I've FINALLY got a VIN for my ABS XC, and confirmation that it's en route to the dealer. Should be here in the next few days.

Still no idea what color it is, though. I'm assuming white.

--mark

Sounds good! Congrats!

Looking forward to a ride report, since you also own a Wee.

Like to hear how the two really compare? I'm sure its going to be pretty significant.:evil

Just to :pot, I own a F800 gs and added a lot to my post count complaining about my bike. I do think BMW's quality control is lacking, and the CEO even spoke of it in a 2008 interview. It uses a lot of outsourced parts and sales are booming. At least that is my interpretation. But thanks to a 3 year warranty, it has been cured and hopefully the common problems have been addressed.

Despite my threats to trade it in on a Triumph, I won't. For the last 15 mos it has been everything I have hoped for plus some.

No doubt the Triumph is going to be a great bike for some. Hopefully it will be filled with Triumph manufactured parts, so they have better quality control. It is a Triple, I expect the motor to be smoother than a twin. It is a design much easier to balance, that hp advantage means squat off pavement.

You want some internet conclusions? here is mine. I see a lot of potential Triumph owners praising the HP even if it is at a high rpm. The little bit of advantage the F800 has in suspension travel, ground clearance, engine lugging ability, weight, suspension geometry mean nothing.

The feed back from owners, magazine testing, and internet rabble all praise its advantages, useful only on the street. I have not seen one test off road that could not be done on most street bikes, Probably realistic for most riders.

I will stick with my BMW and grudgingly pay the man for the upgrades so it can do what I bought it for, riding dirt. The kind with rocks, sand, potholes and the like.

DD buy that Triumph so we can do some comparisons in the terrain I know you ride. We can sell our story to the mags and pay off both our bikes:rofl

Yeaaaa! I hope it's Orange or at least an XC ABS.

If I ever get mine, then I'll be riding sand. I don't have any choice around here.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...B/DSC06248.jpg

I finally went to my local dealer today (Rocket Motorcycles in San Diego) to check out the XC. They only had a white one on display, which looked really sharp and beautiful. The sales people did not even approach me, and appareantly they did not have a demo to check out. I was starting to get the itch while checking this thread. I'm very content with my 1050 and I just did not get too excited about a possible trade. My best wishes to new buyers, this seems to be a really nice motorcycle. I was considering selling my 1050 and BMW XChallege to consolidate and have only one motorcycle that could do it all... Well, for now, I think I'll just keep what I got... Who knows in the future.....

To all those debating about BMWs... My XChallenge is a great fun bike, but has been the only motorcycle that came with lots of bugs to fix... I don't think I'll get myself another BMW... Tiger has been just perfect!

Tiger 800 XC
 

all is okay so far, love it. (ex GS rider}

Fill out yer profile Bert, this is a world-wide forum thingy :D

Done

I'm pretty confident in Triumph's ability to put out a quality bike without a lot of teething issues at this point. My '07 Tiger 1050 was a first-year model (though granted, late first-year production as I bought it just as the '08s were coming out) and it's been completely solid and reliable. I think the only problem I could chalk up to teething issues was the poor quality of the rubber bands that mount the relays under the seat - they died a quick death because of the heat under there. But I got replacements and they've been fine since - apparently they figured it out and improved the rubber compound.

The only other issue would be the barely adequate stock battery but that's not a production problem; it's a design spec issue. And BMW is just as guilty - I think my R1200GS had the same battery and it also didn't have enough juice to crank over that big 1200 twin in cold weather.

The Tiger has been completely solid and stone reliable and has only ever needed routine maintenance. I wish I could have said the same of my BMW :cry

The same is true of my first-year Bonneville. It's been a fantastic bike; only issue it's had was a weak coil. Replaced it with a Nology coil and the Bonnie runs better than ever.

--mark

:clap

I'd be interested in what you think of the triple, after so many boxers. I ride an 1150GS, so I have vested interest..

[QUOTE.
The feed back from owners, magazine testing, and internet rabble all praise its advantages, useful only on the street. I have not seen one test off road that could not be done on most street bikes, Probably realistic for most riders.
DD buy that Triumph so we can do some comparisons in the terrain I know you ride. We can sell our story to the mags and pay off both our bikes:rofl[/QUOTE]

Fair comment-i hope my purchase won't come back to bite me in the arse. The reviews have been largely useless as no serious off-road testing or comparisons. One did use an expert and compare with the F800GS and despite saying "nice things" about the Triumph still rated the BMW higher.

