Endurance test final balance Triumph Tiger 800 XC

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Triumph Tiger 800 XC in the long-term test

Final balance after 50,000 kilometers

The Triumph Tiger 800 XC only needed 15 months to wind down the endurance test distance of 50,000 kilometers. How did the technology of the gentle three-cylinder get away with the marathon sprint?

"Where is the three-cylinder BMW? ”In April 2011, workshop manager Gerry Wagner had the laughs on his side when he tried to fish the new addition to the long-term test fleet, the Triumph Tiger 800 XC, from the row of parked test machines for the incoming check. The Triumph designers were noticeably inspired by the BMW F 800 GS, from the characteristic duckbill to the double headlights and the silhouette to the color scheme.

Triumph Tiger 800 XC in the long-term test

Final balance after 50,000 kilometers

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The Triumph Tiger 800 XC sharpening passes.

But that doesn’t mean that the Triumph fans’ wish list is ticked off. Many owners find the front brake to be toothless, the chain guard that is too short spreads chain spray over a large area on the rear and trousers, the shock absorber seems to be overloaded with the passenger and loaded suitcases despite the hydraulically adjustable spring base. Weak points that MOTORRAD had already dealt with in the interim endurance test (issue 25/2011) and that could be remedied with more or less effort. Showa’s upside-down fork, which plunges deep when braking, helped some readers with progressively wound fork springs. However, this retrofit cannot improve the moderate response of the non-adjustable front. Parallels to the R models of the Street and Speed ​​Triple (surcharge between 1000 and 2500 euros), which have been upgraded with high-quality suspension elements, are positively imposed here. Whether a Tiger R would sell?

Suitcases from the accessory specialists are already doing this after practically every holiday traveler complained about the relatively small right-hand case of the original luggage system, which was jagged by the recess for the silencer and with a capacity of 25 liters. The attachment of the two boxes (Triumph dynamic luggage system), which appears somewhat wobbly due to the flexible lower mounting points, also serves to improve straight-line stability, according to the manufacturer. In any case, the parts are easy to assemble and dismantle.

How the tiger showed itself to be supple overall. Only the return spring of the gearshift mechanism, which was replaced as part of a second and final recall at mileage 27,900, brought the unproblematic technology of the triplet back to mind. Fortunately, the spring, which also cracked unnoticed in the endurance test machine, could be completely bent after removal with the force of two fingers.

The quiet in the engine room probably wouldn’t have lasted long. The Tiger tamers were delighted with an acceptable consumption of 5.8 liters on average, even if it could soar up to seven liters on mountain passes or during high-speed events.

Just like the eyebrows on the invoice for the 30,000 inspection. However, the sum of 515 euros was quickly put into perspective. It hid 210 euros in material costs for a set of rear brake pads and a chain kit. In comparison, the 40,000-kilometer view was more steep. The change of coolant, engine and fork oil, spark plugs and the work involved in adjusting the valve clearance totaled 561 euros. Not counting the main stand that was exchanged under warranty on all tigers because of a misplaced rubber stop. Which is why fleet coordinator Rainer Froberg was happy to be able to spare his inspection budget with the final dismantling instead of the 50,000 service.

It took the Triumph exactly 15 months for the long-term test distance. A value that says a lot about the popularity and frequency of damage and thus lifts the little big cat to the high level of the kilometer-guzzling tourers and large-capacity travel enduros in the long-term test fleet. And the mid-range enduro also did well technically. The paint coped well with the often rough use and also kept the beautifully curved steel frame rustproof. And in the depths of the engine innards, wear remained the exception. Rubbing marks on the piston skirts, running marks on the right crankshaft main bearing, a slightly warped clutch steel disk, even a small break in material on a camshaft are all within harmless limits. The slightly leaky valves were reflected in reduced compression, but did not affect top performance or driving performance. The only defect: the plastic coating of a spark plug connector was broken, the part corroded. The fact that the deposits on the valves of this particular cylinder are caused by the occasional misfiring caused by the ailing plug – as the importer deduces in his statement – seems possible given the impeccable condition of the valves of the other two cylinders. A curiosity: A part of the sealing compound, which was probably applied in abundance when assembling the engine housing, was amicably gathered around the suction bell of the oil pump. The oil supply was obviously not affected by this.

In this respect, the bottom line is that the little Tiger has pulled herself out of the affair brilliantly and rightly sneaks past all of the brand colleagues (Thunderbird, Daytona 675 and Sprint ST) that have been tested by MOTORRAD to third place in the ranking.

Balance after 50,000 kilometers

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Printed matter: Although the pressure loss is clearly visible on all cylinders (right), neither the valve seats nor the valve guides show any significant wear.

Cylinder head: All exhaust valves are slightly leaking, the compression has decreased somewhat on all cylinders. The valve seats are hardly widened and have only slight traces of fire. There is some pitting on an exhaust cam.

Cylinder / piston: On the left (strong) and right (less strong) pistons, there are traces of friction on the shaft on the inlet side, probably due to a break in the lubricating film. The cylinders also show visible signs of wear, the piston clearance is okay.

Crank drive: The connecting rod bearings and piston pins / connecting rod eyes show a
inconspicuous motion picture. Compared to the other main bearings, the right crankshaft bearing shows stronger signs of wear. There were remains of sealing material in the oil pan.

Power transmission: A steel disc of the clutch is warped a little beyond the tolerance, otherwise the clutch and the rest of the gearbox are in very good condition.

Frame / chassis: The coating of the frame and fork makes a durable impression, the swing arm and steering head bearings are OK. The footrest and gear lever bearings have increased play.

Costs and maintenance

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Cause and effect: The cracked casing of the right candle holder corroded its inner workings. The resulting irregularities in the ignition may have caused deposits on the valves of the associated cylinder. The valves on the other two cylinders were free of debris.

Operating costs over 50,000 kilometers

18 liters of oil at 16 euros: 288.00 euros
5 oil filters at 12.19 euros: 60.95 euros
2 air filters at 31.44 euros: 62.88 euros
6 spark plugs at 10.53 euros each: 63.18 euros
2 sets of rear brake pads at 42.72 euros: 85.44 euros
2 sets of front brake pads at 35.18 euros: 70.36 euros
1 chain set: 184.71 euros
Brake fluid: 8.60 euros
Small parts, lubricants: 86.13 euros
Seals: 89.62 euros
Inspections and repairs: 1093.43 euros
Tires (including assembly, balancing and disposal): 1227.00 euros
Fuel: 4736.67 euros
Total cost: 8056.97 euros
Acquisition cost: 10,490.00 euros
Loss of value: 4090.00 euros
Estimated price (dealer selling price): 6400.00 euros
Cost per kilometer (without depreciation): 16.1 cents
Cost per kilometer (with depreciation): 24.3 cents

Maintenance + repair costs: (according to the specified mileage)

Front and rear tires renewed, Bridgestone Trail Wing: 6394
Rear brake pads renewed: 10 146
Front and rear tires renewed, Pirelli Scorpion Trail: 15.507
Renewed windshield: 19,987
New mapping installed, main stand spring replaced (recall): 24 174
Front and rear tires, Pirelli Scorpion Trail, and front brake pads renewed: 25 629
Return spring of the selector shaft renewed (guarantee): 27 900
Chain set with guide rail and rear brake pads renewed: 29 542
Front and rear tires renewed, Metzeler Tourance EXP: 34 692
Front and rear tires renewed, Conti Trail Attack: 41 557

Triumph takes a stand

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Abundantly applied sealing material, a part was found on the suction bell of the oil pump. The oil supply was not impaired.

… to replace the main stand.
The stand was replaced due to a recall because the original return spring was too weak.

… to the windshield torn at the attachment.
The editorial team retrofitted the original windshield with an adjustment mechanism. As it turned out later and as we now recommend, the two mounting holes in the disc would have to be enlarged. This led to the stress cracks.

… to the broken return spring of the circuit.
There were a few broken springs on the market that prompted us to convert all affected vehicles free of charge.

… to the corroded spark plug connector.
The corrosion of the spark plug connector is clearly due to moisture that has penetrated into the spark plug shaft. We suspect that the spark plug connector was not correctly attached during service or that cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner led to water ingress. We are not aware of any problems from the market.

