Church of MO: 1997 Adventure Tourers
And in those days, according to this archaic MO comparison anyway, there were only two: the BMW Methuselah R1100GS and the Triumph Tiger 900. And so they set out across the burning sands, two by two, to see which was more worthy, unaware that the ADV niche would become so yuuge 21 years later.
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1997 Adventure Tourers
Seeking Adventure
Somewhere a motorcycle manufacturer’s marketing department coined the name “adventure tourers” to describe large-displacement dual sport bikes. Spawned from Paris-Dakar rally machines, they come equipped with hard luggage, enormous fuel tanks, high-mileage radial tires, comfortable seats, long-travel suspension and lots of ground clearance. Want to take a trip to Alaska? Maybe head south through Mexico’s rugged terrain? These will be the machines of choice. But which of these heavyweights works best in this environment? That depends on which side of the equation you place the most emphasis — adventure, or touring. Follow along as we do a photo-comparison of these two adventure bikes. The results may be surprise you.BMW’s Telever front suspension gives a natural anti-dive effect under hard braking, something you can do with confidence on the R11GS because of its Brembo-equipped dual discs and four-piston calipers. The Tiger’s softly-sprung, long travel forks dived excessively under heavy braking during spirited riding, putting it at a distinct disadvantage while chasing the Beemer through the canyons.
Using the same fuel-injected, 4-valve boxer motor as the R1100R Roadster, the GS produces a claimed 80 hp, the same output claimed by Triumph for its DOHC, 4-valve triple. But the BMW is a heavy beast. Although providing the perfect marriage between mechanical innovation and computerized electronics, its three-way catalytic converters, electronic engine management system and ABS-controlled triple disc brake system extol a large weight penalty. BMW’s Teutonic twin outweighs the Tiger by almost 50 pounds — an important consideration when blasting down rock infested trails.Off-road, the GS’ wide bars offer more leverage during tricky uphill climbs than the Tiger’s narrower bars, but then again, the Beemer shouldn’t be climbing hills off-road. The narrow windscreen provided a surprising amount of wind protection during freeway travel. BMW’s Rider Information Display, a broad array of functions and warning lights that includes the ABS warning system, is the prominent feature on the GS’ simple instrument panel. The ABS system can be disarmed through an instrument panel-mounted switch, something you’ll want to remember if you venture off the pavement with the GS. Take it from us, anti-lock brakes make it difficult to control a motorcycle as large as the Beemer when traveling down a slick, off-camber cobby downhill.
Meanwhile, the Tiger’s cockpit features the standard array of gauges and lights, and even has a clock — a nice touch when out on tour. A major nitpick though, is the dark-tinted lens cover over the idiot light strip that makes it hard to see the neutral light or turn signal indicators in daylight. More than once it caused us to travel down the highway for miles with a blinker flashing.
Large dual-sport motorcycles are often categorized by the percentage of street-vs-off-road capability they possess. Make no mistake — both these bikes are happier on pavement than plowing through sand washes. 85 percent street, 15 percent dirt is the usual formula. And that 15 percent dirt had better be on smooth fire roads — there’ll be no rock-infested single-track trails in either of these bikes repertoires. Indeed, many adventure bike owners may never experience life beyond the asphalt, and the docile road-going manners of both the BMW-GS and Triumph Tiger make them perfectly suited for light-duty street-only touring.But if you seek real adventure and want your tourer to be capable of heading into the boonies when the need or desire arises, you’ll want the Tiger. Lighter weight, six-speed transmission, chain-drive, powerful high-rev motor, suspension that handles acceptably well in the street and even better off-road, there isn’t much that a Tiger rider would have to avoid. It’s only limitation is in its tires, which are not intended for serious off-road play — although the Triumph Tiger is willing in every other way.
More by John Burns
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I remember that review. I’m still trying to decide between the BMW and the Triumph. Although the KTM has infested the woodpile. I’d really like to hear what better riders than I think about how the Tiger 1200 racks and stacks. The first one I saw was a handsome beast. I seem to dig metallic white motorcycles these days.
What a Great review! A good spectrum of opinions from different points of view and a trip report from someone using the Beemer probably not in the way it was intended, but how potential owners dream they wil use it.
I remember thinking that version of the Tiger was a beautiful machine and bemoaning the fact I was just too short to fit it properly. I've gone on to own a Tiger 800, which though it doesn't have the visual presence of the Tiger 900, is one of the best bikes I've owned or ridden.
As much as I appreciate the functionality of the BMW Boxer GS, I just don't gel with it's looks. Not then and not now.