QUICK FANG: 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC - XC-Lent

 

Triumph’s entry into the mid-range dualsport arena via its Tiger XC has been met with universal acclaim.

 

Aimed squarely at the rider who wants a degree of agility that things like the BMW R 1200 GS (and the brand’s own upcoming release, the 1215cc Tiger Explorer) are simply too cumbersome to possess, the XC has carved a strong market niche worldwide. That’s clever – because it sends out a siren call to the hardcore-heads who need a bike that can cope with pretty serious off-road going, while still offering appeal to the newbie who needs it light and friendly.

 

Making use of the brand’s stock-in-trade triple layout, the 799cc engine has its lineage in the powerplant used in the Daytona 675, but it is in fact all-new, sharing very little with the little sports-screamer. This is not a parts-bin special, built with modular ‘jack of all trades’ design principles that save manufacturers plenty, but that deliver a ‘master of none’ userexperience. None of that.

 

What you get is a welded steel truss frame, longtravel suspension, a nonadjustable 45mm USD fork and a Showa monoshock at the stern. Nissin  ourspot calipers on twin discs do the job at the front and a single disc with singlepiston caliper is utilized down the back.

 

Seat height is adjustable from 845mm-865mm and there is an 820mm low seat option. Nice wide ’bars allow for easy stand-up work and the suspension is supple and forgiving. The spoked wheels not only look the business, they offer better off-road strength than cast items and that big 21in front keeps things nice and stable in rough going.

 

Little spoken about is the dualsport’s ease of use as a commuter. A seating position that offers legroom aplenty, great ’bar leverage, a good view over traffic and a deal of midrange nip, all add up to a traffic beater. Yet another reason to opt for a mid-sized duallie.

 

There are a whole bunch of add-on bits for the bike, something that Hinckley Triumph has always done particularly well. You can option the thing up to the hilt and hit the long-haul, around-Oz trail, or bask in the admiring glances associated with looking like you could.

 

So, we reckon mid-sized duallies could proliferate in the market. And, if the XC is indicative of what’s to come, no wonder.

 

SPEX - 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC