I think people are reading too much into that video. I watched it and got the warm fuzzies like "Yeah, my bike can go anywhere." But the reality is I tipped mine over at fairly low speeds and broke the brake lever. It cost $55 to replace it. I came to the obvious conclusion that if I want to ride it like a dirt bike, it's going to get awfully expensive. I've since added handguards, but the simple math remains. Riding it "like a dirt bike" means crashing, crashing means breaking, and breaking means expensive trips to the motorcycle shop. Since it's a Triumph, it also means waiting weeks for parts. That doesn't mean mine is a slave to asphalt. I've taken it places that are dubious for a bike its size, and I don't care what brand is on the tank, a 500-lb beast is going to be tricky in the technical stuff, but you won't see me riding it like a dirt bike. I will be using just enough power to get me through the rough stuff and then hopefully thanking my lucky stars I'm not handing Triumph a healthy portion of paycheck for replacement parts. The Tiger is a great bike for what it's designed for, but before I get all delusional about how someone in a video can ride it, I just have to go out and try to pop a wheelie. On a good day, I can clear a playing card lying flat, and that's if there' s a bump in the road. Ride a wheelie like those guys? Only in my wildest dreams.
Perhaps I should have elaborated more. It shows what the bike is capable of ...with a good rider..and an unlimited budget to fix shit that breaks while filming it. And thanks for pointing out that all the shots were staged..with multiple retakes. I thought it was real Sure it was filmed for entertainment value but if you break it down and look at individual segments and how the bikes are handling..I have to admit that it's capable of way more than I thought it was. I'm an intermediate rider at best and have taken my bike offroad..have dropped it and broken stuff. I know it's not a dirtbike..I bought it long before the video came out. I have 20,000 km on the bike now..with a good mix of asphalt and dirt. It's taken me almost everywhere my KLR did. And before you point it out...I know the KLR is not a dirt bike too.
^ way to bring us back on track I have much love for this bike, but its not all sunshine and rainbows; I have the preload on the shock set as reccomended in the manual for two up, loaded riding and find the shock is too soft on my own in fast wallowy corners. Let alone with a pillon and gear. The fork is surprisingly versatile and set up same as the shock is great on my own and very good two up. I will be swapping the shock for something better down the road as it wears out. I weigh about 100kg in my riding gear. Also, the bike needs more power. Don't get me wrong, I love the engine, I love the way it makes power, it just needs a bit more of it. Not a lot, and need is a strong word here, maybe just wants for a bit more power? I like messing about and pulling the odd wheelie or two and first is so tall on this bike it takes a real effort to get the front wheel up, and I can only do it in first (anyone managed a 2nd gear wheelie on this thing?). I will be swapping the end can for a Leo Vince, gutting the cat and having a custom map installed once I save the cash. I will probably also go to a smaller front sprocket as well, but will see if the other mods satisfy my needs first. Would I buy this bike again; yes, but I wish Triumph had put a better shock on it, a shorter first (taller sixth as well) and added another 10-15HP, then it would be perfect. Or I would just whinge about something else
To answer the question in the title to this thread, "Yes." Only have a 1000+ miles on it so far, so y'all go chase some rabbits down some rabbit holes, critique some marketing videos, and argue over your keyboards about the video some more and I'll go actually ride one and report back after awhile...
Bought my orange 800XC in May 2011. Coming off a KLR650 and DR350SE it took a while to get the ergos sorted out. 12k miles on it now (it shares roads time with others) but YES, the 800XC is a great bike. On the slab, back roads, dirt roads, etc. It is far more capable than I am. Love the Triple. Somehow the machine's balance works out to be excellent. Considered the gas guzzler KTM (too much maintenance and weird stuff for a bike I'd take to remote places. The Tenere has, for me, all the appeal of a new refrigerator: functional and that's it. Bikes Made Weird 800 was interesting but my buddies, and other folks, have had their weird problems.....the great gas mileage was the draw there, but 47mpg US on the Tiger I can live with nicely. Also like the shorter seat height of the Tiger. My first Triumph and may not be the last.
My 800XC rocks. I would buy another one in a second. I had the stepper motor issue and don't care for the goofy instrument toggle crap or the wind noise but can easily live with it for what it gives me in return. It is very capable off road as well as eats up the miles on pavement. I was set on a F800GS and a good friend (BMW) lover told me to test ride a Tiger first. Right before I pulled the trigger an immaculate KTM 990 came into the dealership with every upgrade you could think of with 4K easy miles at a smoking deal. Was torn cause I really dig the looks and the offroad capability appealed to me but after feedback on reliability issues and pain in the ass maintenance woes I decieded on the Triumph.....and am very happy with my choice. If I could have two I would like some seat time on a KTM but I wouldnt give up one for the other.
