Do Not Buy A Triumph Tiger Until You Watch This | 18,000 Mile Review

In this long term owners review I talk about everything good and bad about this motorcycle.
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[@VenkyVenky-wg4hd]

Though I am not a goon on my Tiger XCX yet, it is great to see you ride this bike to its limits. Thanks for the great content and would love to see your Goonish review of 900. You covered all the good, bad and ugly. T800 is a great bike to have and is a definite keeper. I did 4 X 10000 KM rides across the country and this bike is just much more capable than it is actually intended to. I am very happy with my purchase and the bike is 4 years old. Cheers mate!

[@BornAGoon]

Its a great bike and I want a new one but I find it hard to part with. We all have a little goon in us somewhere

[@JetWash4U]

Awesome video, thanks for the uploaded, sadly I watched this after buying, not before.. but you have highlighted everything I was feeling in the early days

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching you will love the tiger

[@muzzaball]

Thank you for an interesting an honest review of this bike. It is in my sights for my first Adv bike. Cheers.

[@BornAGoon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@medicroach985]

I have a 2012 Tiger. Amazing review! You put into words how the Tiger feels Off-road better than anyone else! I got to ride my friends KTM and it’s like night and day. I do a majority of my riding on pavement, with some off-road trails. It does great for what I need but as far as a BDR adventure bike, it would do terribly.

[@filofilo8127]

Good video. I have a tiger 800 also . Good note about the crash bars. I'm researching upper crash bars atm.

[@BornAGoon]

I thing Heed bars and SW motoek do not mount to that engine

[@CreamPolo]

Got XRx version and still in love with it.

[@michaelidarecis]

Have the 2011 800 XC and with 45,000 miles it is fantastic. Mostly loaded with tools used for my audio jobs. Always with at least 50-100 pounds of tools. Have not cleaned air filter Have not changed spark plugs Have not changed chain and sprockets Have not washed it more than 2 times a year Have kept it outside for 5 years. .

[@BornAGoon]

Lol what a workhorse

[@cfvgd]

cmon give it some love now then! :´D

[@michaelidarecis]

@@cfvgd This year am going to clean her up she is awesome and every time thinking of getting a new bike said NOPE just not good enough...

[@bradgray5629]

Excellent video, very few are half as good. I appreciate your background

[@BornAGoon]

I appreciate that!

[@giannisdetsis9534]

Nice review bro. I would love to see your review on tiger 900 rally pro

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching I hope to ride one soon

[@RobertSkinn]

Great vid, thanks. On paper the Triumph Tiger 900 does seem to address many of the issues you have with the 800. Would make an excellent video comparison!

[@BornAGoon]

Yes it does Hopefully I get the chance to cmpare them Thanks for watching

[@tomassoyweyvon4902]

Absolute Wonderful Review!!, your articulation of the High and Low points of the Tiger is what is expected of a Review, Yes please on the the 900, Thumbs UP!!!.p.s. your review of the Tenere would be welcomed!!!

[@BornAGoon]

I would love to get a Tenere to test

[@pauldavies9360]

I have one. The manifold header split. The engine blew up doing 90mph. The front fork seals leaked. I dropped it in a petrol garage and it damaged the spring in the gear shifter which needed replacing. The throttle cable corroded and needed replacing. That being said I fixed it all at the cost of about £1,700 And I still have it.

[@harrywiebe]

My only problem at 40k km is the starter. It drags when hot. I'm putting a Rick's starter in this spring.

[@defylifeadventure]

Confused about the power low down. I thought the 2018 XC is geared lower (in 1st) and both the 800 and the 900 make something like 95% of their peak torque already by 2.5-3k rpm. I really need to get one and give it a go myself. I recon a combination of the 800 (2018+) firing order in the 900 chassis, would be great.

