Anyone have a Triumph Tiger 800XC?
 

OK, I have to admit I'm not planning to go round the world, but up from UK to Scandinavia and down eastern side (Finland/Russia etc) and back to blighty. Which means some gravel roads and uneven surfaces as well as muddy camp sites. Hardly Mongolian mud or Siberian ice, so not in same league as our intrepid RTW'ers, but not always smooth tarmac either so looking for a road bike with some minor off-road capability.

I like the new 800XC and have a decent dealer offer on my current bike to make me think about a new one, but as they are fairly new I wondered if anyone has had any experience of how they are for distance, comfort, reliability, fuel economy etc?

They're still very thin on the ground aren't they...

I hope you tell us all about the trip and the bike once you set off. I think there are a lot of people waiting for someone like you to do a long trip on one before they buy...

Most of the road will be paved so a road oriented tourer would be far more comfortable and more economical in my opinion. Anything can be taken on gravel roads and muddy campsites.

If you need an 800, the BMW has been out for a while... that could be a safer choice and maybe cheaper as well.

To be honest I don't want to go the BMW route.

The big 1200 is simply too big and heavy for me, and the 800 isn't the bike I'd like as everyday transport when in the UK.

The Tiger looks great, goes very well, and I have a gut feel will be bullet-proof like all their bikes generally are.

I feel the same as you...just purchased a 800XC, only done 1000miles on it so far all 2up riding. The engine & gearbox is superb on this bike, suspension ain't bad for stock & getting around 53mpg (US Gal) with mixed type of riding. This week I will install TKC80's & plan a weekend off road to see she holds. Triumph did their homework on this bike & have only seen positive reviews.

Positive feedback Johno, thanks. Be interested to know how you find it off-road.

How comfy was it 2-up for you and pillion?

The bike is super comfortable with stock seats. On one trip we did 500 miles in a day & my wife found it comfortable till last hour or 2. After 10 hours of sitting, can't blame her.
Offroad , she has excelled for 500' bike, I have ridden the bike in all kinds of terrain & even did 9mile loop of single track 2 up. I could not be happier with the Tiger, comfortable, tracks well & enough power to have fun.:funmeteryes:

I'm in a touring club and the Tiger 800 in both its guises is the bike of the moment. There are about six in the club so far and the feedback is all positive. I don't think there's been much real off-road activity but there have been quite a few European tours both solo and two up. Most bikes have been kitted out in Triumph luggage but one lad has installed Hepco & Becker kit, which looks really sexy. There are actually two models of both bikes, the originals have silver frames and the newer ones a black frame, I can't get to the bottom of what other differences there are between the two.

Xc
 

cannot wait to hear more about the XC. Have ridden a GS12 in anger-great until i dropped it AND no street cred whatsoever!
Heard horrible stories about the GS800. Just praying the XC will be 'the one'.!!!!

Tiger 800XC
 

I have bought a New Tiger XC in Guatemala , are riding it down to Ushuaia then up to Rio ,starting early October, so if you want to hear how it goes check Da Blog www.arnoldsonabike.blogspot.com . I started the trip last year in Anchourage on a VStrom, broke my leg in Guate, sold the Vstrom and now im on the way back to finish da trip

I test rode the 800XC around 2 months back. The bike had great performance (even better than the street triple which is my favourite Triumph), was smooth, handled well and had a good riding position.

I had two complaints with it though.

The first is typical of all Triumph triples - it runs hot, and sitting at traffic lights (as you would do during any commuting) or slow speed running, causes the fan to blow a blast of uncomfortably hot air against the inside of your thighs.

Second, I stalled the bike 5 times when letting the clutch out from a stop, and I'm a person who rarely, if ever, stalls a bike. The bike simply does not have sufficient torque off idle to prevent this.

Look forward to your updates,,

If you want to read a REAL road test of the 800 XC and not the inadequate drivel put out by "Bike" magazine this month check out the two grrls on ADV rider who are riding two new bikes up to the artic ocean in Alaska (think "Ice Road Truckers") and give an honest opinion of the bike. They also ride BMW's and are genuine adv riders so you can take what they say seriously.

In short - it's a great bike!

