Being an owner of a 850 sport, i can't say I've noticed any issues with the rear shock. The only real gripe I have with the bike is really minor, I don't like the dash. As for all the extra stuff the 900 has, I don't need them. I've been riding bikes for well over 40 years and learnt to ride in all sorts of weather, I don't really need a computer to help me ride in the wet etc, so the extra riding modes, as good as they are, aren't really needed. Being a fair weather rider these days, don't need heated seat or grips. Other than track use or off road, in the real world a quickshifter isn't really necessary and touring without cruise control has never been a problem, so I saved myself around £4000. But these are things specific to me and my riding habits other riders may want and need all these extras. At the end of the day as long as you're happy with whatever bike you ride, that's all that matters.
Riding two up frequently I needed a bike to be able to do it without compressing the rear so much that it pitches the front skywards. Even my SV650 manages that, so the rear shock for 2-up touring is terrible. Other than that, it is a decent bike, especially for solo travels.
I’ve had my 850 sport for 2.5 years now and love it! It’s got heated grips and quick shifter fitted, had no problems with it at all. Had the 800 XRT found the engine anodyne, to smooth for me, love the vibes of the 900 motor got character don’t find the vibes intrusive at all! I don’t carry a pillion, so no problems with suspension adjustability. Mind you have fitted a GRmoto exhaust and have had it dynoed. Without baffle better power at top end, with baffle but cut down, more torque and comes in 500rpm sooner 2bhp less at top end, but for real world riding it’s better all round. The dash is not good for rpm read out but neither is the 900 gt pro. All in all I love it and have never regretted buying the low cost option. My mates got the 900 gt pro and often we swop bikes and there’s little difference in real world riding experience.
I passed my test at the start of November and bought as GT 900 Pro as my first bike. I was originally looking at the Tiger 660 but am so glad I moved up to the 900 in the end. I got a cracking deal on a used bike. Someone traded it in for a 1250 GS so I got a 2023 Tiger with 1k miles on the clock with full luggage for £11,200. I've done another 1k miles on the bike and plan to put many many miles on this bike both for commuting and road trips. I agree the suspension is excellent. I took it over some really broken roads last week and it soaked it all up.
When l took the tiger 900 out l was impressed,l have been riding a 2014 tiger since new! The 900 has come a long way since the 800 the new suspension just blew me away l fell in love with it and wanted one the only thing that stopped me was the price! Most bikes today are silly money and it’s hard to justify paying for one, but if l had the money l would definitely be putting the gt tiger top of my list!
compare the price. of the 850 vs 900gt pro . I was looking at the 660 sport to be lower but have enough power over my honda 500x thats lacking. But reading the 850 is lighter . and better pannier seat. ; wow. but the 900gt pro prices was near the 850 it would be ez . but 900 gt pro is 640k thb or over 19,000 usd in thailand. downside its still 220kg like my 750gs that is noticeable top heavy for me moving it around. . 850 gets down to 200kg thats like my 500x. very meaneuverable. I always concerned about 2 up riding. sport660 is fine, heavy, but lower with enough power for hills and twisties.
As a late arrival to the wonderful world of motorbikes (58), my first two bikes were both automatics (Honda NC 750 DCT and Zero DSR). When I finally decided to stop being a wuss and actually learn to use a clutch I opted for the 850 Sport as a seemingly less threatening entry model. I, like you, am now regretting not having gone for a 900 right from the start. I would personally go for the Rally Pro over the GT Pro, but mostly because my now 60+ year old hips would like to have the benefit of a higher saddle. Have toured lots on the 850, including a 3,500 mile round trip through Spain and back, and I‘ve had no problems, but I still wish now that I‘d bitten the bullet and gone for the 900. I was once told to learn on the bike I wanted to ride long term, and it‘s excellent advice that I wish I had heeded.
Road tested an 850 Sport but didn’t care for the T-Plane crank. At cruising speed the high frequency vibration at cruising speed made it a no go for me. I’ve ridden the old 1050 triple and thought it was much smoother. Sometimes the engineers can be too clever by half.
To have completely even 120° spacing between the pistons and then alter it so 2 are closer together them a huge gap seems strange to me. Didn't triples actually start with up one down 180° configuration. And the 120° was much smoother.
I put 15k miles on my 850 before upgrading to the 1200 rally pro. I agree with you on the 900 gt pro vs the 850. Never noticed the rear suspension issues you mentioned. I weigh around 72kg and my lady weighs less than that. We did long trips with full boxes plus pillion AND the dog. Tightening up the suspension to max on the rear was sufficient. The biggest thing I missed was the cruise control
@@simondepass4647 I’ve got around 28k miles on it since purchase in Nov of 2022. Hard for me to summarize how I feel about the bike haha. The 21/18 set up is and the electronic suspension work really well for everything except when riding loaded up over whoops. The tiger 1200 wants to be ridden quickly and doesn’t handle crashes as well as a GS. It’s not a simple bike to work on, so if you want simple don’t get this one haha.
