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After holding on to the same motorcycle for the last 15 years, I have decided to treat myself to a new one. After lots of online research I have a very short shortlist and number one on it is the new Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro.
I naively phoned the Triumph dealer to arrange a test ride, expecting to get the keys to my own in a month or two if I gelled with it. "Summer 2021 delivery at the very earliest Sir, if you put a deposit down today" 😲
Partly down to strong sales pre lockdown because of very favourable reviews, but mostly global supply issues due to Covid-19 (part made in Thailand, assembled in UK). The dealer also sells Suzuki and Yamaha - same story with most of their popular models.
I don't read MCN any more or the other bike press, so this may be common knowledge but my flabber was well and truly gasted.
First world problems and all but I'm gutted my dreams of spending this summer on a shiny new bike are dashed.
I'll probably still do a few test rides and order a new bike anyway, but recalibrating my head from instant gratification to patient waiting is a PITA. Tea, sympathy and violins from the STW massif? 😊
Just think how excited you'll be when it finally does roll into the showroom!
Worth checking with another Triumph dealer (if there's one anywhere close) as different dealers might get a different allocation of bikes. If they all tell you the same thing then you just have to suck it up and get your order in.
Is the GT Pro a roady one or an off roady one? Had a ride on a pals 800xc a couple of years ago and couldn't get used to the big font wheel and skinny dual purpose tyres.
The GT is the more road biased of the Tigers, road tires, smaller front wheel and shorter travel road optimised suspension. The Rally is the more off road focussed version with longer travel etc. The GT is supposed to be "OK" off road, but it's unlikely to see much in my hands. It'll mostly be used for road touring. Yep, suck it up seems to be the only option!
Brand new model though, that can’t help?
Brand new model though, that can’t help?
Definitely. It's been very well received too and sales far bigger than expected so the shortage is global apparently. I'm going to test ride some competitors, but if it's as good as the hype I'll wait.
If it’s as good as it looks it’ll be worth it!
I thought they were entirely made in Thailand as Triumph have a factory out there also. It’s a long way over on a crowded boat these days. New model Triumphs always seem to have a long lead time. My Street Triple was 6 months from order.
Friend is Triumph dealer.
Red GT Pro are October, black or white are November. Still some time off, but not quite summer 2021 - and it might shorten as they catch up on build as they respond to demand...
Oh aye, Triumph dealers are renowned for being, well, a bit special..
Friend is Triumph dealer.
Red GT Pro are October, black or white are November. Still some time off, but not quite summer 2021 – and it might shorten as they catch up on build as they respond to demand…
Cheers, that's a bit more encouraging!
Top of my list at the moment is the latest Street Triple.
But I have considered a Tiger - and still might - perhaps more of a "do it all" bike whereas the Striple is more a Sunday fun bike.
I'd need to test ride both but that might be tricky if they're in such short supply!
So... a test ride yesterday and it was awesome. I know a short test ride on a shiny new bike can make it hard to be objective and properly evaluate a bike but wow. Just wow.
They had available one bike, a cancelled order from another customer for delivery next month. They also offered me a very reasonable PX on my ratty 15 year old Sprint 1050. What's a bloke to do?
Trigger pulled. Impatient waiting begins.
What’s a bloke to do?
Buy it, of course! Which you've done - enjoy!
Which model have you gone for?
Which model have you gone for?
The GT pro, which is the more road than off road focussed version, with all the electronic rider aids and toys as standard. It will be my do it all bike with quite a few two up continental tours planned. With that in mind I've ordered full luggage.
Nice, hope you enjoy. I'm tempted with a Tiger over the Street Triple for the "do it all" ability - I don't have any tours planned just now but that might change.
Be interesting to hear how you get on with it, warts 'n all (no bike is perfect but from what I've heard it's a damn good bike).
Tell me more about this road,/ off road thing. Is it just styling, or more than that. As a non motorcycle person I'm really struggling with the idea of a slightly off road motorbike.
Surely that's a recipe for a real mess?
Scratch that. Looked at the photos. Clearly off roadish. For some reason I had this vision of a 1960 road machine
As you were.