… for too short a chain guard.
This is already in the specifications for the next model upgrade.

… to the deposits on the valves of the right outer cylinder.
The corroded spark plug cap was probably installed on this cylinder. The corrosion can have led to intermittent misfires, which in turn can result in unclean combustion and deposits.

… to the relatively large amount of loose sealing compound in the motor housing.
The fitter in the factory meant it a little too well here. We will arrange for the amount of sealant to be reduced accordingly in the future.

… to the doughy front brake that requires a lot of manual force.
The front brake was deliberately designed to be a bit more defensive in order to avoid overbraking the front wheel on loose ground as much as possible. We believe that this also does justice to the character of the vehicle.

Accessories – recommendations

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With the Triumph Tiger 800 XC in Tuscany.

In the interim balance of the endurance test, there is not only the opportunity to draw a preliminary summary, but also to eliminate the specific weaknesses of the test machine with carefully selected accessories. These are the winners from the accessories that were tried out for the Triumph Tiger 800 XC in MOTORRAD 25/2011.

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Accessories: After just a few bends, the Continental Trail Attack creates confidence.

tires
After just a few turns, the Continental Trail Attack create confidence, convince with good grip, agile steering behavior and great maneuverability. We also like their very neutral behavior over the entire lean angle range. Wet grip: sufficient; Wear: low.

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Accessories: As elegant as the look of the shock absorber from WP Suspension (model 4014 Fusion) is, its coordination was also convincing.

Strut
As elegant as the look of the shock absorber from WP Suspension (model 4014 Fusion) is, its coordination was also convincing. The setting ranges of the fully adjustable (high and low speed compression, rebound, spring preload) mono-shock are wide and enable it to be precisely fine-tuned. Both in solo and pillion mode, the AB2 offers the best comfort of all the shock absorbers tested, and balances the motorcycle well even when used by two people. The only point of criticism: Changes to the damping or spring preload can only be made with a tool (Allen key) (shock absorber: 799 euros, hydraulic spring preload: 229 euros, www.wp-germany.com).

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Accessories: The MRA Variotouringcreen offers the best wind protection.

disc
The MRA Variotouringcreen offers the best wind protection. Bomb-proof assembly, hardly any turbulence due to the individually and easily adjustable attachment, very good wind protection. However, when the steering wheel is turned fully, the handlebars grip keys the window (www.mra.de, 189.80 euros).

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Accessories: The rear wheel cover from Pyramid Plastics offers all-round protection.

Rear hugger
The rear wheel cover from Pyramid Plastics offers all-round protection. In addition to the shock absorber, which is protected from road debris, the British manufacturer has also taken into account the helpful extension of the chain guard. The perfectly fitting, visually appealing and high-gloss lacquered (but not colored) part costs 149 euros from the importer (www.powerparts-hinz.de).

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Accessories: With rubbers from Lukas (type: MCB 598SV), the double target system bites a little harder, especially in the low speed range.

Brake pads
High hand strength, moderate bite – the somewhat weak front brake is one of the most criticized defects on the Tiger. With rubbers from Lukas (type: MCB 598SV), the double disc system bites a bit more, especially in the low speed range, and is easier to dose thanks to the lower manual force required. However, the stoppers do not mutate into one-finger brakes due to the change (purchase: www.trw.com, 37.95 euros / pair).

Reading experiences

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Typical tiger: on the autumn drive.

Tom Pohlen, 54317 Morscheid
I’ve been driving the Tigers since March 2011 and have now covered 21,000 kilometers without any problems. Only the battery has discharged itself once, and a sensor does not seem to have switched itself off. Useful accessories make this great machine perfect for travel: Hepco & Becker Explorer case, Touratech luggage rack, engine protection bar, side stand extension, aluminum engine guard from Triumph, aluminum chain guard from SW-Motech (longer than the original), Magura handlebar, handlebar riser by 20 millimeters, Acerbis hand protectors as well as headlight protection and gel seat from Triumph. The original handlebar is badly cranked, so you won’t get very far. The engine is a poem, great and very elastic, which is particularly noticeable in the terrain. The chassis is good, but the fork could respond a little more finely. I’ll revise them this winter and probably have progressive springs in place. At some point a slightly better shock absorber is needed, although the original is okay with luggage. The Conti Trail Attack have proven themselves as tires. Overall, I have a very positive impression of the Tiger. It doesn’t always have to be a BMW.

