Tiger 800 Another former Bonneville owner buys a Tiger

I made the decision last year after taking the Bonnie to Germany that I needed to a more practical and versatile bike for longer distance trips. Test rode the XRx and XRc for most of last Wednesday - the verdict? I bought the XRx - no contest in the end.

The choice between the two was easy for me, at 5' 10" the XC felt a wee bit too tall and took longer to get used to whereas I felt at home on the XR right away. I also felt I would never get to appreciate the better off road capabilities of the XC as the bike will spend 99% of it's life on tarmac. The XR is the more road orientated of the two and it shows - it turns in quicker and feels more planted on the road.

The only advantage I could see with the XC is that you get better quality WP suspension but I can't say I noticed that much of a difference and you don't get the adjustable screen or the comfort seats - and that was noticeable. The XR was much more comfortable even after 2 hours riding.

It's fast - felt quicker than my Trident and about half the weight! It's very agile and flickable through the bends and the engine is extremely smooth with bags of torque, the (mainly) Daytona gearbox is also a lesson in slickness (which I suspect no BMW could hope to match).

Cannot wait until Wednesday - pics to follow.

 

Sadly the Bonnie went big style - at 80mph down the A36 on it's LH side last June!
Say when and I'll try and get over to Loomies for a meet up.

 

Yes, weekdays are best for me crispey as I work for myself and I'm often busy at weekends.
It depends on workload and appointments but let me know at the beginning of the week and I can usually fit sometime in.
Good idea to invite others - more the merrier!

 

Thanks littleade, I went for the Caspian blue (which they just happened to have in the showroom) but I prefer this to black or white anyway. Great video.

 

Here it is - all shiny in the showroom yesterday. (the cleanest it will ever be!)
Bright and sunny all day but as soon as we pushed it outside it started p*ssing down!
No worries managed to rack up 85 miles on the way home.
Got it wet again this morning - 158 miles now - can go up to 6000 rpm at 200 miles .

 

Cheers Dave, I am indeed a very happy bunny. Got to use the cruise control this morning in the dreaded average speed section on the M3. Very useful and amusing to see drivers reactions as you ride past with your right hand off the throttle.

 

Sorry mate - just seen this otherwise I would have been on it sooner. According to the BBC weather app, Wednesday looks like light rain from about 3.00pm and Thursday shows a light snow shower! Happy to go for Wednesday morning though - I'll keep checking as this will change by the hour.
Any one else local to Loomies fancy it?

 

Cheers mate - the fogs are brilliant - LED and really bright, so they make good running lights.
If I can't be seen with these on then I might as well give up!