Extra Stuff
The XCx model has a package deal that comes with it and you get crash
bars hugging the front of the bike, you’ll get an aluminium skid plate if
you go for seriously lumpy play, hand guards for those nasty
blackberry bushes on the Byway and you’ll get a centre stand for
cleaning and maintaining your Tiger. What you get on this is a first in
class and something that I’ve not seen before to be honest... cruise
control. I shit you not, an 800cc dual sport dirt hungry bike with cruise
control. This was just the cherry on top of a well thought out layer cake
of a bike. I did have a play with this one on the M6 and sat chuckling as
the Tiger pulled me up slight hills towards Cumbria without me having
to do anything, I did think that trying to flip the lid and have a smoke
would of being taking it a tad too far. I’d of preferred the little button
not to be over the starter button as I felt a little awkward keeping the
speed and hooking a thumb up and over. It wasn’t a massive deal but
anything that makes me stop looking at the road tends to get a bit of
moan from me, even if it is a very thoughtful bit of kit. As is the
radiator guard that comes with the XC range, a great deal of thought
has gone into the making of this bike.
You’ll also notice for the green lane / off road minded that you now
have spokes in your wheels and that the front wheel is 21”. You see,
they do listen if you keep yelling. This little lot is not the only updates
and add ons... I told you there was a lot! Triumph have updated the
gear box and it was a smooth foot flicking pleasure to go up and down
the gears. First gear does like a little tickle action to get the ball rolling
in standard setting and coming straight off a VStrom 650 on the Tiger
800 I promptly stalled it in the middle of the road! A quick cough,
restart and a tickle of gas and she was away as smooth as a babies
bum. You’ll also find a couple of very handy 12v outlets for your bits
and pieces. Triumph have also put in a throttle-by-wire as we spoke
about in the settings. This is said to aid full consumption and of course,
the Tiger comes with a digital block fuel gauge. I don’t really trust
motorbike fuel gauges and nor should anyone, they are a rough guide
as the tank moves around so much you just get a basic idea on the
straight of when to get some more go go juice. Bringing us on nicely
to...