Tiger 800 Thinking of buying a Tiger 800 XC SE

Discussion in 'Tiger / Explorer' started by Richard H, Jan 25, 2014.

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  1. Lee

    Lee New Member

    Jan 31, 2014
    2
    1
    didn't manage to go to the bike show this year. the colour of the frame is so bright as well. looked quite a dull red in the pictures when I saw it but it really stands out over the normal ones. I know a lot of people say it's just a tiger with a different paint job but it's a bloody good paint job so it doesn't really matter. I keep flicking through all the extras thinking of what to put on it. got the panniers and the free extras and looking at getting the "protection package". wouldn't mind the performance package to but I was thinking of putting a two brothers exhaust on it instead of the arrow one.
     
  2. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    If you do go for the exhaust you will also need to get the ECU re-mapped and undoubtedly fuel consumption will be hit. I shall keep the original one on and spend the money on petrol and appeasing the Mrs who is not best pleased at me buying a new bike when the old one was only 18 months old..... especially as I did the same the time before. :eek:
     
  3. SteveJ

    SteveJ Super Moderator

    Aug 12, 2013
    524
    113
    North Hampshire
    I would go for the Arrow Exhaust as you do not have to declare it on your insurance as it is a Triumph stock part (saves a few hassles)
    Also they have the proper maps for them at the dealers the aftermarket one never seen to work as well.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Lee

    Lee New Member

    Jan 31, 2014
    2
    1
    think I will get that one then steve! my insurance is already high being 22 on a new tiger xc so I don't want to start making it go higher.. will get the performance package as it's only a little bit more than the exhaust on its own and you get the adjustable levers and some other stuff. need an adjustable clutch lever as my hands are quite small.
     
  5. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    My bike has arrived in Pidcocks Triumph, could not resist going in and taking a look even though I don't get it until March. Excitement is starting to build :smile:

    2014-02-08 13.59.03.jpg

    2014-02-08 13.57.17.jpg

    All the bits still need fitting like hand guards, heated grips, top box and panniers

    2014-02-08 13.59.03.jpg

    2014-02-08 13.57.17.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. SteveJ

    SteveJ Super Moderator

    Aug 12, 2013
    524
    113
    North Hampshire
    The Black and red really suits the bike and looks better than it does on the Speed Triple R :upyeah:

    Also like the silly 'I've got a new bike grin'
     
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  7. Englishman

    Englishman Member

    Nov 9, 2013
    92
    16
    Good for you mate, there is nothing like that "new vehicle" feeling. I have not seen one in that colour before, the one I rode was white. It somehow looks smaller in those colours (or you are bigger than my mate who had the white one)

    Anyhow, great bike, roll on march 1st, but will you use it if there is still salt about? I couldn't do that to any bike, never mind a spanking new one.


    Ah.................. edit, it looks small cos the screen is missing presumed still in the crate yes?

    Al
     
  8. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    :smile: It looks small because I'm 6 3" and 18 stone :eek:
    The screen was missing because it had only just been uncrated
    Probably wont ride much if there is salt down but will still ride back from the dealers, no point in being too precious with them and a good rinse and dry before putting in the garage should be fine.
     
  9. Conquest Racing Ltd

    Conquest Racing Ltd Contact us for your Triumph Forum discount
    Trader

    Feb 2, 2013
    443
    313
    Dorset
    I loved the nimbleness, riding position & style of the XC
     
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  10. Trev

    Trev New Member

    Feb 19, 2014
    2
    1
    Near Nottingham
    Hi Richard, congrats on the new addition!
    Is that Pidcock's in Nottingham?
    Cheers
     
  11. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    It sure is Trev, had yours from there as well?
     
  12. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    Finally been able to collect my bike today and no rain..... amazing. Did about 120 miles round the Derbyshire Peaks then headed over to the Mallory Park open day.
    Here are a few pics of the bike: My old Speed Triple is in the background of the first photo

    2014-03-01 08.02.58.jpg 2014-03-01 07.50.14.jpg 2014-03-01 07.29.01.jpg

    2014-03-01 08.02.58.jpg

    2014-03-01 07.50.14.jpg

    2014-03-01 07.29.01.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 1
  13. SteveJ

    SteveJ Super Moderator

    Aug 12, 2013
    524
    113
    North Hampshire
    Looks great Richard and that looks like some fairly serious luggage capacity you have there :smile:
     
  14. m4ppy

    m4ppy Well-Known Member

    Aug 7, 2013
    52
    68
    Called in to Bill Smiths over the weekend to have a look at some parts and ended up treading the Speed Triple in for a Tiger 800XC in white. As mine was just out of warranty and with the free extras and deals on it was an easy move.

