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I have the honor and pleasure of riding a lot of different motorcycles, whether it is through friends or assignments as a journalist. I live a pretty blessed life in that respect but none of those bikes are mine. Like the perpetual playboy, I fall in love with each machine for two to three weeks at a time. I pick apart every nuanced genius that went into making them and every critical flaw that perturbs me, but these machines never grow with me, I never enjoy a true connection.
However, the time and opportunity to invest in myself and my continued career as a versatile motorcyclist have finally come. It was either buy another car or an ultra-capable motorcycle. With the support of my family and fiancee, I am now the proud owner of a new (relatively new if you want to call 2014 “new”) Triumph Tiger 800 XC.
There are few motorcycles that attain the capability to cross genres. It can be argued that the adventure class fits that mold. They are extremely practical machines capable of everyday commuting and long distance touring. They have been referred to as “dirt bikes on steroids” and can handle off-road situations with aplomb with the right set of knobbies. Slap on a pair of road tires and you’ll be treated with the power and engineering to tackle a twisty canyon or vast interstates without missing a beat. For this reason, I have been drawn to these bikes for the last six years, since I ventured into the motorcycle industry years ago.
After learning how to ride and fall down a lot on an adventure bike, I found a great amount of joy in what these big bikes have to offer. Sure, a dirt bike is going to be the better and lighter off-road machine but an adventure bike can be utilized far more in everyday life.
Tackling a steep downhill grade during my first day in the dirt The 537 lbs. BMW R 1200 GS is pretty capable but my Tiger weighs almost 50 lbs less. Will that make any difference? Only time will tell.
, Shawn Thomas
I Hate Sand
, I will forever and always hate sand. It’s the worst terrain to ride a motorcycle through. At least its also the softest when you fall down. , Alfonse PalaimaI was introduced to the Tiger 800XC when I worked at Triumph Motorcycles America. We had the special edition black and red bike in the east coast fleet, which was open to all to use if the press was not utilizing it for a story. I quickly laid my hands on it and rode it from Atlanta, Georgia to Asheville, North Carolina and back in a single day. All to visit my friends from Rawhyde, ride a couple off-road trails, and return home. It was a pretty full day of riding. The Tiger never faltered. For a number of months, this was my daily rider until we moved it out of the fleet.
The power plant in the Tiger 800 is the same found in the wildly popular Triumph Street Triple from 2010 to 2016 but with an increase in piston stroke. The result is 125cc more displacement and lower overall horsepower. What the Tiger lacks in top-end speed it makes up for with more torque and mid-range power. It’s riding geometry is perfectly balanced for my svelte 6’5″ frame and its Street Triple soul pulls on my heartstrings at every twist of the wrist.
Canyon Carving Middleweight
, The Tiger 800 XC tackles the back roads of Georgia without missing a beat thanks to its punchy 95 hp three-cylinder engine. , Sam BendallI am utterly in love with this bike and have no regrets. I did spend the last five months researching, negotiating and conversing with a couple trusted colleagues on which bike would best suit my lifestyle. My first choice was a new KTM 1090R or the Honda Africa Twin but neither were anywhere near my price range. The Africa Twin was too new to buy used and the KTMs have only become really reliable in the past few years. I had to contend with real financial decisions and popular to what most people think, being a motorcycle writer is a tough racket which yields no disposable income. It’s a wonderfully fun industry but I needed to make a realistic decision.
The Best of The Best
, Arguably the best and most capable adventure bike on the market. The KTM 1090 R is a beast. I’d love one if I could afford it but it was not in the cards. Maybe one day. , Steve Kamrad
I found this Tiger in nearly perfect condition with insanely low miles. It seemed like a match made in heaven and one I could not ignore. One trip out to Santa Clarita for a test ride and I knew instantly that this was destined to be. Since purchasing it three weeks ago, I have already managed to put 1500 miles on the Tiger and it has been blissful. I added a pair of Continental Trail Attack 2’s before hitting the road up north, this rubber really makes the Tiger ultra-capable on the tarmac, and provides excellent grip and feedback.
Bringing Home the Baby Tiger
, I sat in my driveway for a good 45 minutes staring at my new bike experiencing a wash of so many positive emotions. No material possession has ever affected me so deeply and so strongly than a motorcycle. , Sam BendallThe next year (hopefully) will be spent molding this machine into a capable and proper ADV machine capable of surmounting anything in my path but for now, it will remain locked to the pavement and maybe the occasional fire road. I’ll also be aiming to hone more of my off-road skills because the machine is only as good as its rider.
Inspiration
, The Icon Raiden Tiger 800 XC is proof positive of what the Tiger can become. Ridden and abused by Nick Brocha and Ernie Vigil in the Alcan 5000 and The Raiden Files: Portland To Dakar film, this bike will always serve as my template for how awesome my own bike can become. The question is can I get it there? , Sam BendallFirst on the list of upgrades are some hard parts from AltRider, the Seattle-based adventure maniacs who know a thing or two about protecting a motorcycle, and some Auxiliary lights for better visibility no matter where I ride.
I am looking forward to preparing myself for adventure and good lord am I happy to have my first—relatively new—adventure motorcycle.
