Adventure Bike Rider Forum

I opened my eyes this morning and the world had changed; not only am I another year older but I know it's time to change the Tiger.

Overall the 955i has impressed greatly but there are a couple of features I want out of a bike and the Tiger is lacking in these areas. First up, I do a lot of two up riding and whilst the Tiger is fine solo it is not great when there's a pillion and a load of gear on board. Secondly, the riding position of the 955 is not as good as the older 885 and I want that extra comfort back.

There's no rush, but the search is well and truly on.

sounds like new bike envy to me!

perhaps you need a 1200 GSA likes Magnum


or the new Triumph if/when it appears

New bike envy, what's that? Does it look anything like this....I'm banning Magnum from this site.

Yes, that is one manifestation of it.
Another is (queue screaming toddler) I want one!I want one!I want one!I want one!I want one!I want one!

:laugh: :laugh:

:laugh: :laugh: Happy Birfday Alun, treat yaself m8, for comfort and load capacity you could do a lot worse than 1150 GSA (with Sargent seats of course) going for reasonable (comparatively) prices now, surely (stop calling me Shirly?) you could just get bikes on test for the mag, and have a new (free steed) every month B) ? All the best m8, can't wait for the next mag, keep up the good work 'old boy' regards Dus

R1200GSA.....unbeatable for what you require.

Guessing you want to buy newer rather than old, I'd also suggest the Varadero, Suzuki DL1000 or even the Guzzi Stelvio.

All have bags of power and torque for two-up riding and I've never heard any complaints about comfort or reliability (although to be fair I know very little about the Guzzi).

As I understand it you do mostly road miles, but if green-laning were your thing too, the DL is probably the most competent of the 3: I've seen a few handling Argentine ripio and sand trails rather well.

Stelvio is the heaviest (although that does not automatically translate to bad) and the Honda has linked brakes (I once read that they were an "interesting" feature when trying to control a gravelly descent using the back brake!!) and those side mounted radiators that are just waiting to bankrupt you the first time you fall on a rocky surface. That said the oil cooler is not in the smartest place for off-road on the DL, either, IMHO.

Now, I've never ridden any of these, and I've never heard of a holed radiator on either Japanese bike: those are only my analyses.

Back to what you mentioned: I think any of these would meet your needs for two-up comfort and not break the bank (merely fracture it)!!

+1 on 1200 GSA B)

Just wait until you awake one morning and know what you want.

Not as much fun as looking at ads and visiting bike dealers though.

When you get down to it, there really is'nt that much choice. :unsure:

Just thought, Aprilia Caponord.

No ones mentioned KTM yet... and imo the 990 Adventure has the best off road capability of all the big dual sports.
There is also the KTM 990 SMT.... a bike i've seriously considered buying. Only the questionable reliability has put me off, but i've never lived with one so my perceived view of their reliability may be misjudged.