I've had two Tiger 800s, both XC models, both have been fantastic bikes. The engine is truly fabulous, smooth and powerful for road use. It does demand a little more gas off road which makes it tricky to handle. It carries luggage well, has ample power two up and with an aftermarket windscreen is comfortable all day long. It's moderately capable off road but very top heavy, so somewhat awkward to use in rough stuff. Fine enough on gravel roads.

I've had a few weeks of an F800 when the Tiger was in for a warranty repair and I didn't like it. The engine is lame by comparison, for street use, and not notably better off road. The weight is easier to handle off road. It felt like the Tiger's budget brother, to me.

I've not used the others mentioned so can't comment. I would float the inevitable question though - what do you really want the bike for? If you want a good street bike which can do it all and handle occasional, light offroad duty these are truly superb bikes. Any of the three (or the AT) will suit you well, test ride and decide.

If you want to really get off the black top and get into the wilderness get a KTM 690 or it's sexier Husqvarna brother. I traded my Tiger for one and I'm just as happy on the road, they're bloody quick and a stack of fun unless you are on the motorway. The Tiger, F800 and other big bikes are better on the motorway but it's still a motorway - it's not chalk and cheese, more like cheese and better cheese. If you are off road it's a different world, more like a motorised mountain bike. If it's your first ADV bike it'll make learning easier, falling less painful and life more fun. There is no other bike with the same hooligan power, light weight and all-road capability. Test ride one before you decide, I wish I'd done so earlier. The Tiger was my first adventure bike and it held me back from doing what I wanted to do, from going where I wanted to go. I went to Morocco and skipped riding the dunes because the skill and sheer gets you need to do that on a 220kg bike was beyond my newbie skills. My 701 Enduro I'd have taken out there in a heartbeat. I turned the Tiger around on a challenging road in Albania, same statement applies - I'd have kept going on the 701.

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]