[@ALL-gr4gu]

Nice! Tês i was wondering about you reviewing the tiger 🐯 900

[@BornAGoon]

I would love to test a new Tiger havent had the chance

[@jordidewaard2937]

Can you actually flat foot this bike with your height? I was considering getting the XRX so I can get the lower seat (believe the regular XR is 810mm? Could be wrong on that). Haven't gotten the chance to mount anything other than a 800 XC yet and that was definitely too tall

[@colebaldwin3532]

I've owned 2 tiger 800's, I love them! But one thing I've never heard anyone say anything about are the passenger pegs. They aren't removable. I almost broke my ankle on my first bike getting my leg pinned up against it in a ditch. I ended up cutting them off with a hacksaw😬

[@bigmankz]

I would love to see what's the 900rally pro would suit you and how it compares to the 800xca that you have.

[@BornAGoon]

yea me too would love to ride that thing

[@Paul66Videos]

I would love to hear your thoughts on the 900. I have a 2014 Tiger 800. It is the more road oriented version but has served me well for the light off road riding that I like to do. Hearing your thoughts on the riding modes makes me glad that all I have is ABS. I concur with your observations about flimsy cosmetics. I dropped mine in a muddy, rutted farm road and couldn't believe the damage - windscreen mount, headlight casing, and, less surprising, pannier bracket. After that incident, the bike seemed much less "adventurous" than I would expect. I've seen other adventure bikes dropped with far less damage. As you point out, it provides a beautiful road ride. I just wish it was a bit more rugged for off road adventures.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching I would love to ride a 900 but it looks more cosmetically fragile Like the pointy metal gas tank looks so eay to dent lol

[@atarijam]

I have a 2014 road version too and recently a car hit me hard (T-bone). The only damage I had was a cracked mirror. The engine guard and bark buster took the whole fall

[@AlexQubain]

Is the early 2000s tiger 955i worth buying?

[@javierbouzada3788]

Agree with you 98%, where I agree with you almost 100 in all your other videos. I have pretty much the same bike. It is just a shame you don't understand (or you are trying to be argumentative) traction control. I have to say that I don't feel difference between Road and sport, but definitely one of them is needed for on the road with knobs. If you try to make sense out of it on the gravel, well you don't understand why those modes are on the bike, and I do understand your frustration. Great Video as usual.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching I do understand traction control On the newer models you can dial in just what you need but these 2 modes the bike will not move off road at all. I crashed hard once off road by not remembering the TC resets after you turn the motor off that is why I said it was dangerous lol. On the road, maybe if its wet with knobbies but I still feel this engine is too smooth and mild for that but I get your point Maybe my TC is defective I dont know. Thanks again

[@carstenpobzien2130]

the point i love the most on my XCX is the reliability. in 100.000 KM or 65.000 miles i had to change 4 headlight bulbs . That´s it. No problems. Never.

[@beborodner930]

As a 2012 800 xc owner.. this video REALLY does an accurate summation of this bike. I found myself agreeing with every word. My bike has HEED crash bars and an Adraeani Misano fork cartridge upgrade that really improves stock handling..but everything else is stock . And it's super reliable and tough with all the highway to single track to back home abusive trips I've thrown at it. And that triple sounds so good with the stock pipe.. I really love this bike! My biggest complaints are that you gotta work this thing off road, but it's not something that makes off road riding a chore.. it's just different.. and spolling up and sliding that rear tire on the dirt is addicting. If your debating this over an F800 or an Africa Twin.. you won't be disappointed! I promise.

[@QuelloVeloce7]

I would like his opinion on new ducati hypermotard

[@pneumaticman5927]

Goon, are you in New Mexico or Utah?

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Amazingly, I have never ever considered the Triumph Tiger 800 XCX to replace my Tenere. However, and no that I am older, it is a viable option. Plus it comes with all the fruit - cruise, heated grips, nice screen, adjustable suspension - and a decent touring range too. I was worried about the weight, only to find out it is about 8kg heavier than a T7 wet. I think this may be my next offroad tourer!

[@TheHortond]

I changed the tires, battery 2 times, fork seals and I had to get a tune on it for the fuel cut off. But 40k miles on it 20k is mine and its only a 2007.

