As someone who has owned two of these bikes (The Tiger and currently the GS) I can say that these are great bikes. The engine in the Tiger almost feels like a sportsbike with the top end rush and the handling on the latest one felt greatly improved when I test rode one. Also, if you shop around there are deals to be had.
As for the GS.. It is very expensive, but it's the best bike I've every owned. Yes the engine's about 5hp down on the other two, but the torque is there across the whole rev range. However, it's only when I'm playing 'straight racing' that I notice it. (The Tiger IS better at this). I might end up taking off the cat and claiming back those 10 odd horses.
On the other hand the comments about 6th gear are wrong. It's a freeway gear and is great for covering distance. It really smooths things out.
Going onto suspension, this type of bike dives a lot under braking. It's the weakest point about them. The GS doesn't. At all. If you're going to carry a passenger, this is the only bike to get. Otherwise you'll be playing helmet bats with your passenger every time you touch the brakes.
When I first test rode the GS, it was the suspension that got to me immediately. It's so planted and secure. This bike loves the twisties. It even stays planted through sweepers, within reason. (It'll wallow some going through 100mph+ sweepers, but that's not why you buy the bike)
Cutting to the chase. I want a bike that CAN:
1. do 500+ mile days easily.
2. canyon carve up the twisties when I get there or even better - on the way there..
3. can go offroad enough to get me there: a. and won't break when I crash it. b. and I can pick it up myself
4. can be loaded up without noticing.
5. can have a passenger along without killing the fun: a. for me. b. or her.
6. doesn't need any maintenance while I'm doing it. a. no chains to oil every day b. see a.
The GS does all of this easily except 3b, and I've recently found out how to do that one too.. even works in mud.
As for the Aprilia.. I've never ridden one but it looks like a touring bike rather than an adventure touring bike to me. I wouldn't take that off road 'cos I don't think it would bounce. All that plastic and underdamped suspension would be a liability on a bike weighing over 200kgs.
From experience, the Tiger bounces okay-ish. It got me home every time, but needed repairing. Nothing expensive , but I never threw it down the path at more than 20mph.
The GS, however, has currently been dumped 5 times. (once on tarmac - brand new - did'nt put the side stand down - jerk. Twice on mud - my advice is don't ride any of these bikes in the mud unless you really have to. Twice dropped on forrest roads, getting thrown by quad ruts, both times above 40mph) No problem getting home - there is no damage, except a slight roughness to the lower edge of the plastic cylinder head protectors.
These are great bikes. You'll love any one of them if you want to travel at speed and in comfort, anywhere you want to go. My advice. The Aprilia if you want a more stylish touring bike. The Triumph if you want more go over shorter distances. The BMW if you're going to keep the bike for more than two years and if you want to really go anywhere..
PS. For other GS riders. "How to pick it up in the mud on your own": Turn the handlebars away from you so the front is pointing skywards. Grab the lower handlebar with both hands and heave. (Yes, mom. From the knees.) The bars won't bend and the bike won't roll away from you until it's up, (or at all, depending on how deep the mud is) The first time I dumped the GS into the sticky, I didn't know this and it took an hour and a sore back to get it out.....
As for the GS.. It is very expensive, but it's the best bike I've every owned. Yes the engine's about 5hp down on the other two, but the torque is there across the whole rev range. However, it's only when I'm playing 'straight racing' that I notice it. (The Tiger IS better at this). I might end up taking off the cat and claiming back those 10 odd horses.
On the other hand the comments about 6th gear are wrong. It's a freeway gear and is great for covering distance. It really smooths things out.
Going onto suspension, this type of bike dives a lot under braking. It's the weakest point about them. The GS doesn't. At all. If you're going to carry a passenger, this is the only bike to get. Otherwise you'll be playing helmet bats with your passenger every time you touch the brakes.
When I first test rode the GS, it was the suspension that got to me immediately. It's so planted and secure. This bike loves the twisties. It even stays planted through sweepers, within reason. (It'll wallow some going through 100mph+ sweepers, but that's not why you buy the bike)
Cutting to the chase. I want a bike that CAN:
1. do 500+ mile days easily.
2. canyon carve up the twisties when I get there or even better - on the way there..
3. can go offroad enough to get me there: a. and won't break when I crash it. b. and I can pick it up myself
4. can be loaded up without noticing.
5. can have a passenger along without killing the fun: a. for me. b. or her.
6. doesn't need any maintenance while I'm doing it. a. no chains to oil every day b. see a.
The GS does all of this easily except 3b, and I've recently found out how to do that one too.. even works in mud.
As for the Aprilia.. I've never ridden one but it looks like a touring bike rather than an adventure touring bike to me. I wouldn't take that off road 'cos I don't think it would bounce. All that plastic and underdamped suspension would be a liability on a bike weighing over 200kgs.
From experience, the Tiger bounces okay-ish. It got me home every time, but needed repairing. Nothing expensive , but I never threw it down the path at more than 20mph.
The GS, however, has currently been dumped 5 times. (once on tarmac - brand new - did'nt put the side stand down - jerk. Twice on mud - my advice is don't ride any of these bikes in the mud unless you really have to. Twice dropped on forrest roads, getting thrown by quad ruts, both times above 40mph) No problem getting home - there is no damage, except a slight roughness to the lower edge of the plastic cylinder head protectors.
These are great bikes. You'll love any one of them if you want to travel at speed and in comfort, anywhere you want to go. My advice. The Aprilia if you want a more stylish touring bike. The Triumph if you want more go over shorter distances. The BMW if you're going to keep the bike for more than two years and if you want to really go anywhere..
PS. For other GS riders. "How to pick it up in the mud on your own": Turn the handlebars away from you so the front is pointing skywards. Grab the lower handlebar with both hands and heave. (Yes, mom. From the knees.) The bars won't bend and the bike won't roll away from you until it's up, (or at all, depending on how deep the mud is) The first time I dumped the GS into the sticky, I didn't know this and it took an hour and a sore back to get it out.....
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