My 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 RP has been through calcium chloride mud on the Dempster twice to the Arctic Ocean as well as thick New Mexico, Colorado and Idaho BDR mud - 30,000 + miles without a single issue! Original battery to this day. Has never failed to start or get me home once. I love this bike!!
well you probably took care of it, some of the issues he had were his own doing, not Triumph. It's like saying I rode thru salt water in the ocean, bike had salt water up to the seat height, and is a triumph design issue. battery drain was clogged with mud and grime, so water poodled in and caused a short... triumph bad design.
Honestly all of these problems sound like they could have happened to any bike. I don't think you will ever find a 100% reliable bike, especially when you are riding it in extreme conditions.
I bought a super Tenere simply because I got tired of working on my KTM and wanted something I could just simply ride, been flawless not one single issue ever.
All of these problems are ones that would affect almost any bike, and especially any modern bike, if you think the issues with the Triumph are bad, don't even think about getting a BMW, Ducatti or KTM.
I am putting this at the top of this thread because it highlights the importance of good daily inspections after a long day in the saddle. All vehicles that operate in challenging environmental conditions require daily inspections and some level of cleaning or service. We ride our dual-sport bikes in Baja, and keeping the air filters free of sand is critical. We also have a side-by-side support vehicle, and its air filter is located for easy access. I own four motorcycles, including the KTM 500 Exc. Nothing says high maintenance louder than a KTM Ready to Race bike. Read a KTM service manual and see what is recommended after each race!!! People who buy ADV bikes are often city folk looking to get out there and explore, which is excellent. People who live and work on a farm, in the bush or in the far north will take care of their equipment and watch over it carefully, looking for any issues or concerns to avoid the long walk of shame. Individuals who do not follow this wisdom often try to say the problem is with the manufacturer. However, the community of farmers, loggers, oilmen, etc., will quickly point out that many others have been running the same equipment for years without any issue, so perhaps the problem is with the loose nut behind the steering wheel. Wayne and I are good riding buddies, so I know Wayne is not that guy. However, a little extra attention on the Tiger that trip might have prevented a big tow bill. I said might have, not would have. I also own a Tiger, 2015 800 XCX, since new. Before motorbikes, everyone rode a horse. After a long day on the horse, riders knew to take care of the horse first. Unsaddle the horse, feed the horse, clean the horse, and tend to any injuries, cuts, or bruises. Tending to your horse first is well-earned wisdom that, if adopted by ADV riders, would significantly reduce the impact on their pocketbooks. If you are only riding around the city streets, then daily inspections can be quick; however, a check each weekend is still recommended. For reference, Round the World Paul, RTWPaul, has built motorbikes for years and most recently built some high-end KTM Baja bikes for customers of Mike at Taco Moto Co. RTWPaul has some very informative blogs that provide great suggestions on tools, service, and preventive maintenance. For example, following Paul's recommendation, all the fasteners on my Tiger 800, KTM 500 and WR250R have been marked with yellow paint. It takes moments to walk around each bike and know all the screws, bolts, and nuts are still correctly torqued. Removing and replacing wheels on the trail is very fast, as I do not need a torque wrench; I line the paint marks back up, and everything is 100% perfect, including the alignment of the chain. Another good riding buddy of mine, Quentin, sold his much beloved Tuareg 660 and picked up a new Yamaha T700. The Turaeg was great, but getting parts here in Canada is a serious problem, and Quentin likes to push his ADV bike into the same trails where we ride our dual-sport bikes. He loved the bike, but every time he needed a new part, it could take weeks and sometimes a couple of months for the parts to arrive. By contrast, Yamaha dealerships and replacement parts are everywhere, including in western Canada and Baja Mexico. So, for some of us in the Great White North, parts and part availability can be a major concern when deciding which ADV bike to buy.
Good advice, agree wholeheartedly except for things that are design flaws. When you say yellow paint, do you mean a small park on the bolt/screw and on the frame so you tighten to the same place? I tend to do that if I have to do a fix on the road, but I see it as a good idea to check as a walk around.
@dougiverson4297 Yup, check all your fasteners with a torque wrench and then when correct mark them with an automotive marking paint pen. This is a fun little project when we cannot be out riding but still want to putter on the bike.
are you supposed to pull the battery out and check for build up every time you ride on challenging road conditions? triumph just did not expect that to happen.
I’m from the U.K. and I bought a 955i Triumph Speed Triple. It was pre registered with 300 miles on the clock so in mint condition. The gear changes kept finding false neutrals and one time when I was riding in Spain I changed in to a false neutrals and the gear box made a hideous noise and went dead. It was under warranty so they fixed it for free but I had to get in back to London. I now only buy Japanese bikes and cars, they have the reliability
Sounds exactly like my 1994 b.m.w. r1100rs False neutrals between gears, then finally stopped to fill up the tank at a gas station, jumped on the bike, hit the throttle and the gear box blew out, can to a stop and just heard gears grinding, and left me stranded, Now it just sits broke down in the garage. Finally found a parts bike, but still it sits, haven't had the time or patience to even look at it. I'm never buying another B.M.W. P.o.s. Junk.
So sorry for your poor experience. 29,976 miles on my 2020 RP. Wet days, dry days. Truly a life of hard riding on an alluvial plane. She has never let me down. Nary a hiccup as of yet.
Some great maintenance tips and touring hacks here. Just a reminder that the time spent to check and maintain your bike isn’t just a personal responsibility, it’s a group thing too. There’s often tremendous pressure to leg over and get riding, rather than hold up the group. The other riders need to be tolerant of that.
You can switch out of off road mode while riding by pressing and holding the mode button. Then it goes into road mode. From there you can go back to sport mode (my favorite). I have wondered about the single gas cap gasket on my ‘24 RP. It doesn’t look like it would work. But I never smell fuel. Maybe there is negative pressure in the tank for emissions and it subsequently inhales water thru the cap? Hmmmm. I only have 12,000 miles so far.
Most motorcycles have too many electronics on them these days. That's the main reason I bought a Tenere. Less things to go wrong. But a lot of folks like the rider modes and stuff. It's the price you pay for luxury I guess. I hope your next bike is less trouble.
Yeap thats why I love my 2011 Tiger 800xc. Perfect fueling. Just keep things clean and maintained and she will last a lifetime. A guy in Germany has put 150,000km on his.
Have a look at Noraly's "Itchiboots" her latest bike is a Tenere 600 of 1987, very much the same setup as a Suzuki DR 650, a simple as possible, very low on electronics (virtually zero), reliable indestructible workhorses that just won't give up.
Funny you talk about electronics reliabilty. If it is designed right then this is not a problem. I've had fuel injected cars since mid 80s and never had a problem. Last carbureted bike I had from new was 2011 DR650. That carburetor gave me occasional grief due to plugging jets and I had to run non-ethahol premium fuel to avoid pulling it apart periodically to clean. Carbs never run as good or as efficiently as EFI and never going back.
The gas cap was not "poor design by Triumph" if the guy fixed it with seals from another Triumph. The problem was likely bad seals they bought from some seal maker. Probably the same seals used in many brands. Most people just don't expose their bikes to the elements you do. Not sure what you think other mfgs are doing to keep water out of the battery enclosure. They all have to put drains in them. If you happen to clog their drains, it could happen to any of them.
I thought he said the gasket simply wasn't there, and likely hadn't even been installed in the first place, a QA/QC issue but indeed not a design issue. Also not 'bad seals from the seal maker' since it wasn't even there, unless it failed/broke and fell off somewhere, then you could blame the seals from the seal maker. Otherwise it's the assembly as the problem, still a Triumph issue but not the design, and not the seal maker either.
27,400 miles on my ‘21 Rally Pro. True 50/50 mix of on/off road. Fault free… Does off road like a dirt bike, twisties like a sport bike, crushes miles like a HD. This is my 4th modern Triumph. All have been fault free. But then again, I owned a motorcycle shop. Minor tech niggles are not game changers. I do all my own maintenance. But no excuse if faults come up due to poor design. Haven’t had any of your issues, guess I’m lucky? Maybe? Or as a mechanic, I may pay closer attention to little things.
Thanks for the video, very informative. Getting ready to retire and want to get into adventure riding, and was looking at an older Triumph Tiger 900 rally pro, a 2020-2022. Seems like most of the issues you had can be corrected if you know about them, so thanks for the heads up!
I have a 2024 Tiger 900 GT. I am going to go home and make sure my box is drilled. Problem solved. I understand why this guy is jaded after dropping that much coin, but all brands will have some sort of issue, and you're going to have new problems to learn when switching to a different brand. Also, as he stated, I tend to avoid the first year of any new generation vehicle. There is always problems to sort out.