[@robinsongguitars]

I have an opportunity to buy a 2013 Tiger 800XC with luggage (43k miles) for $6700 USD. Any thoughts on the '13 as compared to newer Trumpets??? Any quirks, known issues or ? with the year??? thx

[@BornAGoon]

The newer tiger 800s have tft displays and a series of rider modes There were tons of minor upgrades made between the 2013 and 2018s The 2013 will be a great bike but if you cab squeeze in a 2018 2019 I would

[@john-wq8kf]

Well after three bmw including two gsa’s this bike is brilliant I’ve been riding for fifty years and I think I know what makes a bike right for me not tractor like compared to my older gsa’s I was hooked on what I read about the versatility and off road character of the BMW’s which I’m afraid I didn’t find at all plus service costs where high. I can service my tiger 800 myself. Yes it’s not a trail oriented but as an all rounder including gravel tracks it’s great

[@chas4life]

Ive never ridden the 800, but put over 50k miles on a 2015 Explorer 1200. When one day in 2021 I was in for service, I took a test ride on the 900 RP and saw some real improvement and the possibility that the 900 could be a better bike offfroad, so I traded in the 1200. Not only is the 900RP a better offroad machine by far, it is actually a better onroad machine than the previous design generation. 12k miles later, and I fall more in love with the 900RP every time I ride it!

[@BornAGoon]

I would love to have a rally pro They just got so expensive but I love Triumphs let me know how the bike works long term

[@chas4life]

@@BornAGoon fingers crossed this is my forever bike and sorry didn't mean to hijack your excellent reviews of the tiger 800. I've also been very impressed with the reliability of Triumph. In all my miles on the 1200 the only thing ever to go bad were fork seals and that was probably to be expected as I did ride it off-road and not too gently. I came to your channel to get your reviews on the 800 because I have a friend who is looking for an 800 and your info has been very helpful!

[@jf7393]

Gotta say I think you might have ridden offroad on a tiger harder than anyone else in the world literally.

[@BornAGoon]

lol thank you I have been a bit abusive with that thing but that is how it goes

[@colebaldwin3532]

I raced mine in a nhha and I was kicking ass until the 10 miles section of sand whoops😄

[@badkatrising3918]

You should have kept the triumph. For what you sold it for, you couldn’t even come close to replacing it and it is always nice to have a spare bike as well as the price won’t even go down anymore from where it’s at when you sold it. I don’t know your financial situation obviously but I’m an old crabby bastard and I’ve learned a couple things and one of them is I wish I didn’t sell some of the bikes that I had because I didn’t need too. The couple bikes that I did save it’s really nice to get back on them once every 10 years because it takes you back down that memory trail that you just can’t beat. I like your review you did great wish you the best with your new bike. Oh yeah by the way since this was two years ago when he did this I’m sure you’ve already had it so there’s that. Don’t forget to feed the cat

[@MMRF87]

Something I saw a lot on the internet is the oil consumption. Every 1000 mile or so, some oil had to be added, because it is "normal"/"common" that this engine would consume some oil ( maybe more in older models up to 2017/2018?). Did you have this problem? Thank you for the great video!

[@YTisDumb]

I have 16k miles on my '18 800 xca, and my engine hasn't burned a drop since around the 3k mark. As soon as the piston rings seated it was fine.

[@jeffangstman9043]

Have a 2018 xrx. Have never put one bit of oil in it between oil changes. A great engine other than the air cleaner under gas tank. Should be under seat Ala KTM.

[@jeffangstman9043]

Also needs a lower first gear and higher 6th gear. It is still geared like the old 675 triple road racer.

[@jeffangstman9043]

The 900 has addressed some of these issues. But lost it's old 800 charm with different crank and firing order. Not as smoothe as an 800 and not the sound.

[@Synistercrayon]

No worries.

[@UnicornMoto]

More comparisons to the T7 please! I have a down payment on a T7 - but no idea when it’ll arrive. Maybe I should look harder at a gently used Tiger 800?

[@DanDanai1]

If your main focus is off-road, get the T-7, if your main focus are paved roads, definitely go for the tiger!

