Triumph Tiger 800XC ridden

The shift towards motorcycle adventure touring (mostly at the expense of sports bikes in a lot of markets) is seemingly on an inexorable path, as riders seek to explore more of the great outdoors – most times off the beaten path where they are not seen or heard. It’s happening, let me assure you.

Of course, BMW has always been a master in this area, in both the middleweight and big-bore segments. But the temperature is now rising, with Triumph the latest to join the action with its two-bike range of Tiger 800s – the more road-orientated Tiger 800 and the off-road biased Tiger 800XC.

The Bikesales Network has just returned from the Australian press launch of the 800XC, and we’ll be riding the 800 later this month.

The 800XC launch took us on a two-day, 900km ride into the Victorian high country, and for a first-up effort in a class where experience and guile count for so much, Triumph has come out all guns blazing.

The centrepiece is undoubtedly the 799cc, fuel-injected, six-speed triple, with a torque curve that takes vice-like grip on proceedings, all the way from 2000 to the 10,000rpm redline. When that’s linked with impeccable fuel mapping, it’s a mill for all seasons – confidence-inspiring for those who may not have the full repertoire of skills (particularly on dirt), to those who like to push the envelope.

And, as Triumph declared at the start of proceedings, the 800 is an all-new engine in its own right, and it’s erroneous to suggest that “it’s just a bigger 675”.

A few days in the saddle certainly proved that point, with the 675’s rorty top-end simply not a staple of the 800, which beats its chest in a different way and has its own set of charms – with the aforementioned flat-line torque curve a major part of that.

Triumph claims 95hp at 9300rpm and 79Nm at 7850rpm for the Tiger 800s.

The XC tracks on steel spokes, and has a skinny 21-inch front wheel, as opposed to a 19-inch on the standard Tiger 800. On tarmac, that will amount to the XC being a little more nervous around turns than the Tiger, but the XC still carves up bends with real purpose.

That generates a massive amount of enjoyment, but I was more taken with the dirt component of the launch. Whether it was sitting down on the excellent fatigue-minimising seat or standing on the pegs, the 215kg (wet) XC took everything in its stride, with plenty of suspension travel to soak up any surface imperfections.

Both the Tiger 800s are steel-framed to put up with rigours of outback abuse, track on fully adjustable Showa suspension, and the fuel tank capacity is 19 litres – good for around 400km in conservative mode on a freeway.

Standard seat height on the XC is 865mm, but it can be reduced to 845mm in about 30 seconds by taking the seat off and relocating a lever. A nice no-cost option for shorties like myself, especially as the seat is wide and plush and would make finding terra firma that little bit more difficult in 865mm mode.

Price is $16,290 for the XC, and $17,290 for the ABS model (none were available for the launch, as production only commenced in the UK last month). Colours are Phantom Black, Crystal White and Intense Orange, and the two bikes are now on sale Australia-wide. Contact your local Triumph dealer for more information.

The XC’s major competitors are the BMW F 800 GS ($17,390) and Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere ($13,999).

Standby for a full XC launch report in coming weeks.

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension: 45mm upside-down Showa forks with rebound, compression and preload adjustment, 220mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa monoshock with rebound and preload adjustment, 215mm travel
Front brakes: Dual 308mm discs with Nissin four-piston calipers (ABS model available)
Rear brake: 255mm disc petal with Nissin twin-piston caliper (ABS model available)
Wheels: Aluminium rim, steel spokes, front 2.5 x 21, rear 4.25 x 17
Tyres: Bridgestone Battle Wing, front 90/90-21, rear 150/70-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 23.1 degrees
Trail: 91.1mm
Claimed wet weight: 215kg
Seat height: 845/865mm
Wheelbase: 1568mm
Ground clearance: Not given
Fuel capacity: 19 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $16,290 ($17,290 with ABS)
Colours: Phantom Black, Crystal White or Intense Orange
Bike supplied by: Triumph Australia, www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres