Featured Tiger Sport Tiger 900 Gt Pro 3oo Mile Thoughts...

Discussion in 'Tiger / Explorer' started by Shock, Dec 14, 2025.

  1. Shock

    Shock Well-Known Member
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    Sep 28, 2025
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    I purchased a new 900 GT Pro a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would post a few thoughts.
    First, this is really a nice motorcycle. Very tight and well made. It seems there was a lot of thought that went into this design. Coming from 38 years of sport bikes, sitting straight up is a very interesting way for me to ride. I think my aching back and neck will get used to this! I added a Garmin XT2 and handlebar controller onto an Evoteck mount. This is really great. It took me a really long time to figure out how to pair this, Tiger TFT, Sena SRL3 and iPhone to get what I needed. In the end, after a few pints and misc other things, it all works pretty nice.
    OK, this is NOT a complaint but a curiosity...why is it mandatory to pull in the clutch to start? (I am sure it is to protect me from me?...) I miss starting in neutral...I know...small thing.
    Next..I found out the hard way that when you unplug the battery it will throw three codes....really...on a touring bike...I added my Garmin and a powered phone mount and got ready for a ride until I saw the MIL come on with no reason why. I ended up driving an hour and a half each way to the dealer for them to clear them and explain why....Now I set up my Ducati's TuneECU to the triumph so that I can now clear the codes. The technician told me that "most" touring riders replace their batteries before a major trip to keep this from happening...I guess I need to start buying batteries in bulk...maybe Costco will have a ten pack! And lots of trips to Christchurch. Which brings me to another thought. The folks at Destination Triumph in Dorset have really been fabulous. They have treated my wife and I really great and have made the whole experience of emptying a bank account pretty great. As mentioned above, the service department seems to be top notch also. I am really happy about this as we are picking up my wife's Tiger 900 this week.
    While I was on Ski Patrol at a Colorado ski resort, there were many, many riders, mostly touring and adv touring bikes. I was the lone sport bike guy and they all gave me endless grief. My comeback was "if I was on one of your busses, I would miss the corners too much." They always came back with how epic their bikes handled in the corners "probably as good as your Ducati." Well, they were liars! But when I was riding my Ducati to Germany a month ago, having a giant bag strapped on the tail sure did make cornering sketchy to say the least. So I am very happy with the bikes cornering with boxes on the back...just need to get used to sitting so high up flinging from one corner to the next.
    I guess I have wasted enough of everyones time...thanks for being such a great group of riders and I will see you on the road (or dirt:cool:).
     
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  2. joe mc donald

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    Dec 26, 2014
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    @Shock It not a problem to ask a question that is what make this a great forum in my opinion the best. The pulling of the clutch aids the start process and saves battery. Clutch pulled in it just spins clutch drive no clutch the battery is driving the complete gearbox. Not sure if i explained this right but trying to say is less load on the battery and system. The wise one will pop along soon to help me out of the hole.
     
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  3. Shock

    Shock Well-Known Member
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    Sep 28, 2025
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    Thanks, great explanation! I've never had a motorcycle that demanded clutch in to start. When I go ride, I am in the habit of pulling in the clutch if I am sitting on the bike but when I am working on or messing about I am used to be able to start in neutral, stand down. Again, this is not really an issue at all...just interesting to me.
     
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  4. Johnjo

    Johnjo Senior Member

    May 29, 2017
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    Birmingham
    Welcome Shock, great intro.

    I had always assumed the clutch in requirement was to stop the bike setting off on its own if starting the engine with the bike in gear whilst not sat on board.
     
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  5. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    Yep @Johnjo it is a safety feature.
     
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  6. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    I’ve never heard this before? I have been touring for many years and on many different bikes and can honestly say I have never changed a battery before a trip?
     
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  7. Shock

    Shock Well-Known Member
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    Sep 28, 2025
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    Yes, I was surprised and had a quick flood of thoughts whether I purchased the right bike for touring. Honestly, I wonder if this tech just didn't have anything better to say about this issue.
     