They had the stalling issues many others have had, not sure it's been entirely resolved yet, they are still on the road but Triumph are aware of the issue and they did provide a fix through a local dealer.

IMHO it looks a bit "suburban" for my tastes but I like knarley KTM's :D

Cheryl & Leslie's Triumph Tiger 800XC ADV to Alaska - ADVrider

Triumph XC's stalling problem
 

Here is the stalling problem. Cheryl & Leslie demonstrate it on their XC's up Alaska way.

To those of us "megasquirters" it's a five minute fix :rofl:

‪Advgrrls - Leslie's Triumph Tiger 800 XC stalling‬‏ - YouTube

Have you had your recall and ECU re-mapped yet?

I got the Tiger 800 XC and I love it, when I have a pillion there is only positive feedback from that side as well. I had nil stalling issues, all I ever had was a truly positive experience with the bike. I ridden many different bikes through the years but the Triumph is all in all the bike most suited for me.

Below is some pictures of my awesome ride...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/...0239a8c1_z.jpg
From the front when I picked it up

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/...bf577e17_z.jpg
Cocpit view

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/...1e7c0354_z.jpg
From the front/side

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/...68a4a1a0_z.jpg
From the rear/side

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/...dac884ef_z.jpg
Crossing an olde bridge with my awsome bike

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/...6fac067f_z.jpg
Triumphing an old bridge ;)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/...29de4c54_z.jpg
Kewl road ahead

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/...e5254d04_z.jpg
Is there a better view, nice road on a perfect riding machine :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/...b47de5c1_z.jpg
Check out the mirror for my honest opinion... Thumbs up...

The Triumph is not a bike, it's not a MC it is a proper motorcycle, can't belive how much torque the engine got, all you need is 6th gear on the road it just pulls, W O W love this bike. Anyone who has not tried a proper 3 cylinder Triumph, just do it... It is a truly awesome machine...

Excellent pictures and write up-
No heated grips??

like Tiger XC:funmeteryes:, plan trip to China two up, with tent.
practise on UK now, roads, tracks, occasional river.
seams to hold up well.

have safari tank, range of 300miles, 47mpg.
lots of fiddle, will fit fatter shock too.

only suggestion is close ratio gearbox is not ideal, revs 6k at 80mph.
Triumph toolbox, cannot even get wheels off!

true toolpack rubbish
engine very good just did 4800 miles around Europe didn't miss a beat
front brakes to harsh and can throw you of on wet roads maybe it could be me I have Honda blackbird duel brakes system
clutch lever I had to change because I could only reach it with tips of fingers and I have big hands
get a gel put into seat it will help
if you are under 5-11 you will need to lower it trust me its a pain the xc is for someone 6-2 and above but once I lowered it the bike was perfect
Happy riding
but the bike overall is fantastic to ride

that's what I am actually considering also as a alternative to xt660z.
Very tempting is that 3 cylinder engine and more standard equipment although price is higher as well.
Wonder how reliable is tiger's engine...

I had my first proper go on an 800xc this week. Wow. I fell in love.

Its feels as light as a 660z but oodles more power. I love how the power is really low too.

It is easy to hit 100mph and its easy to pootle around at 5mph.

The engine did feel restricted though. It really needs a proper exhaust and a custom map.

Triples luuuuuuurv to be tuned. Transformed my 955 Tiger hugely..

Any more stories?
 

I'm late into this post, but wanted to know if anybody has any more stories now that the Tiger 800 XC's been around for awhile longer. I've had it for 6 months in Las Vegas and have experienced the following:

- When I first bought it, I stalled it out constantly. I found that the gears are a tad tall and the low end torque is a tad lacking. After a couple of weeks, I learned to compensate with more throttle. I've found that this particular trait with the Tiger requires more throttle and clutch work while off-road. If I continue my technical off-road desert riding, I foresee a new clutch in my near future.

- The triple runs HOT between my legs. This is considering my daily commutes through 110-degree Las Vegas heat in the afternoons. But it literally burns my inner thighs at stoplights. The steel frame feels like a hot skillet pressed against my legs. I'm 6'3", but the height of the bike forces me into some awkward positions while waiting for a green light.