I recently purchased an 800 XC, 2014 model and rode it from Durban to Cape Town, South Africa, across the vast plains of the central Karoo in punishing heat. This was after I sold a 1200 Tiger recently, also because it is just too heavy for someone my age. In any case, the 800 was a total champ, did not miss a beat, just kept going. In Cape Town I got caught in heavy rain and had to wait it out for an hour while the bike stood in the rain, and it fired up first time, and did not miss a beat on the two-day trip back to Durban. My prior bike was a Super Tenere, but the smoothness of the triple has won me over. Neither one of my triumphs has ever let me down, apart from the odd flat tire. Not saying it is the best bike, not saying it is the worst. It is what I choose at this time for my riding style, environment and comfort levels.
thanks, I will check my 2022 Tiger more closely before my next ride. Now at 40,000 miles, some very heavy rain with no problems...I'll try to keep it that way. I did have a fuel issue with a 2016 Tiger, rough running after a full day of rain. I wrote it off to water in the gas, never checked the tank lid gasket.
Try a Honda Transalp 750. The 2025 model has a nicer looking headlight but that doesn't bother me on the 1st edition. Super reliable, capable dual sport bike.
No comment about my triumph experience because it would be from too long ago (early 1980's). A good buddy had his "experience" with the 1200 rally series. Never again after three separate shaft drive failures. He rides a Duc MS PP and I ride a KSTM 1290 SAS (2023).
I'm from Australia and I owned a 2018 XCA from new. I had similar experiences with the connectivity unit, and the off road was just straight out annoying. Something I couldn't understand why Triumph wouldn't/couldn't change. I damaged the front wheel rim in a slow impact fall which required replacing. 8 months to have a new rim sent from the UK, other parts are usually months before arrival here in Aus. Other motorcycle brands can generally have them here in weeks. I'd heard of other issues similar to the ones on this site, and although not experiencing any major problems, due to the generally poor support from the Triumph dealership network in my State, I off loaded what was a good bike and went to another brand.
I just got a 24 Triumph Scrambler 400X and absolutely Love it.I’ve already rode it everywhere i rode my heavy clumsy 22 KLR. My Triumph was made by Bajaj , the same company that makes KTM models not Thailand. I guess time will tell how dependable the Scrambler is but so far so good, I’ve only rode in one torrential downpour during the typhoon that blew through Tennessee this year. I hope your next bike is as tough as you are. Good luck and thanks for your awesome videos so far.
I experienced a very similar issue with my old Tiger 800XC, where the battery space drain hole got blocked and filled with water, and blew the fuse. Interesting to hear this design flaw wasn't sorted on the 900.
Bought a Kawasaki Versys 650 last year , got caught in the worst rain storm I had ever rode in a lifetime , three hour night ride on a motorway of complete deluge , the Versys never even flickered or dimmed any light , no fuelling issues , just lubed the chain the next day .
Kawasaki Heavy Industries are a quality company and the Versys really is a great ride for what it is. Only thing is I find the engine a bit dull and extremely vibey on the bikes I’ve tried.
Thanks for the insights, as an older rider looking at the ADV world, I like the Tiger, although I’ve been riding Japanese machines all my life its not like never had issues, first new Suzuki i ever bought in the late 90’s had a leaking fuel cap replaced under warranty, also if you ever owned a first generation Honda V four you will know what im talking about. Feel bad as the machine let you down a few too many times but thats how things go hopefully Triumph is listening and will correct those faults and make future machines more reliable in tough conditions.
Great vid. Right now I'd steer clear of KTM. That camshaft issue could be the end of them. No recall on bikes and everything done on a case by case goodwill basis. Every make can have issues. Every factory can have Friday afternoon bikes. I see a big G S in your vid. Great bikes but i know of people who wouldn't touch BMW with a long stick after problems with electrics. I'd give triumph another go👍
Wayne, thank you for this video. You bring up some good points about the pitfalls of bringing a super-sophisticated machine into wild, inhospitable areas. That's an adventure! But, honestly, it's rolling the dice if you're not a mechanic. If there was an easy solution to adventure riding, you'd have already bought another bike before making this video. I have a 2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 and love it, but, for me, it's main purpose is road touring. I like the upright riding position, power, and capacity. It has proven to be a very reliable bike. For dual sport, I ride a dead-simple modified Suzuki DR650. With the Suzuki, I can basically fix anything myself. Great engagement and views on your video. I subscribed.
I'm so sorry for all the trials and tribulations you've had with your bike, Wayne. But I love following your adventures! Can't wait to see what bike you end up with for your next big adventure!!!
Hey I learned 30 years ago to typically not buy a first generation complex product. They usually sort out the issues due to warranty failures and incorporate the fixes into subsequent generation continuous improvement. My 2019 XCA is case in point, hundreds of small changes from the 2012 version before they moved on to the 900. Thanks for sharing all this in a typical Canadian way, as I am .... humble, honest and not full of drama..LOL
tenere700 is a smaller but bulletproof bike. Now I have Africa Twin 2022 57k km without major problems last month I rode trought worst disaster in Spanish history(flood in Valencia-Andalucia) and no problem. I had only oil consumption! A pint of oil in 1000miles ..sorted to adding thicker oil and not 10W30 like honda adding. One bearing gone , and touch screen replaced under warranty but nothing to stop you ride. Ride safe Gringo!!
I came from a magnificent Tiger 800 XCA 2018 to a Tiger 900 RP 2021. This latter had a potential to be the best ever bike I had between my legs. It basically checked all boxes beyond expectations. However, the recurring alerts from the TPMS-sensors were driving me nuts, but I kind of managed it. The dealbreaker for me though was the übermarketed T-cranked engine, as a die-hard triple fan I just could not stand the inorganic vibrations above 5.5k rpm. (How Triumph responded to this with the latest upgrade? They used rubber cushioning of the handlebar and I think in the footpegs. I call it cheapo corner cutting instead of fixing the balancing somehow internally). Also, I am getting the feeling that Triumph bikes are getting overpriced for the value i.e. not worth the extra premium. Just look at the "new" 800 Sport. Sad.
Triumph have some excellent bikes but I wouldn’t buy any of them. Same can be said for most European brands but again, I wouldn’t buy them for the one simple reason, reliability. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki. Try a Suzuki V Strom 1050. It might fit the bill for you.
Sounds like you had one hell of an adventure. I remember reading that something like 60% plus adventure bike riders never take on the kinds of excursions you went on, so the bikes are built more for the casual riders who might take their bikes on some light trails but nothing major. Then when a bike is put through its paces by the smaller percentage of riders like you, you guys tend to be the ones cutting your teeth on design flaws. Still, I love my Tiger 900 Rally Pro and have had no issues with it, but I’m mostly a street rider. Great videos and I hope you find a bike that can match your endurance!
The advertising for these bikes is designed to make people think these bikes can go anywhere and do anything. Then you buy a skidplate for the bike (from Triumph!) and it includes a disclaimer which reads: "Do not exceed 75 mph with this installed. Not for use offroad."
I have a 2016 800xc. Bought it used with 40k on it. Put on another 40k since owning it. Great bike, never broke down. Love this bike. Biggest issue now is parts being obsolete. I plan on riding her for as long as possible. Next bike will be another Tiger. Sorry you have decided to part ways with Triumph.
Very informative. I have been thinking of purchasing a Triumph as, many years ago, I had a 1969 Tiger 650. Best handling motorcycle I ever owned and it ran good as long as I adjusted points and valves every 1,000 miles and tore down and overhauled the carbs every 1,500 miles. I owned a couple of Honda road bikes after that and never had to touch them and they were absolutely trouble-free. I figured Triumphs had improved, but after hearing about your experience, I'll look at other manufacturers.
Thanks for your video, I think is not I direct problem of Triumph. I think every fresh released has such kinds of issues because the first buyers are the beta testers. So I will not buy any vehicles which is brand new on the marked. Let them first resolve the major problems. I think this is getting more a more common on any brand. Greetings from Germany.
I had the first generation triumph 1200 adventure, had multiple problems. Now back on the bmw 1250gsa, 2 years no issues, better than triumph. It’s sad because I really liked the triumph but lost all confidence in the bike and I want a reliable bike. However would consider the Yamaha t700 if I was going into the back country. Thanks for the video very enjoyable. Good time do make good stories 😊
How many miles have you done on the bike? It might not have been designed for such long distances over a short period. This bike definitely doesn’t handle water well. My TFT screen sometimes acts up when there’s humidity. I have the next generation of the Tiger Rally Pro do you think they have fix the problem (Water vs battery issue)?
Sorry to hear mate , hopefully 🤞 Triumph helps you out , and FIXES the problems ! I actually have a Moto Guzzi V85tt , 26,000km no problems , actually one small retune issue at 1500km but an easy fix . But some owners have had lots of issues. I also have had 3 Triumphs 1. A 955i Tiger - a bike to this day I have great memories off , 2. a 800 Tiger - I didn’t find in very exciting to ride , it did have a stepper motor issue , and a 1050 Tiger sport- was a fantastic trouble free bike. I would probably own another Triumph as I LOVE the triple engine . All bikes have their problems sounds like yours might have been put together on a Friday . Hopefully Triumph will do a recall of this issue. Regards Paul from Australia.
I'm really sorry that you had a bad ownership experience. I'm a dual sport and highway cruiser guy, but my cousin has a Triumph like yours. I'm definitely gonna share this video with him. Again, sorry for the bad experience. God bless you.
I have bought several bikes, a car, and a truck out of the US but back when the dollar was closer, say 90 cents. Just not sure if it would be as good a deal. The other thing I have heard is with some bikes, I think BMW was one, it is hard to get a recall certificate clearance from them which makes it difficult to get the RIV process thru. Anyway, happy to hear the next chapter and what your decision is. I went from a 2013 1200 Multistrada (not a real ADV bike) to the Honda CB500X (added the Rally Raid Level 2 kit) and am loving life. Really have to think about the passing though with 50 hp. I am 5 8 so on my tip toes at times. Lighter, I carry less (still 100 lbs at times), no passenger, but I also try and do 60% gravel, the highways just a necessary evil. The highways are the highest risk. My trips are generally much much much shorter, kinda like 12 days. Next year will be longer on my “end of the road” trip where I link up a bunch or roads that simply end (Wood Buffalo, east of Yellowknife, Whati, Wrigley, Nahanni Range Road, Canol North, then down along the BC coast picking up things like Telegraph Creek, and other dead ends reaching towards the Pacific. If money was no object, I would consider the Ducati Desert X but the downside is, you just cannot work on them yourself (easily) nor do they have a widespread dealer network. TransAlp (?) but I do not want tubed tires. The best thing is, for the most part, I have given up on bike envy and just ride. The bike will generally always be better than my skill set. I do have AMA to cover some of the towing but had no idea the Dalton would be that much. I expect the Dempster would be about 1500 - 2000 CAD depending on where you were. That would not get it to Whitehorse though.
Sorry to hear about you woes! I have been in the trade for 30 years now. I ride and have been riding a 350 royal enfield bullet ( iron barrelled ) 40 year old bike I has a on switch, an off switch , points and a high low on off for the lights If the battery runs flat it will run off the alternator the speedo happily tells me I'm doing some where between 50 and 80 kmh and I can buy all the spares at any auto shop ( as long as they sell points for any vehicle ) Sorry not a fan of modern bikes at all
Some of the first year of Tridents had a problem that they would just stall and wouldn't start. (See Two Wheels & An Engine channel) After a year there was a recall and a thin hose and two air intakes were replaced for free. I never had issues with stalling, but after the recall, it was like I was riding a different bike in terms of power.
The $5500 tow is a nightmare scenario. Is it possible to get insurance cover for such dilemmas when you adventure to the back of beyond? Good luck for the future.
I just wanted to take a moment and express how much I admire you and your exploits. In the '80s I would leave Northern Illinois on Friday evening after work ride to Cherokee North Carolina and as much of the Blue ridge parkway as I could and be home by 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. That was over 1,400 mi in about a 50 hour period. Now it's 2024 and riding a two to three hour afternoon loop to and around Skyline Drive is about as far as I venture. I'm at another end of the spectrum, instead of riding a few bikes many miles, I have ridden many bikes (over four dozen) a few miles in the last 4 years. Also, instead of spending $10,000-$20,000 on one bike, I'll spend $1,000-$2,500 each on a dozen bikes (I currently have two dozen, but working on cutting that in half). Next post above.
Anybody who thinks they can ride a bike all over the world like this guy has done without ever needing to use a zip tie or replace a battery makes me wonder what he’s done or where he’s been his whole life. This bike sounds top notch to me.
Hi, Thanks for making this Video. People need to know the problems people have with different Bikes before they purchase one. What a Headache of a Ride you had. I don’t think I will be Buying a Triumph either. By the way, I Ride a 2006 BMW R1200GS and have had no problems with it. I like not having all the Electronics to worry about. I’m pretty strict on Maintenance also. One thing though is I have the Time to tinker with the Bike and really look it over. I’m Disabled and not Working. Time is something a lot of People don’t have to go over their Bikes like I do.
I struggle to believe the fuel cap story. A leak that allows so much water to get in will have allowed fuel vapor to get out. You must have smelled it. If a seal was missing or misplaced right from the beginning, there was fuel odor right from the beginning, too.
I have a 2018 Triumph Tiger XCA 1200 and it is an awesome bike but I have seen the battery issue I just ordered one today and the old one is only 1 year old and it is a Yuasa.
Your video provided much food for thought, but I was even more interested in the comments and I read a whole bunch of them. It seems there is a contingency of long distance and/or adventure riders that take great pride in servicing their own motorcycles and I applaud them for that. I'm the other guy, I have my mechanic go from front tire to rear tire and everything in between And I expect the motorcycles to hold up between scheduled maintenance. I think the major motorcycle manufacturers are highly competitive and have excelled in their engineering and manufacturing prowess. I respect The apparent perspective and capabilities of many of the can do contributors to the comment section. But again, I'm the other guy that expects the manufacturers after 100 years of production to make motorcycles that can overcome the elements, especially wind, rain, and cold without breaking down. I've had four Triumphs, two past, two currently. Personally, if I was going as far as South America or Alaska on "multistrada" roads I would pick a Japanese motorcycle. I would recommend the DR 650 over the other thumpers, and I would pick the 650 or 1,000 V-Strom for durability. I do understand the popularity of the Tenere and Super Tenere.
Random question. I’m looking at his November 3, 2024 supposedly 15 hours after its posting. Am I experiencing déjà vu or was this testimonial posted previously? If not, I’ve certainly heard an almost exact story before!
2013 Explorer owner here. No issues - but it's a road bike (with the occasional polite dirt road) for me and I only have a bit over 50K miles on it (NOT the only bike I'm riding). 79 years old and I do pack a Dustrider Moto Hoist. Which, thankfully, I have yet to need. 😁 I did just buy a Speed 400 - but that's a different type of beast entirely.
Salty conditions (calcium chloride) are very nasty for every bike. It is an enemy for aluminium and electrical connectors. In northen europe they use roadsalt in the winter on the roads to prevent ice. You need to prepare your bike to ride in these conditions. One of them is to insulate your connectors for this salty stuf. Use a contact cleaner and preservation on the contact of the connectors and use a vaseline to cover the whole connector. After a riding day on satlty roads , clean your bike with water.
Don’t go near a KTM if absolute reliability is your basic requirement. The relatively few issues you’ve had with your Triumph(s) will pale into insignificance by comparison. BMW GS or Yamaha Tenere could be good options?
WOW, I "greatly" admire your riding travels/ adventures, you are probably in the upper 5/ 10% of how people ride and put their motorcycle through. Because of that, no matter which motorcycle you get next, you'll certainly put it through its paces (hopefully, it will be reliable and provide you no problems/ issues?!?).
We in South Africa are aware of the main fuse under the battery. Some guys changed the route by bringing it up to sit next to the battery. I have the 800 xcx 2015 and the 1200 xcx 2019 absolutely no issues. I also have the 660 and 750 Ténéré's both 1994 models. These were never sold in South Africa, came in as grey imports.
Thanks for that info Les. Bought the 2018 800-XCA 3 months ago in mint condition with a mere 10'079km on the clock. Definitely something to look in to.
Triumph bikes on market place in the UK are anywhere from thousands of pounds to lots and lots at a few hundred. The bit that was shocking to me is the big service cost @ 20k? Of £1200 to check the valves you have to remove the engine from the frame!
Had a t100 ,wiring harness looked like someone had thrown it on the frame it split opened round the head stock,wont start when warmed up,it came with a bent front rim from the factoy,nice bike to ride ,it looked good sitting at the side of the road waiting for a trailer.
Try the Honda TrasAlp 750. Honda Parts are available anywhere, and they’re a lot cheaper than Euro parts. I rode BMWs for decades, and I’ve owned a couple of KTMs. I rode a TransAlp the other day, and I’m sold on it. The Honda reliability and availability of cheaper points is the biggest buying point for me. 🏍️💨🏁
If I listened and acted on all the negative internet videos I would never buy any car , motorcycle or aircraft. With all three inspection and maintenance is key to a trouble free life.
If you fail to make the distinction between "negative internet videos" that say they wished something was better, more powerful, or more competitive; and videos where the machine stopped working due to basic failures in machining, metallurgy, electronics, or engineering. Well then, that's on you. Good luck on not learning from other peoples mistakes.
