Triumph XC800 Tiger. Review and picture

Over the last couple of years everywhere I have ridden, whether to a local biker haunt or just wondering about I’ve noticed loads of these 3 cylinder adventure bikes. Clearly it has been a major success for Triumph. In fact rather more so than its’ 4 cylinder, 1200cc big brother the Explorer. I rarely see these and they seem to have been swept aside by a tsunami of BMW GS1200s!

Anyway back to the 800 and my highly enjoyable 25 mile stint. First impressions? It is physically large motorcycle and the seat is very tall for a stumpy such as myself. But once I eventually clambered aboard things began to make sense pretty quickly…comfortable, roomy riding position, clear analogue rev counter backed up by a digital speedo and display….all good and better than the MT-09 Tracer I recently sampled

I rode the bike through the outskirts of Coventry and picked my way through the road works at the end of the A46. I think the Germans caused less damage and disturbance in November 41! I digress. The Triumph felt easy to ride straight away, instilling confidence and sense of well engineered competence.

Once clear of the shackles of the road works I had decent stint on the open, well surfaced A46 dual carriageway. The 800 lapped this up, the meaty 3 cylinder lump whisked me up to speed with the minimum of fuss. Once at cruising speed the upright riding position did mean there was a little buffeting, despite there being a screen fitted. 

Turning off the rather mundane A46 I pointed the XC in the direct of Stratford Upon Avon along more pleasing twisting single track A roads. It was here the Triumph really came into its’ own and felt most at home. Corners could be taken whilst holding a clean stable line, despite the road surface being somewhat bumpy and potholed in places. Here is where the adventure bikes in general score over conventional sports and sports touring bikes…the horrific states of our roads suit the long travel, well damped suspension of bikes such as the 800 Tiger.

The wailing 3 cylinder engine backed up the capable chassis reasonable brakes well. The engine boasted plenty of grunt in the mid range and revved willingly further around the dial. Performance was strong, the bike never felt slow despite giving away 15 bhp or so to the likes of the MT09 Tracer. Not gut wrenchingly quick, but still fast enough to be fun; any traffic I encountered was despatched with ease, put it that way! All very impressive.

All too soon my ride came to a conclusion and I have to say that the Tiger genuinely impressed me. There is not much between it and a key rival such as the Tracer. The Triumph feels more solid, the Yamaha is more fleet of foot and sporting in feel.

My only problem, one shared with all the bikes of this genre is seat height. But overall a cracking bike and I can now see why it has sold so well!

Cheers to my old friend Stu for the chance to try his tasty triple!