Peter Placzek, 79541 Loerrach
After many years of fire blade, Tiger 955 (too heavy) and a Street Triple (luggage problem and not suitable for bad roads) I bought the Tiger 800 XC with ABS and suitcases in May 2011 and have covered 18,000 kilometers so far. In terms of weight and handling, the 800 XC is exactly what I expected. At the beginning I had problems with the front brake (slow braking effect, spongy pressure point, too long lever travel). The braking effect can be improved by installing Lucas sintered metal linings (MCB 598 SV). During the 10,000 inspection, the rubbing front brake discs were replaced. The steering head bearing was tightened only once. The gasoline consumption is between 4.5 and 5.5 liters. Recommendable and affordable improvements are the mentioned change of the brake pads, the installation of progressively wound fork springs from Wilbers and the removal of the front peg rubbers (two centimeters deeper pegs ensure a more relaxed sitting position). I can only say for myself: a great motorcycle.

Mike Schwarze, 52477 Alsdorf
I bought the Tigers new in May 2011 after doing test drives with the BMW 1200 GS (too expensive), BMW 800 GS (poor seating position) and Yamaha XT 1200 Z (too heavy, no character). After 14,000 kilometers now, I am very satisfied. First I exchanged the chain guard that was too short for one from Pyramid, now the fingers and the shock absorber stay clean when jacking up. After installing a K&N air filter, the hissing of the engine has improved. The heated grips have too little power in continuous operation, so I use the heating level when it is really cold. The drive chain is in very good condition and has only been retensioned twice. The petrol consumption is 5.5 liters. As original accessories, I also added a radiator guard, crash bar and oil pan protection. Since the Triumph cases are too small for my camping trips, I bought a matching set of aluminum cases from Touratech. Expensive but good.

Dr. Georg Fieseler, 34346 Hannoversch Munden
As soon as I bought the machine in February 2012 and had just run it in, I set off on a trip through Eastern Europe in June – 6500 kilometers, partly over gravel roads. The machine never had a defect, started reliably every morning, the original accessories (case, crash bar, engine protection, main stand) and various add-on parts (Touratech) not only have to be fitted precisely, but also withstand such loads without damage or problems. I have now ridden 8000 kilometers with the machine without any complaints. As a big Triumph fan (still drive a Speed ​​Triple), I think that the engine is addictive anyway. My buddies, who mostly drive Bavarian two-cylinder engines, always like to swap bikes with me on tours – but I also like to go back. I recommend the Tiger to anyone who goes on long tours and trips, likes to dash around corners quickly, is happy about problem-free luggage storage and wants to listen to an engine that makes you grin on your face on every trip.

Lukas Aeberhard, CH-3216 Ried
Since November 2011 I have been driving a Triumph Tiger 800 XC without ABS with a silver-gray frame, the so-called First Edition. There are currently around 7,000 kilometers on the clock. What I enjoy about the Tiger XC: a unique look, low-vibration and smooth engine, reasonable consumption (5.2 to 5.6 liters), good seating comfort, very good knee grip and much, much more. What I want from the Englishwoman: fully adjustable fork and shock absorber (savings were made in the wrong place), more ground clearance, more lean angle, permanent total kilometers display in the cockpit (even while driving), slightly shorter secondary ratio (second gear in serpentines sometimes weak), less high engine temperature (heat warms the frame), robust luggage rack made of metal instead of plastic, seat lock on the side instead of above the license plate (soiling, attachment of license plate). Previous defects: spring shift shaft (goodwill), main stand (update), steering head bearing retightened twice.

Used Triumph Tiger 800XC in Germany

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The prices for used Triumph Tiger 800XC are attractive.

The Triumph Tiger 800XC is part of the middle class travel enduro and is perhaps even considered a small insider tip alongside the Japanese competition. The availability of used Tiger 800XC is good and the prices are extremely attractive too. Here is a current overview of the motorcycle market: used Triumph Tiger 800XC in Germany.

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