Let's be realistic, what serious off-roading can anyone do with a bike that weighs 473 pounds?

seriously? stop the cat fighting. I want to read about the tiger 800.

Obviously comparisons will come later but right now lets just hear what people have to say about the bike.
maybe time will prove its a POS. maybe not.

Its to early to compare it with the f800 from a reliability standpoint so why bother?

Granted I have done this stuff on my KLR, But my rides will not change when I get the Triumph. You wanna see what this bike can do? Ask me at the end of the summer when I have 7000+ miles on it and 80% of it on dirt! I am getting in serious shape and working out six days a week to wrestle this bike around. I am not some fat 65 year old. I'm 29 and I'm gonna push this bike to it's limit and probably a little past. **EDIT** Sorry about the huge pics. Photobucket is being a pain in the ass right now.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/IMG_1913.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../7-3-10015.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...withRWC097.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...withRWC106.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...orridor075.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...Challis129.jpg

Who you callin fat Willis? hell, if you're only 29 you probably don't even get the Willis refernece.:(:

A kid like you in good shape may be able to man-handle one of these through the rough stuff but I have no intention of even trying. 30 years ago I could have easily kept up with you. Today though, my body is just too broken for that stuff.
I am getting the 800 R for it's road manners and ability to handle dirt and gravel roads. Next summer I will be making a 12-15,000 mile trip with somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 of that on dirt and gravel. The 800 R seems like the perfect bike for a trip like that.

If you live in Texas, none.

:poser

I do get the Willis reference. Not pickin' on ya. I believe the bike will do it if the body is able.

Differn't strokes for different folks I guess.. :augie

Finally took delivery! :clap

Had a co-worker pick me up at my house and drop me off at the dealer. Got to ride around town for about an hour before I got to ride it to work. Initial impressions are good! It is much nimbler and seems a lot lighter than the R 1200 GS it replaced. Engine is all I expected. That engine, by the way, is what prompted the sale of the GS. The transmission is really sweet. All in all, I think I'm gonna be super happy with this bike. Let the farkeling begin! :lol3

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...h/IMG_0211.jpg

Problem free? Basically. Probably because I don't let you ride it. ;)

Had a bad wheel bearing at 5k miles which they replaced. Gave me a loaner bike while mine was in the shop. Had some oil seepage from the valve cover, I put on some RTV and it doesn't leak anymore. Other guys on the forum take their bikes to the dealer crying a river over this and that. The dealer replaces their valve cover gasket 3 times and it still leaks. Why not just put the damn RTV on yourself? I don't trust others to work on my stuff anyway.

Have 15k miles on mine I think. Plan to keep riding it. It's a really good bike if you can get over the internet babble and bullshit and just go ride the thing. Every bike has problems, no bike is perfect. Maybe because it's a BMW and costs a lot, people expect perfection. I'm not so naive.

Triumph 800? Awesome bike, glad they made it. If I were shopping today it would be a hard decision. The Tiger motor is more fun, smoother. But I think the BMW will have a slight advantage off road. Most buyers don't ride offroad, so maybe that's a moot point for lots of folks (but not me).

As far as which will have less problems? Who knows. Pay your money and take your chances. No one can predict the future. Buy whatever one makes you smile more. It's nice to have choices now in this segment. :thumb

Whatver one you get, Stu, ride it like you stole it! (probably won't be an issue for you...)

http://www.pbase.com/ischoenleber/image/132261681.jpg

Nicely played! :rofl

From the internet "babble and Bullshit" I've read it would appear BMW have more than their fair share of failures. Here's a worrying one regards the F800GS from a couple riding two brand new F800GS's in Peru'.
(I'm sure its just BS and these folks probably made it all up! :lol3)
Go to Page 3, post #37 .... just gets better from there on.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650877

Careful mate, you may upset some people by having a fucking opinion they don't agree with.

I reckon the Triumph is too soft, and a lesser copy of an F800GS.:rofl:rofl

I liked the Tiger
 

I took the Street version out twice...here is a not so good video of my test ride but I think there will be enough buyers/riders out there to support both the BMW GS bikes and this contender...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CIU2OnkadUA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe>

I thought you video was great Soph9.
Reminded me that when I picked up my T800 Monday, I forgot earplugs, and got that same deafening wind roar as you had there. Thought my head was going to explode till I got home , put in the earplugs, and everything was great. :clap

Just a things to look out for and be safe you Tiger 800 riders exhisting or purchasin
 

Owners of the Tiger 800 - <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
I have been following the Tiger 800 forum site for some time and there are a lot of riders who have had their bikes for some sufficient amount of time and also fewer than 300 miles.
I just wanted to let riders here know what some other riders that already have their bikes are experiencing. To me not to big of deals and warranty will fix. But just an advisory for any riders to watch out for these items and get fixed ASAP so no further damage occurs.
Keep an eye and ear out for:
· 4 riders have had engine noise and stalling- Timing Chain Tension Adjusted for engine noise. Throttle adjustment for the stalling. (Stalls out after a stop when you want to give it some gas to get going.) But still no absolute answer for the stalling. The throttle adjusts or remap didn’t help much on some. Some it did.
· 3 riders have had (thought) engine noise or some kind of rattling… - Exhaust can need tweaking due to partial air flow being trapped. Riders said on the demo bikes they never heard it. Some demos had Arrows on them. But on the riders bikes with about only 100 plus miles they hear it. One rider put on the arrow exhaust can and the exhaust noise completely was gone. So when you hear noises check your exhaust can or take into dealer and mention the exhaust can to them.
· 3 riders having vibration issues-still being looked into or could be tied into issues above.
· 3 riders have had oil sump leak. 1 rider noticed the fix was with a completely different part number. Not sure on what the part is sorry I can’t remember.
· 3 riders have had their chain slapping a lot and after tightening it still continues.
· A couple riders say the windscreen is flimsy.
<o:p></o:p>
Now I am definitely leaning towards the Tiger against the BMW. I believe the BMW is a great bike but from all the issues I have read yes could be whining and really not a big deal on a lot of issues but my whole disappointment I have with BMW is their support as a MFR. I hear a lot of riders on the BMW’s have little to none support from the company itself. And from the issues below Triumph has been on the ball and really bending over to help these riders. As per BMW they never call back or attempt to help there riders. This is the only thing that sways me away from the 800 gs. (Well not the only reason. I do love the triple engine and tiger looks). BMW riders really have to fight for the support if they get any. I think the bike is great. Yes it has some recalls and issues but the type of nose in the air attitude of the BMW Company really has turned me away from BMW. Now yes there is a lot of whining from the riders that want perfect bikes since they spent so much money I get that, that is wrong buck up and deal with it all bikes have issues ok ok. But the majority of many of the problems they the riders have had there is little to no support from BMW. They also express that BMW’s snaughty attitude to work with the riders. And there is definitely no good will offers ever. I am not talking dealers as they will do it sometimes I am talking BMW only.
<o:p></o:p>
I do agree 100% with Maniac28 Attitude and opinions on stop whining and just fix it yourself attitude and the majority of the whiners are more exaggerators then real problems. But on more technical issues that I know I cannot fix myself it is a relief to know BMW or Triumph will back you up when needed.
BMW seems to have the attitude that if 200+ riders have the same issues then they will look into recalls. But any other riders that have issue the hell with them. WE are so big we aren’t going to fix and help this one Rider in Vermont US. Hey we are BMW!! Yes i could be wrong about that but from all the problem posts on this site and others I get this oppinion that BMW does not care about the minority. IMHO..

Ditto my experience so far with the two. I've ridden both and really wanted to "love" the Tig. When comparing the feel/ergo's/experience, the F8 leans more toward the dirtbike while the T8 (street version mind you) leans more toward sportbike.

I think the T8 will be a wonderful bike, if that's the type of bike you're after...

That would be me. I want an upright sport bike with a 19 inch front rim so I can fit decent tires for extended rides on dirt and gravel roads. Sounds like I found a winner!

Take pics.

BTW, technique trumps strength.
Rather than working out, go practice riding if you want to be an off-road hero. :deal

"Partial air flow being trapped" :rolleyes

I love the internets.


Jesus wept.

When not practicing riding his 500lb bike through a deep sand wash, he should be pumping up his bank account to afford the post-crash repairs. I used to ride KLR's everywhere - good choice because they are cheap to fix. Broken bits on the big Beemers and I suspect this Triumph, as well, are going to be costly.

Not saying these bikes can't be taken everywhere but just don't be surpised when you bend a rim or break an expensive radiator or etc... and don't ask me how I know!

In my opinion this class of bike is best left to it's orignial mission, which is paved roads and moderate dirt roads. Anything challenging and technical is possible if you are a good rider, but why try to force a square peg into a round hole? I've been doing that and it's not really worth it when you could just buy a cheap second bike to be used as your hardcore dual sport.

That said I love to see (and ride) the big bikes deep off road. It's fun. But it's not free.

Ouch ... I resemble that remark ... :rofl

Totally concur.

Forest roads, power line roads and the like will be a blast, but my Husky 610 will go places easily a Tiger 800 will never see without significant, expensive damage and most probably, rider injury.

That said, an 800 XC will see places neither my KLR nor my Husky will ever see.
Like 100 mph. :D

I know this thread.. ve been following it (BTW, one of the best RR that I've seen so far)... This guys engines failed in PERU after 20k+ Kilometers of hard travel .. They began in Canada traveling all the way down to argentina, they have been "punching" this bikes quite hard.. Long story short, 87 octanes gas on those bikes (which supposedly had been a re-mapped to work with the gas in LatAm countries) took its toll on this engines causing a major failure.... BMW Canada replaced the engines and they are still traveling...

My point is, I don't think the quoted threat should be use to sink down BMW bikes.... I mean... can I blame the F800gs DESIGN and PERFORMANCE if I use 87octanes gas instead of the recommended 91 octanes??

Beside that issue with the gas, Alberto and his wife are still doing great in their trip and so far loving their f8 bikes...

PS... Im in love of the 800xc.. FUTURE OWNER HERE!!!:evil

Some say that Triumph has hired Axel Foley to design the Tiger 800 exhaust.:evil

http://youtu.be/6tKt4KTfppA

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6tKt4KTfppA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On a track right? :rofl

But WHEN is my bike going to arrive??
 

:ear

The title says it all. I am dying here Triumph. At least give me a damn date to expect it.:marc:

Hey CA Stu ease off a bit I am just trying to help out other riders. This is what the gent said and ya i should of worded it correctly my bad.. But the forum was trying to figure out if it was engine noise and it turned out to be this. Sorry for jumping the guns and believing everything on the internet i see...:cry

Quote: "I had the same noise on my roadie, took it back to the dealer at 350 miles and I was told it was back pressure created by chambers within the standard exhaust that made the cat rattle when easing of the throttle which sounded terrible and very noticeable. Apparently not all bikes do it and its a feature not a fault. Just had first 500 mile service with the Arrows end can fitted and the rattling has completely gone because "I'm told" the Arrows allows the gasses to pass straight through with no chambers to create the pressure. The rattle has been replaced by a clean deep roar. The Arrows end can isn't cheap, but with the remap and the extra oomph with what seems a small decrease in mpg, its been worth every penny. Although I had ordered the Arrows when I first ordered the bike and had to wait for it to be fitted at the first service as it wasn't available when I picked up the Tiger, if I hadn't coughed up I would not have been happy riding continuously with that racket and would probably made more of an issue of it. "

Nothing personal, I apologize if I came across as attacking you!

My point is once something gets repeated enough times people start to believe it, no matter how ridiculous it may be.

Don't buy a Tiger, they have an air trap in the exhaust! Design flaw!!!!!!!! :huh

:lol3

I'm sure I have been guilty of it, too. :D

he he gotcha, I am definately not saying dont buy a tiger. I feel it is more superior then the F800 for taking 2 up on long distances, and i can handle the extra what, 20 pounds in the dirt just fine. No i am probably not as tough as that 29 year old rider cuz he sounds like Chuck Norris. But Im pretty sure i can keep up with the F800 just fine in the Dirt. Probably better if i was Chuck Norris. And Ca stu you are right technical trumps strenght any day. I have been schooled many times by 165 - 180 pound featherwieghts to me riders...

Pretty sure BMW offered a remap of fuel injection for use with low octane gasoline. Of course, it wasn't free.

They did!! BMW Canada did remap for 87 octanes!!! oh surprise:eek1 when both engines broke at the same time while traveling in Peru... WTF!!! check that thread if you want to know the details of that problem with the f800gs engine

sorry guys.. Not a thread hijack attempt...

I know several people with the "cat rattle", myself included. It really isn't an issue, its not particularly loud or annoying, but we all wondered what it was, that's all.

It probably still does it with the arrow, you just can't hear it anymore:evil

Good to hear and going forward i will not jump the gun incorrectly by accident make a mountain out of a molehill any more..

