Why I'd Never Buy A Triumph Tiger (Probably)
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2022
- I take my dad's Triumph Tiger 800 XC out for an extended test ride on the highway, backroads and the ATV trails at Harrison Hills. After putting a good amount of miles on I compare it's performance with that of my Tenere 700 & KLR 650.
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When a dealership made a mistake on a repair on the BMW I had at the time ,they gave me one of these for the week, while they fixed my bike. The Tigers were fairly new at that time. I have to say ,I was very impressed with it over all ,and couldn't get enough of the engine sound.
Had a '16 800XCX. Had it while i was San Diego, rode it all over the mnts and desert. My best analogy of the motor was like a 2 stroke in the mud....not much low rpm power when u are in trouble, but then would spin out like crazy with any amount of throttle. It was amazing in the twisty canyon roads. The WP suspension was great and so easily adjustable, u could ride that thing hard and I jumped that thing higher than a 460lb bike should. I had it in the dunes, i had it in mnt single track...eventually I found myself taking it farther and farther than a ADV should which lead me to plated dirt bikes which suited my riding preference a lot better. The electronics pissed me off a lot, especially how hard it was to shut off. But the Offroad setting was really impressive, 50% rear wheel spin in rear and front only ABS that actually stopped u downhill on loose rocks. I still think for northern WI its hard to beat a Gen 3 KLR. We got straight flat two lane roads, and dirt roads lol.
Thanks for doing this review. Really like your take on things. I sold my KLR last year and got a Tiger XC By comparison, It definitely has weight distribution and geometry fighting against you when off road and in the tight stuff, But it always impresses me with how you can work around it. It's not a bad thing, but just different.. plus having that sweet engine power and sound under you is a nice bonus.. And of course on the road the bike is amazing.. it is the crotch rocket of ADV's
Speaking of balance, and top end weight, I recently had the chance to take out a norden 901. Although I am waiting to see more long term reviews with them, that is my next bike. The balance, and weight distribution paired with their traction control is unbelievable!!! You gotta ride one.
The relay issue you mentioned. A good friend of mine works for a triumph dealer in the Milwaukee area. The tigers have body harness issues in a decent percent of new models. Always changed under warranty, but there is an on going issue with the QC of the body harnesses and it leads to odd issues with the keyless bikes - But the heated seats are nice
Do you think I need to replace something
I have the 2013 XC and am very happy with it. I've done long tours fully loaded with camping gear and my wife on the back and there was never a shortage of power or comfort. At the same time, as you've said, it's a lot of fun on the road, and I can keep up with pretty much anyone in the twisties. I've also done some off-road rallies and kept up with KTM 890s. The bodywork is more fragile than other bikes and I've cracked plastics, so it definitely has its limits off road, but if you want a really fun touring bike and not be limited to the asphalt, this would do nicely. Good to hear your impressions. Thanks for the video.
Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Great review. Sounds good to me. I ride on the street and occasional gravel road. Looking for a replacement for my GL1200. All day riding and able to carry everything. I gave up dirt riding decades ago.
It's a darn good road bike! And heck you never know when you'll find a good gravel road!
You compared the T7 to the Tiger 800 and called the Tiger top heavy. Nothing is more top heavy feeling than a T7! I think the thing that made you feel squirmy was the street biased tires on the Tiger. I also noticed your T7 has proper knobbies. Tires are the single most noticeable upgrade a person can make. Comparing a bike with street tires to one with dirt tires off-road is not a fair comparison. But I agree the Tiger has a very sport bike feel to it! And with proper tires, the Tiger is very dirt capable. There is no unicorn though. If the Tiger gives anything up tot the T7 in the dirt, it more than makes up for it on the street portion of the adventure! And I agree that small bikes are better for learning on that big bikes - like the Tiger 800, T7 and KLR 650.
I cracked the front fender twice on my 2019 going offroad,definitely needs suspension work.This must be a problem for riding anything more than gravel roads.
