Love your website! After 55 years of riding including 10 years of dirt riding, 9 years of roadracing, 12 years of trackdays, and riding sportbikes on the street (currently own a Ducati 996 and GSXR 750), I just bought my first adventure bike. Standing at a towering 5 ft, 5 in. with a 28-inch inseam, I figured an adventure bike was just not in my future. After moving to Arizona 3 years ago, I found my sportbikes limiting due to the need to ride at least an hour to get to some entertaining (i.e., curvy) roads. Also, the limited gas range and abundance of dirt roads here, as well as my discovery that Triumph makes a low version of the Tiger 900, convinced me to go to the dealer and sit on one. It felt great. I ended up with a GT Pro like yours - and put the seat from the Low version on it. The bike is in the garage, packed for tomorrow's first camping trip (to the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, AZ). Although I've been riding for many years, I am very excited to begin this new chapter in my lifetime passion of motorcycle riding. Although I'm an experienced rider, there is a lot to learn about adventure riding and your videos have inspired me and taught me a lot about being a short rider on a tall bike. Thank you so much and keep up the great work!
May I make a friendly recommendation? When I wanted to start using my adv bike more off-road I felt a little overwhelmed with size and weight (r1200gsa) so I picked up a Yamaha xt250. And having a smaller lighter bike has taught me a lot about what to expect from the machine off-road while teaching me not to rely on features and ride modes. Also cheaper to repair. Lastly, the little bike is a blast to ride off-road. Just a thought.
I second this. Buy a cheap dirt bike, trail bike or small dual sport and use it to learn off-road riding. I did this and found I really love trail riding.
Majority of the buyers who buy these big ass adv bikes hardly use it off road, they just buy it to keep up with their sportbike buddies to the next town coffee shop.
Ditto the two other replies. I also have the Tiger 900 GR Pro and have done light off-road. But, I save the harder off-road for my KLX 300. I had an XT250, but it felt small for my 29" inseam. Doodle will find it really short. The KLX 300 is much better and the extra 50 cc is worth it. And, it weighs 150 lbs less than the GT Pro, so I can either keep it from dropping or pick it up when it does.
A point I made in a video about the new GS and boy did I get some abuse...but the facts are there for all to see. Just look how many used BMW GS are on the market with virtually no miles on them.....probably never been further than the local supermarket or bike meet. @@nilobeebee
Dairyland - $631 year vs. my current insurance $370 year. Made sure the deductibles and declarations were identical. I get a good deal because with my existing company because I have all my insurance with them and have never had a claim. I used to have Dairyland when I was in my 20's and they were the best deal for me back then.
Great content as always Doodle. It's important to note that getting a bike suitable for your riding conditions, style and ability is the key to keeping the 'smile on your dial'. But also that as we evolve our needs do also. I just bought a Triumph T120 and live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I'm mostly driving in twisty mountain roads here and the low end torque is perfect for the steep mountain hairpins. It's also nimble enough for me to commute my daughter to school and lane split (it's legal here) due to the narrow profile. It took me a few weeks to adjust to the weight and no heating needed here. In fact keeping cool with the right gear is more a priority. I'm 50 years old, 5'6" and can flat foot. I also have fitted it out for longer tours with SW Motech gear. Keep doing what you are doing, your moto content is high on my list and I appreciate your no BS approach. Thanks.
Hey Doodle, I'm a fan of yours, from India. Love your dedication and grit. A word on the crash guards - you should be thankful that they bend on first drop. If they don't, they are transferring all that force on to the chassis, which isn't good. You can always replace a crash guard, but a straightened chassis is never gonna feel the same as before. I recently got myself a Street Triple RS and I'm loving every bit of it. I was considering going for a third-party frame slider for mine, but finally went ahead with the stock ones, for the same reason.
Excellent review Carolyn. I love my Tiger 900 GT. I added the quick shifter and a Corbin seat. Price was a factor but I wanted the cruise control so the 850 was not an option. I am older and don’t need the off road capability but have had it on some dirt roads. Love this bike.
Every video this young lady posts, every move she makes, her attitude, her demeanour.... is nothing short of pure delight! An inspiration to even 40 year riding veterans like myself.... keep doing what you're doing, I can't wait to continue cheering you on from the sidelines for a long time to come... looking forward to Doodle videos like 'what I've learned in 20 years of motorcycling' 😋👍🙂
I was working at a Triumph dealer when the 900's came out. I bought a rally pro! Goodness I loved that bike. Had to sell due to finances, and I miss it daily. I'd go GT Pro on my next purchase for sure if it's ever in my budget again. Very cool.
The Triumph dealer in my area says the GT Low can be lowered to 29". Almost went that route, but I decided to get back into riding with the 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765. I just love the all white with the 765 on the side. Light bike. And they are lowering it an inch. I pick it up next week.
Your feedback on the GT Pro resonates deeply with me. I share your enthusiasm and also use it daily for both professional and leisure purposes. Indeed, it's an exceptional motorcycle. As you aptly noted, it serves as an introductory model, paving the way for future considerations like the BMW 1300. I strongly endorse the GT Pro to anyone seeking a versatile motorcycle suitable for daily use and longer journeys. Its performance is truly impressive.
I ride a distant ancestor of this bike--mine's a 2002 Tiger with the 955cc triple. I love it but I sure hope Triumph has improved its electrical charging systems in the last couple decades. Let's just say I've become a lot more fluent in motorcycle electronics than I ever wanted to be but as of now it's running nicely. Thanks for the review and ride safe!
Wondering exactly what problems you have encountered. I'm looking for a 955 because it has injection and no other electronic gadgets. I maintain a '01 Legend 900. Has been through 4 igniters but has been fine on an aftermarket igniter. Alternator has been repaired a couple of times. The regulator burns out. $100 but east to change. 2 or 3 starter rebuilds usually brushes and bearings. The Triumph motor runs perfect after 100,000 miles.
@@richardahola692 i should say i got it used with 55k miles already on it, so i don't know what if anything was done prior to that. But in the first six months riding it: battery, stator, reg/rec, and starter solenoid all ended up needing replacement. Finally, melted through the connector between the new stator and regulator (very possibly my fault on that one...) so I've now hardwired those together. As I said it could all just be from how old it already was, but definitely got frustrating as it all seemed to happen right after I got it. It's been running okay for a couple months now so hopefully I'm in the clear for the time being!
Off topic question.... I watch a lot of online content and have to ask what your settings are on your go pro. You have some of the best, crips, sharp videos I have come across. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Watching this video made me wanna pitch in. I´m 5´2 (1m58cm) and upgraded from a ´16 Tiger XRX low seat to a ´21 Tiger 900GT, two years ago. At first I thought that a lower seat bike would be such a great idea. What no one told me was that the LS version was lower due to a reduced travel on both front and rear suspensions (I don´t know what I thought they did to achieve that), and also that they were a bit on the harder side (re-calibrated). Another very important info the sales person left out was the very reduced payload, of about 140kg only. Traveling two up from Brazil to Uruguay was ok, but on mountain roads scraping the pegs was a constant thing. When I decided to switch to the 900, I decided to take the regular GT version and change de "dogbone" to lower it by 2cm. I also added a riser to bring the bars back and up a little bit (short arms). It´s a bike I can use everyday - although I do prefer the Honda SH150i for the daily grind. The only downside to this height reducing procedure is that the sidestand (and also the centerstand) get a bit "longer" so you have to be careful where you stop. But a great bike, nonetheless. Keep up the great work on this channel. Cheers from Brazil.
Bought a 2022 900 gt after my girls finished college. With a 22 year reprieve from riding previously a Harley I have no regrets at all. Im having a blast on this bike. I threw a set of the Dunlop trail max mission on it only because I love getting up on the pegs riding on dirt roads whenever I can find them. At 60 I chose the 900 over the 1200 due to the size and weight difference and I’m glad I did. This bike is very comfortable and easy to ride. Thanks for your videos and input.
I just bought the 900 GT and I get it tomorrow!!! I’m SO excited! I do have a bit of concern about the comments regarding heat from the engine/radiator vents since I live in AZ, but I’m hoping for the best. I fell in love with everything about this bike the moment I sat on it. This review was very helpful when making my decision…thank you!
I loved hearing that you put highway pegs on the crash bars. I did the same thing on my 2012 Tiger 1050. I have never seen anyone else do it. It feels very cool to cruise down the highway with legs stretched out!
Great review of the Tiger. BTW, your suggested bike insurance quote was three times higher than my current insurance, definitely not cheap and I have no accidents or speeding tickets.
