All Duels – Duel BMW F 700 GS vs Triumph Tiger 800: easy trails! – A 100% European match!

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Duel BMW F 700 GS vs Triumph Tiger 800: easy trails !

All Duels - Duel BMW F 700 GS vs Triumph Tiger 800: easy trails! - A 100% European match!

Appeared two years ago, the Triumph Tiger 800 quickly established itself as the benchmark for mid-capacity road trails. But that was without counting BMW’s response with its new F 700 GS. Duel at the top… ease !

A 100% European match !

Once again, it is the builders of the Old Continent who are making the news. Indeed, if the Japanese had their heyday on the trail market, it is clear that they have somewhat abandoned the niche, especially in the medium-displacement category..

So today we oppose the new German F 700 GS to the English one who has made everyone agree for two years, the sparkling Tiger 800. Yes, a 700 against an 800…

Marketing fairies have really crazy ideas, sometimes: after having unveiled an F 650 GS which actually cubed 798 cc, they do it again by changing the model to cubic capacity … virtual !

The "false 650" therefore evolves into "false 700" but retains the parallel twin cylinder common to the F 800 GS, the "big sister" a little more powerful and oriented all terrain (read our and our).

The 700 picks up 4 horsepower and 0.2 mkg of torque compared to the 650. BMW has also slightly shortened the chain drive gear ratio for quicker acceleration. Externally, the F700GS is recognizable thanks to its second brake disc, its sharper aesthetic and its ABS now standard.

For its part, the Triumph Tiger 800 has had a well-deserved success for two years (read our). This ultra versatile machine enchants all those who try it thanks to its unique 3-cylinder and its ease of handling..

Knives Out

The German will have to spare no effort to win in this comparison against the dashing English. Because the F 700 GS already shows at the start a handicap of 19 horses compared to its competitor, for a price hardly lower. At € 9,200, the BMW and its standard ABS is as expensive as the Tiger 800 without ABS (€ 9,250), an option billed at € 600 in Triumph dealerships.

But the Behème has other arguments to make: if it inherits the extreme ease of handling of the late F 650 GS and manages to correct its rare flaws, the fight could be close….

As too often nowadays at Triumph, the Tiger 800 is inspired by certain aesthetic codes dear to the German brand: the "raw foundry" rear seems directly taken from an R 1200 GS.

For its part, the F 700 GS looks more like its raised F 800 R roadster cousin than a big road trail. Visually, the Triumph crushes its size enhancing the graceful BMW which hides very well its – almost – 800 cc.

European class

The quality of materials and assemblies is very correct on each of the motorcycles. And if plastics are ubiquitous, they are fortunately well made. We also find these little "plus" distinctive features of most European motorcycles, such as the presence of braided brake hoses.

However, recourse to the options catalog remains essential for both manufacturers. This is the case for benefiting from a central stand, a high screen or even heated grips and hand guards. A somewhat stingy approach, especially at this price level … Not to mention that at Triumph, you also have to put the glove in your pocket for the ABS (+600 euros).

On the F 700 GS, for the same price as Triumph ABS, it is possible to improve active safety by opting for ESA piloted suspensions, ASC anti-skidding and the TMPS tire pressure indicator, three options offered in the "Security" Pack at 595 euros.

Despite their recent design, these two trails suffer from annoying little shortcomings. For example, the Tiger still does not offer warnings: a pity for such a versatile and road bike.

In a different register, the F700GS insists on displaying its speed in a small analog meter with graduation as tight as it is unreadable. It’s a blow to be stupidly flashed by the thousands of radars which now line our pretty roads…

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