Today I rode my new 2013 Triumph Tiger 800 XC the ~170 back from Crawford Texas to Tomball Texas. All in all I am very impressed with the bike.
It has awesome brakes. The engine is the smoothest of any bike I have ever ridden. It is so linear and predictable, if not for engine noise, I would have thought it was an electric motor. The heat coming off the engine did not bother me. It was very similar to my old FZ1 and other naked bikes I have ridden and I am used to it.
When you first see the bike up close it looks big (think big GS) but once you are in the saddle if feels very sporty and not so big. The bike handles in a very sporty fashion as well which make me very very happy because I get to go off road AND enjoy the twisties!
The foot pegs are pretty high which adds to the sporty feel. I had the seat in the low position because of my short inseam but I think I am going to raise it to the higher setting. My knees were actually more bent than I would have liked and started to hurt. Besides I am so used to the DRZ I know I don't have to flat foot both sides. The seat is one of the most comfortable stock seats I have ever had the pleasure to sit on. Ergos over all seem similar to my old FZ1.
Trip was reset before I left sellers home. One cool thing about the Triumph instrument panel is that it includes, as standard, a gear indicator. I have to admit it is handy especially when getting to know a new bike.
First thing I wanted to do when I got home is remove the stock skid plate and install the AltRider Skid plate.
For those of you who did not believe I wrench. Here is an action shot. I can't lie to you guys... I just posed for the photo and my wife did the work.
New Skid Plate Installed
More photos soon! Running off now to get my suspension setup just for me.
It has awesome brakes. The engine is the smoothest of any bike I have ever ridden. It is so linear and predictable, if not for engine noise, I would have thought it was an electric motor. The heat coming off the engine did not bother me. It was very similar to my old FZ1 and other naked bikes I have ridden and I am used to it.
When you first see the bike up close it looks big (think big GS) but once you are in the saddle if feels very sporty and not so big. The bike handles in a very sporty fashion as well which make me very very happy because I get to go off road AND enjoy the twisties!
The foot pegs are pretty high which adds to the sporty feel. I had the seat in the low position because of my short inseam but I think I am going to raise it to the higher setting. My knees were actually more bent than I would have liked and started to hurt. Besides I am so used to the DRZ I know I don't have to flat foot both sides. The seat is one of the most comfortable stock seats I have ever had the pleasure to sit on. Ergos over all seem similar to my old FZ1.
Trip was reset before I left sellers home. One cool thing about the Triumph instrument panel is that it includes, as standard, a gear indicator. I have to admit it is handy especially when getting to know a new bike.
First thing I wanted to do when I got home is remove the stock skid plate and install the AltRider Skid plate.
For those of you who did not believe I wrench. Here is an action shot. I can't lie to you guys... I just posed for the photo and my wife did the work.
New Skid Plate Installed
More photos soon! Running off now to get my suspension setup just for me.