I will think twice before reading something then posting Warning Warning to everyone on here..
Still a noob.
Very happy it is not a big issue. Waiting for wife to approve me for pulling the trigger....uggghhhh.. That XC will be mine!!:wink:

Got to love the internet. So two guys have their bikes remapped in Canada, ride them to BF South American. They both get gas and both bike engines destroy themselves. It is all BMW's fault because they won't digest whatever comes out of a hose. Very deductive reasoning Watson.:rofl

I thought the same thing, it would make more sense to me that they both got bad gas.

Or more likely, the cylinder head castings are porous and the spark plugs aren't indexed correctly.
Sheesh, BMW.


:freaky

Was the engine pinging like crazy? If so, why didn't they take or add some octane booster? One might think that BMW would offer these bikes with a low compression option for world travel *IF* that were the problem. They could have purchased gasoline spiked with sugar for all we know.

So I went out for a proper test ride on an XC yesterday, twisty country roads, no traffic, no cops and no escort cramping my style :evil. WOW was it fun. Had me grinning and giggling a bit as I took it through it's paces. Turn in was great, power was electric, brakes were good, glides at highway speeds like it's not even running.


So today I canceled my order. What I described above is exactly what left me unsure after the first test ride, everything about this bike just FEELS like a sportbike, except the upright position. If I buy a bike with a 21" front wheel I want it to feel like a 21" wheel, or I would buy something else. I'm a bit biased on the motor as I've been mostly a twin and single guy with inline fours reserved for racetrack duty, and this bike feels far closer to a four than I'd like. The performance WAS great, I could really see getting into some trouble with it as it climbs to redline so fast (not a bad thing) and I could really see enjoying this mill in a street only ride. I'm half ass thinking at some point I might buy one of these but in the road version as a canyon bike. If I don't think about it for dirt duty I don't want tube tires or a 21".

Now before I get slammed for saying it's not a dirt bike, I'm certain that in the near future we will be seeing plenty pics of the XC in the dirt. Most likely some guys doing crazy things with it and saying "see that"? Well guess what? I've seen the hero pics of guys taking stroms places I'd rather be on a Thumper and I know my Strom still feels like a street bike. Just not what I want in the dirt. Anything will do a dirt road, but even on the easiest of dirt roads I like more relaxed steering geometry. CA Stu mentioned who's going to be the first to take one in a real sandwash:lol3, and that's just it, I wouldn't. Someone else might.

I'm certain this is the perfect bike for many. I hope you guys enjoy them to the max, I'm sure you will. It's been fun waiting with you for months, just wish the balance of the bike was more what I was hoping for.

How About Alaska
 

Anyone in here think this bike could make it to Inuvik, Prudhoe Bay and everything in between on and off road???

No way, it will clearly explode :rofl

:lol3 seriously

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/...d7159067_b.jpg

I rode mine for six hours today. I'm still breaking it in. Mostly it was slow and easy.

The riding position is WAY different from my KLR. At the end my back and arms were a little sore. Also the stock seat started to get a bit uncomfortable towards the end. Probably should have left the gel seat on my list of accessories. :lol3

.

got another question...does anyone own a Tiger XC near Arizona...? If so, PM me please....Could be Colorado any state near Arizona.

The 2011 Triumph Australia Tiger 800XC launch video
 

Great video! :clap

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="853" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MPy3Lndjx1A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hmmm...someones spending a lot of time in the Tiger 800 thread :deal

I think it can do all of the above...course I haven't riden it :lol3 but I've seen pictures :lol3
No really, I think it can.

Dave

Why wouldn't it? I'll admit I started riding before true dirt bikes even existed. Back then we went wherever we wanted to go on whatever bike we owned and that included lots of unpaved miles. So yes, I am a bit biased in my reaction whenever anyone asks a question like this. It's nice to have rides that are more focused towards specific tasks, but it isn't mandatory. If you read enough ride reports, you'll find that just about every bike made has been to those places and back at one time or another. It isn't a question of will the bike make it. It's a question of can the rider make it. No bike is going to be ideal under all circumstances, but most any modern bike will be capable. Figure out where you're willing to compromise, pick a bike that fits that agenda, pack it up and go.

I've done Alaska, albeit not the haul road, and I was on a Ulysses with it's 17" front wheel. I did ride a fair amount of dirt roads and plenty of gravel. It wasn't ideal in the rough parts, but it was never a problem either. It was also a hell of a lot better than a KLR for all the paved miles involved. I wouldn't hesitate to do that trip again on either version of the T800 as I'm sure they will both be easier to handle in rough going than the Uly is.

The dealer says my new T800 should be here by the end of the month. If I get the bug to go to Alaska again in the next couple of years, I'm sure that will be my mount.

