
-
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:02 pm
- Location: uk
- Has thanked: 18 times
- Been thanked: 80 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
I had the XcX version and loved it it was smooth and reliable. Good up the lanes but for me was just a bit to top heavy so I went with the Africa twin if I had test ridden a 900. I bet I would have a brought one because they addressed that problem but. Weren’t aloud to test ride at the time.
-
- Posts: 2091
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:41 pm
- Location: Central Scotland
- Has thanked: 754 times
- Been thanked: 632 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
A biker mate of mine bought one November last year and utterly loves it....!
Tiger 900 by APM Photography, on Flickr
mac
![Image](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50732659437_1433f5cf11_c.jpg)
mac
"Progress is not possible without deviation".
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
-
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:28 pm
- Location: Cheshire
- Has thanked: 116 times
- Been thanked: 270 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
What does it do better than the old 800? This my 800XC but with the 19" front wheel that i've fitted instead of the 21".
-
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: Portishead
- Has thanked: 21 times
- Been thanked: 131 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
Lovely bike Alan
Will check them out
Hmmm:))))
Will check them out
Hmmm:))))
- AlanHolt
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2016 6:28 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire
- Has thanked: 382 times
- Been thanked: 399 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
The main things are that it's lighter, slightly lower and/or narrower compared to the 800 xcx I compared it to.Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:58 pm What does it do better than the old 800? This my 800XC but with the 19" front wheel that i've fitted instead of the 21".
WP_20210920_14_52_17_Pro.jpg
Current bike is a Yamaha T7
- AlanHolt
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2016 6:28 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire
- Has thanked: 382 times
- Been thanked: 399 times
Re: I've fallen in love again (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro)
The Bond model starts at £16,100, and I don't like black bikes.
Current bike is a Yamaha T7