Depending on my jacket, speeds over about 75 with a 25-20mph headwind will give me a headache. Noisy and bumpy. With my jacket vents zipped and earplugs it's tolerable. I'm gonna have to do something for any freeway distances. I find the bike runs really nicely at 80-85 and you can really burn some miles. Now if I can just keep the popo off my ass.
Thanks. I see you had a Wee too. I had mine 3 years and no one ever accused me of having a cool looking bike. :huh First trip out someone walked up to me said that's an awesome bike, what is it? LOL
I have had the Tiger 800XC for almost a year now and I can honestly say that I would do it all over again if for some reason I needed to. Prior to the 800XC I had owned a R1200GS that was loaded with lots of options like traction control, Electric Shock Adjustment, heated grips and a few other creature comforts. But in the end, as much as I loved that bike, it was just more than I needed. After getting rid of it I was looking at the F800GS since it's size was more in line with my needs/wants. I took the GS out for a couple of test rides and I really liked it but when I took the Tiger out I just fell in love with it. Here are some of the notable differences that I have seen. Tiger: Pros: The engine in the tiger is plenty powerful and very responsive. The bike gets up and moves quickly on the highway and has a long, smooth power ban. I am 5' 11" and I have my seat height set in the low position and it is very comfortable. The seat is wide enough that I don't feel like I am riding a razor blade and can spend 3 to 5 hours in at without too much of a problem. The bike also feels solid and planted at highway speeds of 80+ and still has plenty of acceleration at those speeds. Additionally, Triumph's accessories for the Tiger are also notably cheaper than similar accessories provided by BMW for the F800GS. Tiger also has a larger generator for lots of extra accessories that need to run off the bike. It is cheaper than the GS. Cons: The fit-and-finish on the Tiger is not as good as the F800GS. Some of my body lines don't line up perfectly (yes, this is a big pet peeve of mine). There is a larger gap on the right between the frame and the tank than there is in the same place on the left side. The guy in charge of QC wasn't paying attention. Also, the instrument cluster is a little obnoxious. If you want to turn off your anti-lock breaks on the GS you just need to flip a button by your left thumb. On the Tiger you have to stop the bike and navigate through a series of options on your instrument cluster. Very inconvenient given the bikes purpose. Also, the buttons for the heated handgrips are a little funky as well. Tiger's heated grips involves the addition of an extra bracket on the handlebars that are out of thumb's reach where as the BMW has the switch nicely integrated into the switches that are closer to the grip and can be activated with your thumb without taking your hand of the grip. The Tiger also struggles to get close to the advertised fuel economy. I am getting about 45 mpg on the highway when I go around 65 and the bike is advertised to achieve somewhere around 63 mpg. F800GS Pros: BMW's claims for fuel economy are closer to their advertised numbers. The Beemer also seems to lug a little better and idles at a slower speed than does the Tiger. So if your are going to do much offroad this would be a definite positive. The BMW also comes with a 3yr/36,000 mile warranty where as the Tiger comes with a 2yr/unlimited miles. I prefer BWM's since I don't get that many miles in. Engine was still lively though not as much as the Tiger. Suspension seemed to be more tuned for offroad use. Also, I believe the Electric Shock Adjustment is now available on the 800GS which is awesome. Cons: The seat is narrow and seems like it would be uncomfortable for long rides. Did not seem to feel as solid and planted to the road at higher speeds. Generator has a relatively low output making it hard to power lots of goodies (GPS, extra lights, heated clothing, etc) at the same time. While there are things that I do like about the GS I would still stick with the TIger if I was given the choice between the two current models. But that might change when the next ones come out and BMW responds to the Tiger's popularity. I just hope that one of them starts producing their 800 with a shaft drive. Whoever does that will have my business for sure. I hope this helps.
YES! Coming from a line of DR 600's DR 650's the T800xc was just what I was looking for in a bike, I commute all year round rain hail or shine! Have been on some awesome ADV trips. The T800xc suits me and my style of riding, 10000 km of pure bliss!
I love my XC more than anything, but I've got the infamous front end bounce issue and after 9 months of not being able to find a fix for it, my patience is wearing thin and I've finally allowed myself to entertain the idea of getting something else. I don't want to, but I commute w/ it in town quite a bit which is right in the mph range where I feel the bounce the most, and it is beyond frustrating.
Playing around with the suspension is much cheaper than replacing the bike ... have the wheels/tires been checked out? If it's not them, it's often just a suspension setup problem. Go see a specialist.
Buy again? Oh ya. I'll miss my 2006 Multistrada 1000S that I bought new and sold Monday night but the reality is that it wouldn't get any use as long as the Tiger is in the garge,
The Infamous front end bounce issue???????? Not heard of this even once before. Would you have some details? My feeble mind can't imagine something that a well balanced wheel with a new tire wouldn't fix. TIA for more information. Nine months of anything wrong with a bike has to be frustrating. There are some good minds and much experience on this thread that might be able to help.