Well I sure hope so. I plan on heading home for a visit next year. While I'm at it i am going to do the IBA's Ultimate Coast to Coast, Keywest to Deadhorse. I have been over the ALCAN so many times I am kinda bored with it. So I am going to head into the NWT from Alberta, drop down into BC and take the ALCAN from Ft Nelson to Watson Lake. I plan on turning north at Watson Lake, leaving the ALCAN, and heading up to Inuvik. From there it will be back down to Dawson and take the Top of the World to Chicken. Soem friends from Wasilla are going to meet me in Fairbanks and we'll ride up to Deadhorse together. I'll play around home for a week or two then head back taking the Cassiar Highway. I plan to stop in Hyder cuz I've never been there before. Then I have to make stops in the Seattle area, Portland and Las Vegas to see family before making it back to the wife in Texas. I'll most likely do the trip on an 800 road but may just say the hell with it and get a 1050 Tiger. Regardless of the bike, I am really looking forward to the ride.

I had a first ride on a Tiger 800 awhile ago, noticed a slight rattle from the exhaust, didn't worry me though. The bike did stall on three occasions, others on different bikes did mention the same issues. One rider approached a Triumph Rep about the stalling, said the rep really didn't want to discuss it. Some complained of the amount of heat generated. While slightly more heat than from my bike (TDM 900), once again not an issue for me. A real topic of conversation after the ride was the "Tiger whine", could take some getting used to.

More recently had a second ride on a Tiger 800, this bike neither had the rattle or stalled. Overall I loved the Tiger, will probably will be my next bike.

:rofl:rofl too funny Dave....too freakin funny!

I've ridden the KLR or the 250X every weekend in 2011 except for three. All in the dirt. I'm getting my practice in. It was time for me to get in shape anyways. I was getting a little soft around the edges. This bike is not the only motivation for my health improvements. Besides, how many days to AMA champions of any class or style spend in the gym? My guess is a lot. It takes a combination of physical strength and skill. There will be plenty of pics! I promise! :thumb

leavin the ALCAN and heading to Inuvik what is the name if that road and that is where one would need extra gas correct?

Fair enough, Dave. I'm glad you got another test ride on the XC. I'm sure there will be no lack of buyers for your canceled order. :deal

I've been strictly a twin and single rider for all of the 17 years I've been riding, so I think I know what you're referring to. I wasn't so sure I'd like the "revvy" triple. But it's definitely growing on me. Has enough scoot to be fun (sport bike like) out on the pavement, but easy enough to lug in any gear when in lower traction situations, without being abrupt. Pretty nice how versatile that motor is.

Good luck with your quest!

PM sent

I plan on turning north at Watson Lake, leaving the ALCAN, and heading up to Inuvik.

still the Dempster?

Still working on break in period here. I filled up my second tank of gas, and I calculated 52.5 mpg, mostly commuting type mileage. Some interstate/highway, some dirt roads, and some low speed stop and go traffic, and a lot of windy days. Very pleased with those results, especially since gas has jumped up some 20 or 30 cents in the past couple weeks.

Hubby is getting around 50-51 mpg on his XC so far.

So unplug one of the spark plugs. That should give you that feel you're looking for. :lol3

for the breaking in period that sounds good....BTW PM sent back!

Don't do it Dave. You'll bend the frame. :lol3

Yes. There is a station about half way but it doesn't always have fuel.

No. Out of Watson Lake I will be taking Route 4, the Robert Campbell Hwy to Carmacks, a wide spot in the road, where it meets with Route 2, the Klondike Hwy. Route 2 goes into Dawson. I will go into Dawson for good food, a good night's rest, I'll be camping almost every night, and maybe to drop off any excess clothes and gear before going up to Inuvik. No sense hauling extra weight if I don't have to. The Dempster is about 20-25 miles south of Dawson so I will have to double back to it for the ride up to Inuvik, but it will be well worth it for the food and motel room!

yeah that is what we want to try...Robert Campbell Hwy. I heard it is not always open too??? We are going to Inuvik, Prudhoe Bay and everything all over July 4th we leave...we have a lot of time to do this...42 days if needed and we want to take side trips and go fishing, heli ride etc. Your route looks similar to ours...thanks for the info...

I knew it was not the Dempster at that point.:wink:

Hope you enjoy the ride. It's beautiful country up there. There shouldn't be any reason for the Robert Campbell to be be closed during the summer months.