Been with Dairyland for a few years now. They’re really good. I really like that they cover your bike add-ons and more importantly, the pillion. I had SW Motec for my triumph, best crash bars I’ve had. Absolutely get yourself some handguards that go behind the barkbusters. Wind, bugs, rain, kicked up rocks, freezing rain/hail. My hands have thanked me through all those. Thanks for your vid!!
I'm glad you're having great experiences, seems like everyone who has one loves it! I got the Tiger 850 you mentioned, big mistake...the front end bounces up and down at speeds above 50 km/h, and after several trips to the dealer over 5 months, they still can't figure out why. Triumph corporate has been no help at all, snarky even. Miserable experience overall...when it's paid for, my next bike will be Japanese. Love your channel, Doodle is awesome!
On one of the owners forums I seem to remember someone having this issue. IIRC his front wheel was out of round. Either wheel itself, or the tire wasn't balanced. Once it got corrected it cut down on the bounce (I can't remember if it solved it entirely). Really sucks that Triumph corporate isn't being more helpful. Best of luck!
It could be a defective tire or a imbalanced front wheel. I have a 2021 Africa Twin that came with a Metzeler Karoo Street that was defective. It would cause the front end to go into a tank slapper when decelerating with hands off the bars within a few seconds. Replacing the tire completely solved that issue. Others with Africa Twins have had rare instances of imbalanced spoked wheels. I’ve also seen a defective Shinko 804 that was installed on a Tenere 1200 that caused the front end to hop at about the speed you’re referencing. I’ve owned a Triumph in the past (Tiger 1050) and it was as reliable as my Japanese bikes I’ve owned (Kawasaki’s, Suzuki and Honda’s). Triumph is made in Thailand as are many Kawasaki’s and Honda’s.
I put 15k miles on my 850 sport before trading it in and never had that issue. Fantastic motorcycle! There is definitely something wrong with yours if it’s doing that
I had the same front end bounce issue brand new. My dealer is great and even though the tire had no signs of issue or imbalance they replaced the front tire. That was it. Fixed! In retrospect the front tire had 5 weights on it from factory. The new tire required non.
I used to have an 850 XCX, and it was my first bike. The bike was somewhat top-heavy. I see an issue with all bikes is the placement of the seat to pegs, and I have looked into highway pegs as my inseam is a bit longer than 36 inches. I am fine straddling tall bikes, but once a stride, the peg placement does not accommodate knee position and, with a hard seat, beg back problems after many hours in the saddle. My new bike is a bit more powerful but so much better for balance; in fact, on a hard floor, I can balance and wheel the bike with one hand. I could never do that with the Tiger. I wonder if I would consider a tiger again; they are slightly cheaper to maintain. However, with almost anything coming to Canada, we get hosed on exchange and the smaller bike market compared to the US, where California had more bikes than all of Canada. Ultimately, the balance of my current bike makes or breaks the ride; it is just so elegant, and wheeling it around at slow sleep is akin to a bicycle, even with unsure terrain. It was suggested to switch out my current seat with a Corbin and reposition the bags and newly acquired highway pegs over the winter to allow stretching out over the Boxer engine.
I've been riding 45 years, I've dropped my Pan Am a few times, the bars held up very well, no movement, no damage to the paint or motor. I run Barkbusters and Stormguards, no problem with them hitting things and the plastic has not broken.
Iv got the same bike but a 2022 model and was pumped when you finally got on one of these to try as I knew you would be in love with it. Iv found it’s the perfect good for everything bike. Long trips, short trips, more power than you need, comfortable, loaded with options and doesn’t break the bank. There’s times I wish I had a 1200 and then I get on some twisty back roads and realize it’s perfect. Come up to the driftless area of Wisconsin and do some riding. I guarantee it wouldn’t be your last! Keep making videos!
On my second Tiger, a 2006. Great for touring and light off roading. My only real gripe is that it idles at 25mph in first gear and has absolutely no engine breaking because of the high gearing. If you do any off road work, carry a set or rear break pads and the tools needed to change them out. I went down a steep dirt hill covered in loose rocks. Couldnt use front brake or would crash, no using engine braking so I was forced to ride the rear brake down the mile or so hill. No brakes left at the bottom. Other than that, 72000 miles of pure fun.
I'm glad you like your Tiger 900. I dearly love my Tiger 800XRT and think they are a great bike. I'm not sure about your "Hard cases break your leg" comment, never experienced it, never seen it, never even heard about it, but to each their own. I have a 30" inseam and had the Tiger 800 XCT, so the more Off Road version. I had to ballerina tip toe that bike and since I ride 90% street, I went with the XRT. Keep enjoying your Tiger and keep riding!
Great review, thanks. I did a lot of research when I started my search for an ADV style bike. First a Suzuki VStrom and now an Africa Twin. For me the AT was so close in price to some of the other brands, getting the AT DCT ended up only about $1,000 more than say a VStrom 1050. The Tiger is a great bike, I did sit on one and it was just about the right height. In that respect I might have saved a little over the amount I spent to customize my AT.
Dear Doodle, I concur the thoughts expressed by @bcm0022009. You're obviously a lovely and genuine person; a great ambassador for motorcycling and motorcyclists. Thank you for your good work. I feel certain that one of the reasons for your success is that the journey that you're sharing so generously with us is not only about motorcycling. I think that many people who are not (yet?) part of our community would get a lot of pleasure from following you. Please keep enjoying yourself and sharing your joy with us! I arrived at this video after watching the one in which you took delivery of your Triumph Tiger. I noted your apprehension regarding the seat height and the length of your legs. I was surprised that you didn't raise the subject of the adjustment and/or modification of the suspension of the Tiger. This could make a huge positive difference to you (and to other short and/or light riders), and not only in terms of lowering the height of the seat. Perhaps other people have mentioned this to you. Had I been the dealer, I would have set up the Tiger for you and made some suggestions. Perhaps the dealer did do this (I remember hearing about the seat adjustment but not about the suspension settings). You probably now know about this but if not, post me a reply and I'll elaborate.
I think you're the first person I've seen do an ad spot for Dairyland! I've used them for almost 2 decades. They've been amazing! And yes, I've had to make claims. We live in deer county. Spring 22 I smoked a deer on my current Tracer, they had it all sorted in a few days, and the only delay was parts being shipped from Japan. Policy renewal in July 22, rates still even went down. Bonus, they're part of Sentry Insurance, which is headquartered in the town I live in.
Miss Doodle Thank You for another great video and an even bigger show of humility! I am not brand specific when it comes to bikes and I cannot accept hype from inferior products. Triumph has always been an exceptional motorcycle even though i've never owned one I appreciate their knowledge of customer wants and ability to meet a wide range of riders. I have more then a million miles on my legs and that is part of my knee and hip pains. The other is that I have been studying Judo, Karate and other martial Arts longer then I've been riding. During military training I learned how damaging that has been on my legs. For a belt test I threw a kick and my left knee separated. A sports medicine doctor showed me how kicks that go into the air can cause the separation in the joint. I've yet to find an exercise to strengthen the joints against this. Doing kicks in Army Jungle boots hurts more then when barefoot so I've just adapted to less force when practicing. As for riding with pain, I just remember I am riding and not swinging a hammer or some other work and ride on through! At 58 years old I plan to ride until i cannot walk, since the legs are the most abused body part, we just have to learn how to take better care of ourselves. good Luck out there! With Love and Respect, you are in my prayers Hoka Hey
They actually redesigned the stock upper crash/tank guards. I have a set on my Tiger 900 and have been hearing a lot of good things about them. They seem pretty sturdy compared to the old ones, and use a design that removes some of the potential risk to the engine mount where an additional bar was added for more stability and rigidness. It's a shoulder bolt that goes into the frame, then another bolt that screws into that and holds the upper guard in place. You still have the mount under the beak, and on the lower guards. Think they came out in April? Would definitely recommend checking them out. I would also advise on a bit of caution. There's been a lot of reports on aftermarket crash bars causing frame damage in a spill. Like actually splitting or severely cracking the frame. If you browse ADV forums, or Triumphrats forums, there's a lot of info on there about people's experiences with it. Yes, the heated seat comes with GT Pro. I have it too and it's been a godsend in the cold here lol. So happy with this bike. I just hit 500 miles on mine! Seems like nothing to your 10k, but eventually I'll get there too!
As always , kudos to you for chasing your dream and catching it . Very happy for you that apparently your channel and sponsorships etc are doing good , but my goodness , North of $17,000.00 for a motorcycle ! Yes , I am old and everything gives me sticker shock , but I'm looking at a lightweight bike to haul on the back of my (full time) rv in the $2500.00 range and hesitant about spending that much ! At 70ish , I'm getting back into riding after a several year hiatus while getting titanium hips , knees and lower back along with other assorted joys , so you have a long time of riding to look forward to . Once it gets in your blood , that riding bug never leaves . What a change from your early Savage days , you have buckled down and really embraced everything you could learn . Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down !
