Tiger 800 Potentially an XCx owner

I've just been looking at the pricing of the various models over here. The XR is roughly 2500€ cheaper than the XCX that I'm interested in. Makes me wonder?

I'm riding XRX tomorrow so it will be even more interesting to see how I get on without WP suspension etc.

 

Hi BS69, how long have you had your XCX for? Have you done any long days in the saddle yet?

 

Just got back from test-riding the Tiger 800 - will write a full report later. Bit f***** sorry tired right now.

 

You naughty boy

 

I'll do a proper job of it tomorrow but just to whet your appetites.....................................................................




















The Tiger 800 XRX is......................................................AWESOME !!!!!!!!

 

Well here is my ride report of the July 2015 Tiger 800 XRX - with 200 kms on the clock. Revs limited to 5,000-ish!

If anyone is waiting for off-road comments, your wait is over - there aren't any !

First impressions:
Riding position fitted me like a glove, better than the BM GS's I've had in the past. Light to manoeuvre when on the ground, agile when riding. Perfectly at ease even though it was a shitty wet day.

Too many buttons on the bars, but more of this later; Engine and gearbox are just absolute jewels; Suspension is firm but compliant, never crashy.

My thoughts about maybe looking at 1200 GS's as an alternative, are over.

As we go on:
Engine is a real peach! Pulls smoothly in 6th gear from 2000rpm. At 90kms/hr (56mph) she's pulling 4000 rpms but very smooth. If you want to overtake at this speed just wind it on and she really flies, or drop a cog and she REALLY flies. Fuel consumption as shown on the dash computer was, throughout my test, averaging 4.5ltrs per 100kms (about 65mpg) and running at between 90 and 140kms/hr.

The noise it makes is not all shouty exhaust but more of a turbine smooth, mechanical-in-chocolate feel.

As you get to 5000rpm you feel you are just on the edge of something really great - and you are!!! I only took her up to about 6000 -ish rpm and scalded cats couldn't keep up.

The gearbox is new for the Tiger and comes from the Street Triple and feels like you are operating a Swiss watch - the best I've ever used.

Suspension - long-travel Showa units are fitted to this bike and all I can say is that I had no cause to ever think what the suspension was doing. On fast undulating A roads and bumpy B roads (all wet of course) she was an absolute definition of quiet, subtle control and comfort.

The riding position - excellent to do long days in the comfort saddle that comes as std.; I had mine on the lower position but was able to try the higher one when I got back to the supplier.

Bells and Whistles:
If you like your bikes dripping with technology this one has it in spades. It would take too long to list it all here - all I will say is that it worked very intuitively, even though I felt slightly intimidated at first.

Overall:
It felt like an awesomely competent sports/adventure bike that you would want to ride all day.

I've put my Bonny up for sale - I'm THAT impressed. Yes folks, I really want one.


PS Just remembered something negative. The bike I rode had a Triumph option larger, adjustable screen. Pants ! Absolute noisy pants and expensive. No matter how I adjusted it, it created loads of noisy turbulence.

 

Done !

Just make sure you set the seat height at it's optimum for you, before you start. It only takes 30 secs to do and might make a difference in your perceptions of the riding position.

 

Hi Dick - yes, that good!

Over the next 3 years or so I want to do lots of touring and I believe one of these Tigers will be the ideal blend of comfort, performance, fuel economy and just plain pleasure.

 

@ Folkbloke - Well let's just hope that Bonny sells well. I can do it without, but things would be tighter than I would like.

 

Hi mate and thanks. As I said all my test ride was done with the seat in it's lowest position, but the fact that it's so easily adjustable makes me think that it will be handy to be able to adjust the seat during long rides just to change the body geometry a bit.

You can also adjust the back or the front of the seat independently, so there are numerous changes possible to keep DBS at bay. DBS? - Dead Bum Syndrome

Just for your info, one difference between XRX and XCX is that with XCX there are different bar risers giving a more upright riding position.

 

That all sounds very useful. For when I'm in the Alpes or Pyrénées . Or Los Picos de Europa or....................................

 

Just in case others might be thinking about getting a Tiger, today I tried a Yamaha Tracer and a KTM 1050 Adventure.

The Yamaha:
Crap - nuff said ! Honestly it really is.

The KTM 1050 Adventure:
This is a potential front runner. It has a feeling of quality right from the beginning. Gutsy v-twin 1050cc engine, good clean gearbox (easy to find neutral), excellent quality suspension (WP).

It was only a quick test today, but when the KTM shop boss returns from holidays we will talk money and a longer, more in-depth test.

 

Right !The deed is done, the winner declared and now lodged chez David.

I've just ridden it back nearly 500kms this afternoon and honestly this is, by a long way, the best bike I've ever had.

I'm sorry to say it's not the Triumph and it's not the KTM I tested ?

Here are a few pics, the sellers not mine,of the bike which now resides proudly in my garage :



This bike has:

150bhp v-twin
ABS and Traction control fully configurable;
Electronic suspension;
Tyre pressure sensors
ALL the toys !

Full GIVI luggage.

This is a 17,000 yes, 17,000€ bike.

Did I pay that? Was I not born in York?

What do you guys think ?

Obviously that utter crap screen is already off