Where I live, the price difference between the 850 and 900GT was certainly not insignificant. Since I really didn't care for all the electronic farkles of the 900 (less points of failure is always good, as far as I'm concerned), I went for the 850 when it was available here over 2 years ago. The 900GT was soon discontinued, leaving an even greater price gap between the 850 and 900GT Pro which made the former even more relevant. My 850 does everything I ask of it with zero fuss - daily commute, 2-up touring with a top box and soft panniers, long high-speed cruises etc. The difference in power and torque between the two are for product segmentation purposes only, if you ask me, coz I seldom wring the tits off the engine past 7500-8000RPM to even notice what I'm missing. Heated seat and grips are bollocks out here in the sweltering tropics. Never had an issue with the suspension either. Never cared for adjustable forks coz I never touched them on my previous bikes anyway. If Triumph discontinues the 850 to force me to cough up more for the 900GT Pro in the future, I'll probably go for the Vstrom 800RE instead. Thank god for competition.
Absolutely love my 23 plate GT Pro, even done 800 miles in 3 days in Scotland. That was full luggage and the Mrs as pillion. Heated seats are great for long stints, as they do ease numb bum on motorway stints when you have to. Cruise control is great, even adjusts in 1 mph increments. Coming from a Scrambler 1200 XE, the vibes don't really bother me. Even inline 4's can have vibes at certain revs, my CBF1000F MK2 had engine vibes at certain revs. For my needs the GT Pro is perfect for me.
@@TimWilliams-yx7cn The Tiger suits my needs better, and it's better for the Mrs when she goes pillion. The Tiger is also better for longer days in the saddle, and is lighter and more nimble. The ergonomics also fit me better. The Scrambler 1200 is a brilliant bike, and if I had a big garage and the funding I would have kept it as a stablemate to the Tiger. Don't discount adventure bikes, they are comfy, super practical (luggage) and can be ridden quickly, they are great all rounders.
I had my 850 for 8000 miles now, the only complain I have is the soft rear. I’m 170lb and my rear preload is max -2.5 turns, it actually negates a lot of the front end numbness and make the trail number practically shorter, and riding alone with that setup feels amazing. But than it left me no more adjustability for luggage and passenger. With 2-up and luggage all of sudden the rear just sunk, and trail becomes long again and left you no idea what the front wheel is doing. 850 is absolutely amazing if you don’t need to deal with extra weight
Thanks so much fir your lovely reviews that suits all. As a new rider (at 52) I often intimidated by reviewers going down alpine roads at 140koh and going of road on huge bikes. Or leaning a Tiger 1200 at 50 degrees. You style suit all and you always sounds so happy! Kudos Going to see the new 2024 900GT Pro next week. Sadly we have a lot of snow in Sweden so test drives are for late march. I started out with the Tracer 9GT and took my license on that bike. However I never liked and neither did my wife. So the same day as I got the license I traded it for the Awesome Speed Twin 1200. I absolutely Love it. Its presence, Sound, quality and heart is just right for a classic styled bike. However… it isn’t a tourer. My wife loves it and it handles a pillion and luggage Really well, but it is demanding for long trips. So the contenders now are two: The 900GT Pro Or the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello (the S isn’t need in my opinion) Cheers/Tom
For Australia 🇦🇺 I’d definitely opt for a dual road machine like the 900 Rally GT Pro. I had a ball exploring gravel backroads around Melbourne and Canberra. I wouldn’t go above 900 cc.
I think Triumph are taking the piss bringing out a new engine configuraton for a touring bike that generates noticeable vibrations at touring speeds, and having the audacity to call it 'character'. There's enough anecdotal evidence online to suggest it's an inherent design issue and not just a function of individual sensitivty. The updated version has supposedly addressed this problem, but If I'd spent the best part of £13K on a new bike a couple of years ago only to find that a fundamental design flaw warranted a speedy update soon after, I'd be pretty disappointed. As a goodwill gesture, Triumph should atleast offer the revised triple clamp to pre '24 owners at a sizeable discount. This isn't a cheap bike, and it shouldn't feel like one...
I got a 850 sport last year. Solo rider it been fine for me only miss the cruise control. But base model 900 was nearly £2000 more a lot to pay for cruise. I notice they have discontinued the 850 this year
I also bought the 850 and regret not buying the 900 GT, mainly because cruise control is not an option, and after adding heated grips and a center stand like you did, the difference wasn't all that much. I also have issues with the front wheel, the bike bounces at 50 kmh and over, and after several months of emails and phone calls with the dealer and Triumph corporate, we finally tried a new front wheel, which solved the problem...though the new part came in only after I stored the bike for the winter. I also have an issue with the DIN outlet, which stopped working, and the throttle won't stay consistent, it varies even when holding it steady. My next bike will be Japanese. I bought grip puppies and bar end weights, they help with the vibration on the highway, you might want to try that. Thanks for the video!
The weird firing order on the GT Pro engine was meant, I think to assist off-roaders. As they're hardly ever taken off road, it's a total waste of a lovely engine. If you want 'character' get a Royal Enfield, imo
Love mine, viewed and researched many bikes before I bought my first new one which sadly got written off by a SMIDSY. I went straight out and got another new one after a quick check there wasn't anything else that matched the value for money + my accessories survived the crash so I didn't think I had to rebuy those. Turned out I did because my old bike got sold with my £1300 of property still attached before my claim was even settled. They paid out full new price with in 30 minutes of a heated discussion and an unpolite stern email confirming my position on the matter lol, so ended up with new everything.
hard to say wrong with the gt pro is $4500 usd more ! Both need lugagge. give up the cruise control, quick shifter; tpms, never did hear if the gt pro displays engine temps. Dealers sure don't know here !