[@UnicornMoto]

@@DanDanai1 I BOUGHT THE TIGER!!

[@DanDanai1]

@@UnicornMoto Congratulations! I’m sure you’re gonna love the bike. I’ve got one parked in front of my house as well 😊

[@woohooivan]

@@UnicornMotohow do you like it offroad?

[@UnicornMoto]

@@woohooivan I loved the Tiger 850 Sport on the street. But by the end of the summer I discovered the Aprilia Tuareg 660. I took it for a test ride and traded in the Tiger. I don't feel as though I lost anything on the street, but I def gained in suspension and features. Supposed to be better off road as well - but I haven't spent much time there yet.

[@powsinogaAleksandra]

I got 2012 tiger 800 with 36k miles and planing to go around the world with this bike right naw I'm in Alaska

[@BornAGoon]

what a great trip you will love the Tiger keep me posted

[@Motor-City_Ben-Diesel]

3 cylinder motors are my favorite motorcycle engine sounds.

[@BornAGoon]

I love that 3 cylinder

[@graemepawson]

So I have a Tiger 800, and I absolutely love the bike street and medium dirt, the issue that I have is the front tire tread cups within 1000 miles (Sinko 705 & Dunlop Trailmax) I am aware that it's the way I ride, I'm just wondering if anyone else has the same issue, I'm thinking that my next tire will need to be more street tread.

[@BornAGoon]

I didnt have that with the Shinkos Have you tried adjusting your suspension

[@graemepawson]

@@BornAGoon That's the thing with the XRX that is only pre-load on the rear. I used to ride a Yamaha FZ 600 but this bike I ride completely differently, because of the amount of torque I ride more point and shoot so slower entry and power from the apex, I love it it digs its ass in and gets going.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

Why criticize road or rain traction control settings in the dirt?

[@BornAGoon]

Because it works like that everywhere

[@danilocapellan1316]

My next motorcycle

[@BornAGoon]

sweet let me know when you get it

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

I bought a new 2013 Tiger 800XC and it was easily the worst purchase I ever made. It was so bad that I will probably never own another Euro bike. The bike was completely worn out after 3 years and 42k miles. I couldn't leave town on it anymore.

[@ozziejim8472]

Maybe a change of muffler might give more torque?

[@BornAGoon]

yea I could have done a lot to it but I sold it and got a dirtbike

[@ianfutcher1518]

The reason road and rain wasn’t working is because you were riding on loose ground so the traction control is kicking in

[@maximkapustin1307]

Great

[@BornAGoon]

Thank you

[@ChaserTiponi]

No harm no foul if you wanna ride this bike off road. I just bought one of these this afternoon. But I bought the bike as a mid sized touring bike. And a get around town bike and a maybe do a couple hour ride bike. All on road. I got it 11000 miles on it and it had all the appropriate add on already on that I wanted. Too many to list but it came with the solid saddle bags and top case which are of course removable and depending on the days ride that is a neat thing. I would agree it pulls just hard enough in mid and upper range but low end torque is almost non existent IMHO. So I'm gonna add full highway tires and have a very manageable, flickable, easy to ride bike with enough power to clobber miles. This bike suits my needs. If I wanted to do even any off road I personally and humbly would not buy this machine for that. The ground clearance is too low. The low end toque is not suitable. It's just MY opinion, I know they label this bike as Adventure bike. I think it more suits touring with cruise and heated seats n grips and then add on the big luggage package now I can really hop on and cruise!

[@michaelidarecis]

You can always bore it out 1 over with weisco pistons it will make a huge difference

[@BornAGoon]

Yes I can but I dont want to do that much work lol Im lazy

[@vinjofin1972]

Its true. Triumph is reliable. My own Sprint st 955i has 55000 km on the clock. No issues. In our group a rider has a Daytona 955 with 274000 km. No issues and engine is fine. Sees a mechanic only with oil replacement and maintenance. It stll starts and rides.

[@BornAGoon]

love triumphs I will buy one of the enduros

[@mikeboyette3215]

Why would you use Road mode and Rain mode in th dirt they are meant for Road and riding on wet roads.

