Triumph Tiger 800 XRx

A sunny day, time on my hands and a new Triumph Tiger 800 XRx beneath me: sounds like the recipe for a good day. I liked the old version, and I am curious to see how this updated one will make me feel. At first glance it does not seem very different, but since the XRx is the mid-spec version, some pleasant surprises await. While we are on the subject, let me explain Triumph's three-letter naming system for the Tiger 800 range. The first X refers to the off-road-oriented chassis; the next letter points to road use if it is R and off-road use if it is C. The final letter indicates the equipment level. So XR means the basic road version and XC the basic off-road version. XRx or XCx means the mid-level accessory package. The most fully equipped Tiger 800 versions are the XRt and XCa.

Let me mention some of the updates I noticed while walking around it. At the front there are 43 mm upside-down Showa forks with 180 mm of travel, unfortunately without adjustment. The front wheel is 19 inches, with twin 308 mm discs gripped by Nissin twin-piston calipers. ABS is, of course, standard and can be switched off. At the rear there is a 17-inch wheel, a single 255 mm disc, a hydraulically adjustable Showa monoshock with 170 mm of travel and, again, a Nissin caliper, this time with one piston. Fog lights and heated grips are standard on the XRx. When I sat down, a wonderfully comfortable gel seat welcomed me. The analogue rev counter and the other, digital instruments are integrated into one display. The design has not changed much for a while, and I still like it. It is easy to read and offers plenty of information. The riding-mode and hazard-warning buttons sit just to the left of the instruments; honestly, I had to hunt for them a bit, because the other controls are on the handlebars. Alongside three riding modes, cruise control and traction control
are standard equipment on the XRx.

As I take hold of the grips, I notice that both levers have height adjustment; the handguards protecting the levers and my hands are also standard. Turning on the ignition disengages the immobiliser, and the three-cylinder engine fires immediately at the first touch of the starter. I play with the controls a little more. There are three riding modes: Road, Off-Road and Rider. You can configure Rider entirely to your own preferences; I left it alone. Both traction control and ABS can be switched off. Anyway, now I want to ride. I adjust the mirrors, select a gear and immediately notice that the gearbox is very user-friendly too. The clutch is easy to modulate. Even at idle, the 95 HP engine announces its presence with its distinctive whine.

I indicate and take the first turn. When I go to cancel the indicator, I realise it has already cancelled itself; standard again, of course. :P The ride is interesting; it reminds me of naked bikes. I find myself wishing the screen were a little shorter, so I could feel the wind properly. Anyone wanting serious wind protection might consider the optional tall screen. The throttle is very easy to meter out, and the triple's throttle response is wonderful. We are not exactly teleporting, but it feels lovely; I am having a lot of fun. Steering inputs are simple and precise. The brakes are easy to modulate. The balance is close to perfect. The riding position is supremely comfortable. I am hugely impressed, though trying not to show it.

As the pace picks up, the XRx starts behaving even more like a naked bike. Steering takes a little more effort, and beyond certain lean angles, shifting your body position makes leaning further much easier. Hard to believe, but it feels as though I am riding a Speed Triple, only a much more comfortable one. The sound is pretty provocative too. At high speed the screen really starts to annoy me; I want to take it off. It gathers the air ahead and directs it at my neck. I do not like it; I wish it were a little lower. Increase the pace a little further and the suspension and brakes begin saying, "You have reached our limits." They are right, too: this little fellow is not a bike for those speeds. I drop back to human speeds and happily flow from bend to bend. I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

Sadly, my ride ends when I reach Korlas. I am not tired at all; left to me, I would keep going. Before handing it back, I decide to put it on the centre stand to poke around a little more, and discover the second thing that bothers me: the centre stand is not set up well! I had quite a struggle. Perhaps it was designed around the XC series, which might explain why I found it awkward on the XR. At the end of the day, if I have to find faults, they are the screen and the centre stand. The rest of the package left a very positive impression. Considering that its €14,290 price puts it almost at Japanese-bike money, I think Korlas is offering an opportunity not to be missed. Buy one and ride confidently wherever your heart takes you; this little fellow will make you very happy. :)