@@MrDavidfuchser The internet is the place those who take no responsibility to maintain the machines they have complain about poor products, a bit of pre or post inspection would have found a battery box full of water. There is a line to draw between poor design & manufacture and abuse & neglect of the machine. A year or so back I sold a Triumph 1050ST sprint that had worked faultlessly for the five years I had owned it, a week or so ago I ran into the new owner at a bike meet and he said that if he had seen the internet forums about the bike he would never have brought the bike from me. Rather concerned that I had sold him a lemon I ask about any trouble he has had with the bike ? Nothing says he…. The bike starts every time and the only maintenance required has been routine scheduled servicing and a new rear tyre. The 1050ST got replaced by a Moto Guzzi that has been totally reliable but there are owners of the bike on the internet slagging it off, one who is known to my local dealer. The dealer wishes he had never sold the bike to the guy as he has no mechanical sympathy and takes no care of the machine…………. If I had listened to the internet I would have never bought what has turned out to be a totally reliable and very rewarding bike that has only required scheduled maintenance and a set of tyres. The only conclusion I can draw is to be very careful with internet posts and try to sort the bike abusers from those with genuine issues.
I had a 2013 800XC with a missing air filter. I found out the hard way after a group ride in dusty conditions. So I guess they moved the worker responsible for the air filter installation to seal duty. 🤦♂
Funny... I have had a 800 XCA and a 900 RP. Put 70,000 K on the XCA and 35,000 on the RP and not a single problem of any kind and I have put them though all kinds of weather and mud
I had a 2023 Tiger 850, I feel your pain. The front end would bounce up and down at a high frequency at speeds over 50 kmh. After much arguing, emails to the dealer and Triumph head office, the dealer changed the front discs, front tire, even the wheel...still bouncing, never resolved it. The throttle was uneven...I'd hold it steady, and the rpm would vary up and down. The rear brake squeaked most of the time. The DIN outlet would work intermittently, then stopped working altogether. Occasionally, when downshifting from second to third, the engine would stall. Engine vibrations at highway speed were so bad, my hands went numb...and no cruise control available to mitigate it, even as an option, despite it being standard on the 900. I finally traded it in, at a loss, for a Yamaha Tracer 9...no offroad capability, but 100% problem free so far. Good luck on your next purchase!
$5500 tow bill?? You should be carrying 20 foot 1 inch wide tow strap. They take up very little room. Your friends could have taken turns towing you behind their bikes. That's what we do.
I had the same experience as you with the older tiger. Rented a 800 in '14 in CA to ride around the desert in and loved it. Its a shame to hear about your issues with the newer models but hopefully Triumph takes note and fixes them.
It's a shame you got bit by the flooded battery box which was also a problem with the Tiger 800. The solution was to hang the pointy end of a zip tie down the hole so it would keep leaves, calcium chloride, etc. from plugging it.
Your negative comments are in fact a lack of maintenance by you. Your lack of inspections and proper cleaning of the bike resulted in the majority of these issues. If you are going to be doing heavy off road trips, look after your machine. Also, you should know that after heavy downpours you should dry your bike properly and inspect seals and gaskets. Doesn’t matter what machine you get next time, if you are lazy with maintenance, expect to have similar issues.
I have at ridden at least 250k miles on motorcycles and have never dried a motorcycle off after riding it in the rain, if anything I might rinse off the road grime which is way more intrusive.
Nice honest review. Took a while before you got to the point, but ok. You don't get much wiser from only hurray stories. A bit more footage of the designers flaws would have been welcome.
Yea, I guess that experience would put me off Tiger's as well. Calcium chloride is nasty stuff, and I seem to remember watching an Africa Twin falling prey to electrical issue doing that route. I guess you'll be checking the battery box on those test rides ;-)
I’ve been riding motorcycles for the past 34 years and my conclusion is that at my advanced age (56) it’s just not worth buying anything which is not made by the 4 Japanese brands. Sure, you may buy a little more performance, creature comfort or technology but most of the time it comes back to bite you in the form of reduced reliability… Thats just my 2 cents. Your money you decide.🍻🍻
Just bought a new 2024 Tiger GT PRO. After 40 miles the fuel pump failed, the brakes were really noisy and on the first service in October they found a couple of rubber o rings in the chain were coming out. To add insult to injury the replacement chain will be here in January ! Nothing as serious as your bike but disappointing in a brand new machine. Love the bike though.
Good review and unfortunately Triumph did not do well technologically with the Tiger TFT and MyTriumph app. Same problem here and had it to the same place in Fife (SoSo Cycle) w/o getting it resolved. I love the Tiger 900 GT in every other way though!
Apart from the fuel cap gasket, it really sounds like a lack of preventative maintenance - especially considering some of the conditions that you described. Or perhaps you were just really. really unlucky. Either way, enjoy your next bike.
I'm a 02 tiger 955 owner, minimal electronics, no Rider modes and no abs. Not sure when it's going to die but I have a 115,000 miles on it and is still going strong. I dread the day I have to buy a new bike with all the electronic bull crap on them nowadays. My only issue was the stator and rectifier. They still don't put in quality rectifiers and stators. I'm going to stick with an early 2000s model not sure what brand if I have to buy another bike.
Good honest review of your experiences with Trumph Wayne. No bike maker is perfect and each brand has their good/bad, but its poor quality control that the bike came out of the factory without a correct seal around the fuel cap, and obviously it's a design flaw to have the wiring harness in a location so susceptible to water. Too bad this all costed you a fortune and in the end you ended up without a bike, but wish you the best in the future with whatever new brand you end up choosing!
After all the issues I had with my 2023 1200 GT Explorer I am done with them as well. I bought it new for about $30k (Cad), put 13,000km on it and was only able to get $21k about 18 months later. 2 places offered me $16,000 and 2 others didn't even want it. Sure, you get some good bikes and some bad ones but there have just been too many bad ones out there. Too bad as I really liked that bike, but I did not trust it so it had to go. My next ADV bike will probably be an Africa Twin.
@kyleturner6829 I had the clutch bled about 5 times, then they must have done it wrong as it burned out and had to be replaced. Left me stranded about 3000 miles from home and I had to rent a Uhaul truck to drive it home. When they replaced the clutch, they did it wrong and it was leaking both oil and driveshaft fluid. It was caught when I traded it in and the mechanic said it would have seized in about 600 miles. The tire pressure monitor was broken and something else, can't remember right now. I had it at 4 different Dealers and none of them seemed to know how to fix it. Even changing the oil is different from any other bike and I am not sure a regular mechanic would know that. Triumph did change the clutch design for the 2024 model year, except in Canada, we get the crappy design until 2025.
My 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 RP has been through calcium chloride mud on the Dempster twice to the Arctic Ocean as well as thick New Mexico, Colorado and Idaho BDR mud - 30,000 + miles without a single issue! Original battery to this day. Has never failed to start or get me home once. I love this bike!!
@@mauihugebong That's what we like to hear 👍
Same! Never had an issue with my Tigers!
well you probably took care of it, some of the issues he had were his own doing, not Triumph. It's like saying I rode thru salt water in the ocean, bike had salt water up to the seat height, and is a triumph design issue. battery drain was clogged with mud and grime, so water poodled in and caused a short... triumph bad design.
Honestly all of these problems sound like they could have happened to any bike. I don't think you will ever find a 100% reliable bike, especially when you are riding it in extreme conditions.
I bought a super Tenere simply because I got tired of working on my KTM and wanted something I could just simply ride, been flawless not one single issue ever.
Those Super T's are nearly immortal - great choice!
A used low mileage Super T is the best value out there , bar non.
ItchyBoots driving one now
@@ericpiepers3354 No she is not . . .
I rode mine (Super Tenere) 140,000 never put a penny in repairs
All of these problems are ones that would affect almost any bike, and especially any modern bike, if you think the issues with the Triumph are bad, don't even think about getting a BMW, Ducatti or KTM.
I am putting this at the top of this thread because it highlights the importance of good daily inspections after a long day in the saddle.
All vehicles that operate in challenging environmental conditions require daily inspections and some level of cleaning or service. We ride our dual-sport bikes in Baja, and keeping the air filters free of sand is critical. We also have a side-by-side support vehicle, and its air filter is located for easy access. I own four motorcycles, including the KTM 500 Exc. Nothing says high maintenance louder than a KTM Ready to Race bike. Read a KTM service manual and see what is recommended after each race!!!
People who buy ADV bikes are often city folk looking to get out there and explore, which is excellent. People who live and work on a farm, in the bush or in the far north will take care of their equipment and watch over it carefully, looking for any issues or concerns to avoid the long walk of shame. Individuals who do not follow this wisdom often try to say the problem is with the manufacturer. However, the community of farmers, loggers, oilmen, etc., will quickly point out that many others have been running the same equipment for years without any issue, so perhaps the problem is with the loose nut behind the steering wheel.
Wayne and I are good riding buddies, so I know Wayne is not that guy. However, a little extra attention on the Tiger that trip might have prevented a big tow bill. I said might have, not would have. I also own a Tiger, 2015 800 XCX, since new.
Before motorbikes, everyone rode a horse. After a long day on the horse, riders knew to take care of the horse first. Unsaddle the horse, feed the horse, clean the horse, and tend to any injuries, cuts, or bruises.