[@BornAGoon]

Because its easier to break traction and test the limit on dirt Doesnt matter anyway it sucks on the road too

[@tomg6284]

Wait till you adjust the valves. Major $$$$ cams must be pulled if shims are needed.

[@BornAGoon]

I didn't find checking the valves wasn't too bad. Luckily none of them needed shims this time around.

[@doktormoney]

I have a 2006 1050 ST. She has 24,000 miles, and I mildly abuse it every time I can.

[@Mytwistedvoices]

I was online with this review until the traction control. Rain mode is for the wet street road. It de tunes the acceleration so the ride is less likely to break grip with the road. Rain and road is not for off road. I had traveled in storms down the highway in confidence. A feature the bike does very well, and your presentation of it falls flat. The problem with traction control is that if the bike is turned off the ABS comes back on. This has bit me a few times trying to ride off road up hills.

[@BornAGoon]

Everybody views TC differently For me and the way I ride I stand by my comments the TC on this bike sucks. It was so bad when I got the bike I took it to the dealer because I thought the bike was broken Maybe its my bike and the dealer lied but it doesn't just detune the engine mine completely shuts off I could ride on a sheet of ice in off road pro I rode in the rain in rain mode for 5 min and almost binned it I hate when a motor doesnt have consistent RPMs but that is only my view The off road pro is awesome and I love the bike otherwise Who knows maybe something is wrong with my TC

[@Mytwistedvoices]

@@BornAGoon The TC saved me in a tight turn. I was clearly beyond my ability when I was going 65 in a 35 corner. The bike was losing grip when is was leaned over, and the back tire was about to go out, all in slow motion then suddenly regained grip and finished the turn. My heart was pounding. I just can fault the TC system. (Dry road in ROAD mode)

[@BornAGoon]

@@Mytwistedvoices well Im glad it worked for you maybe mine is broken lol

[@johnkorn1810]

Can I cruise at 80mph on a long distance?

[@johnkorn1810]

Also what is the fuel range?

[@BornAGoon]

Yes easily Fuel range is about 220 to 250 miles a tank on HWY depending on how you ride

[@TheHortond]

My tiger must be broke. Mine came with a 1050 engine.

[@flyovercounty1427]

The only thing that has needed premature repair on my 2017 XCa is the KTM (WP) front suspension hahahahaaaa

[@BornAGoon]

Funny you said that I left out on my review that my right front fork has drag in it lol

[@FrankieWellman]

You need a BRP for this kind of stuff and keep your Triumph on the road and doing dirt and fire road stuff. So you need a third bike is what I am saying.

[@BornAGoon]

I know I am tired of picking this thing up off the ground

[@c.g.c2067]

You've been a bit too generous on Triumph's reliability I'm afraid. I didn't have an amazing experience on my 2021 new Triumph, not mechanical issue but electrical and electronic ones.

[@nachohernandez9491]

Why every one says Dont buy until You see this??

[@BornAGoon]

Because we want you to watch the video

[@Ian-bq7gp]

You want it to be simple, budget and reasonable to run. And Some want to do big touring miles crossing continents like BMW GS and others want gizmos so a budget version with nissin brakes and basic forks and crash protection and long service intervals yet others want to use it as occasional transport. It is awful the fragile parts and triumph have purposely built a bike that is not rugged and strong but the tiger should be solid, able to take hard day to day use and not cost a fortune to run, service etc. They need to wake up and suss out their market. Look at bikes like mutt 650

[@Ian-bq7gp]

The mutt 650 is based on the 500 xt Yamaha. I'm not saying make it the same but take some inspiration out of the simplicity of Enfield 650, Himalayan etc as they are selling really well. Many of us love their simplicity but don't have confidence in Chinese quality control but they are solid, not so cheap for the quality in my opinion. I'm an ex despatch rider like Alan Sanders who knows what he is talking about, the bikes being abused and it shows up My gear box, engine and electrical gremlins. That's why I like Suzuki DR650 for travel across Asia, Africa for example.

