Tiger 800 XC!
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:48 pmPicked up my XC ABS after work today!
Oh my god, what an awesome bike! It's so much better than the Wee-Strom in so many ways I don't even know where to start.
Okay, I'll start with around town. Really easy, linear power delivery; ultra-smooth transmission; well-balanced at slow speeds; feels a good deal lighter than the Strom even though it's almost exactly the same weight. It's frustrating getting stuck in traffic though, because this bike wants to GO!
Hopped on the highway for a short stretch, and there was just no comparison. The Strom always feels a little bit labored. The Triumph feels utterly effortless. Rolled on the throttle a bit at one point, looked down at the speedometer, and I was doing 95. Without even trying. Quickly rolled back off the throttle.
I do get more airflow than I do on the Strom because the windscreen is smaller, but it's smooth airflow; no buffeting at all (I'm 6'4", FWIW). For cold weather I'll probably get the taller windscreen, as I felt my shoulders getting cold even with my electric vest on (of course, it was also only about 35 degrees out). On the other hand, in hot weather that extra airflow will be most welcome.
Tonight I need to read the manual and figure out what all the functions on the instrument panel are. I already figured out how to switch between the two trip odometers and the miles traveled/average speed/average mpg/current mpg display. No idea what kind of other shit this thing is capable of telling me. I half expect it to be able to cook me breakfast.
Oh, also, the headlights are great. On par with the Strom's.
Can't wait to take it for a long ride tomorrow!
--mark
Oh my god, what an awesome bike! It's so much better than the Wee-Strom in so many ways I don't even know where to start.
Okay, I'll start with around town. Really easy, linear power delivery; ultra-smooth transmission; well-balanced at slow speeds; feels a good deal lighter than the Strom even though it's almost exactly the same weight. It's frustrating getting stuck in traffic though, because this bike wants to GO!
Hopped on the highway for a short stretch, and there was just no comparison. The Strom always feels a little bit labored. The Triumph feels utterly effortless. Rolled on the throttle a bit at one point, looked down at the speedometer, and I was doing 95. Without even trying. Quickly rolled back off the throttle.
I do get more airflow than I do on the Strom because the windscreen is smaller, but it's smooth airflow; no buffeting at all (I'm 6'4", FWIW). For cold weather I'll probably get the taller windscreen, as I felt my shoulders getting cold even with my electric vest on (of course, it was also only about 35 degrees out). On the other hand, in hot weather that extra airflow will be most welcome.
Tonight I need to read the manual and figure out what all the functions on the instrument panel are. I already figured out how to switch between the two trip odometers and the miles traveled/average speed/average mpg/current mpg display. No idea what kind of other shit this thing is capable of telling me. I half expect it to be able to cook me breakfast.
Oh, also, the headlights are great. On par with the Strom's.
Can't wait to take it for a long ride tomorrow!
--mark
