Davy F
Registered user
It certainly has the GS beaten in the looks department !! 
New Tiger 1200 prototype been spotted
- Thread starter Neil W
- Start date
It certainly has the GS beaten in the looks department !!
Not difficult, to be fair !!
Totally and utterly agree, best of the best Chris, summed up nicely at the end.
Buzzy motor ... what a surprise 
Chris Northover loves the thing off road
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Had a look at the salon in Lyon, looks a lot better in the flesh, felt very comfortable for rider and pillion just sitting on it
This was the second good surprise after the NT1100
Could be tempted but it’s bloody expensive
This was the second good surprise after the NT1100
Could be tempted but it’s bloody expensive
Totally agree, but he didn't seem as animated as when he tested the 1290SAS.
Another glowing review.
And pinched from the vid
And pinched from the vid
Great video for a great bike. If only I had a 10th of the skill level of those guys. Again, without doubt the best bike reviewer, maybe of all time?
Bit random but does anybody know if Pure Triumph in Wellingborough have a demo Tiger 1200 yet ?
I took out a new 1200 GT Pro for 2 1/2 hours this morning and did a good 100 miles or so.
Thoughts ?
Looks nicely screwed together.
Great TFT with easy navigable menu using a joystick
It’s immediately very comfortable.The seat is brilliant as is the screen.
On high position it was very good at providing protection whilst still giving a small amount of cleanish air around/over the body.
On low, the airflow was directed at upper chest,which is fine in my opinion.
High
Low
The screen is adjustable one handed on the fly.
The engine ?
Well…..it’s certainly not lacking in power.The T-plane crank with it’s uneven firing order puts out something like 148bhp and 130Nm of torque.
It does sound a bit odd.It’s certainly lacking that lovely triple growl of previous models, yet it doesn’t have the grunt of a twin.
Sitting at 60 mph in 6th is about 3500 revs and 70mph is 4200 revs.
Redline is 9500.The bike flies from about 5500 revs but that means you need to knock it down a couple of cogs for a decent overtake, unlike something like a KTM 1290 which has instant grunt.It’s also lacking in much engine braking.
The throttle, which must be fly by wire is also a tad odd.It doesn’t have any play like a Multi V4 but feels a bit disconnected at low revs.Also, at a standstill, if you let the clutch out towards biting point then the revs increase.Feels odd but may well be a design feature to aid a quick getaway.
Indicators are quite clever in that a short press enables 3 flashes before self-cancelling and a long press gives about 8.
Quick shifter was good. Not as good as on my 1290R but ok.The gearbox was a tad notchy though.
I averaged 48mpg over my short ride.
Heated grips have three stages but even on high could barely be felt.
Heated seat wasn’t working !!!
Handling was good but it’s missing that low c of g tip in feeling that is so prominent on the latest KTMs and obviously a GS trait.
Good points
Great seat/riding position/comfort
Easily adjustable and useful screen
Shaft drive
Back lit switch gear
Good TFT
Bad points
Needs revs to ….er….make progress
Heated grips are weak
Heated seat was fucked !!!
Low down fuelling.
Overall thoughts ?
I was slightly underwhelmed.
Comparing it to my 2021 KTM 1290R, it’s not as powerful or grunty, the handling is nowhere near as sure footed and you need to get it above 5500 revs to really get a shift on.
It’s lacking the grunt and engine braking of a twin but the 1-3-2 firing order masks it being a triple, even if it provides more grip and stability.
I’m sure it’ll sell well and is a good bike if you must have shaft drive.
But ,IMHO, the latest 1290 is streets ahead, and I’ve only ridden the SAR !!!
Thoughts ?
Looks nicely screwed together.
Great TFT with easy navigable menu using a joystick
It’s immediately very comfortable.The seat is brilliant as is the screen.
On high position it was very good at providing protection whilst still giving a small amount of cleanish air around/over the body.
On low, the airflow was directed at upper chest,which is fine in my opinion.
High
Low
The screen is adjustable one handed on the fly.
The engine ?
Well…..it’s certainly not lacking in power.The T-plane crank with it’s uneven firing order puts out something like 148bhp and 130Nm of torque.
It does sound a bit odd.It’s certainly lacking that lovely triple growl of previous models, yet it doesn’t have the grunt of a twin.
Sitting at 60 mph in 6th is about 3500 revs and 70mph is 4200 revs.
Redline is 9500.The bike flies from about 5500 revs but that means you need to knock it down a couple of cogs for a decent overtake, unlike something like a KTM 1290 which has instant grunt.It’s also lacking in much engine braking.
The throttle, which must be fly by wire is also a tad odd.It doesn’t have any play like a Multi V4 but feels a bit disconnected at low revs.Also, at a standstill, if you let the clutch out towards biting point then the revs increase.Feels odd but may well be a design feature to aid a quick getaway.
Indicators are quite clever in that a short press enables 3 flashes before self-cancelling and a long press gives about 8.
Quick shifter was good. Not as good as on my 1290R but ok.The gearbox was a tad notchy though.
I averaged 48mpg over my short ride.
Heated grips have three stages but even on high could barely be felt.
Heated seat wasn’t working !!!
Handling was good but it’s missing that low c of g tip in feeling that is so prominent on the latest KTMs and obviously a GS trait.
Good points
Great seat/riding position/comfort
Easily adjustable and useful screen
Shaft drive
Back lit switch gear
Good TFT
Bad points
Needs revs to ….er….make progress
Heated grips are weak
Heated seat was fucked !!!
Low down fuelling.
Overall thoughts ?
I was slightly underwhelmed.
Comparing it to my 2021 KTM 1290R, it’s not as powerful or grunty, the handling is nowhere near as sure footed and you need to get it above 5500 revs to really get a shift on.
It’s lacking the grunt and engine braking of a twin but the 1-3-2 firing order masks it being a triple, even if it provides more grip and stability.
I’m sure it’ll sell well and is a good bike if you must have shaft drive.
But ,IMHO, the latest 1290 is streets ahead, and I’ve only ridden the SAR !!!
That's a nice honest review Arsey,thanks for posting.Did you find any weight issues with the bike?I really like the looks of it and like the proper upswept high level end can,no doubt I'll find one parked up somewhere so I can give it a proper look over.
Kimbo
Kimbo
That's a nice honest review Arsey,thanks for posting.Did you find any weight issues with the bike?I really like the looks of it and like the proper upswept high level end can,no doubt I'll find one parked up somewhere so I can give it a proper look over.
Kimbo
It feels quite light, though still a tad top heavy, if that makes sense ?
Easy to push around etc.
Still, it looks a sight better than the old TEX. That was a real monster to manoeuvre; I recall many of us pulling out of booked test rides at the launch, which proved a wise move when the shit hit early adopters.
However, the new engine tune makes little sense. Maybe it will encourage Yamaha to develop a T9 & T12 - their 900 triple is a sweet motor ...........https://www.rideapart.com/news/582448/yamaha-tenere-900-digital-renders/
However, the new engine tune makes little sense. Maybe it will encourage Yamaha to develop a T9 & T12 - their 900 triple is a sweet motor ...........https://www.rideapart.com/news/582448/yamaha-tenere-900-digital-renders/
Engine Tune
Do you mean the T-Plane Crank ?
No - I would have expected a T-plane crank 1200 triple to produce plenty of low end power & torque, yet testers all seem to comment on the bike being rev hungry or buzzy (whatever that might mean).
There has to be something - ECU, Euro5, fuelling , cam profile - something that is influencing that power/torque curve.
Surely most of us would sacrifice a little top end, in exchange for low/mid range tractability & instant grunt. This is big adv, not a sports bike.
