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Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 1:37 pm
by TriumphTart
Hey Guys, I have a dilemma, do I sell the Street Triple 675 and swap it for a Tiger 800 XR ?? :? Does anyone of you own the Tiger 800 XR ? Is it really that good?

After riding for about an hour, I find the Street Triple makes my arse and back ache. I would like to start going further afield and explore the country, so am thinking Tiger 800 XR. All the write ups about it are excellent, 5* every time. I'm not a great lover of the look of the Tiger but if it's comfort I'm going for :roll:

I've got a feeling I know what you lot are going to say :lol:

Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 1:55 pm
by tempesc
I bought the 800 XCx last year. Best bike I have ever owned, bar none - I love it. The engine is a peach, it’s comfortable to ride and for me at least it is plenty powerful.

I traded from a XT1200z and the 800 is a way better balance of weight and power for my riding (I use this bike mostly for European touring).

I’d get a test ride and see for yourself.

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Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:28 pm
by daveuprite
Every sinew says 'NOOOOOOO !!!! Don't swap one of the best handling medium sized road bikes ever made for a great big adv bike.

But of course the arse and back ache are important factors and it's the most common reason for people moving from sporty bikes over to the softer stuff.

Perhaps try sitting on some other bikes in showrooms to see if they are any better than the Street Triple comfort-wise but allow you to keep some of the exciting ride you've been used to. Yamaha MT range maybe.

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:50 pm
by gspod
As well as a standard test ride wheel it around and pop it on the centre stand - don’t forget you’ll have the added weight of luggage when you go touring.

Good luck with your decision

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:19 pm
by Richard Simpson Mark II
Well, a change is as good as a rest.

To be honest, when I started riding trail bikes on the road, I found them less comfortable than the unfaired Italian cafe racers I was used to. Too much weight on my bottom, chest catching the wind making my arms and back ache.

Add a windscreen and you get buffeting and noise.

I got used to it, and came to love having the head-up riding position.

Then, after a 25 year break...I got another Italian cafe racer (its a pension, not a mid-life crisis). It seemed uncomfortable for a couple of rides, but not any more. Once you are out of traffic your body weight is supported by the slipstream...just have to watch out for exploding hip syndrome.

I've ridden a bike like yours, and it is light and way more agile and fun than what you are contemplating replacing it with. But, I couldn't live with the lack of a back mudguard: I use my bikes for business trips and rocking up at a posh hotel with a strip of cow shit down my back is not a good look.

I wonder if you might do better to stick a small flyscreen on your bike, get the seat reworked and fit some lower bars?

On the other hand, you don't know what a Tiger will be like until you've tried one...don't let me put you off

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:43 pm
by OB1
I went from a 1050 Speed Triple to my first Tiger 800 XC around about 8 years ago. I put 28,000 miles on that bike in 5 years and then bought the new Tiger 800 XCx 3 years ago which I have put 24,000 miles on including a 2 week 5,000 mile trip up to Nordkapp. Needless to say, I love the Tiger as I think its the best bike I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot).

I'm just about to sell my XCx :( as I've bought a Honda CRF250 Rally for a trip and cannot afford two bikes.

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm
by cowling
I did that exact thing, well it was a street triple 675 to a tiger 800xc. I loved the street triple but it was time to get a bit more sensible, and I needed to carry luggage, and cover lots of miles in comfort.
Tbh the tiger is as quick if you want it to be. Get swapping I'd say. 😁👍

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:13 pm
by cowling
I also have a Honda 250 rally and that is an awesome bike.

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:32 pm
by TriumphTart
Thanks guys for the feedback, there's some good advice :)

I've spoken with Bulldog Triumph, where I bought the Street Triple and they said I could have the Tiger for a weekend to give it a whirl, so that's a thumbs up!

Being a pathetic woman, I do struggle putting a bike on the centre stand, so weight is going to be an issue for me. (The only time I've put a bike on the centre stand was in my test :lol: )


I love the image of the Sports/Street bikes, but hey, I'm getting too old for that now :( I think comfort will come before style :lol:

Re: Street Triple OR Tiger 800 XR

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 5:03 pm
by tempesc
Be warned - the Tiger is awesome....... but is best left on the side stand unless you need to lube/adjust the chain. Getting it on the centre stand is a right pita (much more so than for other bikes i have owned - not sure why)!

A weekend test ride sounds perfect - let us know how you get on.


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