Compulsive buyer wants input on Triumph 900 Rally Pro.......

Texasten

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So, I have been a lurker for the years since I owned 2 S10 bikes. A 2014, then a 2015. Extremely nice experience, but then I fell victim to the hype and moved on to a lighter Honda Africa Twin, 2016, then a 2018 Adventure Sports Africa Twin. Both, very nice, but heavy, and tall. Once again, I fell for the hype of the KTM 790 Adventure, so now I own the KTM, and a Honda ATAS. Now, I find myself falling for all the hype of the Triumph 900 Rally Pro, sat on one today and think it is perhaps an improvement over what I own now, for my taste. I can pretty much trade the Honda and KTM for the Triumph 900 Rally Pro.
I have read on here that others sat on the Triumph and knew that was not the bike for them. That was not my experience! For all the goodies that come on it, center stand included, I thot it holds it's own quite well compared to other offerings.
What I am looking for is more input on why the Triumph 900 Rally Pro is not the current absolute top of the line adventure type bike on the market, of course right behind the ST!
I know the ST has advantages, like shaft, and it is not smart asking for opinions of other brands on an ST forum, but I have so much respect for lots of long time amazing folks on here that I think it worth throwing it out there and see what happens!!
Whatever the responses, I totally enjoyed my 2 Tenere's, and totally respect all the long time folks on this forum. I certainly spend more time reading this forum than the Africa Twin or KTM forums, due to the depth of knowlege and thoughtful posts.
Thanks for any thoughts.
 

VRODE

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I sat on the Rally pro and loved it. Nice weight and it fit me (5’10”, 200 lbs). I liked the KTM 790 as well. It appears you’ve bought more motorcycles in the last 5 years than I have in the last 20 though, so I’m hardly an authority. Only you can scratch that itch.
 

Rethy

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Well you have and had some nice bikes. I guess I would ask the question, what is it you think the Triumph will do better than the two bikes you have now. The 790 and the ATAS are both great bikes.. You are willing to trade 2 bikes for 1. If it is a lighter bike you want perhaps trade 1 of them for a lighter dual sport. Something like a KTM 500EXC, Honda CRF450L or even a KTM690. Then you have a bike for Longer rides and a light bike for short rides and a little dirtier work. The 2 bikes you have now kind of have the same purpose. If it were me, I would keep either the 790 or the ATAS and get a KTM500EXC or CRF450L. This will cover a broader range of riding. Compulsive buyer.....I get it, as soon as the newness wears off your looking at other bikes. Probably happen with the Triumph as well. Two bikes are better than one. Good luck with your decision.
 

Texasten

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Wowsers, thanks Vrode and Rethy! You both sort of point to the obvious. Buying lots of bikes, never happy, bored when newness wears off. Guilty to all of your comments. I am actually a little jealous of MANY of you S10 ers who have been happy for years with your S10.
The 790 was a compulsive purchase, and does sort of mimic the Honda. It was foolish to buy it, but seemed like a must have at the time. Now I am stuck with liking both of the bikes, needing only one, but can't decide which one to unload first. Thus, trade them both off for the Triumph. And, yes, the Triumph prolly not much different than the two, and it would get boring also.
Rethy, great idea to contemplate, trading one of the similar bikes for something lighter and more nimble in the dirt. Compulsive buyer, that sounds amazingly correct. Got to get a handle on all this, it truly is an "itch" i try to scratch, but it comes back before long.
Going to do some research on compulsive buying. And try not to get hooked into all the youtube videos that just rant and rave about all the advantages of the latest bikes. Am a real sucker for all that hype...........
 

Sierra1

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I'm not sure I understand your post. Are you wanting us to talk you out of the Triumph? Or tell you why you should get it? Obviously, money is not an issue. Equally obvious, is that you haven't found the bike. The reason you read about guys here having their Teneres for years, is that they found theirs to be the bike. And, if the bikes you have aren't the bike. . . .get rid of them. Trade them in, and keep searching for the right one. You said that you're had a '14 & '15. . . . where'd the '16 come from that's your avatar picture? One last bit of advise. . . .don't buy it because it feels good when you sit on it. . . .ride it. Good luck with your search.
 

Texasten

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Sierra1,
Ha, the bike in avatar pic IS the 2015. It was red when I bought it, but I swapped out the tank and parts to make it yellow!
I have read posts on this forum that some knew as soon as they sat on the Triumph that it was not the bike for them. So, guess I am wondering if I am missing something obvious that the bike is not as good as the hype surrounding it. (Just search on youtube and you will see!!!)
Am thinking about what you are saying and it brings up some thoughts. Maybe the Tenere WAS the bike for me at the time, and then the AT was released at 70 or 80 pounds lighter and seemed like the bike for me at that time. I believe that newer tech is generally better tech.
But there is a conflict for sure. Yes, maybe I would like to have someone point out why the Triumph is not a good idea or even affirm that it is the latest greatest. I am good either way!
I have always missed the S10 shaft drive and it's nice highway manners. The AT is certainly not as comfy on the highway......
 