Tending to your horse first is well-earned wisdom that, if adopted by ADV riders, would significantly reduce the impact on their pocketbooks. If you are only riding around the city streets, then daily inspections can be quick; however, a check each weekend is still recommended.
For reference, Round the World Paul, RTWPaul, has built motorbikes for years and most recently built some high-end KTM Baja bikes for customers of Mike at Taco Moto Co. RTWPaul has some very informative blogs that provide great suggestions on tools, service, and preventive maintenance.
For example, following Paul's recommendation, all the fasteners on my Tiger 800, KTM 500 and WR250R have been marked with yellow paint. It takes moments to walk around each bike and know all the screws, bolts, and nuts are still correctly torqued. Removing and replacing wheels on the trail is very fast, as I do not need a torque wrench; I line the paint marks back up, and everything is 100% perfect, including the alignment of the chain.
Another good riding buddy of mine, Quentin, sold his much beloved Tuareg 660 and picked up a new Yamaha T700. The Turaeg was great, but getting parts here in Canada is a serious problem, and Quentin likes to push his ADV bike into the same trails where we ride our dual-sport bikes. He loved the bike, but every time he needed a new part, it could take weeks and sometimes a couple of months for the parts to arrive. By contrast, Yamaha dealerships and replacement parts are everywhere, including in western Canada and Baja Mexico.
So, for some of us in the Great White North, parts and part availability can be a major concern when deciding which ADV bike to buy.
This
Good advice, agree wholeheartedly except for things that are design flaws.
When you say yellow paint, do you mean a small park on the bolt/screw and on the frame so you tighten to the same place? I tend to do that if I have to do a fix on the road, but I see it as a good idea to check as a walk around.
@dougiverson4297 Yup, check all your fasteners with a torque wrench and then when correct mark them with an automotive marking paint pen. This is a fun little project when we cannot be out riding but still want to putter on the bike.
💯 spot on deferred maintenance will always come back to haunt you always.
are you supposed to pull the battery out and check for build up every time you ride on challenging road conditions? triumph just did not expect that to happen.
I’m from the U.K. and I bought a 955i Triumph Speed Triple. It was pre registered with 300 miles on the clock so in mint condition. The gear changes kept finding false neutrals and one time when I was riding in Spain I changed in to a false neutrals and the gear box made a hideous noise and went dead. It was under warranty so they fixed it for free but I had to get in back to London. I now only buy Japanese bikes and cars, they have the reliability
Most European bikes are built mainly for looks. 😂
Sounds exactly like my 1994 b.m.w. r1100rs
False neutrals between gears, then finally stopped to fill up the tank at a gas station, jumped on the bike, hit the throttle and the gear box blew out, can to a stop and just heard gears grinding, and left me stranded,
Now it just sits broke down in the garage.
Finally found a parts bike, but still it sits, haven't had the time or patience to even look at it.
I'm never buying another B.M.W.
P.o.s.
Junk.
So sorry for your poor experience. 29,976 miles on my 2020 RP. Wet days, dry days. Truly a life of hard riding on an alluvial plane. She has never let me down. Nary a hiccup as of yet.
Some great maintenance tips and touring hacks here.
Just a reminder that the time spent to check and maintain your bike isn’t just a personal responsibility, it’s a group thing too. There’s often tremendous pressure to leg over and get riding, rather than hold up the group. The other riders need to be tolerant of that.
You can switch out of off road mode while riding by pressing and holding the mode button. Then it goes into road mode. From there you can go back to sport mode (my favorite). I have wondered about the single gas cap gasket on my ‘24 RP. It doesn’t look like it would work. But I never smell fuel. Maybe there is negative pressure in the tank for emissions and it subsequently inhales water thru the cap? Hmmmm. I only have 12,000 miles so far.
Sure. But you cannot go to off-road mode without a bike's full stop. At least on my 900 Rally (2022).
Most motorcycles have too many electronics on them these days. That's the main reason I bought a Tenere. Less things to go wrong. But a lot of folks like the rider modes and stuff. It's the price you pay for luxury I guess. I hope your next bike is less trouble.
Yeap thats why I love my 2011 Tiger 800xc. Perfect fueling. Just keep things clean and maintained and she will last a lifetime. A guy in Germany has put 150,000km on his.
Have a look at Noraly's "Itchiboots" her latest bike is a Tenere 600 of 1987, very much the same setup as a Suzuki DR 650, a simple as possible, very low on electronics (virtually zero), reliable indestructible workhorses that just won't give up.
😄 Have a look at what that German guy did with the bike before they sent her off.
@@festushansen2362 Yep....I was about to make the same comment. Virtually a full rebuild and reconfigure to iron out known flaws with the old design.
Funny you talk about electronics reliabilty. If it is designed right then this is not a problem. I've had fuel injected cars since mid 80s and never had a problem. Last carbureted bike I had from new was 2011 DR650. That carburetor gave me occasional grief due to plugging jets and I had to run non-ethahol premium fuel to avoid pulling it apart periodically to clean. Carbs never run as good or as efficiently as EFI and never going back.
The gas cap was not "poor design by Triumph" if the guy fixed it with seals from another Triumph. The problem was likely bad seals they bought from some seal maker. Probably the same seals used in many brands. Most people just don't expose their bikes to the elements you do.
Not sure what you think other mfgs are doing to keep water out of the battery enclosure. They all have to put drains in them. If you happen to clog their drains, it could happen to any of them.
I thought he said the gasket simply wasn't there, and likely hadn't even been installed in the first place, a QA/QC issue but indeed not a design issue. Also not 'bad seals from the seal maker' since it wasn't even there, unless it failed/broke and fell off somewhere, then you could blame the seals from the seal maker. Otherwise it's the assembly as the problem, still a Triumph issue but not the design, and not the seal maker either.
27,400 miles on my ‘21 Rally Pro. True 50/50 mix of on/off road. Fault free… Does off road like a dirt bike, twisties like a sport bike, crushes miles like a HD. This is my 4th modern Triumph. All have been fault free. But then again, I owned a motorcycle shop. Minor tech niggles are not game changers. I do all my own maintenance. But no excuse if faults come up due to poor design. Haven’t had any of your issues, guess I’m lucky? Maybe? Or as a mechanic, I may pay closer attention to little things.
Test ride the suzuki vstrom 800de. I recently bought one and it fits me well
Thanks for the video, very informative. Getting ready to retire and want to get into adventure riding, and was looking at an older Triumph Tiger 900 rally pro, a 2020-2022. Seems like most of the issues you had can be corrected if you know about them, so thanks for the heads up!
Super happy with my ‘23 Tiger 900 Rally Pro. Thanks for The heads-up! I will zip-tire the wire and drill holes in the battery compartment
@@sebastianw2363 you’re welcome
I have a 2024 Tiger 900 GT. I am going to go home and make sure my box is drilled. Problem solved. I understand why this guy is jaded after dropping that much coin, but all brands will have some sort of issue, and you're going to have new problems to learn when switching to a different brand. Also, as he stated, I tend to avoid the first year of any new generation vehicle. There is always problems to sort out.
I recently purchased an 800 XC, 2014 model and rode it from Durban to Cape Town, South Africa, across the vast plains of the central Karoo in punishing heat. This was after I sold a 1200 Tiger recently, also because it is just too heavy for someone my age. In any case, the 800 was a total champ, did not miss a beat, just kept going. In Cape Town I got caught in heavy rain and had to wait it out for an hour while the bike stood in the rain, and it fired up first time, and did not miss a beat on the two-day trip back to Durban. My prior bike was a Super Tenere, but the smoothness of the triple has won me over. Neither one of my triumphs has ever let me down, apart from the odd flat tire. Not saying it is the best bike, not saying it is the worst. It is what I choose at this time for my riding style, environment and comfort levels.
thanks, I will check my 2022 Tiger more closely before my next ride. Now at 40,000 miles, some very heavy rain with no problems...I'll try to keep it that way.
I did have a fuel issue with a 2016 Tiger, rough running after a full day of rain. I wrote it off to water in the gas, never checked the tank lid gasket.
Try a Honda Transalp 750. The 2025 model has a nicer looking headlight but that doesn't bother me on the 1st edition. Super reliable, capable dual sport bike.
No comment about my triumph experience because it would be from too long ago (early 1980's). A good buddy had his "experience" with the 1200 rally series. Never again after three separate shaft drive failures. He rides a Duc MS PP and I ride a KSTM 1290 SAS (2023).
I'm from Australia and I owned a 2018 XCA from new. I had similar experiences with the connectivity unit, and the off road was just straight out annoying. Something I couldn't understand why Triumph wouldn't/couldn't change. I damaged the front wheel rim in a slow impact fall which required replacing. 8 months to have a new rim sent from the UK, other parts are usually months before arrival here in Aus. Other motorcycle brands can generally have them here in weeks.
I'd heard of other issues similar to the ones on this site, and although not experiencing any major problems, due to the generally poor support from the Triumph dealership network in my State, I off loaded what was a good bike and went to another brand.