Spot on review. My son bought his 2012 800XC new and was his first bike. Being an old MX'er, I highly admired its power and handling. 2 years ago, I sold my Rocket III and bought a used '12 800XC. To me, it's kind of a jack-of-all-trades that does everything pretty good. Yeah, you can really tear it up on a KTM, but I had to admit to myself that I'm not the 18yr old racer that I once was. At 60, I find my old Tiger just fine with the right tires. It goes pretty much anywhere I want it to go. We both recently went on a two-day ride on 50/50 highway and forest roads. They performed great. Just treat it like a sport bike with suspension and ride it like a two stroke lol.
Thanks! That's awesome! My dad recently sold his (after buying my Tenere) but I think he'll always miss it. We had a lot of good times in the woods with that bike!
I was looking at a used one but ended up going with the gen 3 KLR.
The KLR is much less stressful to ride off-road by a long shot!
As a Tiger XC 800 owner you are spot on with your rewiew
Not bad on the odd gravel track but i dont trust the front end in the mud and ruts,
I rode the new tiger 900 rally a while back and that thing feels a lot lighter like a big dirt bike and the new motor has a lot more torque, But i do love the old XC.
Thanks for the honest owner opinion! Glad to hear that my assessment was correct. I'm also glad to hear that the 900 has some improvements to offer since it is such a great platform. My dad's actually going to be selling his bike and is having a pretty hard time letting it go. Just because it's not perfect doesn't make it not awesome!
Well! I've both a second Triumph Tiger 800...
I've done so far 83000km on it on my second. An 38000km on the first.
It's not a perfect machine. For example... for long travel with a lot of luggage, you fell that's a 800. But that's normal I think. Also... when I go off-road, I don't put myself in trouble try to do what Chris Birch do. But I've gone several times with buddy's that have smaller or greater machines... an i don't feel overwhelmed by them... actually, some time, I go faster than them. I would say that the Tiger 800 is a perfect machine to have fun in town an on small twisty road. It's sharp handling is very fun, an the engine make you feel like Street Triple. Off road... I've no complex to ride with supose ready to race machine. I've take the time to learn my machine, an understand is limits an is pro.
Like a legend commentary said recently on a great movie,
It's not the motorcycle, it's the pilot.
Make a review of a motorcycle in a day... it's very serious. You have to take the time to know it well.I know it well...
Ask me some questions
How is it for multi thousand mile trips? I've got a triumph Trident now and the wind wears me out on longer rides. I want something that I can ride several thousand miles in a day and get off not completely exhausted from the wind beating me all over the place. Am I being unrealistic to expect a motorcycle to offer that much wind protection? I've only ever ridden my triumph Trident naked bike.
I had a t7 and went to a tiger 800 after the t7 was stolen. Overall I like the tiger better, seems better balanced when flying down forest roads, easier to drift. T7 was better on tighter trails, but for longer trips I enjoy the tiger more
Learn how to set up the Rider mode, Sport, TC off, ABS on, then try the pavement again. You will find the front wheel gets really light really fast! Don't do that and ride off-road unless you have 20/80 Tires. Most of us do the suspension and any bike we buy, so once the WP suspension is sprung and tuned to you and your riding style, the ride greatly improves offroad. The t700 suspension sucks as well, and also needs new springs and matching valves. Dropping the front sprocket from 16t down to 14t will really improve the off-road feel. As you noted the bike is stupid fast on the pavement so losing something on the top end is nothing on this side of a race track. I also added Rox Risers with Pro Taper Raptor bars really improves the riding position from street bike to ADV ride. I bought mine in 2015 XCX 800 with zero issues. My other ADV bike is a modified WR250r. At 100 pounds lighter, it is a lot more fun on real nasty trails but it sucks on long pavement rides. My Tiger is the goto ride for month-long off-road trips. The WR is perfect for local rides, especially in the winter. BTW 9 years ago, my son (then 25) bought a new KLR and rode it from the west coast of Canada to Ushuaia and back. The KLR is a great little bike that does everything, just nothing well. But it is reliable and easy to work on. We did a month-long father/son (Tiger/KLR) trip through northern Mexico and Copper Canyon. A trip of a lifetime. Do whatever you need to do so that you and your dad can make something similar happen. :)
Thanks Rick
The “chatter” you heard in the video was the center stand jostling over bumps. It was not a loose rear end like you thought.