I just started riding this year, found I quickly outgrew my Rebel 500, and somewhat impulsively ended up with a 900 GT Pro a few months ago. Stop-and-go traffic with temps of 90 degrees isn't the greatest (my right leg gets rather toasty), but otherwise it's been excellent! Love your review and agree on it feeling like a gateway bike, but it does everything I could want to do and I probably won't be trading up anytime soon.
I have a Super Tenere. Doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the Tiger or 1250GS or the rest of the ADV bikes, but it’s extremely reliable, and I’ve pushed it through some really sketchy terrain. Happy riding!
I love the tiger 900. I have a rally pro and I use it for proper off road trips in the north of England. It’s a fantastic machine, it’s not over heavy so when you drop it you can pick it up on your own. It’s got plenty of power. Nice review.
Thanks for another great video! I’m in the market for a new Ducati Multistrada, but having seen your extensive videos on the Tiger, I think I should try one out before I go Italian. I really appreciate your in-depth discussion of all the accessories you’ve put on your bikes over the years. Good advice for outfitting my next bike.
Dreamt of owning a Tiger and had a street Triple for awhile but that was too addictive so moved that on. Being a cyclist at heart and having a nice moto in the garage means I'd occasionally ride my push bikes. So my solution was getting an old KLR thinking I'd occasionally ride it. No so, tripped around for two years in all sorts of terrain, what a blast.
An engineer subscriber said a bend at least in the first drop or 2 is necessary for absorption or something... either way it's continued to survive after dozens of drops :D
@@DoodleOnAMotorcycle That's interesting. I could see how that would potentially help. Especially since bends in metal often strengthen. I researched the heck out of them when I was looking, that's how I ended up with the Heed. They don't seem to have the problem that other crash bars do with torquing the frame when dropped and also the bending problem. A broken frame would be a nightmare. My guess is, and to your point, it's probably because they already have so many bends in the Heed bars. I also think they bars look cooler as they're bent to compliment the angles on the 900. I have a Black 900 and having the silver Heed bars accents nicely with the silver bars towards the back of the bike. Balances out nicely. Anyway, the wife and I LOVE your channel! Thanks for the great content:)
word of advice (as someone who's has a Tiger 900 Rally Pro): Bark Busters. You've done more constructive riding on your Tiger in 10K miles than I have in my 19K miles. Kudos.
Every once in a while I shop around for something to replace my 18 Tiger 800 XRX. Its not the fastest, best handling or braking I've ridden, but it hits a sweet spot for commuting, road trips and fun that is better than my Harley, Goldwing and any new bike Im interested in. Nice vid, hope you continue enjoying your Tiger!
My gateway bike to ADV riding was a 2015 1200 Explorer XC (older model, not the fancy new one) and I traded it for the 900 RP. Night and day difference between the two and the RP is everything I could have wished for and more (OK, if honest I would wish a lighter version, even if with less power) . I ride with Bridgestone AX41 tires all the time and use "off road" (not Pro) mode to keep it manageable in the dirt. Pro tip: not sure on the GT, but the RP has recommended suspension settings for offroad and they make a BIG difference in how it handles in the dirt. So check your manual if that's the case. Good luck and many happy miles to you!
Hi Doodle! Great video ! My son just bought a 2023 Tiger 850 and now he is after me to get one! I haven’t ridden in years and am almost 60 ! But after watching your video I’m thinking of getting this Tiger 900 I think it would be the perfect bike thanks again!
Your video is perfectly timed. I passed my big boy bike test today and I'm in talks with my Triumph dealership about the new 2024 Tiger 900. It looks like it has some meaninful upgrades so I'm thinking of getting one of those for March when the new plates come out.
You got a Tiger 900?! Ugh! So jealous. Love your videos and love watching your journey. I feel like we vibe the same way about bikes. Got a 675R this last year and love it but have been looking real hard at the tiger. Drove a 1200 two years ago and was so impressed with it. Congrats. Love the insight.
My experience when my 2021 Tiger 900 and BMW R9T were stolen from a Hotel parking lot after a trip I wasn't that impressed with Dairylands response. They treated as a criminal wanting my phone and text records for the day before, day of and day after the theft. I had to send them receipts of all the accessories, the dates and mileage they were installed. Additionally I had to send them all of my service records and prove that I didn’t owe any money on the bikes even though I provided titles showing there were no liens on the bike. This was my first motorcycle claim of any kind in 54 years of riding with most of that time with Dairyland. Is Dairyland service worse than others probably not but they certainly didn’t blow any wind up my skirt with the criminal treatment.
Your a warrior girl! I have the GT Low 2023; my back is bad and I was nervous not flat footing. For touring I have a Harley tri Glide after 4 glorious years on an Indian Cheiftain Bagger with all the bells. Got to be too heavy though. Old injuries. I love my Triumph, it is a two hour, three hour huge smile on my face ride all the time, but I would get the Rally GT as you said next time. Keep videoing!
Dairyland FYI - They quoted ~$177 per year less than my current provider. Errata: Just saw your Triumph Tiger 900 video. Not bad. I considered swapping my Tiger 1050 for one last year but changed my mind. I loved the light weight but I was tired of the altitude. Now have a Rocket 3, which is literally a blast. And the seat is much lower.
Been watching a while and love your content! I picked up a 23 rally explorer and aside from some software issues triumph has been fixing it’s been a dream.
Another great episode with useful information! I rode my Desert edition 1200 to Cabo from West coast Canada last winter, and watching content like yours, helped in preparing for a trip like that. Even though I'm an old guy that used to ride Trials, and motocross years ago. I think it's great you keep challenging yourself! Also, clearly, you could of made a career as a hand model.
I know the whole video is chocked full of all kinds of great information - excellent review - but what really gets me is the little hand..... effing hilarious!!
Nice color blue! Love my ‘18 Tiger 800 XCx. Of all the different types and sizes of bikes I’ve had, it is the Goldilocks “just right, all purpose” bike for me.
Hi Doodle; Triumph just introduced the 2024 Tiger 900 with a bunch of changes to the engine and model lineup. For 2024, there will only be 3: GT, GT Pro and Rally Pro. I bought a 900 GT Pro this spring. But I couldn't give up my Tiger XRx (800).
I have a 900 RP. It's an awesome bike. I agree with everything you said. But... This year I also got me a Husky 701 Enduro. Lowered it, put a comfort seat and Mosko Moto bags on it.... And didn't ride the Tiger at all anymore. 😬 It's just so much more fun on the Husky and she can do everything except very high speeds. I toured 5 weeks through Italy and didn't miss a thing. And especially offroad I'm now going to places where with the Tiger I often said "nah, not today". I can lift the fully loaded Husky easily, even with only one hand, and that makes all the difference as it gives you much more confidence to try stuff. I'm really questioning myself what I still need the Tiger for. If I'm not riding her next year, I think I'm gonna sell her. 😢 So just as a different perspective... Instead of going bigger you might also consider going lighter. 😉
Thanks for the recommendation for Dairyland®. I just was able to get full coverage for my Ducati 1200 for $100 a month less than I was quoted by Progressive. Progressive did not want to give me full coverage.
I really like my Rally Pro. My riding buddy had a Tiger 1200 Rally something and it was too tall for him, so he got a GT Pro. He is much happier with it. He thought he would miss the power of the 1200, but he hasn’t. If you want to use the stock hand guards EvoTech makes a bar that goes around the out of the hand guards. I have a 30” inseam and I don’t have any real problems with the Rally Pro. You can always take a little preload out of the suspension to lower it a little.
I bought the SW crash Bars my 1200 GT PRO and my wife’s NC750. No regrets. Actually after watching your video it changed my mind! I also ordered bark buster hand guards. Sadly on back order here in Canada. Should be in next week. What cushion was that on your seat? Thinking about adding heated seat to mine for spring and fall.
Don't feel bad about the 1200. I rode that thing for a test rip months ago. Standing 6'5" tall, I was tippy-toeing while sitting on the darn thing. It rode well though. Its height is a turnoff to me as well.
Hey Doodle, love your videos. Just bought a 900 GT Pro yesterday from Triumph Roswell coming from a T.S. 660. Hope to meet you over there sometime!! Great dealership!! Keep up the great videos!!
