Why Triumph Tiger 800 XCa is the bike to buy

 

By Réhann Coetzee

 

Because I was so infatuated with the 1200 Tiger at the recent launch of Triumph SA’s line-up, I didn’t get around to riding the Tiger 800.

But I did attend the initial launch of the 800 Tiger and 800 Tiger XC; and the launch of the second version, the 800 XC and XR. The upgrade was quite impressive, with better throttle reaction from the ride-by-wire system and even smoother power delivery.

The third version of the 800 Tiger is not as startlingly different from the second. Yet, Triumph says they have made more than 200 upgrades to the chassis and engine. These include a more responsive and optimised engine; a shorter ratio for first gear to make off-road work and manoeuvrability easier at low speeds; a lighter silencer with improved exhaust note; and up to six riding modes, including Off Road Pro.

Like its bigger brother, the 800 has a brand new full-colour TFT display screen. This is something that you get used to – and spoilt by – quite quickly. Also like the 1200, the 800 now has LED lighting, backlit switchgear that works very well, and an updated cruise control.

Some styling cues on the bodywork have also changed, including badging. And the bike I got to ride at the KZN coast and back home, was a very attractive colour that Triumph calls Korosi Red.

Like its predecessor, the 800 Tiger has WP suspension, but now also Brembo brakes. And the XCa that I rode also has an Arrow exhaust as standard. And it makes a beautiful noise, which makes it almost impossible to get good fuel consumption – even if you try.

I was invited by Glenn Foley of Dirt & Trail Magazine to fill a third seat while they finalise the last section of the annual Quads-for-Quads route for dual-purpose bikes. This is an annual event that he runs as a fundraiser for the Quad-Para Association – not just a very worthy cause, but also a fun event. This year’s route runs from Carnival City casino to Richards Bay – all the way on dirt. Most participants ride off-road bikes, quads and side-by-sides, but there is a route option for riders on dual-purpose bikes too.

And we were checking that route. We rode a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, a Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa and the Tiger 800 XCa. I had ridden the big bikes before, but this was my first experience on the Tiger 800. And what a delightful bike it is.

Compared the big bikes, its 215kg weight almost makes it feel like a 250cc scrambler. But it isn’t all that light. It was shod with Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres, my favourite 50/50 tyre, and they offered ample grip on and off tar.

The seat is a little harder than the other two bikes’, but still quite comfortable. The screen is manually adjustable to five settings and works really well, even at high speeds. I didn’t experience any buffeting with my enduro helmet, and it was quite windy.

We rode on tar from Joburg to the little hamlet of Luneburg, close to Wakkerstroom, but from there we rode mostly dirt. Road conditions varied from dirt highways to slightly better than footpaths, but mostly the going was easy enough – although not really pillion-friendly.

The Tiger 800 was a lovely bike to see the route on. Dropping into a valley tested our braking skills and climbing out the other side tested the bikes’ climbing abilities and grip. And although the braking got a little hairy once, the bikes did not disappoint – and the Tiger 800 shone through.

I had to return home a day earlier and apart from the morning’s dirt, I rode the Tiger 800 home on just over 600km of tar. I got home just after dusk and although I was tired and prepared to go bike-less for a week after that, I couldn’t help but smile like a kid on Christmas morning the next day when I started it up to take it back to Triumph.

The Tiger 800 handles everything you throw at it with ease and class. Although I still prefer the heavier 1200, the 800 is a stunning bike. It is nippy and agile, yet power delivery is smooth – right through the rev range.

With the sad state of the Rand, there aren’t any cheap bikes on the market, and the Triumph Tiger 800 XCa costs nearly R200 000. Compared to the Honda Africa Twin DCT (R182 300), the very dated BMW F800 GS (R161 609) and even the KTM 1090 Adventure R (R181 999), it is the most expensive of the mid-sized duallies. Although, an updated Africa Twin is imminent, as is the F850 GS replacement of the 800. And when KTM’s 790 Adventure arrives, the Triumph’s price should be about in the middle of the range.

But the Tiger 800 is feature-rich and has more toys and options fitted as standard than any of the others. I believe the Tiger 800 is a more modern offering and therefore worthy of really – and I mean really – serious consideration.

Technically speaking: Triumph Tiger 800 XCa

Engine: 799cc, inline 3-cylinder, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power: 71kW @ 9 250rpm / 79Nm @ 7 850rpm

Gears: 6 speed, chain

Fuel tank: 19 litres

Seat height: 845-865mm

Tyres: 90/90/21 front, 150/70/17 rear

Brakes: 2-piston 308mm double disks (front); 1-piston 255mm single disk (rear)

Wet weight: 215kg

Price: R199 000