I just got a 24 Triumph Scrambler 400X and absolutely Love it.I’ve already rode it everywhere i rode my heavy clumsy 22 KLR. My Triumph was made by Bajaj , the same company that makes KTM models not Thailand. I guess time will tell how dependable the Scrambler is but so far so good, I’ve only rode in one torrential downpour during the typhoon that blew through Tennessee this year. I hope your next bike is as tough as you are. Good luck and thanks for your awesome videos so far.
Thank you. Appreciate the comments
I experienced a very similar issue with my old Tiger 800XC, where the battery space drain hole got blocked and filled with water, and blew the fuse. Interesting to hear this design flaw wasn't sorted on the 900.
Bought a Kawasaki Versys 650 last year , got caught in the worst rain storm I had ever rode in a lifetime , three hour night ride on a motorway of complete deluge , the Versys never even flickered or dimmed any light , no fuelling issues , just lubed the chain the next day .
Confirming that the Versys is a bomb proof bike. I own a 2009 model. It's clunky and top heavy, but insanely robust.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries are a quality company and the Versys really is a great ride for what it is. Only thing is I find the engine a bit dull and extremely vibey on the bikes I’ve tried.
I love my Tiger 800 but this kind of riding is calling out for a Tenere 700 or Africa Twin.
Thanks for the insights, as an older rider looking at the ADV world, I like the Tiger, although I’ve been riding Japanese machines all my life its not like never had issues, first new Suzuki i ever bought in the late 90’s had a leaking fuel cap replaced under warranty, also if you ever owned a first generation Honda V four you will know what im talking about. Feel bad as the machine let you down a few too many times but thats how things go hopefully Triumph is listening and will correct those faults and make future machines more reliable in tough conditions.
Never had a moments trouble with my 2021 Tigger 900 RP. Not sure your experiences are Triumph-only problems
Great vid. Right now I'd steer clear of KTM. That camshaft issue could be the end of them. No recall on bikes and everything done on a case by case goodwill basis. Every make can have issues. Every factory can have Friday afternoon bikes. I see a big G S in your vid. Great bikes but i know of people who wouldn't touch BMW with a long stick after problems with electrics. I'd give triumph another go👍
Wayne, thank you for this video. You bring up some good points about the pitfalls of bringing a super-sophisticated machine into wild, inhospitable areas. That's an adventure! But, honestly, it's rolling the dice if you're not a mechanic. If there was an easy solution to adventure riding, you'd have already bought another bike before making this video. I have a 2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 and love it, but, for me, it's main purpose is road touring. I like the upright riding position, power, and capacity. It has proven to be a very reliable bike. For dual sport, I ride a dead-simple modified Suzuki DR650. With the Suzuki, I can basically fix anything myself. Great engagement and views on your video. I subscribed.
Thank you John
When do we get to hear about the new bike? What did you choose?
@@twowheeladventures63 soon.
Will you make a video reviewing the bikes that you test ride? Let us know if you test ride the Aprilia Tuareg 660
I'm so sorry for all the trials and tribulations you've had with your bike, Wayne. But I love following your adventures! Can't wait to see what bike you end up with for your next big adventure!!!
Hey I learned 30 years ago to typically not buy a first generation complex product. They usually sort out the issues due to warranty failures and incorporate the fixes into subsequent generation continuous improvement. My 2019 XCA is case in point, hundreds of small changes from the 2012 version before they moved on to the 900. Thanks for sharing all this in a typical Canadian way, as I am .... humble, honest and not full of drama..LOL
@@bearybeegrowler1213 thank you
tenere700 is a smaller but bulletproof bike. Now I have Africa Twin 2022 57k km without major problems last month I rode trought worst disaster in Spanish history(flood in Valencia-Andalucia) and no problem. I had only oil consumption! A pint of oil in 1000miles ..sorted to adding thicker oil and not 10W30 like honda adding. One bearing gone , and touch screen replaced under warranty but nothing to stop you ride. Ride safe Gringo!!
Thank you amigo
I came from a magnificent Tiger 800 XCA 2018 to a Tiger 900 RP 2021. This latter had a potential to be the best ever bike I had between my legs. It basically checked all boxes beyond expectations. However, the recurring alerts from the TPMS-sensors were driving me nuts, but I kind of managed it. The dealbreaker for me though was the übermarketed T-cranked engine, as a die-hard triple fan I just could not stand the inorganic vibrations above 5.5k rpm. (How Triumph responded to this with the latest upgrade? They used rubber cushioning of the handlebar and I think in the footpegs. I call it cheapo corner cutting instead of fixing the balancing somehow internally). Also, I am getting the feeling that Triumph bikes are getting overpriced for the value i.e. not worth the extra premium. Just look at the "new" 800 Sport. Sad.
Of course your Disaster video was a hit, we love the drama and perseverance, especially on 2 wheels!
Triumph have some excellent bikes but I wouldn’t buy any of them. Same can be said for most European brands but again, I wouldn’t buy them for the one simple reason, reliability. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki. Try a Suzuki V Strom 1050. It might fit the bill for you.
Sounds like you had one hell of an adventure. I remember reading that something like 60% plus adventure bike riders never take on the kinds of excursions you went on, so the bikes are built more for the casual riders who might take their bikes on some light trails but nothing major.
Then when a bike is put through its paces by the smaller percentage of riders like you, you guys tend to be the ones cutting your teeth on design flaws.
Still, I love my Tiger 900 Rally Pro and have had no issues with it, but I’m mostly a street rider. Great videos and I hope you find a bike that can match your endurance!
Thank you
The advertising for these bikes is designed to make people think these bikes can go anywhere and do anything.
Then you buy a skidplate for the bike (from Triumph!) and it includes a disclaimer which reads: "Do not exceed 75 mph with this installed. Not for use offroad."
I have a 2016 800xc. Bought it used with 40k on it. Put on another 40k since owning it. Great bike, never broke down. Love this bike. Biggest issue now is parts being obsolete. I plan on riding her for as long as possible. Next bike will be another Tiger. Sorry you have decided to part ways with Triumph.
Issue with parts for 8-year old motorcycle? I have 30-year old Honda and there is not any issue with parts!
Good luck on your bike search. I had A 2017 Africa Twin but about 9 months ago I traded it in for a Honda Transalp. No regrets
Very informative. I have been thinking of purchasing a Triumph as, many years ago, I had a 1969 Tiger 650. Best handling motorcycle I ever owned and it ran good as long as I adjusted points and valves every 1,000 miles and tore down and overhauled the carbs every 1,500 miles. I owned a couple of Honda road bikes after that and never had to touch them and they were absolutely trouble-free. I figured Triumphs had improved, but after hearing about your experience, I'll look at other manufacturers.
You like light bikes, my suggestion is go try the kove 800X Pro
Sorry to know the troubles you faced… Thanks for sharing. i just struck off tiger 900 from my options list - to upgrade from a Vstorm 650.
I have a Triumph and a vstrom 650. Had enough bikes to know I'll regret getting rid of the Strom. Nothing will ever be as reliable.
Thanks for your video, I think is not I direct problem of Triumph. I think every fresh released has such kinds of issues because the first buyers are the beta testers. So I will not buy any vehicles which is brand new on the marked. Let them first resolve the major problems. I think this is getting more a more common on any brand. Greetings from Germany.
I had a Triumph 800 Tiger a few years back. It was bought second hand. It was a tank, loved that bike.
Same thing happened to my scrambler 1200. Front sensor cable was damaged on the tire!
Bad design!!!
I had the first generation triumph 1200 adventure, had multiple problems. Now back on the bmw 1250gsa, 2 years no issues, better than triumph. It’s sad because I really liked the triumph but lost all confidence in the bike and I want a reliable bike. However would consider the Yamaha t700 if I was going into the back country. Thanks for the video very enjoyable. Good time do make good stories 😊
I like 400 lb or less . Is that weight with all your stuff onboard ?
No. That’s the dry weight. It’s a big bike
Hmmnn...electronics issues......is Triumph still using Lucas electrics?
I heard they don’t anymore but…
How many miles have you done on the bike? It might not have been designed for such long distances over a short period. This bike definitely doesn’t handle water well. My TFT screen sometimes acts up when there’s humidity. I have the next generation of the Tiger Rally Pro do you think they have fix the problem (Water vs battery issue)?
46000 on this bike. Over 200,000 on all bikes
I feel really bad for you. You must have a hard life. But don’t worry, I’m sure things will get better for you.😭
Some people bring it on themselves and blame others for it.
Sorry to hear mate , hopefully 🤞 Triumph helps you out , and FIXES the problems ! I actually have a Moto Guzzi V85tt , 26,000km no problems , actually one small retune issue at 1500km but an easy fix . But some owners have had lots of issues. I also have had 3 Triumphs 1. A 955i Tiger - a bike to this day I have great memories off , 2. a 800 Tiger - I didn’t find in very exciting to ride , it did have a stepper motor issue , and a 1050 Tiger sport- was a fantastic trouble free bike. I would probably own another Triumph as I LOVE the triple engine . All bikes have their problems sounds like yours might have been put together on a Friday . Hopefully Triumph will do a recall of this issue.