Thanks for another fun video, when I saw the subject, I was curious what you were going to say about the Tiger 900. You probably don’t remember me but we exchange a couple of e-mails some time back because my wife was on a Triumph Street Triple R Low at the time and I was interested in info on some of the aftermarket items you’d added, Fast forward to about a year ago and she has traded her triple in for a, guess? - yup, a Tiger 900 GT Low, although I would agree that once you get used to the height AND ride on an almost daily routine, the height problem slowly disappears. I just want to mention, I put the Hepco Becker lower and upper crash bars on, and while she has dropped it in the parking lot twice when loaded with luggage, the crash bars are still as good as new. Last note, a few months ago we took a 2wk vacay in her Mustang GT to hit the twisty roads in North Carolina, on our return journey we happened to drive through Atlanta and dropped by Triumph Roswell which until we arrive I hadn’t realized it was the dealer you’d used. Nice dealership and of course the integrated coffee shop is very cool. That’s it from me, stay safe and keep the adventures coming…
Good information. I'm researching highway touring motorcycles that can handle intermediate dirt/off-road desert roads Not enduro trails, but backcountry two-track. So your video comes at a good time.
With all the rides I’ve seen you on in your videos, I guess I thought you rode more than 10k miles in a year. My 11 month old motorcycle just passed 26k miles today. I thought for sure you rode more than I did. LOL I guess you need time to edit videos. I just ride. I had the Tiger Sport 660 for a little while last year for a second bike. I traded it and my Road Glide for an Ultra Limited again. I thought I wanted something different, but now I realize I like what I had best.
I have the Rally Pro and fitted Michelin Anakee adventure tyres it’s a great dual purpose bike weather touring, off road or popping to the shops. I have the hard box luggage in brushed ally, great space don’t buy black everything cooks inside when riding in heat. Good standard spec, just added extra screen height, bar end weights to assist reducing vibration, extra USB charge socket on bars, crash bars etc. awesome bike if your in the market you won’t be disappointed
I've been looking at the 2024 Tiger gt pro but the fact that there's no ability to purchase a service manual plus, you have to visit the dealer just to reset the service warning light. What's your experience with the maintenance costs?
The Triumph crash guards are very well known to buckle and damage the tank (I've seen it happen personally to another rider's bike this year). There was also a decent amount of concerns with the front subframe and even the front engine mounts cracking after a single drop. I'd honstly recommend the Outback Mototech bars. I've dropped my 900 more than enough times off-road in various conditions, and they took a beating. I recently took off the top half after the Revzilla ADVFest Black Hills event this year, after I dropped it especially hard on the Intro-to-Moderate hillclimb. No damage to the bike, but the left bar was bent inwards towards the radiator fairing. I didn't even notice till I rode back home to Missouri. I could tell it torqued the lower and upper bars on the left and was worried about this 'upper engine mount cracking' I mentioned before (there's talk it was a triumph quality issue from the pandemic) so I just took the top off for now. The new version they have mounts like your current bars, which is directly on the frame.
I was going for the 900 until I checked the stats on the 1200. 50% extra power for 10% extra weight. For me it was a no-brainer....ignoring the $$$$$ difference lol.
06:40 after a single slide (not hard drop!) the OEM triumph bars made a 3 cm (little over 2") dent in my tank. Also the fog light mount support scratched the front fairing pretty bad.
I switched from geico to Dairyland to cover my Spyder, was around $125 cheaper in Florida and better coverage. But for my cars was a bit more expensive.
I have the 850 sport which is a stripped down version i love it. The upgraded windscreen which made commuting even better. Just need to get a better seat.
I had the same experience with the GT Low. I had sat on the Pro and found the position pretty comfortable. I have a 28” inseam, so I thought the Low version would be better. Yeah, no. I only rode for 30 minutes and my knees hurt. Good video, doodle.
Holaaaa. So I currently still have my XR1200 and the Triumph Thunderbird Commander. I’m seriously considering selling both to get an all arounder like the Tiger. However, I’m hearing horror stories about cam tentioner issues, the TFT only lasting 2 years before it craps out and Triumph outsourcing their manufacturing out to Thailand. I hope yours works out!
Better the guards bend a little bit and give before the engine or subframe that they are attached to or strip the threads in the holes they are screwed into. At least they protected the $ 200 +, plastic fairing. Nice video.
I'm a big believer in having the right tool (bike) for the job. Off road riding is a lot more enjoyable on a purpose-built off road bike. They are hundreds of pounds lighter, made to be dropped, and are available on the used market for a fraction of the cost of these large ADV bikes. Seriously, for $5k you could have an awesome off-road/dual-sport bike.
I was torn between the Tenere 700 and the Triumph 900 RP. I really wanted the Tenere World Raid, but it's not available in the US. To be honest I was a little nervous about getting the Triumph, as it is such a pretty bike, and I'd likely mess up the pretty part. : P Just as I was about to pull the trigger on the Tenere, the Norden 901 Expedition came out. It was a Saturday morning over coffee when I pulled up the first website showcasing it. By noon my deposit was in securing my new bike. It wasn't cheap at $18,000 (out the door), but it comes with heated seat, grips, center stand, quick shifter, arguably the best stock bash plate out there and the WP Explor suspension, also arguably the best stock suspension offered in its class. To get the Tenere close to what the Expedition comes stock with actually put it only a couple of grand less, and that is with me doing all the work. The Expedition splits the fuel tanks putting the fuel down low on the center of gravity. This bike is deceptively nimble for its size, as soon as you release the clutch and start rolling. Now its drawback is that it is a tall bike, even in its class. I'm 6', 1" (6', 3" in my boots), so I am flat footed on the bike, both straddling and sitting, so it wasn't an issue for me. I have 1,400 miles on it, and am currently going through withdrawals, as I live at 4,000' on the US/CA border, and we have snow on the ground, and it was 8F a few days ago. I pinch myself every time I ride my bike!
Loved my 900RP, but didn't love the frame damage. Be aware, all the crash bars on this bike end up transferring energy to the top of the cylinder head. One drop can create bolt shear, and you may not even know it. It happened to me. There are many documented cases of the upper crash guard bolts breaking. Since it's a stress-member frame if the upper bolts are damaged the frame can buckle. So if you're going to keep the bars, change those bolts frequently. It only takes one drop. Unfortunately the tank design means that without the crash bars you're as high risk for major tank damage with any drop. So as much as I like the way this bike rides, it's a no-win situation. Mine was totaled by the insurance company, and I took the check and bought an 890. I don't like it as much, but it's a tank.
Your channel is awesome! ❤ I felt a lot on my Tiger 900 because of my high, too. It is a continuous learning curve. I agree with you. The bike power is awesome, and I use it every day to go to work. If you like off-road, maybe a second bike lighter and with lower power like the Yamaha or KTM would be more fun and appropriate to do it than expend money changing the GT PRO tires. 😂
Love your website! After 55 years of riding including 10 years of dirt riding, 9 years of roadracing, 12 years of trackdays, and riding sportbikes on the street (currently own a Ducati 996 and GSXR 750), I just bought my first adventure bike. Standing at a towering 5 ft, 5 in. with a 28-inch inseam, I figured an adventure bike was just not in my future. After moving to Arizona 3 years ago, I found my sportbikes limiting due to the need to ride at least an hour to get to some entertaining (i.e., curvy) roads. Also, the limited gas range and abundance of dirt roads here, as well as my discovery that Triumph makes a low version of the Tiger 900, convinced me to go to the dealer and sit on one. It felt great. I ended up with a GT Pro like yours - and put the seat from the Low version on it. The bike is in the garage, packed for tomorrow's first camping trip (to the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, AZ). Although I've been riding for many years, I am very excited to begin this new chapter in my lifetime passion of motorcycle riding. Although I'm an experienced rider, there is a lot to learn about adventure riding and your videos have inspired me and taught me a lot about being a short rider on a tall bike. Thank you so much and keep up the great work!
May I make a friendly recommendation? When I wanted to start using my adv bike more off-road I felt a little overwhelmed with size and weight (r1200gsa) so I picked up a Yamaha xt250. And having a smaller lighter bike has taught me a lot about what to expect from the machine off-road while teaching me not to rely on features and ride modes. Also cheaper to repair. Lastly, the little bike is a blast to ride off-road. Just a thought.
I second this. Buy a cheap dirt bike, trail bike or small dual sport and use it to learn off-road riding. I did this and found I really love trail riding.
Majority of the buyers who buy these big ass adv bikes hardly use it off road, they just buy it to keep up with their sportbike buddies to the next town coffee shop.
