Good looking bikes in either color ! 👍

 

Well... Just saying

 

I love the color combo on your bike. That green with the yellow accent decals is so nice. You're making me wanna look at Z900RS's on CycleTrader now...

 

I like the looks of the Tiger 800 Sport. Proportions look more attractive to me than the Tiger 900GT.

Agree the GSX-S1000GT+ is a lot of bike for the money, better deal than the Tiger 800 IMHO. I really like the traditional aggressive sport touring stance—my hips, knees and back not so much lol!

Keep in mind the newer bikes do allow you to dial back the power via the display (traction control too) so there is a safety net. Don’t count out a Versys 1000. There is one a few hours from me that is killing me. 2019 V1K, 5000 miles and $9500. Buy it and put me out of my misery…still warm enough to fly and ride!

2021 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ - motorcycles/scooters - by owner - vehicle automotive bike sale - craigslist

2021 KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 SE LT+ MSRP: $18,199.00, MILAGE: Less than 5000, (4700mi @ 6.28.24) VIN: JKALZCD19MA008115, always kept in heated garage, never dropped, looks brand new. Included Extras:...

quadcities.craigslist.org

 

The Tiger Sport 800 looks like a really sweet machine! Similar weight range as a Versys 650 but with approx 50 more hp, slipper clutch, all sorts of rider aids, cruise control, lots of accessories available (for big $$) and a reasonable (?) base price tag. To me, it kind of represents what an upgraded street version Versys 650 could be!

 

That 3 cylinder Tiger 900 would be a fine engine but I'm really attracted to that classic old-style Z900.

My V is a great solo bike, not so much with a passenger perched high up on the pillion seat- even with my 110 lb girlfriend it's too top heavy for slow speed manouevering. But would the Z900 have enough leg room for my 34" inseam I wonder (I have peg lowers on the V)?
I pointed out the Z900 to her in a bike shop but she leans toward the Triumph Speed Twin. I've ridden my buddy's and it has nowhere near enough legroom for me. A great bike though...

 

The Z900RS might feel a bit cramped for you. I am 5'10" with 32" inseam and it fits me perfectly.

 

That Z900RS certainly is a pretty bike, I can't argue with you there. Before I started riding, I was always ogling those "modern classic" style bikes like the Z900RS and the Bonneville. For me though I still think the Tiger is be a better fit, for how much I ride (I've more than doubled the 8500 miles my Versys had when I bought it a year ago) I'd rather have the comfort and convenience of a purpose built sport tourer even if it lacks the retro charm.

 

Don't underestimate the value of cruise control and wind protection when taking longer trips! That is where the Tiger shines!

 

I searched and found that there are foot peg lowering kits available for the Z900 but rather spendy cuz the whole foot peg has to be replaced. Many are candy-*** coloured look-at-me crap, although the black ones aren't bad.

 

look at the details of the V100. You get a lot of up spec components for your money. Plus shaft drive and cruise control. Power windscreen, electronically adjustable suspension, etc.

 

The V100 is a handsome machine for sure and there's a lot of nice components there. Plus valve clearance checks with the tank still on thanks to the longitudinal V twin! If I won the lottery tomorrow it's probably the one I'd go with, but in reality it's a luxury I can't justify next to these other bikes.

 

I have put almost 40K on my Versy 650LT over the last 4 years, and at almost 70yo I don't really need a new bike but, I am really interested in this new Triumph. I had a Thruxton that I really liked and my buddy has several Triumphs, including a 900 Tiger, so I know a little about them. I really like the 660, but as someone else said, what does it do that my current bike doesn't? The 800 answers that question. More power, cruise control, quick shifter, ride modes, upgraded suspension and braking. The only thing holding me back right now is the question about seat height. Almost a 33 in seat height, but they are going to offer a low seat option. It can be fitted with that, integrated hard bags, center stand, heated grips, and much more, and still come in at a fairly decent price/value point. I'm interested because it offers everything I would be interested in having on a bike, and it doesn't weigh a ton and won't cost me a kidney. But I'm going to wait and see how the reviews come in and how much lower the low seat option goes. Could be my next bike.

 

Yep, similar thoughts here when I read about this bike. Except I like the seat height

 

The seat height and weight aren't far off what I'm already used to with the V650. Very similar proportions, just with a bit more punch and modern features. Will definitely wait for reviews, it could turn out they've totally neutered the throttle map or cut corners on build quality to hit that starting price, but it looks great on paper.