I will be doing mine in May of next year, maybe even April. I hate riding in hot weather. In fact, I have been thinking of waiting until Labor Day to head out. The temps would still be hot down south but they would be great for the rest of the trip. Where as, if I go in May and come back in June of July it would be way to hot down south. Hmm, going in Sep I wouldn't have to put up with much traffic headed north either. I may have to rethink the departure date.

Just hoping the summer this year is just better....we can deal with heat and cold...we are ready...should be awesome and who knows maybe we will be on the Tiger XC to try them out...would be a great ride for the new ADV bike on the block eh?

Great comments Ian.
I witnessed an F800 slide off a fire road at about 35 mph. As he went off he went into a roadside ditch ... about a foot deep. Rider came off, bike kicked up and went into a barbed wire fence upside down. Rider unhurt ... which is the really good news.

That brand new F800 was literally torn apart. Right caliper torn clean off, handle bars/gauges/tank destroyed. Radiator torn open, oil filter torn off, leaking. I pulled the bike out of the fence (with help) and helped load it onto a truck ... everything was bent, including forks. Dented front wheel. It was a total loss with just 1500 miles on it.

I suspect the same thing could happen to the Tiger as well. Yet my cheap and cheerful DR650 has seen many crashes worse than the one I witnessed and hardly sustains any damage ... at all.

So what about RTW Adventure riders? Will the Tiger XC cut it?
Plenty take big BMW GS's and KTM's ... and most seem to make it OK.
The F800's have been out there too, but not that many.

I'm wondering if the Tiger XC could do the tougher areas of the Andes, Southern Patagonia, Trans Amazonas mud and the Salar de Uyuni. An unloaded bike is one thing. But what happens when you add 120 lbs. of gear ?? :ear (spare tires and camping and cooking gear?)

I loved my Vstrom in Mexico ... but had to be really careful off road. I loved how easy it was to carry ... Everything!!! ... But made the bike dangerous in more technical conditions. Will those same restrictions apply to the Tiger XC once loaded up? Can't wait to see the first Beta testers out there doing the long RTW type rides on the Tiger. To me, this is the ultimate test of a bike and just how versatile ... and tough ... it really is.

Tonight?

why RTW? Wouldn't most want to see this bike do a trip that more can do then the few who are able to RTW? I would love to see this bike in action in the real world...Like the Washington Back Country Route....ummmm.....doing all the keys points up north in BC, Yukon, NWT and Alaska....the Continental Divide? Most of us get only one decent vacation year...so for me the true test of a bike like this is a 2 - 4 week adventure going on and off road but roads that this bike was made for...not single track stuff or even difficult ATV tracks...just good clean ADV riding.

That would be a good break-in ride. Just be prepared fr any type of weather. Before I retired I rode a bike to work, Wasilla to just outside of Anchorage, from the first of May, to the end of Sep. During the average summer I would have no more than 15 days with the temp about 45 F on the way in to work. If I go in May I will be prepared for temps ranging from 100 in the southern US to well below freezing about the Circle. Hell, you could see the same range of temps going in July. Will you guys be camping or staying in motels?

camping as much as we can....and we have heated gear and gloves and good waterproof gear too....my one hope is that the majority of the Dempster stays dry but we will sludge though the slippery snot if we have too!

Hundreds of riders ride all over S. America on crap fuel ... and in more remote areas ... and NONE had an engine gernade due to "bad" fuel far as I know.

I've run 1000's of miles at speed on Baja Barrel gas ... never a problem.
(it does leave deposits on your valves and top of pistons)That crap gas is loaded with water, Diesel and dirt ... it's amazing the bikes ran ... but no one in our groups of 10 to 15 riders ever had a meltdown due to fuel.

It is ODD that TWO brand new bikes expired ... inexplicable actually.

"Zes ist nict possible mit BMVay! It hass never 'appened before! Jou are ze first!" (isn't that how the usual response from BMW goes? :lol3 )

We spin the wheel and take out chances. I'm looking forward to your RR since you'll be making the trip a year ahead of me.

OK, time for my old body to hit the sack. Talk at you later.

True, not many can do RTW. Takes lots of time/money. But a few can sneak away for 3 or 4 months and do a S. America run or a ride through India on a rental. Call this a "mini" version of a RTW ride.

I did most of AK and Canada 20 years ago. I'm sure there is more to see
but I'm looking for a bit of culture shock. Some avoid that I guess. I've traveled a bit so appreciate the challenge of foreign travel on a bike.