I made exactly the same mistake as you, opting for the 850 instead of the 900, mostly to save a bit of money. Still, all is not lost, and after three years of being reasonably happy. With the 850 I have flipped it for a brand new GT Pro - only the 1200 model. 😃
Had a 850 sport but had to sell due to vibes and numb hands at motorway speeds. so useless for touring. New bike can handle touring and have cruise control. (Bmw F750GS)
Hi Dan, I had a Tiger 900 GT Pro for a while and I did love it but no one bike is perfect. I traded it in for a GS1250 and now I've got a Livewire One! In my case, it's more ADHD🤣
The Tiger 850 and 900 GT or GT Pro have been on my radar. Finally my dealer got a new 850 in to test ride. However, new 2024 GT Pro 900 may be worth another 6 month wait? More power, better mileage and less vibey. Better TFT, as well. My Kawi dealer is offering their Versys 1000 $4k less than the 900 Tiger. 🤔?? Thoughts?
not need much hp, torque unless im in country hilly roads to maneuver. never need it on roads normally. my 750gs at 77 hp has plenty for normal road conditions but .. its hi, heavy where the 850 is under 200kg that is perfect for my old bod !
The Tplane thing killed my hand riding from Isle of Man to Turkiye and back on the 2023 900 GT PRO in May/June this year otherwise it was a fantastic bike. I traded it in when I got back then toured to Hungary Poland etc on a GS (😮). No hand issues and more comfortable but cost a stack more for similar (but less painful) fun. Cases (expedition) bigger on Tiger than the expanded bmw vario which was great. The Tiger also lost its suspension setting every time ignition turned off. Excellent value for a great bike and I miss the heated seat. Great vid thanks.
Really interested video Dan, I had a similar experience of buying something cheaper than what I wanted and regretting it. The footage from that gopro hero 11 is incredible. I might have to consider a second camera.
I believe it was to try and attract other riders to Triumph in the adventure segment. Get them in on the cheaper bike and hope they upgrade to the more premium one later down the line.
I rode the old Tracer 9 GT before buying the Tiger 900. It was a lovely bike and I really liked the engine on it. I was considering a new Tracer 9 GT plus but I got a really good deal on the Tiger which I could not overlook. I would have been happy with either of these two bikes.
wife is 65 kg and a top box is ez 10kg min. so preload has to be cranked up ! NOw thinking if even better on the sport 660. that has a small pannier seat.
Just wondering, do you find the 900 tramlines quite a bit? I’ve even changed tyres to Avon’s and I still feel it. Also I’ve givi Trekker boxes and felt the rear was unstable at speeds much over 70mph? Now I know speed limits blah blah blah but….
I have a gt pro and love the only complaint I have is the wind noise. There is no buffeting but seems to be a ‘backdraft’ from the screen. Did you notice any such issues? Love you videos and your insight.
different ride with pillion on the gt pro ? 65kg wife; and top box. how much more is gt pro vs 850. ? Then i have to consider 20-22kg heavier on the gt pro
I filmed this before I bought the Tracer but the point was, I wish I'd bought the Tiger 900 instead of my 850. Pretty sure I said this in the first few seconds of the vid? Tracer is very different to the Tiger. Which is what I wanted. Sorry for the confusion!
The suspension probelm with the 850, would likely have been fixed under warranty with Triumph. If it's a widespread issue it would be likely for recall. At the least you'd be able to make a claim of not fit for purpose, under the Consumer Rights Act. Under the Consumer Rights Act, they would have one chance to repair. After that you could make a claim for a refund, if it was not sorted. Am confused though, is this a bike rental or demo bike? Confused since your last video was about you having bought the Yamaha 900 Tracer. Or do you have both the Triumph 900 GT and the Yam? Also, have you seen Doodle on a Motorcyle on TH-cam, as she's a Triumph Tiger 900 rider. Does loads of interesting content.
The rear shock was checked by the dealer and found not to be faulty. So just a very soft shock. The videos are a little out of order, this was filmed before I'd bought my Tracer 9. I know of Doodle on a motorcycle, haven't watched much though.
Has anyone experienced a noise that seems to come from the rear at about 90km/h,at first, i thought it was tyre noise, but now im thinking it might be wind noise.
So I priced up a 2024 model and it came out to £17,500 with a few extras and if you pay on PCP by the time you make the balloon payment it's £20,000. On the other hand I bought a 2023 Tiger 900 GT Pro with 1k miles on the clock and full luggage for £11,200. I looked at the power graphs and I think the extra power from the 2024 model is mostly at the top, and to be honest the Tiger is quite a torquey bike so you do most your shifting garound 3-4k rpm. I have used all the rev range a couple of times to see what the bike can do and it really can shift. I'm sure the 2024 model is a marginally better bike but not for the difference in price. If I was going to pay £20k for a bike like this I'd be focusing on a 1250/1300 GS instead.