View attachment 203699

I just saw the news about this bike and it's got me pretty excited. My 2014 V650 has been a great first bike, but I never planned for it to be my last bike, and I've been window shopping for a possible next step up for a while now. The Suzuki GSXS1000 GT+ is great bang for the buck, but might be too much power for only my second bike. The Moto Guzzi V100 is quirky and characterful without being too impractical, but it's also pretty expensive for what it is. I've heard good things about Triumph, but their previous offerings straddle the line between the 660 not being enough of an upgrade, and the 900 being outside my budget. The TS800 looks like the perfect second bike in terms of price, power, and a sexy inline triple sound. My only complaint: why won't they sell it in red? They've already got the red paint for the Tiger 900 GT, just give me that on the 800! I don't want a boring all-black motorcycle, but I'm just not a yellow or blue kinda guy y'know...

Red 900 for reference:

View attachment 203700

I started riding on the street almost 45 years ago. For the first 25 years I bought the best value and reliability because it was my transportation.

The next 10 years I became an empty nester and started owning more than one bike at a time. I also started touring the US. That is when I bought more substantial long distance motorcycles. Those bikes just happened to come with more HP and torque.

I eventually realized that I seldom got into the RPM range that exceeded 50hp. Yes it was nice to have passing power when needed, but anything over 90 hp was overkill and torque was where it was at.

Currently all the bikes in my stable are single or twins because they typically produce more torque lower in the Rev range.

I owned a 2011 Versys 650 for 30,000 miles and it would pass anything I wanted to pass and even give corvettes a workout to beat me to 70. Yep, he was chirping tires at every shift to keep up with me.

Have you played in the upper Rev range on the Versys? You can't run the curves any faster on the Triumph than you can on the Versys.

Before you go decide you need a different motorcycle make sure you are fully invested in your retirement account and have no credit card debt and are prepared for the higher insurance costs with a new and more powerful motorcycle.

Then I recommend going to as many demo days for all brands of motorcycles. Harley and BMW have always offered test rides and some multi-brand dealers might have demo bikes. Most used bikes at dealers are available for a test ride. If you just tell the salesmen that you are just trying to figure out what your next bike will be and you "look" like you can afford it they should have no issue letting you take a test ride.

 

I started riding on the street almost 45 years ago. For the first 25 years I bought the best value and reliability because it was my transportation.

The next 10 years I became an empty nester and started owning more than one bike at a time. I also started touring the US. That is when I bought more substantial long distance motorcycles. Those bikes just happened to come with more HP and torque.

I eventually realized that I seldom got into the RPM range that exceeded 50hp. Yes it was nice to have passing power when needed, but anything over 90 hp was overkill and torque was where it was at.

Currently all the bikes in my stable are single or twins because they typically produce more torque lower in the Rev range.

I owned a 2011 Versys 650 for 30,000 miles and it would pass anything I wanted to pass and even give corvettes a workout to beat me to 70. Yep, he was chirping tires at every shift to keep up with me.

Have you played in the upper Rev range on the Versys? You can't run the curves any faster on the Triumph than you can on the Versys.

Before you go decide you need a different motorcycle make sure you are fully invested in your retirement account and have no credit card debt and are prepared for the higher insurance costs with a new and more powerful motorcycle.

Then I recommend going to as many demo days for all brands of motorcycles. Harley and BMW have always offered test rides and some multi-brand dealers might have demo bikes. Most used bikes at dealers are available for a test ride. If you just tell the salesmen that you are just trying to figure out what your next bike will be and you "look" like you can afford it they should have no issue letting you take a test ride.

A lot of logic and common sense-- I like it 👍🏻

 

Sorry to revive an old thread but thought this would be good place to provide an update.

Ever since reading this thread - about the 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800, I couldn't get that bike out of my head. The reviews started coming in very positive and was smitten by the looks and specs. Long story short, I was able to get my hands on a yellow one early this summer (2025). The dealer was really great - they were able to find a yellow Triumph three states away - they picked it up and brought it back for me. Awesome service! Triumph is sold out of the yellow tiger sport 800's for this year (per the dealer). Hat tip to Triumph Waukesha Wi for being so helpful.

