Triumphrat

robin blake

Hi
I ride a 1600 thunderbird and am thinking of buying a Tiger 800 to ride through the winter.
Obviously I can see that the 2 models have different wheels etc.
What differences would I notice in the ride?
Many thanks,
Rob.

__________________
Ride On!!!

epynt1050

On an XC, the front suspension is softer and has a longer travel, it also has wider bars. The seat height is greater. The larger diam front wheel gives a wider choice of dual purpose tyres however it results in a more vague feeling on the steering.
The XC is not a true off road bike but is fine for dirt roads, forest trails etc where as the std bike has some off tarmac capability but is more limited than the XC.
Unless you intend going off road or feel cramped on the std bike, then for UK conditions you will probably be better off with the std bike.

cug

There is no difference in seating ergonomics between the two bikes other than the different risers (easily changed, you can install XC risers on the Roadie) and the different handlebar.

A lot of people actually dislike the XC handle bar compared to the Roadie's, so it's worth sitting on both to get a feel which one you like better. I think both handle bars aren't really well shaped, but the Roadie's bar is better for me after installing the XC risers.

Seat to peg distance is exactly the same between the two.

The main differences which can't be changed easily are:

1) Suspension, the XC is not only longer, but also better. It's a bit soft for heavier people, but definitely better than the Roadie. On the Roadie you have to spend some money to get it up to par, or some more to make it better.

2) Ground clearance, due to the larger front wheel and the longer suspension, the XC rides higher which means it can potentially clear some rocks or ruts better than the Roadie. Though I have to admit, if rocks and ruts get that big, I'd rather be on a real off-road thumper than on either of the fat Tigers.

3) Wheel stability: the Roadie has cast wheels, the XC spoked rims. The chances of damaging one are higher on the Roadie, though again, in a terrain where that might become problematic I personally don't want to be with either.

4) Tube vs. tubeless: Roadie has tubeless tires and rims, XC needs a tube. Upsides and downsides on both, but it was the main argument for me to choose the Roadie over the XC. I plain don't want to deal with tubed tires and I freaking hate cleaning spoked wheels especially if the bike has a chain.

5) Some useless add ons like the flimsy handguards on the XC. Not worth a second thought, I'd replace them as soon as the bike is home.


It really comes down to whether you want the advantages of tubed tires on 21" front spoked rims, or the advantages of tubeless, 19" cast wheels. Everything else can be changed easily (though for some money).

epynt1050

The reason taller riders tend to choose the XC is that the higher bars make it easier for taller riders to set the (adjustable) seat at the higher position.

Pls note that Rob is in the UK where there is virtually no off road riding for which the XC would be suitable. Also, unlike the US, there little appetite for modifying bikes. Other than adding a few extras, we leave bikes alone.

Rob says "What differences would I notice in the ride?" which I have assumed to mean unmodified bikes and on the road.
Std 800's are very common in the UK while XC are quite rare and sell largely to riders over 6' 2".

cug

That makes no sense at all. Paying way more for the XC if all you want it the $70 set of risers, that makes no sense.

Sure. Yeah. I get quite a different impression when reading http://www.Tiger800.co.uk

Oh, and the Tiger is the single one motorcycle where I see most people adding risers. There is someone here and there saying that it works for him/her without, but the majority adds risers. And aftermarket exhausts, and aftermarket luggage, and a new windshield, and a GPS mount, and a different seat ...

Nothing else than what's happening here.

Btw: I'm from Germany, so you don't have to tell me in which regard Europeans are different. They certainly are, but not in that way.

Which again is quite weird as the Tiger 800 (XC or not doesn't matter) is one of the more cramped dual sports, even for me at 182cm (6') and 34" inseam.

CSAW

On the other side of that is some people dislike the narrow bars on the Roadie. Me for example. Everyone is different. Try them both.

loonytuna

Pro, cons, pros, cons...

I like the look of the xc.

The additional travel and adjustability of the suspension translates into a better ride on the road, especially if you live in an area where there are potholes etc.

And. ... I like the look of the xc!


Sent from my GT-P7310 using Motorcycle.com Free App

Cuchulainn

There is definitely a difference in the handlebars between the two, not that I would pay the difference just for that, but they are wider on the XC (34") , while on the roadie they are narrower handlebars (31.3") that sweep back with a different bend. Being a bigger guy, I much preferred the fit and ergonomics of the XC.

The XC also has a higher seat height. Specs for the Tiger 800 are 31.9in (low) / 32.7 (high) while the XC is 32.2 (low) / 34.0 (high)

The XC has about 2 more inches of travel in the suspension, and a slightly different geometry than the roadie. Rake/Trail for XC is 24.3°/95.3mm vs 23.9°/92.4mm. The XC, more than the Roadie, gives the rider more of an impression of an oversized dirt bike, which I really enjoy.

I would suggest trying both for extended test rides, which is what I did. I found I preferred the look, feel and ergonomics of the XC, but we all differ in our preferences.