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| Top 2013 Triumph Tiger 800 & 800XC Review |
announcing at breakfast we’d be spending the following night beneath the stars in a (insert gasp here) tent. “It’s all a part of the adventure-touring experience,” he said, attempting to assuage our discomfort at the idea roughing it for a night in the wilds of San Diego County.
The Triumph Tiger 800 and Tiger 800XC are capable of holding their own whether it’s on pavement or dirt... or in the air. |
Sure, the presence of Triumph North America CEO, Greg Heichelbech, kept the group of pampered moto-journalists from pooh-poohing the inhumane conditions, but apprehensions remained. Kittrelle avoided journalistic mutiny by announcing there’d be a catered BBQ accompanied by our selection of campfire beer.
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| Top 2013 Triumph Tiger 800 & 800XC Review |
Triumph North America CEO, Greg Heichelbech, demonstrates the virtues of adventure-touring camping. (Photo by Tom Roderick)
Before embarking on our exploration of SoCal’s outback, Triumph’s Chris Langlois refocused the group on the job before us by explaining the distinctions between the slightly more streetable Tiger 800 and the 800XC’s dirt-oriented components. The dissimilar attributes include the spoked, 21/17-inch front/rear wheel combo of the XC vs. the 19/17-inch setup of the standard 800’s alloy wheels; the XC’s fork that is 2mm larger in diameter and offers 1.6 inches more travel; and other differences including rear suspension, seat height, handlebar width, wet weight, etc. (see comparison spec sheet). The spec sheet also reveals technical differences between the Tiger and the F800GS such as 10mm more front suspension travel for the GS compared to the Tiger XC, an 18-lb weight advantage for the BMW (7 lbs compared to the standard Tiger), a 9-hp advantage for the Triumph but 4 ft-lbs more torque for the GS.
What this information conveys regarding the better choice of motorcycle between the two competing brands I’m not sure, because, although I thunk it a good idea, Triumph didn’t share my wisdom when it came to providing an F800GS for us to ride. Hopefully, our requisition to BMW for an F800GS will soon be answered and we can complete this destiny.
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| Top 2013 Triumph Tiger 800 & 800XC Review |
The standard Tiger 800 is a capable off-roader as long as the going doesn’t get too rough.
However, of the two Tiger models, after multiple days and hundreds of miles on both, I’m now an authority on the intricacies on either model’s handling and performance. The insight I possess is so grand this story could become the Dianetics of adventure-touring articles. But before I get all L. Ron Hubbard, allow me to abridge my knowledge with this condensed version of the details: The XC is taller and handles better in the dirt.Short and sweet but also the truth. What gives the XC a taller seat height (longer travel suspension and a larger front wheel) is also what provides the XC with better off-road manners. In addition to the aforementioned dirt-specific components, the XC gets an upgraded rear shock that boasts 1.8 inches more travel than the standard Tiger, a remote reservoir and rebound adjustability. The XC’s handlebar is also 2.7 inches wider, which goes a long way in providing better leverage during off-road riding applications.
With this in mind it’s no surprise the XC is capable of absorbing larger off-road obstacles than the standard Tiger, but unless you’re riding at speed through terrain more serious than a fire road, the standard Tiger is probably sufficient for your off-road purposes. As a person who’s ridden sportbikes across terra firma similar to what we encountered in San Diego county (albeit at a slower speed), I may not be the best gauge, but I was equally happy on the standard Tiger whether it was paralleling the Mexican border on an undulating dirt road or carving paved switchbacks outside Julian, CA.
Although the XC’s surplus suspension travel had it diving more during aggressive road riding, it wasn’t as severe as I feared. In fact, both the XC and standard Tiger exhibited a well-balanced suspension package that kept the bikes from teetering back and forth when braking and accelerating.
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A notable and expensive deficiency spotlighted during our outing wasn’t the bike itself, but rather its accessories. The visually rugged saddlebags ($800) are seemingly built to withstand a Dakar-esque get-off, and I liked their lockable, easy-on, easy-off design that will appeal to commuters. But a component is only as strong as its weakest part, and on these saddlebags it’s the attachment point. Twice I witnessed bags break off of fellow journalist bikes during slow-speed, front-end washouts in the dirt. Off-road warriors will wish for more robust mounts.
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| Top 2013 Triumph Tiger 800 & 800XC Review |
Beefcake in appearance, the saddlebags’ attachment points break too easily in a tip-over. We imagine Triumph is working on a more rugged design for future Tigers.
Kudos are merited for the Tiger’s new 799cc engine, which is based on Triumph’s lovable 675cc Triple. Exhibiting lots of low-end and mid-range grunt, the inline three-cylinder engine is even more impressive for its lack of vibration. Not once during my two-hour freeway ride to and from San Diego did I feel the need to remove my throttlehand from the bar in order to shake out the tingles and restore blood flow. Yeah, it’s that smooth.Another nicety is the adjustable seat on both model Tigers. Increasing or decreasing the seat height on either is a simple process of removing the seat and repositioning the height bar and returning the seat to its position on the bike. Why more motorcycle seats do not provide a seat adjustment this simple is a mystery.
What I didn’t appreciate was the unendearing resonance of a spittoon echo emanating from the catalytic converter. This Jiffy Pop pinging sound was present on each Tiger I rode, but under acceleration on certain bikes the sound became a ceramic warble that pierced my earplugs around 7000 rpm. Only certain bikes emitted this sound, while others didn’t, and some journos didn’t even hear the noise, so it seems as if this noise occurrence may be a vagary.
The XC version of the Tiger is recognizable by its high, beak-like front fender. |
So, to reiterate the emphasis of the two Tigers I’ll venture to say that for the dirtbiker looking for something street-legal, the Tiger XC is the ticket, while the sportbike guy craving some off-road action will probably feel more at home on the standard Tiger. The standard Tiger retails for $1,000 less than the $10,999 XC model. Throw in the optional $800 ABS and you’re still under the MSRP of the XC by $200.
is the price $10,999 for the XC and $9,999 for the Street Tiger? the dealer quoted me $1,000 more for each or $11,999 for the XC before the junk fees - (freight and prep)
ReplyDeleteIs there any "real" changes for 2013? I'm not interested the colors, just phyical changes. ie. did they fix the stepper motor issue, the helmet lock, the centre stand, did they install a thermometer?
ReplyDeleteC