Ride Review: 2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC

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2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC (demo ride)

Pacific had a Triumph test ride day today so rode the Tiger 800XC (21” front tire with longer suspension travel vs Tiger 800 with 19”) & Explorer 1200 just to compare.


Was really surprised how much I liked the 800…the motor is a jewel except for the high pitched gear whine between 3k & 4k rpm & loud enough to be annoying. Very smooth & lively power plant with surprisingly punching midrange & delicious upper end. Here’s a video of the Arrow exhaust with & without the db killer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ3BWc9adgA

It feels well damped & provides a smooth ride & still manages to be fairly quick steering with respectable turn in despite the 21” front tire. 

Very comfortable except for the wind noise & moderate wind protection from the oem windscreen. If the 800 had wind protection & adjustability approaching that of the 1200 it would be a wonderful sport touring bike. The rider triangle was comfortable for me with the seat in the lower position, but I found the bars wide & on the low side…easily corrected because of the round bars & traditional mounting clamp. I like the instruments a lot with the digital speedo & traditional tach…..gripe: non-cancelling turn signals.

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