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**Norfolkguy** · #1 28 May 2011

OK, I have to admit I'm not planning to go round the world, but up from UK to Scandinavia and down eastern side (Finland/Russia etc) and back to blighty. Which means some gravel roads and uneven surfaces as well as muddy camp sites. Hardly Mongolian mud or Siberian ice, so not in same league as our intrepid RTW'ers, but not always smooth tarmac either so looking for a road bike with some minor off-road capability.

I like the new 800XC and have a decent dealer offer on my current bike to make me think about a new one, but as they are fairly new I wondered if anyone has had any experience of how they are for distance, comfort, reliability, fuel economy etc?

***Touring Ted*** · #2 28 May 2011

They're still very thin on the ground aren't they...

I hope you tell us all about the trip and the bike once you set off. I think there are a lot of people waiting for someone like you to do a long trip on one before they buy...

**barothi** · #3 30 May 2011

Most of the road will be paved so a road oriented tourer would be far more comfortable and more economical in my opinion. Anything can be taken on gravel roads and muddy campsites.

If you need an 800, the BMW has been out for a while... that could be a safer choice and maybe cheaper as well.

**Norfolkguy** · #4 30 May 2011

To be honest I don't want to go the BMW route.

The big 1200 is simply too big and heavy for me, and the 800 isn't the bike I'd like as everyday transport when in the UK.

The Tiger looks great, goes very well, and I have a gut feel will be bullet-proof like all their bikes generally are.

**Johno** · #5 30 May 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norfolkguy

To be honest I don't want to go the BMW route.

The big 1200 is simply too big and heavy for me, and the 800 isn't the bike I'd like as everyday transport when in the UK.

The Tiger looks great, goes very well, and I have a gut feel will be bullet-proof like all their bikes generally are.

I feel the same as you...just purchased a 800XC, only done 1000miles on it so far all 2up riding. The engine & gearbox is superb on this bike, suspension ain't bad for stock & getting around 53mpg (US Gal) with mixed type of riding. This week I will install TKC80's & plan a weekend off road to see she holds. Triumph did their homework on this bike & have only seen positive reviews.

**Norfolkguy** · #6 31 May 2011

Positive feedback Johno, thanks. Be interested to know how you find it off-road.

**Pumbaa** · #7 31 May 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johno

I feel the same as you...just purchased a 800XC, only done 1000miles on it so far all 2up riding. The engine & gearbox is superb on this bike, suspension ain't bad for stock & getting around 53mpg (US Gal) with mixed type of riding. This week I will install TKC80's & plan a weekend off road to see she holds. Triumph did their homework on this bike & have only seen positive reviews.

How comfy was it 2-up for you and pillion?

**Johno** · #8 25 Jun 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumbaa

How comfy was it 2-up for you and pillion?

The bike is super comfortable with stock seats. On one trip we did 500 miles in a day & my wife found it comfortable till last hour or 2. After 10 hours of sitting, can't blame her.
Offroad , she has excelled for 500' bike, I have ridden the bike in all kinds of terrain & even did 9mile loop of single track 2 up. I could not be happier with the Tiger, comfortable, tracks well & enough power to have fun.

**Tourider** · #9 25 Jun 2011

I'm in a touring club and the Tiger 800 in both its guises is the bike of the moment. There are about six in the club so far and the feedback is all positive. I don't think there's been much real off-road activity but there have been quite a few European tours both solo and two up. Most bikes have been kitted out in Triumph luggage but one lad has installed Hepco & Becker kit, which looks really sexy. There are actually two models of both bikes, the originals have silver frames and the newer ones a black frame, I can't get to the bottom of what other differences there are between the two.

**Michaelp** · #10 27 Jun 2011

cannot wait to hear more about the XC. Have ridden a GS12 in anger-great until i dropped it AND no street cred whatsoever!
Heard horrible stories about the GS800. Just praying the XC will be 'the one'.!!!!

**Gugie1** · #11 28 Jun 2011

I have bought a New Tiger XC in Guatemala , are riding it down to Ushuaia then up to Rio ,starting early October, so if you want to hear how it goes check Da Blog www.arnoldsonabike.blogspot.com . I started the trip last year in Anchourage on a VStrom, broke my leg in Guate, sold the Vstrom and now im on the way back to finish da trip

**farqhuar** · #12 28 Jun 2011

I test rode the 800XC around 2 months back. The bike had great performance (even better than the street triple which is my favourite Triumph), was smooth, handled well and had a good riding position.

I had two complaints with it though.

The first is typical of all Triumph triples - it runs hot, and sitting at traffic lights (as you would do during any commuting) or slow speed running, causes the fan to blow a blast of uncomfortably hot air against the inside of your thighs.

Second, I stalled the bike 5 times when letting the clutch out from a stop, and I'm a person who rarely, if ever, stalls a bike. The bike simply does not have sufficient torque off idle to prevent this.

**Michaelp** · #13 29 Jul 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gugie1

I have bought a New Tiger XC in Guatemala , are riding it down to Ushuaia then up to Rio ,starting early October, so if you want to hear how it goes check Da Blog www.arnoldsonabike.blogspot.com . I started the trip last year in Anchourage on a VStrom, broke my leg in Guate, sold the Vstrom and now im on the way back to finish da trip

Look forward to your updates,,

**Fastship** · #14 30 Jul 2011

If you want to read a REAL road test of the 800 XC and not the inadequate drivel put out by "Bike" magazine this month check out the two grrls on ADV rider who are riding two new bikes up to the artic ocean in Alaska (think "Ice Road Truckers") and give an honest opinion of the bike. They also ride BMW's and are genuine adv riders so you can take what they say seriously.

In short - it's a great bike!

They had the stalling issues many others have had, not sure it's been entirely resolved yet, they are still on the road but Triumph are aware of the issue and they did provide a fix through a local dealer.

IMHO it looks a bit "suburban" for my tastes but I like knarley KTM's

Cheryl & Leslie's Triumph Tiger 800XC ADV to Alaska - ADVrider