@ChipZilla69 but then on PCP the 1250/1300 gs would be even more. I can't believe the finance often adds £2-3k onto the price of the bike. Add to the depreciation and it's really messy. Unfortunately not many of use have £15-20k in cash just hanging around.
@@chrishart8548 I hear you. All in saying it's PCP is a really expensive way to buy a bike then you have mileage restrictions on top. If you think you might keep the bike a bit longer you can get a much better interest rate yourself on a loan of you have the credit for it. Then look around for a deal on a nearly new bike and save yourself thousands and thousands and the bike belongs to you.
I am looking forward to riding the new one, although I can't imagine the power will be that big of a deal as I don't think it needed more power. The dash, if it's the same from the 1200 bikes isn't my cup of tea at all. So I'm not sure I'll be all that impressed, but we'll see! :)
@@Englishbikerdan - i think you will - apparently it's smoother and has more low down torque - What's wrong with the1200 dash ? I liked the circular rev counter - easier to see....
one of my favorite things about motorcycles that a divorce is much less drama. Promiscuity is also somewhat socially accepted, within reason of course!
I think they are sitting in different categories, but for what I want the Tracer was the better option. The Tiger 900 is still really good though, just a few caveats that I needed to consider.
I wouldn't accuse it of being dull, it power wheelies quite nicely. It's just not everyone's cup of tea. The vibes were a bit much for long distance stuff for me.
Triumph have clearly thought about this. If you are a man, you have the 850 sport. If you are a data driven millennial who cant go more that 15 minutes without touching some kind of screen then you have the 900 GT Pro and if you have no hair, a fat belly and fantasies about conquering the Andes then you have the Rally. Good work Triumph!
I think it's nice to have options depending on your budget. I would have got the 900 if I'd had the budget, as the suspension is better for two up touring.
Being an owner of a 850 sport, i can't say I've noticed any issues with the rear shock. The only real gripe I have with the bike is really minor, I don't like the dash. As for all the extra stuff the 900 has, I don't need them. I've been riding bikes for well over 40 years and learnt to ride in all sorts of weather, I don't really need a computer to help me ride in the wet etc, so the extra riding modes, as good as they are, aren't really needed. Being a fair weather rider these days, don't need heated seat or grips. Other than track use or off road, in the real world a quickshifter isn't really necessary and touring without cruise control has never been a problem, so I saved myself around £4000. But these are things specific to me and my riding habits other riders may want and need all these extras. At the end of the day as long as you're happy with whatever bike you ride, that's all that matters.
Riding two up frequently I needed a bike to be able to do it without compressing the rear so much that it pitches the front skywards. Even my SV650 manages that, so the rear shock for 2-up touring is terrible. Other than that, it is a decent bike, especially for solo travels.
I’ve had my 850 sport for 2.5 years now and love it! It’s got heated grips and quick shifter fitted, had no problems with it at all. Had the 800 XRT found the engine anodyne, to smooth for me, love the vibes of the 900 motor got character don’t find the vibes intrusive at all! I don’t carry a pillion, so no problems with suspension adjustability. Mind you have fitted a GRmoto exhaust and have had it dynoed. Without baffle better power at top end, with baffle but cut down, more torque and comes in 500rpm sooner 2bhp less at top end, but for real world riding it’s better all round. The dash is not good for rpm read out but neither is the 900 gt pro.
All in all I love it and have never regretted buying the low cost option. My mates got the 900 gt pro and often we swop bikes and there’s little difference in real world riding experience.
Glad you're enjoying your 850. I bought mine with view to do some two up touring and it wasn't good enough at that to keep it. Ride safe!
@@Englishbikerdan not handle well with an extra 65-70kg on the rear ?
I passed my test at the start of November and bought as GT 900 Pro as my first bike. I was originally looking at the Tiger 660 but am so glad I moved up to the 900 in the end. I got a cracking deal on a used bike. Someone traded it in for a 1250 GS so I got a 2023 Tiger with 1k miles on the clock with full luggage for £11,200. I've done another 1k miles on the bike and plan to put many many miles on this bike both for commuting and road trips.
I agree the suspension is excellent. I took it over some really broken roads last week and it soaked it all up.
When l took the tiger 900 out l was impressed,l have been riding a 2014 tiger since new! The 900 has come a long way since the 800 the new suspension just blew me away l fell in love with it and wanted one the only thing that stopped me was the price! Most bikes today are silly money and it’s hard to justify paying for one, but if l had the money l would definitely be putting the gt tiger top of my list!
compare the price. of the 850 vs 900gt pro . I was looking at the 660 sport to be lower but have enough power over my honda 500x thats lacking. But reading the 850 is lighter . and better pannier seat. ; wow. but the 900gt pro prices was near the 850 it would be ez . but 900 gt pro is 640k thb or over 19,000 usd in thailand. downside its still 220kg like my 750gs that is noticeable top heavy for me moving it around. . 850 gets down to 200kg thats like my 500x. very meaneuverable. I always concerned about 2 up riding. sport660 is fine, heavy, but lower with enough power for hills and twisties.
As a late arrival to the wonderful world of motorbikes (58), my first two bikes were both automatics (Honda NC 750 DCT and Zero DSR). When I finally decided to stop being a wuss and actually learn to use a clutch I opted for the 850 Sport as a seemingly less threatening entry model. I, like you, am now regretting not having gone for a 900 right from the start. I would personally go for the Rally Pro over the GT Pro, but mostly because my now 60+ year old hips would like to have the benefit of a higher saddle. Have toured lots on the 850, including a 3,500 mile round trip through Spain and back, and I‘ve had no problems, but I still wish now that I‘d bitten the bullet and gone for the 900. I was once told to learn on the bike I wanted to ride long term, and it‘s excellent advice that I wish I had heeded.
Road tested an 850 Sport but didn’t care for the T-Plane crank. At cruising speed the high frequency vibration at cruising speed made it a no go for me. I’ve ridden the old 1050 triple and thought it was much smoother. Sometimes the engineers can be too clever by half.
To have completely even 120° spacing between the pistons and then alter it so 2 are closer together them a huge gap seems strange to me. Didn't triples actually start with up one down 180° configuration. And the 120° was much smoother.
I put 15k miles on my 850 before upgrading to the 1200 rally pro. I agree with you on the 900 gt pro vs the 850. Never noticed the rear suspension issues you mentioned. I weigh around 72kg and my lady weighs less than that. We did long trips with full boxes plus pillion AND the dog. Tightening up the suspension to max on the rear was sufficient. The biggest thing I missed was the cruise control
How do you find the 1200 Rally Pro as I am looking at it fpr my next bike in April?
@@simondepass4647 I’ve got around 28k miles on it since purchase in Nov of 2022. Hard for me to summarize how I feel about the bike haha. The 21/18 set up is and the electronic suspension work really well for everything except when riding loaded up over whoops. The tiger 1200 wants to be ridden quickly and doesn’t handle crashes as well as a GS. It’s not a simple bike to work on, so if you want simple don’t get this one haha.
Maybe I had a duff rear shock, but during the 2 years and services it had they reported no issues. At full preload it made very little diff.
I’d take the rally pro. I mean it would never go off road but I think it looks better.
Gotta go off road. Nothing gnarly, but its so fun
too tall, too heavy.
Where I live, the price difference between the 850 and 900GT was certainly not insignificant. Since I really didn't care for all the electronic farkles of the 900 (less points of failure is always good, as far as I'm concerned), I went for the 850 when it was available here over 2 years ago. The 900GT was soon discontinued, leaving an even greater price gap between the 850 and 900GT Pro which made the former even more relevant. My 850 does everything I ask of it with zero fuss - daily commute, 2-up touring with a top box and soft panniers, long high-speed cruises etc. The difference in power and torque between the two are for product segmentation purposes only, if you ask me, coz I seldom wring the tits off the engine past 7500-8000RPM to even notice what I'm missing. Heated seat and grips are bollocks out here in the sweltering tropics. Never had an issue with the suspension either. Never cared for adjustable forks coz I never touched them on my previous bikes anyway.
If Triumph discontinues the 850 to force me to cough up more for the 900GT Pro in the future, I'll probably go for the Vstrom 800RE instead. Thank god for competition.
Absolutely love my 23 plate GT Pro, even done 800 miles in 3 days in Scotland. That was full luggage and the Mrs as pillion.
Heated seats are great for long stints, as they do ease numb bum on motorway stints when you have to.
Cruise control is great, even adjusts in 1 mph increments.
Coming from a Scrambler 1200 XE, the vibes don't really bother me. Even inline 4's can have vibes at certain revs, my CBF1000F MK2 had engine vibes at certain revs.
For my needs the GT Pro is perfect for me.
What made you swap from the scrambler 1200? It's my dream bike as I'm not a massive fan of all the cloned adventure bikes
@@TimWilliams-yx7cn
The Tiger suits my needs better, and it's better for the Mrs when she goes pillion.
The Tiger is also better for longer days in the saddle, and is lighter and more nimble. The ergonomics also fit me better.
The Scrambler 1200 is a brilliant bike, and if I had a big garage and the funding I would have kept it as a stablemate to the Tiger.
Don't discount adventure bikes, they are comfy, super practical (luggage) and can be ridden quickly, they are great all rounders.
I had my 850 for 8000 miles now, the only complain I have is the soft rear. I’m 170lb and my rear preload is max -2.5 turns, it actually negates a lot of the front end numbness and make the trail number practically shorter, and riding alone with that setup feels amazing. But than it left me no more adjustability for luggage and passenger. With 2-up and luggage all of sudden the rear just sunk, and trail becomes long again and left you no idea what the front wheel is doing. 850 is absolutely amazing if you don’t need to deal with extra weight
Exactly my experience.
Thanks so much fir your lovely reviews that suits all. As a new rider (at 52) I often intimidated by reviewers going down alpine roads at 140koh and going of road on huge bikes. Or leaning a Tiger 1200 at 50 degrees. You style suit all and you always sounds so happy! Kudos
Going to see the new 2024 900GT Pro next week. Sadly we have a lot of snow in Sweden so test drives are for late march.