Tiger 800 XC and KLR are not in same galaxy in any environment. Put some proper dirt tires on the Tiger and properly set your fork height and sag.
I have a 2010 Triumph Tiger XC. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Had mine from new, done only 50000 on it, but I live in the UK, So don't do the mileage you do in the US. I also don't go off road or green laning, i just tour on it. But love it. I can stay with friends on their 1000cc or larger on UK roads. On motorways if they really go for it, I can't, Obviously. But on A and B roads or country windy roads I can and often outrun them.
Watch the gear shift pawl pin inside the clutch. Known for snapping. Also the 1st and 2nd generation starter motors suck!
Did Triumph fix the starter motor problem? I've heard they have a new starter motor kit that includes a new gear, but I don't know if the problem is solved, or even the new kit will break after some time
NAW. swank I'll keep my old klr it's kinda like a plow mule. But just keeps on plowing. To fancy for me. Awesome information though. Thanks
I think I'd take a KLR over the Tiger too, especially off road!
What is the payload at 80mph vs the KLR?
Thinking about getting another "adventure bike". I had a BMW R1200GSA for a couple of years. Awesome on the road and surprisingly good off road for a first adventure bike. Been looking at the Tiger and also the Honda Africa. Not sure at this point. And recommendations from the followers are greatly appreciated.
The Tiger would probably be a good bike to switch too. Still plenty capable on road but probably a little easier to handle off road. My had has taken his through some pretty intense stuff over the years.
My biggest concern with Triumphs is the electrical wiring, and reliability.
Yeah I think that's his problem. Definitely makes him second guess taking it on long trips.
Yes mine has 22 on it and no terrible issues (never left me stranded) but I still will not get to far from home
please someone make a sub 400lb, 450-550 twin with decent suspension for 8-10k and my unicorn is born 😎
Yeah that'd definitely be nice. Can't imagine why Honda wouldn't make a CRF450 Rally but I'm guessing that will be over 10k.
@@SwankyCatProductions not even the right motor, we don't need a high performance 450 motor with short service intervals, just a torqy 500 twin with good low end power and can cruise at 70mph.
With cruise control
The new Tiger 900 has a bit more snarl, improved suspension/chassis and a better adventure bike than the previous model at the cost of on-road smoothness the triple is known for. A legitimate middleweight but still 50 pounds heavier than a Tenere.
Did they increase the rake a bit or is it still pretty steep?
@@SwankyCatProductions - Not sure on the details but quite a few geometry changes, though I think still relatively steep compared to other bikes and not quite as stable.
I have a 2018 Tiger XCA definitely not meant for not much more than gravel in my opinion...
It definitely doesn't make for an easy ride, I'll say that. But it's a fun bike!
Fantic Caballero 700, 170kg
Great bike, but that ain't off-road..
Really?? I think you have a subconscious bias!! I found that the Tiger was a lot more pleasurable to ride than my Tenere, the fully adjustable suspension is sublime and that motor was silky smooth. Totally shits all over the agricultural KLR and just aces the Tenere on the road. More comfortable and not quite as weighty and top heavy as the Tenere in my opinion. I think the tyres on the test bike was a serious compromise in the comparison. The back end chatter was the centre stand I think. The rider modes and cruise control are fantastic and that triple is very reliable. Also, I found the fuel economy on the Tiger to be just slightly better than the Tenere as long as you ride it modestly, and ith the 19 litre tank versus 16 on the Tenere its another 70-80km from a tank.
Lol
“Come on Man”. Every single negative comment you made about that bike, is proof you’re full of 🤬. LOL, just kidding. Yep I’m an owner of a 2019 Tiger 800 XCa, last of the greatest. All bikes can’t do everything. Therefore we buy what best fits our needs. Mine is “the greatest bike ever”……🤣 (so there…🇬🇧)…((all in fun 🤩))
Glad to hear it Bradley looking back it has been a great machine
It is last of the greatest in my opinion. I strongly dislike the new tiger 900 and 850. They are so damn ugly. Makes me sad bc your bike is freaking beautiful!
It looks 80% road and 20% trail
I have taken it thru some pretty tough shit, but I would agree
We can tell you have never ridden a dirt bike
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