So far its been great , I've been all over the alps on it and did 9k in my first year of ownership (only done less mile this last season as i purchased a Tiger Explorer as well) Its now done over 12k and the first Big service was £280 in a half price winter deal with some of the triumph dealers so i consider £560 plus shims to be way over what is reasonable for a bike with no fairing and it has full electronic diagnostic service scan system fitted so it tells you what is wrong .The only problem so far was a gearbox speed sensor packed up in the Alps and the engine warning light come on which is a bit concerning as you don't know the extent of the problem but Triumph in Grenoble France were great and tested it out and told me i could ride it ok but without a speedo so i used the one on my sat nav then the speedo started working the next day and was ok for the rest of the holiday ,but triumph replaced it under warranty (good job they did as it took over 3 hours) only other recalls are for the stand spring and a replacement centre stand as well as the gear shift return spring its also a good job this was a recall as the spring cost 98p and labour oil and gaskets come to over £500 PHEW !!
The motor is brilliant and does not use any oil and is as smooth as a i don't know what ! the build quality is superb (Sad to say its loads better than the Explorer)and the 21" front wheel just makes it so much fun to ride I've done a track day on it and it handled brilliantly . But when touring with full panniers and tent the hugger hits the underside if the seat "not good" even with the suspension on rock hard settings and i don't think the panniers will hold up too well if you drop the bike ? next time i will buy some givi box's. I've fitted the high screen as the original is no good for over 6ft people and I've fitted heated grips and these are excellent and fitted hand guards as well as a bash plate and crash bars and a Arrow can as well as a comfort seat and givi top box and all are good quality accessories, for huge miles i would take my ST1300 Pan European then my Explorer but any ride under a total of 2 thousand miles i will take my 800xc every time as regarding smiles per miles its KING Its a great bike and i would 100% get another one even if triumph can be a little challenging when making any warranty claim as that is a disappointing part of the triumph experience
I don't understand the low scores some give for for reliability ? unless the bike has actually let you down out on the road or trial

Granted there are lots of alternative adventure bikes out there that mean you do not have to follow the well trodden and predictable BMW track, but the TIger XC is a genuine British contender. For a true off-road adventure I suspect that it's too big, but that has certainly not dampened the spirits of the hoards of GS1200, KTM adventurers and super tenere riders. On the road the Triumph is a peach, the engine is responsive and punchy over 4000rpm. The riding position is good and despite a recent claim i'd read the screen height is spot on. The complete confidence the bike offers when cornering is exceptional and makes you want to go in search of the world's twistiest roads and tracks. Luggage hooks are well positioned and easily accessible, but as yet I'm not sure there is an ideal pannier solution. The pannier options are one of the biggest talking points on the tiger forums, mainly because the OEM panniers do not appear robust enough to cope with off road riding and a significant spill. Having said that there are now a few good reports coming in from people who have had one and the panniers have survived.
As yet I have not tested the bike out properly off road, only green laning, but again supportive comments are coming in on the forums. There have been a couple of minor niggles with the bike such as clanking centre stands but triumph are reacting quickly to complaints by offering free upgrades.
So far my bike has not disappointed, it looks great, and handles the roads beautifully, but has yet to be truly tested off-road.

540 miles on the bike, about 7 hours in the saddle on Saturday, several hours on forest service roads today...does everything I expected of it and more. Will need to add new bars, they don't have enough sweep for me, also some bar-backs to shorten the reach. Engine and tranny are awesome, but first could be lower and 6th taller...given the ratios, I'd rather have had a 5 speed...too much shifting when on the street!

I test drove a Triumph Tiger 800 (street) and a BMW F800GS last Thursday and loved them both. The GS has more torque low end but seems to flatten out quicker than the Triumph. The GS handles well and feels lighter. I did not like the GS's controls but it may be just because I am not used to their configuration. The Tiger has more power low end than I expected and seemed very solid. There was more power overall with the Tiger. Both bikes have great design and would recommend both. I am hopeful that I will be able to test drive a Tiger 800 XC soon as that is the bike I am leaning towards. I am looking for a Tiger 800 XC, orange, without ABS and other add ons. However, I will be adding heated grips and a roll bag. I put a deposit on one with Apex in Colorado Springs. I would like to buy from the dealer in Denver but they seem to want too much for their prep fees. Apex is hoping to have what I want by June and appear to be giving a decent deal. MSRP, Triumph's shipping, 50.00 title fee and tax of 461.00 for a total of 12,005.00 out the door. If I can find what I want before they get one and for a better price I will go for it. I will want to test drive the bike first but I do not anticipate being disappointed.

Took an XC out from 3x about three weeks ago, did some gentle green lanes no probs. Blasting down A and B roads the XC is composed and feels very planted. The 800 triple is a peach somewhere between a street and speed triple and lots of usable torque. It's almost sports bike in it's grunt and you are never left wanting anything more. Overtakes on our undulating and often erratic road surfaces are completed without any dramas as the XC smooths out the worst bits and pulls like a racehorse on amphetamine. After a mate bought one and I was waiting for a new Bonneville I got the XC demo for another day and night. Nice long run around and same grin factor while it would make a very good tourer as it's comfy and I did 70 miles of spirited riding without so much as a cramp. I also took it for a night run and the lights are good, spotted a deer in my path and on dipped managed to peer through a decent hill fog at Compton Abbas. Inspires confidence, you need to be in the right gear but isn't that how we are supposed to ride. Having ridden a GS both 800 and 1200 and riding the RT at work the XT wins on it's engine and value for money. The brakes are good but with that engine you really don't need them that much. It's a great British bike and if you want something to scratch, tour and commute on while diverting up the odd green lane and only pay £7750 then this is the bike for you.