- The stock toolkit is useless. Take note of the sizes and replace everything. The wrenches will bend during your first tire change and leave you stranded 18 miles outside of Kingman, Arizona (I speak from experience).

Now the good....

- My riding partner rides a KTM 350EXCF. He obviously kills me off-road. But I love struggling down the desert trails with him just to scream past him once back on the blacktop. This bike will keep with any riding group out there and outrun any cruiser.

- My local Triumph dealer is the coolest in town. They all know, love, and ride motorcycles. I used to ride a H-D and most Harley dealerships are posers trying to sell T-shirts. Craig, from my local Triumph dealer, talked to my buddy for 45 minutes about why my buddy's KTM was such a great bike and gave him tips on keeping it running in tip-top shape.

- Its a comfortable tourer. 80mph feels like nothing with plenty of power, upright seating, and a great windscreen.

Now, has anyone been on any serious adventures with this bike? How did it hold up? I love this bike so much and would like to believe it could hold its own on a global trek.

Phil Hodges and mates did a run around Australia on some 800XC's. He made some movies that are available from his website Motorbikin | Motorbikin Australian Adventure Riding Films

You should be able to pick up some more info on ADV website as well. I had a chance to look at their machines at the Flinder's Classic two years ago. Had some little issues like cracking subframes, but generally the bikes held up good to all sorts of abuse. As a testament to the bike (I guess), I know of at least two blokes who went out after riding Phil's bike at the said Flinder's Classic and bought 'copies' of Phil's bike and setup. And they are very satisfied.

As for 'hot between the legs'- that was a complaint I had of my 955 Tiger as well.

I got an 800xc.
Have done about 15000km on it this far.

You can do more then you think with it.
The only thing i find to hard to do with it, and i think it depends on me, is enduro trails with big muddy puddles.
Done that once and got stuck.

Gravel, hard trails, asphalt, you name it. It handles very good on these sufaces.
The ergonomy is great, especally with handlebar raisers.

Some problems i had have with it is:
* Stepper motor (google it) easy to fix
* Bent fron rim (hard hit on a rock)
* saggy front suspension (havent done anything to it yet)

Otherwise its more fun then the GS800.
Not as good as the 1200GSA on tarmac, but still very good.

Hi,
I have been looking at reviews of different bikes lately!
Now that my wife is got into bikes I need something to carry 2 + luggage for some tame excursions maybe into eastern europe.
I am also leaning towards The Triumph 800XC. It looks like it could be ideal.
I was wondering what other options are there for 2 up touring 90% tarmac but with good ability on crappy roads?
It does not need to be super capable off road but something that will handle gravel and potholes etc?
I currently have my XT600e for sale on ebay, it's a great bike on and off road but more suited to solo trips. (shameless plug):innocent:

What would your recommended alternative be to the Tiger 800XC?
(Maximum £7k budget new or used)
Best regards,
Dave

BMW 800 GS maybe, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Tenere 660 - with improved suspension maybe, Kawasaki Versys 650, Honda NC 700/750 for example.

[QUOTE=Crazy Dave;516688]
Now that my wife is got into bikes I need something to carry 2 + luggage

2 up touring [QUOTE]
The above are your key factors: if your newly-converted-wife-to-bikes has a bad experience (in her perception, not anyone else's view) then it's game over for touring.

Gravel surfaces and the like can be dealt with by most bikes and you are not likely to ride much of that two up unless your wife is very "on side".
IMO, the key to her comfort on the bke is the pillion seat.
An airhawk can assist with this aspect.

[QUOTE=Walkabout;516743][QUOTE=Crazy Dave;516688]
Now that my wife is got into bikes I need something to carry 2 + luggage

2 up touring I would be staying on road 2 up.
Gravel and rough roads would be solo. :thumbup1:
Cheers.

torque??? where I didn't notice any at all at low speeds. I have tried new tiger XCx and didn't like it at all.

I have Thunderbird 900. so yes the engine is great, pity they mangle alternators at £800 a go.

At The German diesel bike rally 3 weeks ago I was much taken by Kawasakis W800.

Maybe, just maybe I might own a Jap bike before I die.