Hi folks. I am in the process of slowly getting my wife interested in joining me on a motorcycle trip. She's reluctant and cautious person, so whatever trip we do, we'll be two up. I'm starting to look ahead to a bigger bike for the two of us together. I currently ride a Kawasaki 650 Versys with mods. I'm 6'7" and 230 lbs, she is 5'4" and about 125 lbs. As I look at options for an adventure trip, either South America or Africa, I'm look at a Tiger or BMW 800. I want the bike as small as possible in engine size and weight, but big enough for me to drive and two up. My plan is to start with small trips here in the US to build up her confidence before taking an international trip.

What are your thoughts on the new Tigers?

I've had the 800xc here in the UK for a year, all the two up riding has been done on the road. I/partner have found it very very good indeed. Partner's 5ft 11" too - so needed leg room and she's found it comfy. Engine doesn't seem to notice - it's very torquey and no sudden power bands.

did you ever consider about suzuki dl650 or dl1000?

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Just did it from Medellin, Columbia to Cusco and even hit a bunch of dirt roads and the tiger was great.

Clay

Two up on the 800xc is a dream. We're 15,000km's into a two-up trip starting in London and now in Kyrgyzstan and we can do 400km days no worries. No adjustments to the standard riding position/seat is needed.

We have dropped the front sprocket to 15 tooth to give it that bit of extra pulling power and for offroading (also doing that two-up too) so I'm not slipping the clutch so much but I think the standard 16 tooth would still be ok and better for fuel consumption.

It's a perfect mid-size bike

Good to hear, how do you find the Tiger weight wise, does it feel top/front end heavy? how does it handle deep patches of gravel? do you find the suspension pretty good, solo and 2up?

I would like a Tiger 800xc, but I know the KTM 990 is better in the dirt (2 friends have them)...

Have you had any problems or anything on the bike you do not like? I wish it had a hydraulic clutch for one thing!

Thanks for any input.

Jim, what bike did you end up buying ?

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I seel Triumphs, the 800 is fine for 2 up and gear, though if a lot of gear, and heated/electronics, then get the 1200 Explorer, especially for mountains...

Taking 800 from Chicago to Panama in Dec...though1 up and gear for 10 weeks...

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Adventure Travel to Central America, SE Asia, North Africa, EU and USA National Parks.

I've done some short 2-up trips on my 800 roadie, with Triumph topbox, panniers, and other heavy extras (like the centre stand), etc. I notice the weight when stopped, etc., but the engine doesn't seem to mind it. Still reaches cruising speed without issue.

The Tiger 800 is beautifully smooth and responsive...slightly less so with more weight, but barely an issue. Compared to a BMW, it's much more enjoyable to ride, in my opinion.

I did a tonne of research into comfort regarding two-up touring on the Tiger 800 before I bought one (I bought new, so was a lot of money), and very few people had anything bad to say. It was 95% positive feedback...

Only suggestion I have is to avoid the Triumph luggage: it's built well, but it weighs too much and stores too little! Also the centre stand, for whatever reason, doesn't provide enough leverage, and it's rather hard to use to lift the bike up, compared to others I've tried like on the GS 1200. Not sure why that is. It also seems to weight a tonne!

Depending on your riding lifestyle, consider these changes to a 800.

The US Spec 800 has a 15 tooth counter shaft sprocket, and this tends to get a tad whiney and noisy over 75MPH IMO, and I changed it to a 16 tooth sprocket, and new chain. This makes a huge difference for long highway jaunts (Midwest is nothing but interstates to get anywhere). The 800 already has so much torque all thru the rev range to 7800, so as you know, you can leave a stop sign in 2nd gear no problem. I live in a downtown urban area and commute on the highway and also most my weekend trips to fish and camp, are always in 6th gear 70% of the time till I get to 2 lane country roads. It drops the RPM's to below 4000RPM, instead of the 4500 previously.

You can also get a 17T but that does stretch out the gears a tad too much for most.

Another upgrade I made, was a Leo Vince slip on and used the Arrow Tune from the Triumph Arrow flash, works like a charm. I also added a K&N air filter, so it breathes better, and the throttle response around town in 1-2-3-4 gears is just fantastic. Yes I compromise MPG, about 25% less, but the sound of the Triple with a slip on is music to me ears, and it has a removable baffle too If I want to be a hooligan.

