BMW has been credited with creating the world's first adventure motorcycle - the R 80 G/S. This bold machine is the reason why we have a dozen more adventure machines from various automakers. The ever-increasing craze for dual-purpose machines has bought in newcomers as well, with the likes of Ducati DesertX and Norden 901. The BMW R 1250 GS will always hold the "Godfather" tag, while the others try and play catch up.

But in 2022 the Bimmer might meet its match with the all-new Triumph Tiger 1200. On paper, the Brit is superior that the German, and that should be enough to get the Bimmer's attention. Triumph went back to the drawing board for the 2022 Tiger 1200 and is in no way related to this predecessor.

It is more powerful, more vibrant, and packs a lot more tech than ever. The advantage that BMW R1250 GS had up until now over its competition was the fact that it was 10 steps ahead of experience. But now, Triumph plans on closing and even surpassing that gap with tech wizardry and refined engineering.

Innovation faces Legacy in this battle, and it is going to throw up a lot of dirt!

Triumph Tiger 1200 Vs BMW R 1250 GS: Pricing & Models

2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 trims laid out
Via: Triumph-mediakits.com

Triumph has laid out a vibrant trim table with the 2022 Tiger 1200. The adventure kicks off with the $19,100 GT trim and goes up to $21,400 for the GT Pro, and finishing with the GT Explorer $23,100. The GT Series is more road-focused and made for touring.

There is another Series called the Explorer which packs more off-roading prowess and comes in a $23,100 Rally Pro trim and a $24,200 Rally Explorer trim. The Explorer Series adds chunkier dual-purpose tires, radar sensors, and a bigger fuel tank.

2022 BMW R 1250 GS trims laid out
Via: Press.bmwgroup,com

On the other hand, BMW doesn't offer a variety of trim levels. The list remains unchanged from 2021 with the base R1250 GS starting with a price of $17,995 and is showered with various packages that take care of the trim-level deficiency.

The 40th Anniversary Edition is carried over with the iconic paint job. BMW has revamped the package treatment with 2 options now - Select Package ($1,875) and Premium Package ($4,325). Surprisingly, BMW undercuts Triumph in pricing, but the bare bone R 1250 GS is not up to the mark.

Triumph Tiger 1200 Vs BMW R 1250 GS: Engine & Performance

2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 engine close-up view
Via: Triumphmotorcycles.com

The Tiger 1200 is the powerful one here with a new 1,160cc inline-3 engine pumping out 147 HP and 96 lb-ft of torque. Triumph has aced the use of 3-cylinder engines, despite its inherently imbalanced layout. BMW packs the same boxer engine with 136 HP and 105 lb-ft of torque. The Triumph is done by a few twisties when it comes to torque but the power graph with a meaty mid-range makes up for it.

2022 BMW R 1250 GS boxer engine close-up view
Via: Press.bmwgroup,com

Both the ADVs make use of a 6-Speed transmission and power is sent to the rear wheels via a shaft drive. The Triumph is now much lighter than its predecessor and a further 37-pound lighter than the R 1250 GS. This puts the advantage on the new Tiger 1200 which also makes it nimbler to ride.

Related: Super Naked Showdown: KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO Vs Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP

Triumph Tiger 1200 Vs BMW R 1250 GS: Ride & Handling

2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 is a commendable touring machine
via: Triumph

Triumph is pretty serious about dominating the ADV segment, so much so, that they have pitched in 2 dedicated trim levels for the road and for "no" roads! A lighter chassis with a repair-friendly bolt-on aluminum subframe makes the Tiger a practical option here. Usage of alloy fuel tanks helps lower the curb weight as well as the center of gravity, allowing you to scrap the knees with ease.

2022 BMW R 1250 GS hd adv motorcycle wallpaper
Via: Press.bmwgroup,com

BMW is on the heftier side here and with the boxer engine, takes up a lot more width than the Tiger 1200. But the GS still manages to be versatile enough to change the character and be a full-blown off-roader and a savage cross-country companion at will. Electronics saves the day, but if you take only the mechanical aspects into play, it is the Triumph that feels more comfortable and easy to ride (There you go! We said it).

Triumph Tiger 1200 Vs BMW R 1250 GS: Technology & Off-Roading Prowess

2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 slidig through dirt hd wallpaper
via: Triumph

Clever suspension and handling-specific electronics make both these machines a breeze to blow dust with. The Tiger 1200 comes with Showa semi-active, electronically adjustable suspension. A slew of other tech features like IMU-assisted cornering traction control, ABS, and a wide array of drive modes make sure that you and the machine are prepared for the unpredictable terrains ahead. All of this is controlled via a crisp 7-inch TFT dashboard.

2022 BMW R 1250 GS off-roading wallpaper
Via: Press.bmwgroup,com

The Bimmer is in no way shy when it comes to electronics. Its impressive tech package is a double-edged knife here because, without the wizardry, it would be a pain to ride the behemoth around. It gets standard features like riding modes (2 of them), Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Hill Hold to name a few.

This and the adjustable suspension setup is controlled via a 6.5-inch TFT screen. BMW falls back here because most of the impressive tech features come at an additional price. Whereas, Triumph has made sure to bundle the best value with each of its 5 trim levels.

Related: Adventure-Ready: Aprilia Tuareg 660 Vs Yamaha Tenere 700

Can The Brit Finally Topple The Legendary German?

2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 vs BMW R 1250 GS face-off
Via: Pressreleases

The answer is yes! Triumph with its sheer perseverance and will have finally caught up to its idol. But you should give it to BMW for being so ahead of time with its ADVs that it took the Brit 10 years to even the table! On paper, the 2022 Tiger 1200 has already won. Now the tricky part comes when you battle these big boys in the rear world. Triumph sure gets all the praise, but BMW hasn't been flexing its muscles for a long time!

Sources: Press.bmwgroup.com, Bmwmotorcycles.com, Triumph-mediakits.com, Triumphmotorcycles.com, Acbiker.online, Ultimatemotorcycling, Ridermagazine.com