    So for the guys who have moved from Speeds to Tigers how do you find they handle on the road. They didnt have one to test but I buy bikes more on looks than performace. Does the 21in front wheel make the bike handle any differently ?. Whats the fuel consumption like ?.

    Cant wait to get the bike this week and get some miles on it.

    thanks
    Chris
     
  15. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    Hi Chris
    My initial thoughts after riding the XC for 120 miles and only going up to about 5K revs on the run in.

    Handling is amazing good for saying you have a 21" wheel up front. I felt confident to push in the corners and the Scorpion tyres never felt like they were going to let go, I would say they felt more like a road tyre.

    Ride is like a magic carpet compared to the Speed, it absorbs the bumps that would have jarred the spine on the Speed. You do pay a slight price for the super compliant suspension if you really push on in a corner with a slight wallowy feeling but you have to be riding it like a sports bike to do it. You do get quite a bit of dive under braking which is to be expected and the front brake is no where near as fierce as the Brembo set up on the Speed.

    Engine so far is great and I don't miss the out and out power of the Speed. The 800 engine pulls hard from just over 2K, super smooth and the gearbox is much slicker than that in the 1050. When I took the demo bike out I was very much reminded of the 675 Street Triple that my wife rides; its still got the fun factor but not got the howling top end with about 2000 rpm lower red line.

    Still on my first tank of fuel at 120 miles and the gauge is showing just below half on a 20L tank so guessing its good for 200 miles and I think consumption will improve once the engine frees up a bit after run in.

    Very happy with the comfort of the standard seat which I have on the highest setting, loads more knee room and my legs are no longer in that jockey position. Most of your weight is now carried on the seat and my wrists are much more comfortable. I have the taller adjustable touring screen fitted which offers great wind protection with little buffeting; my only complaint is there does appear to be quite allot of wind noise...... need to play with the settings on the screen a bit more.

    Good luck when you pick up yours Chris, so far I have no regrets and this bike fits my 6' 3" body much better.
     
  16. Trev

    Trev New Member

    Feb 19, 2014
    2
    1
    Near Nottingham
    Looking good Richard.
     
  17. m4ppy

    m4ppy Well-Known Member

    Aug 7, 2013
    52
    68
    Hi Richard,

    Many thanks for your feedback. I was a little worried as its been over 20 years since I rode a trial style bike. I have been a naked litre bike fan for too long. I do mainly commuting these days as the wife doesn’t like me out being a loon of a weekend so I wanted a bike that I can enjoy the work ride and maybe the odd green lane ride over the weekend.

    I am looking forward to getting the new bike this weekend, got the extras plus the engine bars and tank pad.

    Thanks again

    Chris
     
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  18. taekwon

    taekwon New Member

    Apr 28, 2014
    0
    1
    Looks great. I pray you dont encounter the issues I have had with tne 800xc. Put me off Triumph for life. Their customer service is dreadful.
     
  19. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    8 months and 6700 miles later and everything is still good with the XC. Had one warranty issue very early on with a failed stepper motor (kept stalling) but quickly fixed. Toured the Alps on it in June and had a fantastic time.

    10505311_10202854489736683_7814368031092450534_n.jpg 10346623_10202585968027335_2091790489396990162_n.jpg 10470933_10202585968067336_5896885173742767259_n (1).jpg

    Slight gripe was that the seat could be a little more comfortable but it was only an issue on the two long days riding across France.
    Oil usage is only minimal having to top it up once between services.
    I always use less petrol than my wife does on her Street Triple for the same miles covered and can just about squeeze 200 miles out of a tank if I don't ride too hard.
    The bikes has also proved well capable of carrying gear as I have had both panniers, the top box and a dry tube packed together with a tent and the bike still performed well.
    Just had a new set of tyres at 6000 miles and changed the Scorpions for Anakee 3's which are a better road tyre all together and give much more confidence in the corners.
    Fitting an Arrow exhaust this weekend and having it re-mapped to try and scrape a little more power and more noise :smile:
    Also just purchased the centre stand kit which I intend to fit this weekend (why are these not fitted as standard??)
    All in all very happy with the bike, even after a test ride on the new GS (which is also nice but loads more ££££'s)

    10505311_10202854489736683_7814368031092450534_n.jpg

    10346623_10202585968027335_2091790489396990162_n.jpg

    10470933_10202585968067336_5896885173742767259_n (1).jpg
     
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  20. PJT

    PJT Active Member

    Oct 20, 2014
    116
    43
    Leicestershire. UK.
    This thread has been a great read. Many thanks Richard and other contributors.:upyeah:
     
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