Have ~2200 miles on the bike now and absolutely love it - no regrets. Around town/commuting the bike is a pussy cat - very docile and forgiving. Open the throttle all the way and let it rev - oh my gosh fastest bike I've ever owned. The transmission is like butter and the quick shift works extremely well. I'm getting an easy 50+mpg commuting (on premium fuel). The thermal management is pretty decent and is very rideable with temps in the mid 90's. The wind protection is just so - so, but little to no buffeting. The cruise control is very simple, just on/off but works extremely well. Keeps speed very tight, +/-1mph typical even with small elevation changes. The heated grips are reasonable as well as the top case and panniers. The brakes are strong and very effective.

The bike is actually quite compact yet for some reason the ergo's work well for me. No back pain other than the typical seat issues I usually have. Seat is OK but my bottom is burning after an hour or so of riding. With the bike being more compact I can easily flat foot when I come to a stop. That and the fact that the weight is ~470lbs makes the bike so easy to manage around town and commutes. As a comparison my 2019 V1K has 5hp more but 100 more pounds (and is much taller).

I do have a few complaints on the Tiger 800 - the display is poor quality (can't read in direct sunlight) but also in the way the data is displayed. Kawasaki (on the V1K) has a much better display format. You have all critical info on one screen. On the Triumph you need to scroll though many different screens to get the same data. Another issue is the windscreen and entire dash needs to be more rigid. The shifter pedal is also quite small (need to move foot way in to shift). For me though, those are all fairly minor things that don't effect the ride. One last thing I learned was Triumph does not sell a service manual so you must take the bike to the dealer for at least the major stuff. Oh well.

Overall super happy with my decision. The Tiger sport 800 will make an excellent commuter and fun ride bike. I will be keeping my V1K for longer rides and when the weather turns really nasty (cold). The Tiger Sport 800 replaces my 2020 Versys X-300 that I sold to a work buddy. So happy the X-300 went to a good home!

2025 Tiger Sport 800

The Tiger Sport 800 at work with my old X-300 (I sold to a work buddy)

 

Sorry to revive an old thread but thought this would be good place to provide an update.

Ever since reading this thread - about the 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800, I couldn't get that bike out of my head. The reviews started coming in very positive and was smitten by the looks and specs. Long story short, I was able to get my hands on a yellow one early this summer (2025). The dealer was really great - they were able to find a yellow Triumph three states away - they picked it up and brought it back for me. Awesome service! Triumph is sold out of the yellow tiger sport 800's for this year (per the dealer). Hat tip to Triumph Waukesha Wi for being so helpful.

Have ~2200 miles on the bike now and absolutely love it - no regrets. Around town/commuting the bike is a pussy cat - very docile and forgiving. Open the throttle all the way and let it rev - oh my gosh fastest bike I've ever owned. The transmission is like butter and the quick shift works extremely well. I'm getting an easy 50+mpg commuting (on premium fuel). The thermal management is pretty decent and is very rideable with temps in the mid 90's. The wind protection is just so - so, but little to no buffeting. The cruise control is very simple, just on/off but works extremely well. Keeps speed very tight, +/-1mph typical even with small elevation changes. The heated grips are reasonable as well as the top case and panniers. The brakes are strong and very effective.

The bike is actually quite compact yet for some reason the ergo's work well for me. No back pain other than the typical seat issues I usually have. Seat is OK but my bottom is burning after an hour or so of riding. With the bike being more compact I can easily flat foot when I come to a stop. That and the fact that the weight is ~470lbs makes the bike so easy to manage around town and commutes. As a comparison my 2019 V1K has 5hp more but 100 more pounds (and is much taller).

I do have a few complaints on the Tiger 800 - the display is poor quality (can't read in direct sunlight) but also in the way the data is displayed. Kawasaki (on the V1K) has a much better display format. You have all critical info on one screen. On the Triumph you need to scroll though may different screens to get the same data. Another issue is the windscreen and entire dash needs to be more rigid. The shifter pedal is also quite small (need to move foot way in to shift). For me though, those are all fairly minor things that don't effect the ride. One last thing I learned was Triumph does not sell a service manual so you must take the bike to the dealer for at least the major stuff. Oh well.

Overall super happy with my decision. The Tiger sport 800 will make an excellent commuter and fun ride bike. I will be keeping my V1K for longer rides and when the weather turns really nasty (cold). The Tiger Sport 800 replaces my 2020 Versys X-300 that I sold to a work buddy. So happy the X-300 went to a good home!

2025 Tiger Sport 800
View attachment 206633

The Tiger Sport 800 at work with my old X-300 (I sold to a work buddy)
View attachment 206634

Nice bike! Glad you get to visit your 300 too 👍🏻