RE: PH2 Tested: Triumph Tiger 800/800XC

[Rob13]

Driller said:

I'm on my third Tiger, a 1050 from last year. No mention of how the 800 motor compares to this?

Well the 1050 is a very adept touring machine, whereas this thing is supposed to be an "adventure" machine!

I actually thought that Triumph might have produced something like a mini 1050 version, but they've obviously just gone after the BMW 800GS head on.

I prefer the looks of the 1050

[CliveM]

[quote Having reidden the F800 a lot on and off road before buying one, its a great bike to copy, I'm just not sure Trumpet has the credibility to pull off a step in to the GENUINE adventure market. The one that doesn't involve Starwars actors and their trusty sidekicks.
[/quote]

Excuse my ignorance if I'm mistaken, but I'd always assumed that there isn't a GENUINE adventure market of any significance - it's all a marketing con. Plenty buy into the idea but very few do it, and those that do use whatever's cheap and robust/easy to fix?


In which case these bikes are the equivalent of Chelsea tractors - virtually nobody takes something this size and expensive properly off road. It's gravel tracks only (the 2 wheeled equivalent of driving on a mildly damp lawn justifying a 4x4).

Happy to be corrected...

Edited by CliveM on Friday 14th January 13:28

[TORQ]

Rob13 said:

Driller said:

I'm on my third Tiger, a 1050 from last year. No mention of how the 800 motor compares to this?

Well the 1050 is a very adept touring machine, whereas this thing is supposed to be an "adventure" machine!

I actually thought that Triumph might have produced something like a mini 1050 version, but they've obviously just gone after the BMW 800GS head on.

I prefer the looks of the 1050

I ran a 1050 Tiger and for a couple of years, used every day for commuting, it was an amazing bike, well made, fast, never leaked, never broke down blah blah (the new Tigers are tough). It was way quicker and better built than the GS I had before (which corroded and had electrical gremlins) plus you don't look like a clone riding one. The triple motor has real grunt, it's the best all round bike I've ever owned. When you see guys on GS's wearing the full BMW gear it always makes me laugh.

[Mad Jock]

I ordered mine, an XC, late last year, the first order at my local dealer. At the 2009 NEC Bike show I had moaned at the Triumph chappie on their stand that Triumph needed an Adventure type bike, and that they were missing a trick here. He didn't even blink, and said he'd take it on board.
I currently ride a 1200 GS Adventure, and it's a fantastic long distance machine, but not that great in town. I was given an F800GS as a courtesy bike while mine was being serviced, and I really enjoyed that bike. It's all relative, I know, but I could really chuck the thing about, it was responsive to the throttle, good brakes blah blah.
When Triumph announced the Tiger 800, I was delighted. I had an original Tiger 900 in 1993, which had such a smooth engine compared to the Africa Twin that I had before.
That's where the secret lies in the new Tiger 800. The triple engine. Much smoother than the F800GS, I expect, and it would seem lots of lovely low down torque. The F800GS does get a bit vibey, more so than the 1200GS, and the seat gets a wee bit uncomfortable after about an hour.
As for taking it offroad, I will certainly do that. We're not talking motocross stuff, it's not that kind of bike, but fire trails, green lanes and the suchlike certainly.
I'm keeping the 1200 GS Adventure though. It's too good at what it does for me, at least until I've tried a long run on the Tiger.
As for BMW Clothing, I tend to agree. I don't like branded gear, it's a bit too twee, but the fact remains that the BMW clobber is really quite good. I'm daft enough to wear BMW gear on the Tiger, but not on the GS, but that isn't going to happen as I don't own any.
The Triumph panniers, on first impressions, are not right for the bike. Why build a bike with a tough persona, then give it plastic panniers? Aluminium he-man panniers please. Someone will do them as an aftermarket accessory, but we'll have to wait for that.
I expect to get mine in April, and head straight for the Highlands.

[G0ldfysh]

Why wire wheels on the off road one, would they not be much harder to clean with mud in the wires than an alloy?

[jp-speed-triple]

CliveM said:

[quote Having reidden the F800 a lot on and off road before buying one, its a great bike to copy, I'm just not sure Trumpet has the credibility to pull off a step in to the GENUINE adventure market. The one that doesn't involve Starwars actors and their trusty sidekicks.