Regards
Paul from Australia.
Euro bike quirks. Personally i would go with a Japanese bike. Yamaha t7 world raid, Africa twin...
Suggestion, disregard bragging rights on ownership of expensive brands and get yourself a Suzuki V Strom 650 or 800. They just go forever.
That is the answer. I am on my 5th 650 Vstrom and have done a total of 340,000 km. Only issue I have had is stator failure on the 2010 at 40,000 km.
I agree with the 650 ❤
I'm really sorry that you had a bad ownership experience. I'm a dual sport and highway cruiser guy, but my cousin has a Triumph like yours. I'm definitely gonna share this video with him. Again, sorry for the bad experience. God bless you.
Thank you
I would like to know what the most reliable bike in your group was?
@@richardcasey7521 there were 4. 1250 GSA, 800 GSA, KTM 890, and DR 650
Some bikes have problems, I own a 2022 Tiger Rally Pro 1200 and a Bonneville T120 beat bikes I’ve owned in 35 years of many manufacturers.
Honda?
I have bought several bikes, a car, and a truck out of the US but back when the dollar was closer, say 90 cents. Just not sure if it would be as good a deal. The other thing I have heard is with some bikes, I think BMW was one, it is hard to get a recall certificate clearance from them which makes it difficult to get the RIV process thru.
Anyway, happy to hear the next chapter and what your decision is.
I went from a 2013 1200 Multistrada (not a real ADV bike) to the Honda CB500X (added the Rally Raid Level 2 kit) and am loving life. Really have to think about the passing though with 50 hp. I am 5 8 so on my tip toes at times. Lighter, I carry less (still 100 lbs at times), no passenger, but I also try and do 60% gravel, the highways just a necessary evil. The highways are the highest risk. My trips are generally much much much shorter, kinda like 12 days. Next year will be longer on my “end of the road” trip where I link up a bunch or roads that simply end (Wood Buffalo, east of Yellowknife, Whati, Wrigley, Nahanni Range Road, Canol North, then down along the BC coast picking up things like Telegraph Creek, and other dead ends reaching towards the Pacific.
If money was no object, I would consider the Ducati Desert X but the downside is, you just cannot work on them yourself (easily) nor do they have a widespread dealer network. TransAlp (?) but I do not want tubed tires. The best thing is, for the most part, I have given up on bike envy and just ride. The bike will generally always be better than my skill set.
I do have AMA to cover some of the towing but had no idea the Dalton would be that much. I expect the Dempster would be about 1500 - 2000 CAD depending on where you were. That would not get it to Whitehorse though.
What happened with ICBC?
No go
@@WayneKoufsWorldTour ohh, that's unfortunate.
Sorry to hear about you woes! I have been in the trade for 30 years now. I ride and have been riding a 350 royal enfield bullet ( iron barrelled ) 40 year old bike I has a on switch, an off switch , points and a high low on off for the lights If the battery runs flat it will run off the alternator the speedo happily tells me I'm doing some where between 50 and 80 kmh and I can buy all the spares at any auto shop ( as long as they sell points for any vehicle ) Sorry not a fan of modern bikes at all
Some of the first year of Tridents had a problem that they would just stall and wouldn't start. (See Two Wheels & An Engine channel) After a year there was a recall and a thin hose and two air intakes were replaced for free. I never had issues with stalling, but after the recall, it was like I was riding a different bike in terms of power.
The $5500 tow is a nightmare scenario.
Is it possible to get insurance cover for such dilemmas when you adventure to the back of beyond?
Good luck for the future.
My towing insurance company did indeed end up reimbursing me $3100 CN. So I got some of it back
@ Good to hear 👍
I'd have hidden my bike, hitched a lift, and came back in a van
I just wanted to take a moment and express how much I admire you and your exploits. In the '80s I would leave Northern Illinois on Friday evening after work ride to Cherokee North Carolina and as much of the Blue ridge parkway as I could and be home by 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. That was over 1,400 mi in about a 50 hour period. Now it's 2024 and riding a two to three hour afternoon loop to and around Skyline Drive is about as far as I venture. I'm at another end of the spectrum, instead of riding a few bikes many miles, I have ridden many bikes (over four dozen) a few miles in the last 4 years. Also, instead of spending $10,000-$20,000 on one bike, I'll spend $1,000-$2,500 each on a dozen bikes (I currently have two dozen, but working on cutting that in half). Next post above.
Anybody who thinks they can ride a bike all over the world like this guy has done without ever needing to use a zip tie or replace a battery makes me wonder what he’s done or where he’s been his whole life. This bike sounds top notch to me.
You are joking?
Seems like the guy caused the Triumph to have too many problems, not the Triumph caused him any...
Very good indeed.😊
That's what I thought - he's at the very extreme end of use. The bike will be fine for the vast majority.
Hi, Thanks for making this Video. People need to know the problems people have with different Bikes before they purchase one. What a Headache of a Ride you had. I don’t think I will be Buying a Triumph either. By the way, I Ride a 2006 BMW R1200GS and have had no problems with it. I like not having all the Electronics to worry about. I’m pretty strict on Maintenance also. One thing though is I have the Time to tinker with the Bike and really look it over. I’m Disabled and not Working. Time is something a lot of People don’t have to go over their Bikes like I do.
I struggle to believe the fuel cap story. A leak that allows so much water to get in will have allowed fuel vapor to get out. You must have smelled it.
If a seal was missing or misplaced right from the beginning, there was fuel odor right from the beginning, too.
@@michaelg2x there was a fuel odor. But could not fine the source
I have a 2018 Triumph Tiger XCA 1200 and it is an awesome bike but I have seen the battery issue I just ordered one today and the old one is only 1 year old and it is a Yuasa.
May I suggest a Suzuki 800 DE. Plenty of power and it's a Suzuki.
Your video provided much food for thought, but I was even more interested in the comments and I read a whole bunch of them. It seems there is a contingency of long distance and/or adventure riders that take great pride in servicing their own motorcycles and I applaud them for that. I'm the other guy, I have my mechanic go from front tire to rear tire and everything in between And I expect the motorcycles to hold up between scheduled maintenance. I think the major motorcycle manufacturers are highly competitive and have excelled in their engineering and manufacturing prowess. I respect The apparent perspective and capabilities of many of the can do contributors to the comment section. But again, I'm the other guy that expects the manufacturers after 100 years of production to make motorcycles that can overcome the elements, especially wind, rain, and cold without breaking down. I've had four Triumphs, two past, two currently. Personally, if I was going as far as South America or Alaska on "multistrada" roads I would pick a Japanese motorcycle. I would recommend the DR 650 over the other thumpers, and I would pick the 650 or 1,000 V-Strom for durability. I do understand the popularity of the Tenere and Super Tenere.
Thank you for your comments. I'm the "other guy" too.
Still riding my 2008 v-strom 1000.
But, I don't do long rides on it.
I zip around town on it.
Random question. I’m looking at his November 3, 2024 supposedly 15 hours after its posting. Am I experiencing déjà vu or was this testimonial posted previously? If not, I’ve certainly heard an almost exact story before!
It happened to him 2 months ago
2013 Explorer owner here. No issues - but it's a road bike (with the occasional polite dirt road) for me and I only have a bit over 50K miles on it (NOT the only bike I'm riding). 79 years old and I do pack a Dustrider Moto Hoist. Which, thankfully, I have yet to need. 😁
I did just buy a Speed 400 - but that's a different type of beast entirely.
Salty conditions (calcium chloride) are very nasty for every bike. It is an enemy for aluminium and electrical connectors. In northen europe they use roadsalt in the winter on the roads to prevent ice. You need to prepare your bike to ride in these conditions. One of them is to insulate your connectors for this salty stuf. Use a contact cleaner and preservation on the contact of the connectors and use a vaseline to cover the whole connector. After a riding day on satlty roads , clean your bike with water.
Don’t go near a KTM if absolute reliability is your basic requirement. The relatively few issues you’ve had with your Triumph(s) will pale into insignificance by comparison. BMW GS or Yamaha Tenere could be good options?
@@grahamgraham4263 those are on my shortlist
WOW, I "greatly" admire your riding travels/ adventures, you are probably in the upper 5/ 10% of how people ride and put their motorcycle through. Because of that, no matter which motorcycle you get next, you'll certainly put it through its paces (hopefully, it will be reliable and provide you no problems/ issues?!?).
We in South Africa are aware of the main fuse under the battery. Some guys changed the route by bringing it up to sit next to the battery. I have the 800 xcx 2015 and the 1200 xcx 2019 absolutely no issues. I also have the 660 and 750 Ténéré's both 1994 models. These were never sold in South Africa, came in as grey imports.
