Thoughts on Tiger 800 XRx?

[moto-rama]

Of course, I am intrigued. This semi-Midgetized version of the Tiger XR looks like a possibility for a soon to be 65, moderately beat-up (have MS, recent back injury) old rider who is somewhat short of leg (30"inseam)

I'd likely shed the FJR and my '07 Bonneville to help finance it, so it would have to do it all. For example....

1. Occasional longish road trips, some 2 up
2. Around town, "do everything" bike
3. Numerous coast road rides, Shoreline Hwy, Panoramic etc
4. Light dirt road duty on fly fishing/camping rides


Anyone have a thought, or two? Thanks for any!

Munroe has one in stock so I may just go kick some tires today.

Happy New Year to BARFers!

 

[thePUNISHER]

I love my XRx! As for 2 up riding I can't say since I never ride 2up. However on numbers 2,3 and 4? It does GREAT! My only complaint is the stock (not adjustable) suspension. For the standard height XRx(ie; not the factory low model like I have) there appear to be many off the shelf upgrades available. If you're going to load up the bike with panniers, top case, extra gear and a passenger then you'll want to upgrade the suspension.

I've taken my Tiger off road a few times now, both with and without luggage and even with my limited off-roading experience it's done very well. Nothing too hard core, just hard pack dirt roads.

It has plenty of power, the different riding modes are nice, cruise control ftw on longer rides. If you get a Tiger with the Tourance Next tires have your dealer throw in a different set for tires with the bike(tourance nexts suck balls).

Go ride one and see if you like it. Send me a PM if you have any specific questions you want answered. I have a thread over on triumphrat that documents my experience from the time I started thinking about a Tiger to buying one all the way up until today(I can send you a link to it if you're interested). I have had a few issues over the last year but Triumph(corporate & my local dealer) have gone above and beyond to make sure I'm a happy customer.


My XRx with my custom(homemade lol) windscreen spoiler. I've since put a Madstad windscreen on it and added some aux lights.

 

[Hank Wong]

The Tiger will do the four things you listed admirably. So will your FJR and your Bonnie. The question is whether there is a fifth on the list. The fifth is how do you feel about the Tiger when you ride it to your local cafe or to Alice's restaurant to face the riding public. BTW, do you miss your old R1100RS yet? How about a new R1200RS? It sure does not feel heavy at all when I did a test ride last summer. I met up with a young fellow named Adam to let him try on my Aerostich. Adam rides a new R1200R. Talk about a do-it-all bike. It sure is sweet. Happy New Year!

 

[doc4216]

My tiger 800 roadie did all those things well, especially the two-up. If it's calling your name, I say go for it!

 

[moto-rama]

The Tiger will do the four things you listed admirably. So will your FJR and your Bonnie. The question is whether there is a fifth on the list. The fifth is how do you feel about the Tiger when you ride it to your local cafe or to Alice's restaurant to face the riding public. BTW, do you miss your old R1100RS yet? How about a new R1200RS? It sure does not feel heavy at all when I did a test ride last summer. I met up with a young fellow named Adam to let him try on my Aerostich. Adam rides a new R1200R. Talk about a do-it-all bike. It sure is sweet. Happy New Year!

You know I miss the RS, but the disppearance of the Telelever and the price of the new ones at around 20k is not a deal breaker, but it would have to be just as lovable and have something extra to get me to bite at that price.
R
The tiger MSRP is under 13, leaving a lot of room to upgrade suspension and buy other goodies....
At around 400 lbs, it's also likely to be a tad more sporty.

Don't think I haven't checked Craigslist for a nice 94-2004 RS, or R though. I could snag one for less than 5000 and keep the whole fleet, including the FJR, Bonneville....And garage space allowing, maybe a 4th bike...

True at any local coffee place, or Alice's it might scare a few children. The front face of the Tiger is certainly no Tamburini ....

 

[davidji]

Don't think I haven't checked Craigslist for a nice 94-2004 RS, or R though. I could snag one for less than 5000 and keep the whole fleet, including the FJR, Bonneville....And garage space allowing, maybe a 4th bike...

Have you considered a hexhead or camhead r1200r?

Lighter, faster, smoother than the older ones on your list. You might not miss the Bonneville.

 

[moto-rama]

'

I love my XRx! As for 2 up riding I can't say since I never ride 2up. However on numbers 2,3 and 4? It does GREAT! My only complaint is the stock (not adjustable) suspension. For the standard height XRx(ie; not the factory low model like I have) there appear to be many off the shelf upgrades available. If you're going to load up the bike with panniers, top case, extra gear and a passenger then you'll want to upgrade the suspension.
.......