I started out with the Tracer 9GT and took my license on that bike. However I never liked and neither did my wife. So the same day as I got the license I traded it for the Awesome Speed Twin 1200. I absolutely Love it. Its presence, Sound, quality and heart is just right for a classic styled bike.
However… it isn’t a tourer. My wife loves it and it handles a pillion and luggage Really well, but it is demanding for long trips.
So the contenders now are two: The 900GT Pro Or the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello (the S isn’t need in my opinion)
Cheers/Tom
For Australia 🇦🇺 I’d definitely opt for a dual road machine like the 900 Rally GT Pro. I had a ball exploring gravel backroads around Melbourne and Canberra. I wouldn’t go above 900 cc.
I have the 800 and i find it perfect. The cruise control really makes a huge difference on long trips.
I think Triumph are taking the piss bringing out a new engine configuraton for a touring bike that generates noticeable vibrations at touring speeds, and having the audacity to call it 'character'. There's enough anecdotal evidence online to suggest it's an inherent design issue and not just a function of individual sensitivty. The updated version has supposedly addressed this problem, but If I'd spent the best part of £13K on a new bike a couple of years ago only to find that a fundamental design flaw warranted a speedy update soon after, I'd be pretty disappointed. As a goodwill gesture, Triumph should atleast offer the revised triple clamp to pre '24 owners at a sizeable discount. This isn't a cheap bike, and it shouldn't feel like one...
I got a 850 sport last year. Solo rider it been fine for me only miss the cruise control. But base model 900 was nearly £2000 more a lot to pay for cruise. I notice they have discontinued the 850 this year
Yeah solo riding wasn't too bad, although the bike felt a bit vague at the front to me. Could be that dodgy wheel bearing I had.
I also bought the 850 and regret not buying the 900 GT, mainly because cruise control is not an option, and after adding heated grips and a center stand like you did, the difference wasn't all that much. I also have issues with the front wheel, the bike bounces at 50 kmh and over, and after several months of emails and phone calls with the dealer and Triumph corporate, we finally tried a new front wheel, which solved the problem...though the new part came in only after I stored the bike for the winter. I also have an issue with the DIN outlet, which stopped working, and the throttle won't stay consistent, it varies even when holding it steady. My next bike will be Japanese.
I bought grip puppies and bar end weights, they help with the vibration on the highway, you might want to try that. Thanks for the video!
My first bike is the scram 1200, and I cannot imagine not having cruise control.
The weird firing order on the GT Pro engine was meant, I think to assist off-roaders. As they're hardly ever taken off road, it's a total waste of a lovely engine. If you want 'character' get a Royal Enfield, imo
That's right, the extra space between the firing order gives the wheel time to grip. I think I'd rather have a smoother triple tbh.
Even better now they’ve tweaked the engine and upgraded the dash to that on the 1200, definitely testing one next time.
I really don't like the 1200 dash, far too laggy and I don't think it suits adv bikes. Personal opinion though!
I had a test ride on the tiger 900 so only a short test but found it a bit to sit up if I was a bit more sporty I may of bought one .
Love mine, viewed and researched many bikes before I bought my first new one which sadly got written off by a SMIDSY.
I went straight out and got another new one after a quick check there wasn't anything else that matched the value for money + my accessories survived the crash so I didn't think I had to rebuy those. Turned out I did because my old bike got sold with my £1300 of property still attached before my claim was even settled. They paid out full new price with in 30 minutes of a heated discussion and an unpolite stern email confirming my position on the matter lol, so ended up with new everything.
Glad you got your extras covered!
hard to say wrong with the gt pro is $4500 usd more ! Both need lugagge. give up the cruise control, quick shifter; tpms, never did hear if the gt pro displays engine temps. Dealers sure don't know here !
Hmmm… you pay a big difference in money between the 850 and the 900 pro for things that are not necessary to have fun traveling.
That's very subjective, you could argue the 850 is way more than you need so why not just buy a 500X.
@@Englishbikerdan Of course, everyone uses their money as they see fit, even spending it on things they don't need.
I made exactly the same mistake as you, opting for the 850 instead of the 900, mostly to save a bit of money. Still, all is not lost, and after three years of being reasonably happy. With the 850 I have flipped it for a brand new GT Pro - only the 1200 model. 😃
Oof, that's a big upgrade! Enjoy!
Swaped my gs1250 for a 900 gt pro paid about 10k for a second-hand one. I'm glad i made the right decision
Had a 850 sport but had to sell due to vibes and numb hands at motorway speeds. so useless for touring. New bike can handle touring and have cruise control. (Bmw F750GS)
Could have a bit more colour in the tft. Great bike though
Hi Dan, I had a Tiger 900 GT Pro for a while and I did love it but no one bike is perfect. I traded it in for a GS1250 and now I've got a Livewire One! In my case, it's more ADHD🤣
I hear that! :D
The Tiger 850 and 900 GT or GT Pro have been on my radar. Finally my dealer got a new 850 in to test ride. However, new 2024 GT Pro 900 may be worth another 6 month wait? More power, better mileage and less vibey. Better TFT, as well. My Kawi dealer is offering their Versys 1000 $4k less than the 900 Tiger. 🤔?? Thoughts?
I've not ridden the new 900 yet. Hopefully in the new year.
I would have the old TFT over the new all day, mate. Those rev graphics, are atrocious. Enjoyed your vid mate. Good work.👍🏻
not need much hp, torque unless im in country hilly roads to maneuver. never need it on roads normally. my 750gs at 77 hp has plenty for normal road conditions but .. its hi, heavy where the 850 is under 200kg that is perfect for my old bod !
Yes, 77 is more than enough in reality.
The Tplane thing killed my hand riding from Isle of Man to Turkiye and back on the 2023 900 GT PRO in May/June this year otherwise it was a fantastic bike. I traded it in when I got back then toured to Hungary Poland etc on a GS (😮). No hand issues and more comfortable but cost a stack more for similar (but less painful) fun. Cases (expedition) bigger on Tiger than the expanded bmw vario which was great. The Tiger also lost its suspension setting every time ignition turned off. Excellent value for a great bike and I miss the heated seat.
Great vid thanks.
Same here - went from a 900 Rally Pro to a GS for all the same reasons. And yes, I miss the heated seat too! 🥶
Really interested video Dan, I had a similar experience of buying something cheaper than what I wanted and regretting it.
The footage from that gopro hero 11 is incredible. I might have to consider a second camera.
Glad I bought my Red Tiger 900 GT Pro, didn't understand why they brought out the 850 to be honest, apart from the lower price option!
I believe it was to try and attract other riders to Triumph in the adventure segment. Get them in on the cheaper bike and hope they upgrade to the more premium one later down the line.
TRACER 9 GT+ And your all sorted!
Ooh, so close, but still a very good guess.
He went for the straight GT.
I rode the old Tracer 9 GT before buying the Tiger 900. It was a lovely bike and I really liked the engine on it. I was considering a new Tracer 9 GT plus but I got a really good deal on the Tiger which I could not overlook. I would have been happy with either of these two bikes.
@@ChipZilla69I think the triumph triple sounds nicer the the yamaha triple. Yamaha sounds harsh and angry, the triumph is a duller nicer sound.
I bought the 850 -22 but I changed it to the 900 GTP -23.
wife is 65 kg and a top box is ez 10kg min. so preload has to be cranked up ! NOw thinking if even better on the sport 660. that has a small pannier seat.
I got rid of my 850 sport due to the shoddy build quality on mine, had a test ride on the Yamaha tracer gt plus bought one loved it 😊
that's the problem with Triumph, bit like Bmw's. ok when under warranty but if you want reliability you have to buy a Jap bike.
Just wondering, do you find the 900 tramlines quite a bit? I’ve even changed tyres to Avon’s and I still feel it. Also I’ve givi Trekker boxes and felt the rear was unstable at speeds much over 70mph? Now I know speed limits blah blah blah but….
I have a gt pro and love the only complaint I have is the wind noise. There is no buffeting but seems to be a ‘backdraft’ from the screen. Did you notice any such issues? Love you videos and your insight.
That is always the case the taller you go with a screen
To add cruise to an 850, shop for an Atlas throttle lock.
850 does not have tpms, engine temps, quick shifter . I'd have to have a super deal to make the decision on the options
different ride with pillion on the gt pro ? 65kg wife; and top box. how much more is gt pro vs 850. ? Then i have to consider 20-22kg heavier on the gt pro
How you find the rear brake at slow speed control? Mines dreadful….
Comparing the gt sporto an xsr900. Similar extras but xsr lacks quick shifter, tpms. Tiger has better pannier seat
I wouldn't compare a touring adv bike to a retro naked personally, but we're all different!
Thanks for the advice...your roads are so bloody narrow. 😄
But you bought the SV 650? Maybe you should have bought the vstrom instead?
SV is my second bike.
Ok
hi, if you havn't change your 850 sport, you shoud try the 2024 version of the 900 GT pro, more torquey and pleasant 😉
I have changed for a Tracer 9 GT.
@@Englishbikerdan OK Good bike also, à little bit to noisy for me on long distance
I agree, even stock it hurts my ears on longer trips.
Hi Dan, l have 850Sport and think of 900 upgrade, do you think it will worth… and l am not sure l could feel the added power difference ?
For power alone I'd say no, but for the reasons I mention in this vid, yes. :)
@@Englishbikerdan the same question but for the new 900 (105hp) , thank you for your reply 🙏🏻
Every time you don't buy a Japanese motorcycle, you buy the wrong bike!
I was trying to think of a time when that hasn't been true....
I came from several japanese bikes and never regretted that i have a bmw and triumph now.. both are sweet as butter
Would be nice to see your thoughts on the 2024 model for sure
Let's hope I get to ride one!
Why did you buy the Yamaha if you preferred this bike over your old tiger?
I filmed this before I bought the Tracer but the point was, I wish I'd bought the Tiger 900 instead of my 850. Pretty sure I said this in the first few seconds of the vid? Tracer is very different to the Tiger. Which is what I wanted. Sorry for the confusion!
Are you still looking at the GS 1250 Dan?
Not at the moment, got a new bike this year.
@@Englishbikerdan ah, yes the yam..enjoy mate.
Could have just upgraded the spring? Saved buying an entire new bike. But each their own.