I also put on the Triumph City Bag on the Tail 4 Litre, and remove the side bags for weight, aerodynamics and also ease of lane changes in rush hour streets.

The other upgrades I made to the 800, since its primarily a city bike, but a weekend warrior, are the following Triumph Parts. Items with a X were already on the bike as it was a demo.

Hand Guards
Heated grips
Painted front Fender extender (like XC)
Radiator Guard
HID Off Road Lights
Headlight Guard X
Engine Bars X
Fork Sliders
Tank Pad X
High adjustable Windscreen X
Center Stand X
Side Paniers and Carriage Kit X
This is my 3rd Triumph, I had 2005 Bonneville T100 as a city bike when I was single. Then got a 2007 Sprint 1050 ABS for a sport tourer, then was in China had moped , then moved back to US and got this bike. Next year I will probably buy a used a KTM 1190 and that will be my last bike for a while, I always buy the demo bikes, as they have all the accessories usually, full warranty, and you save a bundle. I rarely ride 2 up anymore, wife only likes two lane lazy roads, no highways, cant blame her..

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Adventure Travel to Central America, SE Asia, North Africa, EU and USA National Parks.

What fuel consumption / range are you guys getting ?

Any problems with the Tiger 800 so far ?

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Not sure where you are jimhazelwood? but if you are near us or anywhere East you are welcome to ride my bike to assess if it's what you want.

We are 2 Aussies travelling the Americas. We are only 6 weeks into a 2 or 3 year trip so it is early days yet. Currently waiting in Austin for a rear suspension upgrade which is due to happen on Monday.
We couldn't be happier with the XC, it hauls the load with ease and once the rear suspension is fixed it will be even better. Plenty of power and such a smooth torquey engine. Fuel economy seems to be approx. 40mpg fully loaded and with the Safari tank (8 gallons) that gives a range of near 350 Miles

Our all up load with luggage and 2 bodies is approx. 200kg

Let me know if you require any more info

Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

It's simple really ... go sit on and ride the Tiger ... and a few others as well.
BMW and Triumph allow test rides at USA dealers.

The 800 Tigers are great bikes. I've owned 3 Triumph's ... '95 Tiger, '99 Tiger and my current '07 1050 Tiger. I'm a big fan. I've ridden the Tiger 800XC several times and liked it ... but missed the power of my 1050. But the 800 would be a GREAT travel bike ... solo.

But all that said ... 6'7" is a BIG guy. The Tiger is, IMO, very compact, not so roomy and not the greatest leg room for a super tall guys. Front to back, the seat is not that long for two. I'd go with a roomier bike for a planned very long tour.

The one bike I'd look at .. and ride ... is the KTM Adventure. (either 990 or new 1190) The KTM is, IMO, the perfect BIG MAN bike ... and yet I believe it may even be lighter weight than the Tiger 800 (or very close).

With a good aftermarket seat you'll find a very roomy platform for two up that, IMO, the Tiger can't match. Also, leg room is fantastic. And naturally, the KTM is the better off road bike. It is expensive ... but maybe a nice used
990 could work? I just now see this thread is ancient. Hope someone can benefit from the input here ... at sometime?

Although I ride my own bikes (I have currently a Versys 650 and a honda XR!) I have also, occasionally, been riding pillion with my husband on his Tiger 800XC. As a pillion, the bike is confortable and has plenty of room. I have not spent any long time there so hard to know if it keeps being comfortable after few hours.

I never rode it, as I am way to short for that, but my husband loves it and we did 3,500 miles last summer from the UK to Romania and back with very long days rides. He never felt he needed his Airhawk.

AS someone commented about the VStrom 650.... My husband also had a VStrom few years ago in Brazil, and I rode it pillion. It is the most comfortable bike for pillion that I have ever tried! I never rode that one either, so as a rider I cannot comment. But my favourite for pillion riding!

I have also been sometimes pillion on my own Versys 650 and found a bit uncomfortable after a while (hard seat!)....


Cheers,

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Update, 30000 + miles 2 up on this little baby and it's still going strong, that engine is the best. Well second best behind the Honda Blackbird I used to own
From Alaska to Mexico now back to explore the East Coast of the US, life's good
Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!