Excuse my ignorance if I'm mistaken, but I'd always assumed that there isn't a GENUINE adventure market of any significance - it's all a marketing con. Plenty buy into the idea but very few do it, and those that do use whatever's cheap and robust/easy to fix?


In which case these bikes are the equivalent of Chelsea tractors - virtually nobody takes something this size and expensive properly off road. It's gravel tracks only (the 2 wheeled equivalent of driving on a mildly damp lawn justifying a 4x4).

Happy to be corrected...

Edited by CliveM on Friday 14th January 13:28

In an attempt to correct you....

Have a proper look around the www.advrider.com site, or for more forthright comment www.ukgser.com

Plenty of RTW, regional and local foolishness on large trailies. F800's, R1200's, Ktm 950.990 etc.

equally, plenty of folk thumping there way through similar places or serrows, xt's, exc's and the like.

As for marketing con, it is just that Chelsea syndrome when you consider who the brands are trying to attract, afterall, its an image thing right?....but its based on a very healthy 'real' market i'd say.

Bit O/T but here a bit of a write up from Iz and my trip in Dec. 2000 ish miles total, about 400 miles of gravel with intespersed quagmire, fields and bogs. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64...

Edited by jp-speed-triple on Friday 14th January 16:53

Edited by jp-speed-triple on Friday 14th January 16:54

[_g_]

jp-speed-triple said:

As for marketing con, it is just that Chelsea syndrome when you consider who the brands are trying to attract, afterall, its an image thing right?....but its based on a very healthy 'real' market i'd say.

While people do take the big beemers through some pretty gnarly terrain (and swear about it a lot when they have to pick them up) - so do people take all sorts of 'Chelsea tractors' if you look on hubb too; so pretty much, yes that's what they are, I'd say .
Nick sanders has often shown that you don't need a super-heavy BMW with half the broucher loading it down - an R1 is just fine thanks. On that, R1 with knobblies also done rather well in the Erzburg prologue.

My track 675 (no lights, race fairings, scorpion steel exhaust, no other serious mods) weighs in at 175kg with a bit of fuel. Would have been interesting if they could have got it down to that sort of weight.

If I want to attack any serious terrain far away I go for my KTM 690 (BMW G650 X-Challenge and Husky TE610 both similar) - it's light enough that you can load it up, then still pick it up from upsidedown on a hill on your own. Yet it has 60hp and can cruise on the motorway at decent speeds. Done enduros on it where some proper smaller bikes were struggling and don't think you'd have had a chance on anything bigger unless you were a rally-god). The big KTM/800 bmw and triumph only really seem to add more if you're want to sit way above most speed limits for extended periods - oh and the Chelsea tractor image too .

[jp-speed-triple]

_g_ said:

jp-speed-triple said:

As for marketing con, it is just that Chelsea syndrome when you consider who the brands are trying to attract, afterall, its an image thing right?....but its based on a very healthy 'real' market i'd say.

While people do take the big beemers through some pretty gnarly terrain (and swear about it a lot when they have to pick them up) - so do people take all sorts of 'Chelsea tractors' if you look on hubb too; so pretty much, yes that's what they are, I'd say .
Nick sanders has often shown that you don't need a super-heavy BMW with half the broucher loading it down - an R1 is just fine thanks. On that, R1 with knobblies also done rather well in the Erzburg prologue.

My track 675 (no lights, race fairings, scorpion steel exhaust, no other serious mods) weighs in at 175kg with a bit of fuel. Would have been interesting if they could have got it down to that sort of weight.

If I want to attack any serious terrain far away I go for my KTM 690 (BMW G650 X-Challenge and Husky TE610 both similar) - it's light enough that you can load it up, then still pick it up from upsidedown on a hill on your own. Yet it has 60hp and can cruise on the motorway at decent speeds. Done enduros on it where some proper smaller bikes were struggling and don't think you'd have had a chance on anything bigger unless you were a rally-god). The big KTM/800 bmw and triumph only really seem to add more if you're want to sit way above most speed limits for extended periods - oh and the Chelsea tractor image too .

not overly sure why you are quoting me here?

[ArosaMike]

Just to clear up a few of things:

-Bikes are designed and developed in Hinckley
-There are 5 factories. 2 in Hinckley, 3 in Thailand
-Factory 1 is accessories design and parts/accessories warehouse
-Factory 2 is UK assembly making 90% of the bikes and engines, all operational offices and the design and development facility
-1 factory in Thailand is assembly, the other 2 are die casting and machining facilities
-Durability and quality is better than BMW by a long way

I appreciate some will say the bike is very similar to a F800, but to compete directly with the biggest player in the category, you simply have to do something relatively similar. Plenty of Triumph character in there though, and if you ride it, you'll see it's very much a Triumph.