Ditto the two other replies. I also have the Tiger 900 GR Pro and have done light off-road. But, I save the harder off-road for my KLX 300. I had an XT250, but it felt small for my 29" inseam. Doodle will find it really short. The KLX 300 is much better and the extra 50 cc is worth it. And, it weighs 150 lbs less than the GT Pro, so I can either keep it from dropping or pick it up when it does.
gotta love parking my scuffed up naked bike full of mud by sparklingly mint adv bmw.
A point I made in a video about the new GS and boy did I get some abuse...but the facts are there for all to see. Just look how many used BMW GS are on the market with virtually no miles on them.....probably never been further than the local supermarket or bike meet. @@nilobeebee
Dairyland - $631 year vs. my current insurance $370 year. Made sure the deductibles and declarations were identical. I get a good deal because with my existing company because I have all my insurance with them and have never had a claim. I used to have Dairyland when I was in my 20's and they were the best deal for me back then.
AmFam insures my 2 bikes for $200 a year total. Granted, I live in MN so they know it's stored at least 5-6 months out of the year.
Great content as always Doodle. It's important to note that getting a bike suitable for your riding conditions, style and ability is the key to keeping the 'smile on your dial'. But also that as we evolve our needs do also. I just bought a Triumph T120 and live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I'm mostly driving in twisty mountain roads here and the low end torque is perfect for the steep mountain hairpins. It's also nimble enough for me to commute my daughter to school and lane split (it's legal here) due to the narrow profile. It took me a few weeks to adjust to the weight and no heating needed here. In fact keeping cool with the right gear is more a priority. I'm 50 years old, 5'6" and can flat foot. I also have fitted it out for longer tours with SW Motech gear. Keep doing what you are doing, your moto content is high on my list and I appreciate your no BS approach. Thanks.
Hey Doodle, I'm a fan of yours, from India. Love your dedication and grit. A word on the crash guards - you should be thankful that they bend on first drop. If they don't, they are transferring all that force on to the chassis, which isn't good. You can always replace a crash guard, but a straightened chassis is never gonna feel the same as before. I recently got myself a Street Triple RS and I'm loving every bit of it. I was considering going for a third-party frame slider for mine, but finally went ahead with the stock ones, for the same reason.
I also ride a Street Triple RS, with the Triumph OEM frame sliders! They're great. You destroy them rather than your bike.
Excellent review Carolyn. I love my Tiger 900 GT. I added the quick shifter and a Corbin seat. Price was a factor but I wanted the cruise control so the 850 was not an option. I am older and don’t need the off road capability but have had it on some dirt roads. Love this bike.
Every video this young lady posts, every move she makes, her attitude, her demeanour.... is nothing short of pure delight! An inspiration to even 40 year riding veterans like myself.... keep doing what you're doing, I can't wait to continue cheering you on from the sidelines for a long time to come... looking forward to Doodle videos like 'what I've learned in 20 years of motorcycling' 😋👍🙂
I was working at a Triumph dealer when the 900's came out. I bought a rally pro! Goodness I loved that bike. Had to sell due to finances, and I miss it daily. I'd go GT Pro on my next purchase for sure if it's ever in my budget again. Very cool.
LOL the tiny hands showing the controls made me laugh way too hard. Thank you for the video!
That freaky little hand though! The Tiger lineup is quite diverse, nice bikes. Cheap they are not but nicely made machines.
0:42 Rest in peace, run-away possessed glove.
it was windy 😂 there was a tornado a couple states away
Here in Nova Scotia the wind blows all the time. I totally related to that glove clip. I’ve chased mine across parking lots a few times.
The Triumph dealer in my area says the GT Low can be lowered to 29". Almost went that route, but I decided to get back into riding with the 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765. I just love the all white with the 765 on the side. Light bike. And they are lowering it an inch. I pick it up next week.
enjoy!!
Your feedback on the GT Pro resonates deeply with me. I share your enthusiasm and also use it daily for both professional and leisure purposes. Indeed, it's an exceptional motorcycle. As you aptly noted, it serves as an introductory model, paving the way for future considerations like the BMW 1300. I strongly endorse the GT Pro to anyone seeking a versatile motorcycle suitable for daily use and longer journeys. Its performance is truly impressive.
I ride a distant ancestor of this bike--mine's a 2002 Tiger with the 955cc triple. I love it but I sure hope Triumph has improved its electrical charging systems in the last couple decades. Let's just say I've become a lot more fluent in motorcycle electronics than I ever wanted to be but as of now it's running nicely. Thanks for the review and ride safe!
Wondering exactly what problems you have encountered. I'm looking for a 955 because it has injection and no other electronic gadgets. I maintain a '01 Legend 900. Has been through 4 igniters but has been fine on an aftermarket igniter. Alternator has been repaired a couple of times. The regulator burns out. $100 but east to change. 2 or 3 starter rebuilds usually brushes and bearings. The Triumph motor runs perfect after 100,000 miles.
@@richardahola692 i should say i got it used with 55k miles already on it, so i don't know what if anything was done prior to that. But in the first six months riding it: battery, stator, reg/rec, and starter solenoid all ended up needing replacement. Finally, melted through the connector between the new stator and regulator (very possibly my fault on that one...) so I've now hardwired those together. As I said it could all just be from how old it already was, but definitely got frustrating as it all seemed to happen right after I got it. It's been running okay for a couple months now so hopefully I'm in the clear for the time being!
Off topic question.... I watch a lot of online content and have to ask what your settings are on your go pro. You have some of the best, crips, sharp videos I have come across. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Watching this video made me wanna pitch in. I´m 5´2 (1m58cm) and upgraded from a ´16 Tiger XRX low seat to a ´21 Tiger 900GT, two years ago. At first I thought that a lower seat bike would be such a great idea. What no one told me was that the LS version was lower due to a reduced travel on both front and rear suspensions (I don´t know what I thought they did to achieve that), and also that they were a bit on the harder side (re-calibrated). Another very important info the sales person left out was the very reduced payload, of about 140kg only.
Traveling two up from Brazil to Uruguay was ok, but on mountain roads scraping the pegs was a constant thing.
When I decided to switch to the 900, I decided to take the regular GT version and change de "dogbone" to lower it by 2cm. I also added a riser to bring the bars back and up a little bit (short arms). It´s a bike I can use everyday - although I do prefer the Honda SH150i for the daily grind. The only downside to this height reducing procedure is that the sidestand (and also the centerstand) get a bit "longer" so you have to be careful where you stop. But a great bike, nonetheless. Keep up the great work on this channel. Cheers from Brazil.
Bought a 2022 900 gt after my girls finished college. With a 22 year reprieve from riding previously a Harley I have no regrets at all. Im having a blast on this bike. I threw a set of the Dunlop trail max mission on it only because I love getting up on the pegs riding on dirt roads whenever I can find them.
At 60 I chose the 900 over the 1200 due to the size and weight difference and I’m glad I did. This bike is very comfortable and easy to ride.
Thanks for your videos and input.
It's clickbait, but true. Also, Triumph reduced the number of versions and updated the engine and dash. An even better motorcycle now.
clickfood*
In theory. No one has ridden it yet.
@@DoodleOnAMotorcyclewhat is your height?
Is that insurance add legit?
@@niladribiswas-s3c 32 inch inseam, probably 5'7 or 5'8 thereabouts
I just bought the 900 GT and I get it tomorrow!!! I’m SO excited! I do have a bit of concern about the comments regarding heat from the engine/radiator vents since I live in AZ, but I’m hoping for the best. I fell in love with everything about this bike the moment I sat on it. This review was very helpful when making my decision…thank you!
I loved hearing that you put highway pegs on the crash bars. I did the same thing on my 2012 Tiger 1050. I have never seen anyone else do it. It feels very cool to cruise down the highway with legs stretched out!
Great review of the Tiger. BTW, your suggested bike insurance quote was three times higher than my current insurance, definitely not cheap and I have no accidents or speeding tickets.
We were looking at the tigers but got scrambled 1200XE this year. So much fun - so different than the big baggers.
Been with Dairyland for a few years now. They’re really good. I really like that they cover your bike add-ons and more importantly, the pillion.
I had SW Motec for my triumph, best crash bars I’ve had.
Absolutely get yourself some handguards that go behind the barkbusters. Wind, bugs, rain, kicked up rocks, freezing rain/hail. My hands have thanked me through all those.
Thanks for your vid!!
I'm glad you're having great experiences, seems like everyone who has one loves it! I got the Tiger 850 you mentioned, big mistake...the front end bounces up and down at speeds above 50 km/h, and after several trips to the dealer over 5 months, they still can't figure out why. Triumph corporate has been no help at all, snarky even. Miserable experience overall...when it's paid for, my next bike will be Japanese. Love your channel, Doodle is awesome!