[@filiptrifunovic7763]

Mate, 18k and 22k... wait till it gets to 118k and 122k, then we will see if the engine is good. With bike from Japan u are 99% sure that it will get 120k easy, with no problems. Talking ofc about older bikes 10-15 years ago.

[@BornAGoon]

I dont think I would keep it to 100k miles lol I usually ditch them every 3 years

[@Ian-bq7gp]

Far longer lasting. Alan Sanders went round the world on one. Great engines and even electrics are far better than earlier tigers

[@briancrn113]

Topping out at 80mph? Lacking in power? Nah, it is geared too high in 1st for sure, we're talking 7mph stall speed. IF the Tiger 800 was geared way lower in 1st, you would not feel that way. Triumph designed this bike NOT as a dirt bike, it is an adventure bike. I too have taken this bike on legit technical stuff it has not business being on. That is NOT to say that this cannot do trails. It can, but if it is steep and technical, this is not your bike. Which adventure bike does steep technical really well? The Tiger hauls ASS, is durable, can do 90% of quad trails. Runs 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Corners just fine. I would love to see someone who can take advantage of every HP this bike produces. I have not felt this is a forward weighted bike. If you want to feel what that is like jump on a Vstrom and go downhill on a rocky technical trail. It doesn't have much ground clearance? 8" Okay, I believe that you would be much happier on a dirt bike. Just want to present a view from another owner who has not had the experiences you have had. Agree with you, it is one amazing motorcyle. Long live the Triple!

[@BornAGoon]

I dont find the Tiger to haul ass compared to its rivals like the KTM 890 It is very front heavy compared to those as well The Vstrom is sorta dated IMO It all depends on your riding I guess but its a loveable bike

[@chriscahill3667]

No bike should have problems at 20,000 miles! Wait until 60,000 miles or more, then tell us about reliability!

[@BornAGoon]

Not true a lot of bikes fail right away or have electronic gremlins

[@Ian-bq7gp]

Ive heard 180000 miles is normal for those tiger 800s. Cranks, gearboxes are good. Id get one and i love triumph triple character after having a 900 daytona

[@kmack282]

This review is full of holes. Different versions are better for the dirt. My 14' XC has a much higher rake because I lowered the rear end 1.5", doubled all suspension WT oil, and installed ROX risers. My bike feels nothing like a concrete rear end and a plow front. Each model is set up for 50/50 riding. If you want to do more dirt, do as I did. If you want to ride more street; slide the front forks through a bit. The adjustments for the suspension needs to be done for the riders weight, and he bashes this bike because he didn't set it up correctly for his weight and purposes. It crushes the tenure as his premiere example when setup with a 15T front sprocket and sus adj as above.

[@BornAGoon]

The review is based on a stock bike as if someone is buying it straight up and riding it Anything can be fixed but that comes at a cost . In stock the bike does plow, it carries its weight front heavy and the motor is underpowered a low RPM No matter what you do to this bike or what you spend it will never be as good as a stock 890 adv R

[@neilbancroft1132]

I have a 2016 Tiger 800 XRt. Best bike I've ever had or ridden. I'm 56 and have ridden Yamaha's, Honda's, Suzuki's, KTM's, BMW's and Kawasaki's. This is by far the best one I've ridden. Other than regular services and maintenance, she hasn't missed a beat. Agree with the engine, switched the 17 tooth out for a 16 tooth on the front, less bottom end but she purrs along on the open road. Don't hate me for it, it's just my preference. Irrespective, if you get one, you will not regret it.

[@neilcole3406]

You sure give that tiger a lot of abuse!

[@BornAGoon]

yes I try

[@jocktigernuts680]

And here we go again with that nauseating background music! WHY DO THEY DO IT?💩

[@BornAGoon]

mood music I guess

[@damiantuttle1348]

All in all a typical phoney off Road bike . No not for me .

[@SuperJimbell]

DONT buy a tiger full stop..pure rubbish

[@marcs990]

@Borm A Goon Great synapses 🫡