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  8. Raveydavey

    Raveydavey Member

    Dec 25, 2025
    31
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    Southampton UK
    I have just purchased a 2025 GT PRO from the same dealer. I got a few spurious answers to some of my questions but got better answers from the online forums.
    I have also come from sports bikes or naked hyper bikes and wondered how I would get on with it (brought it specifically to go touring).
    So far I’ve done 2 150 odd mile rides out since last Friday and have to say I really like it (much more than I thought I would to be honest)!
    I am getting the lowering links for it as I’m a short arse. Can’t still ride it no problem but want to have a bit more foot on the ground as I’m currently on tip toes.
    Being fairly vertically challenged and with fairly short fingers I’m looking at getting aftermarket adjustable levers. Otherwise I think it’s great and can’t wait to get a load more miles on it. also, heated seat and grips are to die for after 150 miles yesterday at 5 degrees!!!
     
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  9. Shock

    Shock Well-Known Member
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    Sep 28, 2025
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    My Ducati has built in heated seats from the under tail exhaust , even during the hottest summer. I thought it was a bit of a gimmick having heated seats on the Tiger… but riding this week, it was really nice ( and I can turn them off in summer)
     
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  10. joe mc donald

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    Dec 26, 2014
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    @Raveydavey Welcome to the family. Nice bike and sensible thought on safety. Do tap the upload a file button and show of the bikes please
     
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  11. Raveydavey

    Raveydavey Member

    Dec 25, 2025
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    Southampton UK
    Thanks for the reply Shock. Here you go.

    a84ff219-7674-4ec8-ac64-a325a9642d1b.jpeg
     
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  12. Shock

    Shock Well-Known Member
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    Sep 28, 2025
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    Here is a picture of mine, now with about 500miles. Booked into shop next week for the first service and to pick up my wife's new 900 GT Pro. I was out messing around yesterday and all I could think about is how soft the ride is, in a good way. Kind of like wrapping yourself in a mink blanket as opposed to my Ducati's glass shard and rubbing alcohol blanket :cool:. Just getting ready next week for a quick trip to Bristol for the night to break in the bikes and eat some good food. This will be my first trip with panniers...so excited!!

    IMG_4033.JPG
     
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  13. Regit nogara

    Regit nogara Active Member
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    Apr 22, 2025
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    Welcome to the forum Raveydavey, from North Wales.
     
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  14. Raveydavey

    Raveydavey Member

    Dec 25, 2025
    31
    13
    Southampton UK
    Cheers. Hope to have a few days around the Elan Valley in a month or so. Bit lower than where you but has some nice roads.
     
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  15. Regit nogara

    Regit nogara Active Member
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    Apr 22, 2025
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    Give me a shout when you are up this way. I have a pair of 30mm Lust lowers, and a Tiger 900 Low side stand.
    Not sure if they will fit a 2025. Fitted and then removed off my 2024 Aragon, could not get a happy medium.
    Yours if they will fit, for a sensible price. Only sitting on the shelf.
    Tony
     
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  16. Raveydavey

    Raveydavey Member

    Dec 25, 2025
    31
    13
    Southampton UK
    #16 Raveydavey, Jan 2, 2026
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2026
    Cheers for the offer. I have brought the lowering kit and an adjustable side stand (although not sure about how much I will trust that yet). Haven’t got the lowering kit yet so not tried any of it out. Was it too low for you?
    I have read a few posts from people saying the short stand it’s too short even with the lowering kit. May not be correct though.
    I’m on tiptoe as it is now, ok for normal riding but be nice to be a bit lower. Been riding for 40 years and on tiptoes on other bikes but they are without luggage etc.
    Be good to meet up and get shown some of the lesser known roads up there if there are any left!

    Having said the above about being on tiptoes.
    Why is it that your toes don’t have tips but you can tiptoe, and your fingers have tips but you can’t tip finger??????
     
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  17. Regit nogara

    Regit nogara Active Member
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    Apr 22, 2025
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    Hi Ravey, my problem was mounting the bike, not riding. Tried the Lust lowers, had to be carefull, caus the bike was near vertical
    on the sidestand. Bought a Tiger 900 low stand, that caused the bike to lean to much, thereby raising the right side making it more difficult getting my leg over. Panniers make it worse, and also the trousers i am wearing make a difference.
    Hence back to standard height, and if need be stand on the peg. Its a personal thing.
    Tony
     
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  18. Raveydavey

    Raveydavey Member

    Dec 25, 2025
    31
    13
    Southampton UK
    I have heard both scenarios you mention there, that’s why I took a punt on the adjustable stand. Always an option for me to either cut down my existing stand or modify a low stand. We’ll see how it goes and I’ll let you know if I have any luck with the adjustable one.
    Cheers for the info.
     
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