On one of the owners forums I seem to remember someone having this issue. IIRC his front wheel was out of round. Either wheel itself, or the tire wasn't balanced. Once it got corrected it cut down on the bounce (I can't remember if it solved it entirely). Really sucks that Triumph corporate isn't being more helpful. Best of luck!
It could be a defective tire or a imbalanced front wheel. I have a 2021 Africa Twin that came with a Metzeler Karoo Street that was defective. It would cause the front end to go into a tank slapper when decelerating with hands off the bars within a few seconds. Replacing the tire completely solved that issue. Others with Africa Twins have had rare instances of imbalanced spoked wheels. I’ve also seen a defective Shinko 804 that was installed on a Tenere 1200 that caused the front end to hop at about the speed you’re referencing. I’ve owned a Triumph in the past (Tiger 1050) and it was as reliable as my Japanese bikes I’ve owned (Kawasaki’s, Suzuki and Honda’s). Triumph is made in Thailand as are many Kawasaki’s and Honda’s.
I put 15k miles on my 850 sport before trading it in and never had that issue. Fantastic motorcycle! There is definitely something wrong with yours if it’s doing that
😜
I had the same front end bounce issue brand new. My dealer is great and even though the tire had no signs of issue or imbalance they replaced the front tire. That was it. Fixed! In retrospect the front tire had 5 weights on it from factory. The new tire required non.
I used to have an 850 XCX, and it was my first bike. The bike was somewhat top-heavy. I see an issue with all bikes is the placement of the seat to pegs, and I have looked into highway pegs as my inseam is a bit longer than 36 inches. I am fine straddling tall bikes, but once a stride, the peg placement does not accommodate knee position and, with a hard seat, beg back problems after many hours in the saddle. My new bike is a bit more powerful but so much better for balance; in fact, on a hard floor, I can balance and wheel the bike with one hand. I could never do that with the Tiger. I wonder if I would consider a tiger again; they are slightly cheaper to maintain. However, with almost anything coming to Canada, we get hosed on exchange and the smaller bike market compared to the US, where California had more bikes than all of Canada. Ultimately, the balance of my current bike makes or breaks the ride; it is just so elegant, and wheeling it around at slow sleep is akin to a bicycle, even with unsure terrain.
It was suggested to switch out my current seat with a Corbin and reposition the bags and newly acquired highway pegs over the winter to allow stretching out over the Boxer engine.
I've been riding 45 years, I've dropped my Pan Am a few times, the bars held up very well, no movement, no damage to the paint or motor. I run Barkbusters and Stormguards, no problem with them hitting things and the plastic has not broken.
Iv got the same bike but a 2022 model and was pumped when you finally got on one of these to try as I knew you would be in love with it. Iv found it’s the perfect good for everything bike. Long trips, short trips, more power than you need, comfortable, loaded with options and doesn’t break the bank. There’s times I wish I had a 1200 and then I get on some twisty back roads and realize it’s perfect. Come up to the driftless area of Wisconsin and do some riding. I guarantee it wouldn’t be your last! Keep making videos!
On my second Tiger, a 2006. Great for touring and light off roading. My only real gripe is that it idles at 25mph in first gear and has absolutely no engine breaking because of the high gearing. If you do any off road work, carry a set or rear break pads and the tools needed to change them out. I went down a steep dirt hill covered in loose rocks. Couldnt use front brake or would crash, no using engine braking so I was forced to ride the rear brake down the mile or so hill. No brakes left at the bottom. Other than that, 72000 miles of pure fun.
I'm glad you like your Tiger 900. I dearly love my Tiger 800XRT and think they are a great bike. I'm not sure about your "Hard cases break your leg" comment, never experienced it, never seen it, never even heard about it, but to each their own. I have a 30" inseam and had the Tiger 800 XCT, so the more Off Road version. I had to ballerina tip toe that bike and since I ride 90% street, I went with the XRT. Keep enjoying your Tiger and keep riding!
Great review, thanks. I did a lot of research when I started my search for an ADV style bike. First a Suzuki VStrom and now an Africa Twin. For me the AT was so close in price to some of the other brands, getting the AT DCT ended up only about $1,000 more than say a VStrom 1050. The Tiger is a great bike, I did sit on one and it was just about the right height. In that respect I might have saved a little over the amount I spent to customize my AT.
Dear Doodle,
I concur the thoughts expressed by @bcm0022009. You're obviously a lovely and genuine person; a great ambassador for motorcycling and motorcyclists. Thank you for your good work.
I feel certain that one of the reasons for your success is that the journey that you're sharing so generously with us is not only about motorcycling. I think that many people who are not (yet?) part of our community would get a lot of pleasure from following you. Please keep enjoying yourself and sharing your joy with us!
I arrived at this video after watching the one in which you took delivery of your Triumph Tiger. I noted your apprehension regarding the seat height and the length of your legs. I was surprised that you didn't raise the subject of the adjustment and/or modification of the suspension of the Tiger. This could make a huge positive difference to you (and to other short and/or light riders), and not only in terms of lowering the height of the seat. Perhaps other people have mentioned this to you. Had I been the dealer, I would have set up the Tiger for you and made some suggestions. Perhaps the dealer did do this (I remember hearing about the seat adjustment but not about the suspension settings). You probably now know about this but if not, post me a reply and I'll elaborate.
I think you're the first person I've seen do an ad spot for Dairyland! I've used them for almost 2 decades. They've been amazing! And yes, I've had to make claims. We live in deer county. Spring 22 I smoked a deer on my current Tracer, they had it all sorted in a few days, and the only delay was parts being shipped from Japan. Policy renewal in July 22, rates still even went down. Bonus, they're part of Sentry Insurance, which is headquartered in the town I live in.
I traded in my 1200 Tiger for the 900 GT. Same colour as yours.
I love it. It’s my favourite bike I’ve had so far.
🇨🇦
Miss Doodle Thank You for another great video and an even bigger show of humility!
I am not brand specific when it comes to bikes and I cannot accept hype from inferior products. Triumph has always been an exceptional motorcycle even though i've never owned one I appreciate their knowledge of customer wants and ability to meet a wide range of riders. I have more then a million miles on my legs and that is part of my knee and hip pains. The other is that I have been studying Judo, Karate and other martial Arts longer then I've been riding. During military training I learned how damaging that has been on my legs. For a belt test I threw a kick and my left knee separated. A sports medicine doctor showed me how kicks that go into the air can cause the separation in the joint. I've yet to find an exercise to strengthen the joints against this. Doing kicks in Army Jungle boots hurts more then when barefoot so I've just adapted to less force when practicing.
As for riding with pain, I just remember I am riding and not swinging a hammer or some other work and ride on through! At 58 years old I plan to ride until i cannot walk, since the legs are the most abused body part, we just have to learn how to take better care of ourselves. good Luck out there!
With Love and Respect, you are in my prayers
Hoka Hey
Thanks for the mileage and range estimates. If only all other reviewers would "follow suit".
They actually redesigned the stock upper crash/tank guards. I have a set on my Tiger 900 and have been hearing a lot of good things about them. They seem pretty sturdy compared to the old ones, and use a design that removes some of the potential risk to the engine mount where an additional bar was added for more stability and rigidness. It's a shoulder bolt that goes into the frame, then another bolt that screws into that and holds the upper guard in place. You still have the mount under the beak, and on the lower guards. Think they came out in April? Would definitely recommend checking them out.
I would also advise on a bit of caution. There's been a lot of reports on aftermarket crash bars causing frame damage in a spill. Like actually splitting or severely cracking the frame. If you browse ADV forums, or Triumphrats forums, there's a lot of info on there about people's experiences with it.
Yes, the heated seat comes with GT Pro. I have it too and it's been a godsend in the cold here lol. So happy with this bike. I just hit 500 miles on mine! Seems like nothing to your 10k, but eventually I'll get there too!
As always , kudos to you for chasing your dream and catching it . Very happy for you that apparently your channel and sponsorships etc are doing good , but my goodness , North of $17,000.00 for a motorcycle ! Yes , I am old and everything gives me sticker shock , but I'm looking at a lightweight bike to haul on the back of my (full time) rv in the $2500.00 range and hesitant about spending that much ! At 70ish , I'm getting back into riding after a several year hiatus while getting titanium hips , knees and lower back along with other assorted joys , so you have a long time of riding to look forward to . Once it gets in your blood , that riding bug never leaves . What a change from your early Savage days , you have buckled down and really embraced everything you could learn . Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down !
Going to show my age here but, I'm still partial to the vintage Bonneville's. Great video, thank you.