Thanks for that info Les. Bought the 2018 800-XCA 3 months ago in mint condition with a mere 10'079km on the clock. Definitely something to look in to.
Triumph bikes on market place in the UK are anywhere from thousands of pounds to lots and lots at a few hundred. The bit that was shocking to me is the big service cost @ 20k? Of £1200 to check the valves you have to remove the engine from the frame!
Had a t100 ,wiring harness looked like someone had thrown it on the frame it split opened round the head stock,wont start when warmed up,it came with a bent front rim from the factoy,nice bike to ride ,it looked good sitting at the side of the road waiting for a trailer.
Try the Honda TrasAlp 750. Honda Parts are available anywhere, and they’re a lot cheaper than Euro parts. I rode BMWs for decades, and I’ve owned a couple of KTMs. I rode a TransAlp the other day, and I’m sold on it. The Honda reliability and availability of cheaper points is the biggest buying point for me. 🏍️💨🏁
Suzuki far better than Honda...Honda are on par with the Italian and Chinese when it comes to electrics...rectifiers especially!
If I listened and acted on all the negative internet videos I would never buy any car , motorcycle or aircraft. With all three inspection and maintenance is key to a trouble free life.
If you fail to make the distinction between "negative internet videos" that say they wished something was better, more powerful, or more competitive; and videos where the machine stopped working due to basic failures in machining, metallurgy, electronics, or engineering. Well then, that's on you. Good luck on not learning from other peoples mistakes.
@@MrDavidfuchser The internet is the place those who take no responsibility to maintain the machines they have complain about poor products, a bit of pre or post inspection would have found a battery box full of water. There is a line to draw between poor design & manufacture and abuse & neglect of the machine. A year or so back I sold a Triumph 1050ST sprint that had worked faultlessly for the five years I had owned it, a week or so ago I ran into the new owner at a bike meet and he said that if he had seen the internet forums about the bike he would never have brought the bike from me. Rather concerned that I had sold him a lemon I ask about any trouble he has had with the bike ? Nothing says he…. The bike starts every time and the only maintenance required has been routine scheduled servicing and a new rear tyre. The 1050ST got replaced by a Moto Guzzi that has been totally reliable but there are owners of the bike on the internet slagging it off, one who is known to my local dealer. The dealer wishes he had never sold the bike to the guy as he has no mechanical sympathy and takes no care of the machine…………. If I had listened to the internet I would have never bought what has turned out to be a totally reliable and very rewarding bike that has only required scheduled maintenance and a set of tyres. The only conclusion I can draw is to be very careful with internet posts and try to sort the bike abusers from those with genuine issues.
@@MrDavidfuchser Very well said lad!
Most of the issues experienced here are from the rider not properly caring for the bike
I had a 2013 800XC with a missing air filter. I found out the hard way after a group ride in dusty conditions. So I guess they moved the worker responsible for the air filter installation to seal duty. 🤦♂
@@zedpoutine 😂
Funny... I have had a 800 XCA and a 900 RP. Put 70,000 K on the XCA and 35,000 on the RP and not a single problem of any kind and I have put them though all kinds of weather and mud
I had a 2023 Tiger 850, I feel your pain.
The front end would bounce up and down at a high frequency at speeds over 50 kmh. After much arguing, emails to the dealer and Triumph head office, the dealer changed the front discs, front tire, even the wheel...still bouncing, never resolved it. The throttle was uneven...I'd hold it steady, and the rpm would vary up and down. The rear brake squeaked most of the time. The DIN outlet would work intermittently, then stopped working altogether. Occasionally, when downshifting from second to third, the engine would stall. Engine vibrations at highway speed were so bad, my hands went numb...and no cruise control available to mitigate it, even as an option, despite it being standard on the 900. I finally traded it in, at a loss, for a Yamaha Tracer 9...no offroad capability, but 100% problem free so far. Good luck on your next purchase!
@@MotoDude1967 thank you. I feel your pain
$5500 tow bill?? You should be carrying 20 foot 1 inch wide tow strap. They take up very little room. Your friends could have taken turns towing you behind their bikes. That's what we do.
I had the same experience as you with the older tiger. Rented a 800 in '14 in CA to ride around the desert in and loved it. Its a shame to hear about your issues with the newer models but hopefully Triumph takes note and fixes them.
It's a shame you got bit by the flooded battery box which was also a problem with the Tiger 800. The solution was to hang the pointy end of a zip tie down the hole so it would keep leaves, calcium chloride, etc. from plugging it.
Your negative comments are in fact a lack of maintenance by you. Your lack of inspections and proper cleaning of the bike resulted in the majority of these issues. If you are going to be doing heavy off road trips, look after your machine. Also, you should know that after heavy downpours you should dry your bike properly and inspect seals and gaskets. Doesn’t matter what machine you get next time, if you are lazy with maintenance, expect to have similar issues.
Agreed, the guy is just salty bc he didn't care for his bike and it failed... but he's to blame
I have at ridden at least 250k miles on motorcycles and have never dried a motorcycle off after riding it in the rain, if anything I might rinse off the road grime which is way more intrusive.
Nice honest review. Took a while before you got to the point, but ok. You don't get much wiser from only hurray stories. A bit more footage of the designers flaws would have been welcome.
Yea, I guess that experience would put me off Tiger's as well. Calcium chloride is nasty stuff, and I seem to remember watching an Africa Twin falling prey to electrical issue doing that route. I guess you'll be checking the battery box on those test rides ;-)
As owner of a new to me Triumph, I’m excited to learn all about the pros and cons. 😉😉
I’ve been riding motorcycles for the past 34 years and my conclusion is that at my advanced age (56) it’s just not worth buying anything which is not made by the 4 Japanese brands.
Sure, you may buy a little more performance, creature comfort or technology but most of the time it comes back to bite you in the form of reduced reliability…
Thats just my 2 cents.
Your money you decide.🍻🍻
How does you ass and back handle long rides ?
I take frequent breaks. Will stop every 90 minutes or so to stretch, grab a snack and a quick drink. Then back on it.
Just bought a new 2024 Tiger GT PRO. After 40 miles the fuel pump failed, the brakes were really noisy and on the first service in October they found a couple of rubber o rings in the chain were coming out. To add insult to injury the replacement chain will be here in January ! Nothing as serious as your bike but disappointing in a brand new machine. Love the bike though.
Just need to be diligent about inspecting it. Something I fell a little short on
Thank you for sharing
Good review and unfortunately Triumph did not do well technologically with the Tiger TFT and MyTriumph app. Same problem here and had it to the same place in Fife (SoSo Cycle) w/o getting it resolved. I love the Tiger 900 GT in every other way though!
Thank you
Apart from the fuel cap gasket, it really sounds like a lack of preventative maintenance - especially considering some of the conditions that you described. Or perhaps you were just really. really unlucky. Either way, enjoy your next bike.
I'm a 02 tiger 955 owner, minimal electronics, no Rider modes and no abs. Not sure when it's going to die but I have a 115,000 miles on it and is still going strong. I dread the day I have to buy a new bike with all the electronic bull crap on them nowadays. My only issue was the stator and rectifier. They still don't put in quality rectifiers and stators. I'm going to stick with an early 2000s model not sure what brand if I have to buy another bike.
Good honest review of your experiences with Trumph Wayne. No bike maker is perfect and each brand has their good/bad, but its poor quality control that the bike came out of the factory without a correct seal around the fuel cap, and obviously it's a design flaw to have the wiring harness in a location so susceptible to water. Too bad this all costed you a fortune and in the end you ended up without a bike, but wish you the best in the future with whatever new brand you end up choosing!
Thank you friend
After all the issues I had with my 2023 1200 GT Explorer I am done with them as well. I bought it new for about $30k (Cad), put 13,000km on it and was only able to get $21k about 18 months later. 2 places offered me $16,000 and 2 others didn't even want it. Sure, you get some good bikes and some bad ones but there have just been too many bad ones out there. Too bad as I really liked that bike, but I did not trust it so it had to go. My next ADV bike will probably be an Africa Twin.
Sorry brother
I have a '23 GT Explorer now. What problems did you have with it?
@kyleturner6829 I had the clutch bled about 5 times, then they must have done it wrong as it burned out and had to be replaced. Left me stranded about 3000 miles from home and I had to rent a Uhaul truck to drive it home. When they replaced the clutch, they did it wrong and it was leaking both oil and driveshaft fluid. It was caught when I traded it in and the mechanic said it would have seized in about 600 miles. The tire pressure monitor was broken and something else, can't remember right now. I had it at 4 different Dealers and none of them seemed to know how to fix it. Even changing the oil is different from any other bike and I am not sure a regular mechanic would know that. Triumph did change the clutch design for the 2024 model year, except in Canada, we get the crappy design until 2025.
@ I’m sorry for your problems, but it’s clear. I’m not the only one.