I wanted to get something more sporty anyway, so the spring was just another good reason to switch for me.
The suspension probelm with the 850, would likely have been fixed under warranty with Triumph. If it's a widespread issue it would be likely for recall. At the least you'd be able to make a claim of not fit for purpose, under the Consumer Rights Act. Under the Consumer Rights Act, they would have one chance to repair. After that you could make a claim for a refund, if it was not sorted.
Am confused though, is this a bike rental or demo bike? Confused since your last video was about you having bought the Yamaha 900 Tracer.
Or do you have both the Triumph 900 GT and the Yam?
Also, have you seen Doodle on a Motorcyle on TH-cam, as she's a Triumph Tiger 900 rider. Does loads of interesting content.
The rear shock was checked by the dealer and found not to be faulty. So just a very soft shock. The videos are a little out of order, this was filmed before I'd bought my Tracer 9. I know of Doodle on a motorcycle, haven't watched much though.
Has anyone experienced a noise that seems to come from the rear at about 90km/h,at first, i thought it was tyre noise, but now im thinking it might be wind noise.
I had weird noises from the stock Anakee Adv tyres.
Get the 24 model, 106hp.
So I priced up a 2024 model and it came out to £17,500 with a few extras and if you pay on PCP by the time you make the balloon payment it's £20,000. On the other hand I bought a 2023 Tiger 900 GT Pro with 1k miles on the clock and full luggage for £11,200. I looked at the power graphs and I think the extra power from the 2024 model is mostly at the top, and to be honest the Tiger is quite a torquey bike so you do most your shifting garound 3-4k rpm. I have used all the rev range a couple of times to see what the bike can do and it really can shift. I'm sure the 2024 model is a marginally better bike but not for the difference in price. If I was going to pay £20k for a bike like this I'd be focusing on a 1250/1300 GS instead.
@ChipZilla69 but then on PCP the 1250/1300 gs would be even more. I can't believe the finance often adds £2-3k onto the price of the bike. Add to the depreciation and it's really messy. Unfortunately not many of use have £15-20k in cash just hanging around.
@@chrishart8548 I hear you. All in saying it's PCP is a really expensive way to buy a bike then you have mileage restrictions on top. If you think you might keep the bike a bit longer you can get a much better interest rate yourself on a loan of you have the credit for it. Then look around for a deal on a nearly new bike and save yourself thousands and thousands and the bike belongs to you.
Nah. You need to buy the new 2024. Better dash now and more power BHP also.
I am looking forward to riding the new one, although I can't imagine the power will be that big of a deal as I don't think it needed more power. The dash, if it's the same from the 1200 bikes isn't my cup of tea at all. So I'm not sure I'll be all that impressed, but we'll see! :)
@@Englishbikerdan - i think you will - apparently it's smoother and has more low down torque - What's wrong with the1200 dash ? I liked the circular rev counter - easier to see....
When will Triumph stop fitting that terrible TFT dash to bikes. Its the same one on the STRS. Most people hate it but triumph dont seem to listen 😢
Get the new one; it’s even better than ever…
one of my favorite things about motorcycles that a divorce is much less drama. Promiscuity is also somewhat socially accepted, within reason of course!
Vs your Tracer Gt?
I think they are sitting in different categories, but for what I want the Tracer was the better option. The Tiger 900 is still really good though, just a few caveats that I needed to consider.
I thought you bought the Tracer 9 GT recently?
I sure did. This was filmed before all that.
Tiger 850 sport now cancelled in Asia. It would have been perfect for the price
That's a shame!
I don't get The Pis Pot fore that Money? Why?
The what now?
Vibes are so bad and the engine is dull on the 900. Hopefully the new one is better.
I doubt it. They know there is a problem because the handle bars are now rubber mounted. But as we know, that never really solved anything.
I wouldn't accuse it of being dull, it power wheelies quite nicely. It's just not everyone's cup of tea. The vibes were a bit much for long distance stuff for me.
Dull in as much as if you take it past 5k RPM’s it vibrates like hell and feels awful, so limited fun.
Sorry , I was going to watch but your thumbnail had nothing to do with the bikes in the video (when I had a glance through).
You must not have watched the right video. I literally talk about the issues I had with my 850 Sport while riding a 900 GT Pro.
Triumph have clearly thought about this. If you are a man, you have the 850 sport. If you are a data driven millennial who cant go more that 15 minutes without touching some kind of screen then you have the 900 GT Pro and if you have no hair, a fat belly and fantasies about conquering the Andes then you have the Rally. Good work Triumph!
I think it's nice to have options depending on your budget. I would have got the 900 if I'd had the budget, as the suspension is better for two up touring.
@@Englishbikerdan i jest. But great video because I was set on the 850 but your video made me rethink about the suspension.
I take any, can't afford a new bike.
I've been there plenty of times.
If you bought any Triumph you bought the wrong bike imo.
And you know what they say about opinions! 🤓
@@Englishbikerdan Point taken but just read any forum about Triumph, build quality and reliability let them down so badly.
@@roadwarrior8560Vs what sir?
Give your opinion please.
What is better in the same category?
@@roadwarrior8560utter nonsense.