I am going to check out the regular height XR, too. I have a tendency to ride on the edges of my tires, but considering the lowish weight, seat height might not be much of an issue. At 5' 7" I 've really never found a bike that was low enough, except for the Bonneville, that I find is too low..Oh well.

An Ohlins shock and better springs might make the possibility of bottoming out less of an issue. The only bike I ve ever owned that didn't scrape pegs was my 916, not a do-everything/tourer by any stretch.

I like that extra windscreen you put on there!

 

[moto-rama]

Have you considered a hexhead or camhead r1200r?

Lighter, faster, smoother than the older ones on your list. You might not miss the Bonneville.

Yes, but people that are selling used R-bikes seem to think they are worth more than what they paid for them new. Whats' up with that? K-Bikes on the other hand are priced fairly low, for what they are.
Interesting.

 

[BMW]

It sounds like you need a BMW R1200RT. It feels deceivingly light and performs well on dirt roads. (Yes, the RT is my answer to everything!)

 

[thePUNISHER]

'

I am going to check out the regular height XR, too. I have a tendency to ride on the edges of my tires, but considering the lowish weight, seat height might not be much of an issue. At 5' 7" I 've really never found a bike that was low enough, except for the Bonneville, that I find is too low..Oh well.

An Ohlins shock and better springs might make the possibility of bottoming out less of an issue. The only bike I ve ever owned that didn't scrape pegs was my 916, not a do-everything/tourer by any stretch.

I like that extra windscreen you put on there!

From what I've been able to gather so far there is no off the shelf suspension upgrades available for the low. I have been put in touch with a very reputable suspension shop that says they can make something for me. I need to give them a call next week and get an idea for how much it's going to cost, I'm guessing it'll be in 1500-2500 ballpark with a new shock and upgraded forks. I probably will lose a bit of the "low" seat height in the process but I really don't mind. I would rather have a higher seat and better suspension than what I have now.

I'm also in the 5'7" range with a 29" inseam and back problems so the low seat height is what steered me toward the low model. I'm VERY comfortable on the Tiger. It just fits me. And, to be honest, I find myself riding faster on the Tiger than any of my previous bikes(street triple r, cbr, monster) and I haven't managed to scrape pegs yet although I know of a few people that have.

That little windscreen spoiler definitely made a difference but it wasn't enough. It smoothed out the airflow but I was still dealing with what I call the bobble-head effect lol. So I went with a Madstad screen. It's big and ugly but man does it work!

 

[davidji]

Yes, but people that are selling used R-bikes seem to think they are worth more than what they paid for them new. Whats' up with that? K-Bikes on the other hand are priced fairly low, for what they are.
Interesting.

When I bought my R, K bikes didn't seem to meet my needs. Also it was joining my FZ1 in my stable and owning a fleet of 2 I4s didn't appeal to me. As awesome as I4s are, there's something about twins (and triples)...

I love the R, though when the pace picks up, it's clear to me I haven't figured out Telever. Tempted to put it up for sale and let go of which ever bike sells. But it's such a good commuter I can't bring myself to do it.

 

[CDONA]

The Triumph scrambler thread in ADV forum has many guys selling their scrammies for 800 tigers, only to buy another scrambler later. The most common reason, not as much fun.
The heart wants what it wants no matter the spec sheet.

 

[moto-rama]

It sounds like you need a BMW R1200RT. It feels deceivingly light and performs well on dirt roads. (Yes, the RT is my answer to everything!)

As much as I like BMW boxer bikes, having owned 3, including my first,ever motorcycle. (1959 R50/2)...I havent totally gotten over my case of Post-Getrag-Death-Syndrome......
I sought help, but so far, the nightmares continue....

 

[moto-rama]

When I bought my R, K bikes didn't seem to meet my needs. Also it was joining my FZ1 in my stable and owning a fleet of 2 I4s didn't appeal to me. As awesome as I4s are, there's something about twins (and triples)...

I love the R, though when the pace picks up, it's clear to me I haven't figured out Telever. Tempted to put it up for sale and let go of which ever bike sells. But it's such a good commuter I can't bring myself to do it.

I came to believe Telelever was really a very trick development. It basically reduces deflection, slipping, and other high speed cornering drama to almost nothing.

I made up a little challenge for it. On the down hill side of Westbound Panoramic , there are a number of flat or off-camber turns, that require some deft handling on most bikes. I pushed my R1100RS to some somewhat ridiculous cornering speeds, albeit with the obvious limitations imposed by the cylinder guards grinding.
Very confident. And my guess is that if it weren't for the heads sticking out, you could push it well beyond what standard forks can do. But of course, BMW had to go and kill it...Rather than continue to improve a really great system.