I just started riding this year, found I quickly outgrew my Rebel 500, and somewhat impulsively ended up with a 900 GT Pro a few months ago. Stop-and-go traffic with temps of 90 degrees isn't the greatest (my right leg gets rather toasty), but otherwise it's been excellent! Love your review and agree on it feeling like a gateway bike, but it does everything I could want to do and I probably won't be trading up anytime soon.
Fantastic review Doodles, you have grown so much as a rider.
I have a Super Tenere. Doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the Tiger or 1250GS or the rest of the ADV bikes, but it’s extremely reliable, and I’ve pushed it through some really sketchy terrain. Happy riding!
Your commentary on the Tiger 900 GT PRO is spot on. You make some great points.
love this bike!!
I love the tiger 900. I have a rally pro and I use it for proper off road trips in the north of England. It’s a fantastic machine, it’s not over heavy so when you drop it you can pick it up on your own. It’s got plenty of power. Nice review.
Thanks for another great video! I’m in the market for a new Ducati Multistrada, but having seen your extensive videos on the Tiger, I think I should try one out before I go Italian. I really appreciate your in-depth discussion of all the accessories you’ve put on your bikes over the years. Good advice for outfitting my next bike.
Dreamt of owning a Tiger and had a street Triple for awhile but that was too addictive so moved that on. Being a cyclist at heart and having a nice moto in the garage means I'd occasionally ride my push bikes. So my solution was getting an old KLR thinking I'd occasionally ride it. No so, tripped around for two years in all sorts of terrain, what a blast.
That's a great looking bike. I can only imagine how that much power feels for your size. It looks very versatile too.
Check out the Heed crash bars. That's what I got and they don't bend when you drop. Thanks for another great video!
An engineer subscriber said a bend at least in the first drop or 2 is necessary for absorption or something... either way it's continued to survive after dozens of drops :D
@@DoodleOnAMotorcycle That's interesting. I could see how that would potentially help. Especially since bends in metal often strengthen. I researched the heck out of them when I was looking, that's how I ended up with the Heed. They don't seem to have the problem that other crash bars do with torquing the frame when dropped and also the bending problem. A broken frame would be a nightmare. My guess is, and to your point, it's probably because they already have so many bends in the Heed bars. I also think they bars look cooler as they're bent to compliment the angles on the 900. I have a Black 900 and having the silver Heed bars accents nicely with the silver bars towards the back of the bike. Balances out nicely. Anyway, the wife and I LOVE your channel! Thanks for the great content:)
I'm on my third Tiger. I've had my 900 for over a year now and I still love it just as much as the day I bought it.
Glad you love it. I've looked at some of the dual sport bikes, but I just can't give up my old man bagger.
word of advice (as someone who's has a Tiger 900 Rally Pro): Bark Busters. You've done more constructive riding on your Tiger in 10K miles than I have in my 19K miles. Kudos.
Every once in a while I shop around for something to replace my 18 Tiger 800 XRX. Its not the fastest, best handling or braking I've ridden, but it hits a sweet spot for commuting, road trips and fun that is better than my Harley, Goldwing and any new bike Im interested in. Nice vid, hope you continue enjoying your Tiger!
My gateway bike to ADV riding was a 2015 1200 Explorer XC (older model, not the fancy new one) and I traded it for the 900 RP. Night and day difference between the two and the RP is everything I could have wished for and more (OK, if honest I would wish a lighter version, even if with less power) . I ride with Bridgestone AX41 tires all the time and use "off road" (not Pro) mode to keep it manageable in the dirt. Pro tip: not sure on the GT, but the RP has recommended suspension settings for offroad and they make a BIG difference in how it handles in the dirt. So check your manual if that's the case. Good luck and many happy miles to you!
Hi Doodle! Great video ! My son just bought a 2023 Tiger 850 and now he is after me to get one! I haven’t ridden in years and am almost 60 ! But after watching your video I’m thinking of getting this Tiger 900 I think it would be the perfect bike thanks again!
Your video is perfectly timed. I passed my big boy bike test today and I'm in talks with my Triumph dealership about the new 2024 Tiger 900. It looks like it has some meaninful upgrades so I'm thinking of getting one of those for March when the new plates come out.
I went through same thing as you....GT.....to Rally Pro and got it in Dec. I LOVE IT!!!!
You got a Tiger 900?! Ugh! So jealous. Love your videos and love watching your journey. I feel like we vibe the same way about bikes. Got a 675R this last year and love it but have been looking real hard at the tiger. Drove a 1200 two years ago and was so impressed with it. Congrats. Love the insight.
My experience when my 2021 Tiger 900 and BMW R9T were stolen from a Hotel parking lot after a trip I wasn't that impressed with Dairylands response. They treated as a criminal wanting my phone and text records for the day before, day of and day after the theft. I had to send them receipts of all the accessories, the dates and mileage they were installed.
Additionally I had to send them all of my service records and prove that I didn’t owe any money on the bikes even though I provided titles showing there were no liens on the bike.
This was my first motorcycle claim of any kind in 54 years of riding with most of that time with Dairyland. Is Dairyland service worse than others probably not but they certainly didn’t blow any wind up my skirt with the criminal treatment.
Your a warrior girl! I have the GT Low 2023; my back is bad and I was nervous not flat footing. For touring I have a Harley tri Glide after 4 glorious years on an Indian Cheiftain Bagger with all the bells. Got to be too heavy though. Old injuries. I love my Triumph, it is a two hour, three hour huge smile on my face ride all the time, but I would get the Rally GT as you said next time. Keep videoing!
Dairyland is where its at. Ive used it for years. Literally $52 a month for full coverage on a 24 tiger rally Aragon with a $250 deductible.
The little pointer hand is absolutely freaking hilarious!!
Dairyland FYI - They quoted ~$177 per year less than my current provider. Errata: Just saw your Triumph Tiger 900 video. Not bad. I considered swapping my Tiger 1050 for one last year but changed my mind. I loved the light weight but I was tired of the altitude. Now have a Rocket 3, which is literally a blast. And the seat is much lower.
Been watching a while and love your content! I picked up a 23 rally explorer and aside from some software issues triumph has been fixing it’s been a dream.
Another great episode with useful information! I rode my Desert edition 1200 to Cabo from West coast Canada last winter, and watching content like yours, helped in preparing for a trip like that. Even though I'm an old guy that used to ride Trials, and motocross years ago. I think it's great you keep challenging yourself! Also, clearly, you could of made a career as a hand model.
I know the whole video is chocked full of all kinds of great information - excellent review - but what really gets me is the little hand..... effing hilarious!!
Keep up the good work young one! I purchased a used 800 recently and have enjoyed it greatly.
Nice color blue! Love my ‘18 Tiger 800 XCx. Of all the different types and sizes of bikes I’ve had, it is the Goldilocks “just right, all purpose” bike for me.
Great video Doodle! I bought my Tiger 900 GT Pro last April and I absolutely LOVE IT!! It's such an amazing bike.
Hi Doodle; Triumph just introduced the 2024 Tiger 900 with a bunch of changes to the engine and model lineup. For 2024, there will only be 3: GT, GT Pro and Rally Pro. I bought a 900 GT Pro this spring. But I couldn't give up my Tiger XRx (800).
I have a 900 RP. It's an awesome bike. I agree with everything you said. But...
This year I also got me a Husky 701 Enduro. Lowered it, put a comfort seat and Mosko Moto bags on it.... And didn't ride the Tiger at all anymore. 😬
It's just so much more fun on the Husky and she can do everything except very high speeds. I toured 5 weeks through Italy and didn't miss a thing.
And especially offroad I'm now going to places where with the Tiger I often said "nah, not today". I can lift the fully loaded Husky easily, even with only one hand, and that makes all the difference as it gives you much more confidence to try stuff.
I'm really questioning myself what I still need the Tiger for. If I'm not riding her next year, I think I'm gonna sell her. 😢
So just as a different perspective... Instead of going bigger you might also consider going lighter. 😉
Thanks for the recommendation for Dairyland®. I just was able to get full coverage for my Ducati 1200 for $100 a month less than I was quoted by Progressive. Progressive did not want to give me full coverage.
Love the brown hand pointer...lol. This is a great review for a bike I'm actually considering for my first bike.
You did good Doodle, the Tiger 900 is my favorite out of all the Triumph adventure bikes lineup. Great review!
Maam go for bark busters hand guards..
Working my way to a Tiger 900 GT from a 1200 speed twin..
No GT pro here in India
The best review I have ever seen about this bike stay safe 👌💯👍
I really like my Rally Pro. My riding buddy had a Tiger 1200 Rally something and it was too tall for him, so he got a GT Pro. He is much happier with it. He thought he would miss the power of the 1200, but he hasn’t.