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nondairycreamer

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Buy whatever you like and keep all of them. Then you can properly entertain visitors by taking them on long rides to Big Bend, Guadalupe and other fine areas.
 

HeliMark

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I am looking at the 900. The only thing I have sat on is several 800's, really thought the bike "fit" me, and when all this virus stuff is over, I will take a test ride on the 800 and the 900. Like you have said, from what I have been reading from people that now have it, it seems to be a really nice and capable bike, especially with the new firing order on the engine, giving it better low end torque.

No matter what I do, pretty sure if I were to get rid of my S10, I will return. 7 years with this bike, and it just does everything right. Like you, I have an itch that needs scratching.

I am not understanding why Triumph keep a small tank on the 900. Suppose to have less range then the 800. I understand with the new engine, which is mounted lower, it lowers the CG, but I am not sure the tradeoff of keeping the small tank was the right thing.
 

VRODE

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I am looking at the 900. The only thing I have sat on is several 800's, really thought the bike "fit" me, and when all this virus stuff is over, I will take a test ride on the 800 and the 900. Like you have said, from what I have been reading from people that now have it, it seems to be a really nice and capable bike, especially with the new firing order on the engine, giving it better low end torque.

No matter what I do, pretty sure if I were to get rid of my S10, I will return. 7 years with this bike, and it just does everything right. Like you, I have an itch that needs scratching.

I am not understanding why Triumph keep a small tank on the 900. Suppose to have less range then the 800. I understand with the new engine, which is mounted lower, it lowers the CG, but I am not sure the tradeoff of keeping the small tank was the right thing.
I think if it had a bigger tank it would cut into sales of the 1200. I’m sure they were looking to hit a target weight.
It sure felt like it fit me as I sat on it though. Not this year though. Maybe next year....who knows.
 

EricV

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Most of the former Triumph owners I know all sold the bikes because they spent too much time in the shop or waiting for parts from a slow Triumph parts network.

It may well be a feature rich and fun bike to ride. But never forget, you already know it's junk. You said so in your first post. You commented that " For all the goodies that come on it, center stand included"

Any time you think having a center stand is somehow and extra bonus, you've forgotten that Euro bikes are crap built from the cheapest possible vendor sourced parts and stripped of every normal useful feature, before adding them back and screaming how awesome it is because it has them.

I'm not saying you won't enjoy riding the bike. I'm NOT saying it's not a fun bike to ride. I am saying you'll be looking to dump it just as fast as the KTM, if not sooner.
 

2talltoo

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I agree with EricV. The newer Triumphs are better than Triumph of old but owners I know have issues with them sooner vs. later. Then they are off looking for another ride.
 

doc187

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I agree with the post above. Pick your favorite of the two you have and get a dualsport. I have a S10 and had the itch for something new so I bought a Honda crf450l.
 

Sierra1

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....I have always missed the S10 shaft drive and it's nice highway manners. The AT is certainly not as comfy on the highway......
I've always said they have different mission statements. The T-12 is a street bike that can go off road. The AT is more a dirt bike that go on the street. The suggestion(s) to get a small off road bike to go with a Tenere, is probably your best bet.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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I have read posts on this forum that some knew as soon as they sat on the Triumph that it was not the bike for them.
I've definitely said that in this forum about every Tiger I ever swung a leg over. I have not done a test sit on the 900, so can't say. All the other ones have an enormous and very high fuel tank. Contributing to a very top heavy feel even in the show room.

My wife really loved the looks of the 800 when she was shopping for a bike. Looks put it at the top of her list. The dealer had a lowered one full of gas for her to try. She's a Tenere rider for the last 8 years, and she struggled to get that Tiger off the kick stand. They were giving her Harley tips on how women can get insanely heavy bikes up and going. The last thing in the world she wanted was a bike that felt so heavy. Good looking or not, she was disappointingly done considering it. Top heavy sucks.
 

Checkswrecks

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I sat on the 900 at the dealer a little more than a week ago. Beautiful bike and should be a competitor to the BMWs. It was sold and waiting delivery so I could only sit on the low setting for the seat, but I'm 6' and overall the bike felt a bit small.

The dealer said the engine runs as a torquey twin at low RPMs then becomes the howling triple at high RPMs, which sounds intriguing.

But at $16 Large, it's a lot more than I want to spend.
 

Texasten

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Thanx to all, I really appreciate all the comments. Getting a feel for how riders think about Triumph.
I did take the KTM 790 Adventure to a nearby bike store to have them try to sell it.
Still have not decided whether to just stay with one bike, or maybe take some good ideas on here and go with a lighter dirt bike for a second bike.......
 

thughes317

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Thanx to all, I really appreciate all the comments. Getting a feel for how riders think about Triumph.
I did take the KTM 790 Adventure to a nearby bike store to have them try to sell it.
Still have not decided whether to just stay with one bike, or maybe take some good ideas on here and go with a lighter dirt bike for a second bike.......
Go with the 2 bikes option, worked for me:

 
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