Appreciate that it's not a bike for everyone, but it's worth a ride if you're in the market. Very capable and fun!

[EvoDelta]

I sat on the 800 at the NEC show, and it's definitely on my short-list for my next bike. Somehow, I can't see it being better for my needs than the Triple R though.

[jp-speed-triple]

ArosaMike said:

Just to clear up a few of things:


-Durability and quality is better than BMW by a long way

and how do you quantify that? not the case in my experience. And YES I have owned Triumph product.

ALSO, given the tone of this thread, one has to assume, unless you step out and confirm otherwise, that you are in some way involved with Trumpet?

[ram17]

My introduction to the two wheel world was on a 68 Triumph Tiger TR6 650, I loved that bike and the dollies liked it too. There was a little mess to clean up some mornings especially after a long ride. We've got a couple bike shows comin up and I'm going to take a look at this 800. I think it would look good sittin beside my 90 Norton F1. Now that there's two wheelin goin on here best get a couple related smilies. SEE YA AT THE RACES!!!

Edited by ram17 on Saturday 15th January 05:35

[Dontlift]

jp-speed-triple said:

ArosaMike said:

Just to clear up a few of things:


-Durability and quality is better than BMW by a long way

and how do you quantify that? not the case in my experience. And YES I have owned Triumph product.

ALSO, given the tone of this thread, one has to assume, unless you step out and confirm otherwise, that you are in some way involved with Trumpet?

I think you will find jp, if you look at the chaps profile he is totally upfront and declares himself as a "Chassis Design Engineer - Triumph"

[Fish]

I think there is a big market for the bike. I've just got my BMW F800GS up for sale as I'm having a break from bikes but, I loved the bike and I would sum the pros and cons up as:

Pros
- Not that heavy
- Good upright seating position making sightlines better
- Nice quality feel to everything

Cons
- Engine abit gutless and viby

The Triumph seems to have sorted the cons then. I did test ride the 1050 which I loved the engine in but...felt the chrome plated handlebars and cheap plastic controls made the whole bike feel cheap. Yep they lost a sale based the the look of the dashboard and handlebars...

However looking at the new pics I believe that is much improved. Haven't seen it in the flesh to fully comment though. BMW do do very good dashs and controls.

[sprinter1050]

ArosaMike said:

Just to clear up a few of things:

-Bikes are designed and developed in Hinckley
-There are 5 factories. 2 in Hinckley, 3 in Thailand

+ lots of actual FACTS !

Welcome on here & thanks for clearing up a few points from an insider's view.

You've been lurking a bit haven't you ?

Keep up the good work.

[Snapper7]

Hmmm the Birmingham dealer won't give me a test ride because I have not had my licence for over 1 year. However Triumph pulled the plug on a good Independant dealers that have a good reputation where I could get a test ride. What is it with Triumph and wanting car style dealership that don't serve the customers.

[fwaggie]

Is this a modern Africa Twin?

I loved my old AT. Heavy, tall, suited me to a 'T'. With a nice 'zorst on and a dynojet kit it went very well (stopping it was another matter). Put up with lots of neglect re servicing, maintenance and cleaning and just carried on regardless.

[G Man]

Snapper7 said:

Hmmm the Birmingham dealer won't give me a test ride because I have not had my licence for over 1 year. However Triumph pulled the plug on a good Independant dealers that have a good reputation where I could get a test ride. What is it with Triumph and wanting car style dealership that don't serve the customers.

More to do with insurance companies not giving them cover for you I think !! ( without a huge hike in premiums )

[Frik]

jp-speed-triple said:

ArosaMike said:

Just to clear up a few of things:


-Durability and quality is better than BMW by a long way

and how do you quantify that? not the case in my experience. And YES I have owned Triumph product.

Triumph have done a lot of work over the last few years specifically on improving the quality of finishes on components. This can be seen on the bikes that have just come onto the market recently.

[rob1964bike]

I want to like Triumph I really do but MCN has completely put me off because they are obsessed with them its as if they cant put a foot wrong. I've ridden a few Triumphs and they are good but not brilliant.