TIGER 800 XCx
While the 1200 was getting the most
attention from riders looking to take a
pillion, anyone with a serious eye towards
solo riding on our great gravel backroads
was going for the lighter, smaller 800. While
I love the power and torque of the1200, the
800’s 70kW (94hp) three-cylinder engine has
more than enough go for most solo riders
and there’s a 40kg weight benefit making it a
much better proposition for anyone looking
to get dirty.
Like the bigger machine, the Tiger 800
benefits from the easy-to-understand and
adjust display, Brembo brakes, switchable
ABS and traction control, power sockets
for accessories, heated grips and riding
modes. Unlike the 1200, the 800 doesn’t
get the electronic suspension but bouncing
duties are taken care of by quality WP units
front and rear. It’s all adjustable but you’ll
78 KIWI RIDER
need to do it the conventional way with a
screwdriver, and not while you’re riding.
The XCx model misses out on a centre-
stand, back-lit switch blocks, LED fog lights
and headlight, heated seats and the user-
programmable riding mode which can be
configured exactly how the rider wants.
In the twistier corners and on gravel is
where I think the 800 comes into its own,
with its 21-inch front wheel it feels sur e-
footed yet easy to get through sharp corners
and well able to cross patches of built up
gravel or over the crown of the road.
Braking is less immediate than on the
1200 but there’s still plenty of power there
to stop quickly and I found having a little
less immediate power at my fingertips was
a bonus on loose gravel on the way into
corners.