Doing RTW or S. America has nothing to do with single track. You'll most likely never find any. But the Adventure is there nonetheless. I'm hoping the Tiger XC is tough enough and reliable enough to cut it.

Read Jamin' Jay's RR and check out the kind of abuse his bike has taken and the wide variety of roads he has been down. Impressive stuff. He's no
"Extreme Rider Hero" type either ... as mild mannered as Clark Kent ... but a Super man lurks in there somewhere! :clap

2 to 4 weeks would be one country for Jay. (out of about 12 he's been to) And remember, unless you really try .... you'll likely be on pavement 60% to 70% of the time. But bikes are tested; from extreme rain to 100's of miles of nasty washboard/potholed roads, to temps over 35C with 90% humidity ... and lots of just plain stupid drops due fatigue, mud, animals or oncoming buses in your lane.

I would like to think the Tiger XC could handle this without the pilot being Stephanne Peterhansel or David Knight.

This is interesting - On a demo I noticed the XC was a bit more of a reach forward than some of the other bikes I am considering buying. I coming from a sportbike background, so it should still be a big boost in comfort for me.

I am torn between the XC and the KTM 990 Adventure - has anyone owned both / ridden them back to back? I know similar comparisons have been beaten to death, but I will take whatever input I can get.

if I owned this bike I know i would need risers....but that is no big deal....they also sell pull back handle bars for this bike...that would make I think for a real comfy riding position too!

After seeing a RTW presentation by Austin Vince (of the Mondo Enduro and Terra Circa films)last weekend and talking with him, my choice would be the trusty DR650. I've gotten into enough over-my-head situations on my Tiger 955 to now know better. A torn ACL or broken leg is just one misstep away while riding a pig in the sand or mud. Still looking forward to some Tiger 800 off road ride reports though.

You can turn the Triumph risers round 180 degrees for less of a forward lean.

Triumph Detroit had an unsold white Tiger 800XC on the floor a week ago Saturday. I think it was the ABS model. They're a great shop with excellent service.

I believe that is their demo, although non abs. I took it for a spin :). They truly are an amazing dealer.

So Dave, the search goes on? I'm in the same boat. I was really exicted about the Versys too... until I owned one.

Triumph promotion for veterans
 

So, I got an email from Triumph (America) yesterday regarding a new promotion for veterans. It gives up to $750 off a new bike (depending on model) for active military and honorably discharged veterans. It's $500 off on all the Tigers. Called my dealer today to confirm that this would apply to my T800, and he immediately said "Sure, you just need a copy of your DD214.":clap Hooray! Free farkles I hadn't counted on.

He also said we now have a VIN # for the bike, but he couldn't tell where it was physically located at the moment. It could be on the way from the UK or already in the US.

Edit: Details on the promotion are here http://www.rideatriumph.com/hero

You're just going to have to build your dream bike, Dave. :deal

I reckon a single is by far the best motor for off-road duty, however it truly sucks riding a KLR home from Moab. :umph

Edit: I've got as much chance of doing a RTW trip as I do of riding to the moon. However, I do plan to get in a couple of 5-7 day trips here and there. :D

Rear rack
 

Hopefully my 800xc-abs will be getting here in May. I will eventually put some sort of panniers on it, but likely not the Triumph cases, so want to research and see what options present themselves as the aftermarket catches up. In the meantime, while I don't have cases on it, I'll probably just use a large dry bag on the rear rack. I couldn't find a really good picture of the rear rack from the top.

Will a plate like this bolt to the stock rear rack?
http://www.happy-trail.com/Top-Plate-T3-Universal.aspx

It almost looks like the grab handles would end up in the way.

There are some outfits in Europe already making rear plates. I know Twisted Throttle and AltRider have their own in the works too.

The biggest issue with farkles right now is that since the bike is only just beginning to ship out to North American customers, the North American farkle makers haven't had a chance to prototype their goodies for the Tiger yet.

My intention in the long run is to run Wolfman luggage on pannier racks, but for my upcoming trip in May I'm going to have to make do with a set of throwover saddlebags and a tail bag.

--mark

Jesse Luggage
 

I know for a fact that there will be Jesse luggage for the Tiger...they just need to get the bracket set up and then everyone will have their choice of either the Safari or Odyssey luggage...and Jesse luggage is sweet...good looking, durable and waterproof.

Thank you! It looks like this will be an on-going program. It says you can only get the discount on one bike per year. I can live with that.