If you want to use the stock hand guards EvoTech makes a bar that goes around the out of the hand guards.
I have a 30” inseam and I don’t have any real problems with the Rally Pro. You can always take a little preload out of the suspension to lower it a little.
That’s what I need… bar on the outside…
0:25: Kw is a power unit, not torque.
For torque it’s Nm or kg * m^2 / s^2
And regarding your bike, it’s 87 Nm
I bought the SW crash Bars my 1200 GT PRO and my wife’s NC750. No regrets. Actually after watching your video it changed my mind! I also ordered bark buster hand guards. Sadly on back order here in Canada. Should be in next week. What cushion was that on your seat? Thinking about adding heated seat to mine for spring and fall.
Don't feel bad about the 1200. I rode that thing for a test rip months ago. Standing 6'5" tall, I was tippy-toeing while sitting on the darn thing. It rode well though. Its height is a turnoff to me as well.
I ride a 660 and it's far more sport bike then off rode. You made the right choice I want a 900
Hey Doodle, love your videos. Just bought a 900 GT Pro yesterday from Triumph Roswell coming from a T.S. 660. Hope to meet you over there sometime!! Great dealership!! Keep up the great videos!!
That’s where I got mine! 😃
I like how she's honest about dropping her bike. I drop mine all the time. Usually when I'm pushing it in and out of the garage.
Thanks for another fun video, when I saw the subject, I was curious what you were going to say about the Tiger 900. You probably don’t remember me but we exchange a couple of e-mails some time back because my wife was on a Triumph Street Triple R Low at the time and I was interested in info on some of the aftermarket items you’d added,
Fast forward to about a year ago and she has traded her triple in for a, guess? - yup, a Tiger 900 GT Low, although I would agree that once you get used to the height AND ride on an almost daily routine, the height problem slowly disappears. I just want to mention, I put the Hepco Becker lower and upper crash bars on, and while she has dropped it in the parking lot twice when loaded with luggage, the crash bars are still as good as new.
Last note, a few months ago we took a 2wk vacay in her Mustang GT to hit the twisty roads in North Carolina, on our return journey we happened to drive through Atlanta and dropped by Triumph Roswell which until we arrive I hadn’t realized it was the dealer you’d used. Nice dealership and of course the integrated coffee shop is very cool.
That’s it from me, stay safe and keep the adventures coming…
Hey just a quick notice about the specs at 0:26, 64 ft.lbs corresponds to ~87 N.m and not 70kW which is an unit of power
Good information. I'm researching highway touring motorcycles that can handle intermediate dirt/off-road desert roads Not enduro trails, but backcountry two-track. So your video comes at a good time.
What's the warning about the tiger?
I scoured 9.45 mins
Cudnt Find it.
Did I miss it?
Or was it just click bait?
With all the rides I’ve seen you on in your videos, I guess I thought you rode more than 10k miles in a year. My 11 month old motorcycle just passed 26k miles today. I thought for sure you rode more than I did. LOL I guess you need time to edit videos. I just ride. I had the Tiger Sport 660 for a little while last year for a second bike. I traded it and my Road Glide for an Ultra Limited again. I thought I wanted something different, but now I realize I like what I had best.
I have the Rally Pro and fitted Michelin Anakee adventure tyres it’s a great dual purpose bike weather touring, off road or popping to the shops. I have the hard box luggage in brushed ally, great space don’t buy black everything cooks inside when riding in heat. Good standard spec, just added extra screen height, bar end weights to assist reducing vibration, extra USB charge socket on bars, crash bars etc. awesome bike if your in the market you won’t be disappointed
I've been looking at the 2024 Tiger gt pro but the fact that there's no ability to purchase a service manual plus, you have to visit the dealer just to reset the service warning light. What's your experience with the maintenance costs?
The Triumph crash guards are very well known to buckle and damage the tank (I've seen it happen personally to another rider's bike this year). There was also a decent amount of concerns with the front subframe and even the front engine mounts cracking after a single drop. I'd honstly recommend the Outback Mototech bars. I've dropped my 900 more than enough times off-road in various conditions, and they took a beating. I recently took off the top half after the Revzilla ADVFest Black Hills event this year, after I dropped it especially hard on the Intro-to-Moderate hillclimb. No damage to the bike, but the left bar was bent inwards towards the radiator fairing. I didn't even notice till I rode back home to Missouri. I could tell it torqued the lower and upper bars on the left and was worried about this 'upper engine mount cracking' I mentioned before (there's talk it was a triumph quality issue from the pandemic) so I just took the top off for now. The new version they have mounts like your current bars, which is directly on the frame.
I was going for the 900 until I checked the stats on the 1200. 50% extra power for 10% extra weight. For me it was a no-brainer....ignoring the $$$$$ difference lol.
06:40 after a single slide (not hard drop!) the OEM triumph bars made a 3 cm (little over 2") dent in my tank. Also the fog light mount support scratched the front fairing pretty bad.
I switched from geico to Dairyland to cover my Spyder, was around $125 cheaper in Florida and better coverage. But for my cars was a bit more expensive.
I have the 850 sport which is a stripped down version i love it. The upgraded windscreen which made commuting even better. Just need to get a better seat.
the tiny hand cracks me up, every time
why you callin' my hands tiny
I had the same experience with the GT Low. I had sat on the Pro and found the position pretty comfortable. I have a 28” inseam, so I thought the Low version would be better. Yeah, no. I only rode for 30 minutes and my knees hurt. Good video, doodle.
Holaaaa. So I currently still have my XR1200 and the Triumph Thunderbird Commander. I’m seriously considering selling both to get an all arounder like the Tiger. However, I’m hearing horror stories about cam tentioner issues, the TFT only lasting 2 years before it craps out and Triumph outsourcing their manufacturing out to Thailand. I hope yours works out!
Better the guards bend a little bit and give before the engine or subframe that they are attached to or strip the threads in the holes they are screwed into. At least they protected the $ 200 +, plastic fairing. Nice video.
I'm a big believer in having the right tool (bike) for the job. Off road riding is a lot more enjoyable on a purpose-built off road bike. They are hundreds of pounds lighter, made to be dropped, and are available on the used market for a fraction of the cost of these large ADV bikes. Seriously, for $5k you could have an awesome off-road/dual-sport bike.
I was torn between the Tenere 700 and the Triumph 900 RP. I really wanted the Tenere World Raid, but it's not available in the US. To be honest I was a little nervous about getting the Triumph, as it is such a pretty bike, and I'd likely mess up the pretty part. : P Just as I was about to pull the trigger on the Tenere, the Norden 901 Expedition came out. It was a Saturday morning over coffee when I pulled up the first website showcasing it. By noon my deposit was in securing my new bike. It wasn't cheap at $18,000 (out the door), but it comes with heated seat, grips, center stand, quick shifter, arguably the best stock bash plate out there and the WP Explor suspension, also arguably the best stock suspension offered in its class. To get the Tenere close to what the Expedition comes stock with actually put it only a couple of grand less, and that is with me doing all the work. The Expedition splits the fuel tanks putting the fuel down low on the center of gravity. This bike is deceptively nimble for its size, as soon as you release the clutch and start rolling. Now its drawback is that it is a tall bike, even in its class. I'm 6', 1" (6', 3" in my boots), so I am flat footed on the bike, both straddling and sitting, so it wasn't an issue for me. I have 1,400 miles on it, and am currently going through withdrawals, as I live at 4,000' on the US/CA border, and we have snow on the ground, and it was 8F a few days ago. I pinch myself every time I ride my bike!
Loved my 900RP, but didn't love the frame damage. Be aware, all the crash bars on this bike end up transferring energy to the top of the cylinder head. One drop can create bolt shear, and you may not even know it. It happened to me. There are many documented cases of the upper crash guard bolts breaking. Since it's a stress-member frame if the upper bolts are damaged the frame can buckle. So if you're going to keep the bars, change those bolts frequently. It only takes one drop. Unfortunately the tank design means that without the crash bars you're as high risk for major tank damage with any drop. So as much as I like the way this bike rides, it's a no-win situation. Mine was totaled by the insurance company, and I took the check and bought an 890. I don't like it as much, but it's a tank.
Your channel is awesome! ❤ I felt a lot on my Tiger 900 because of my high, too. It is a continuous learning curve. I agree with you. The bike power is awesome, and I use it every day to go to work. If you like off-road, maybe a second bike lighter and with lower power like the Yamaha or KTM would be more fun and appropriate to do it than expend money changing the GT PRO tires. 😂