Daily Rider Review: Triumph Tiger 800 XCX (2015) – Two Years On the Trail
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Triumph Tiger 800 XCX Review.
In this post, I share my honest, long-term experience with the 2015 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX, a mid-weight adventure bike that I’ve owned for two years. From tar to trail, I’ve ridden, fallen, and explored South Africa’s most rugged terrain with this capable ADV machine. Here’s how it held up.
Quick Info
- Bike: Triumph Tiger 800 XCX
- Purchased for: R95,000 (second-hand)
- Odometer: 38,000 km
- Year: 2015
Triumph Tiger 800 XCX Specs
- Engine: In-line three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 799cc, fuel-injected
- Power: 95 bhp
- Torque: 58 ft-lbs
- Wet weight: 220 kg
- Seat height: 840–860 mm
- Tank capacity: 19 litres
- Tyres: 21-inch front, 17-inch rear
- Front suspension: WP USD forks
- Rear suspension: WP Monoshock
Why Did I Choose This Bike?
Although I’d call myself a diehard Triumph fan today, that wasn’t always the case. When I first started looking for my first adventure bike, I was more focused on affordability than a specific brand. In a world where adventure bikes cost almost as much as a small apartment, this was no easy feat.
Eventually, after many days of research, I found the Triumph 800 XCX—an adventure bike built off a superbike platform. At the time, I thought it was a pretty cool flex. It came with ABS, traction control, cruise control, and a center stand, which aren’t always standard in the price bracket I was shopping in. It was a no-brainer.
I financed the bike for R95,000 at Berm Motorcycles in Boksburg (back when they were still called Holeshot Motorcycles). And so, my journey began as the proud new owner of a Triumph 800 XCX and a new member of the Triumph community.
What Kind of Riding Did I Do?
While I’d love to tell stories of shredding single tracks and jumping over mountains, I think most ADV riders don’t go that extreme. Adventure bikes are heavy machines, after all, and there’s a common misconception that these bikes can do everything perfectly, which simply isn’t true. They’re more of a compromise, designed to handle most types of riding, rather than excelling in just one area like pure off-roading or highway cruising.
That being said, I’ve taken my Tiger through some pretty rough terrain, including forest trails and steep dirt inclines and it was surprisingly capable. But there are drawbacks. Here are the good and bad from my trips:
What’s Good?
- The sportbike character in an adventure frame
- The silky-smooth engine that revs to 10,000 rpm
- Hugely adjustable suspension
- Minimal but essential electronics
- Super reliable and dependable
- Takes a beating and keeps going
- Never left me stranded
- Strong, reliable brakes
- Feels like a sportbike at the top of the rev range
- A dream to ride on highways—cruise control is excellent for long-distance
- Comfortable for both rider and pillion
What’s Not Good?
When you put a sportbike engine in an adventure frame, there are always compromises, especially off-road. While it has great suspension, a 21-inch front wheel, and other ADV-friendly gear, the Tiger 800 XCX is top-heavy, which makes it difficult to handle on rocky or uneven terrain.
I dropped mine a few times and struggled to lift it. At 220 kg, it’s not light, but that’s fairly standard for adventure bikes. Still, because it’s so top-heavy, it feels heavier than it actually is. If you’re not a big guy, you might struggle to pick it up. It’s also quite tall, so for shorter riders, it’s easy to tip and drop, even while standing still. Embarrassingly, it’s happened to me too, and I’m not particularly short.
I also struggled with the power delivery while off-road. What made the bike great on highways worked against it off-road. The Tiger 800 XCX has most of its power in the upper rev range, and lacks the low-end grunt needed for technical terrain. I often found myself revving higher than I liked, which led to the engine running hot.
On a hot South African day, I occasionally had to stop and let the bike cool down while riding mountain trails. One solution might be to change the sprockets, but while that may help off-road, it would negatively impact highway performance.
Finding a perfect balance between off-road capability and road performance is difficult. In my opinion, the Tiger 800 XCX leans more toward road use, but Triumph has done a solid job of achieving a happy medium. I’d say it’s a 70/30 on-road to off-road split.
But don’t get me wrong, in the hands of an experienced rider, this bike can do anything. It has the right equipment. The real question is: how much are you willing to struggle with it? That’s a decision only you can make.
Servicing and Cost of Parts
When I first bought the Tiger 800 XCX, I got a great deal from the dealership. What I didn’t consider was the cost of maintenance. In South Africa, Triumph is a premium brand, and the prices reflect that.
- Average service cost: R4,000–R5,000
- Valve clearance service: Over R10,000
- Service intervals: Every 15,000 km (valve clearance at 40,000 km, depending on the model year)
A good headlight protector is essential—replacing a cracked headlight will cost a fortune. The same goes for items like the front mudguard, which can cost up to R6,000. I once had a plastic bucket fly off a truck on the highway and hit my front mudguard, breaking the left mount. The dealer price nearly gave me a heart attack, but I managed to get a second-hand one from Mike Mac, a well-known Triumph mechanic in Edenvale, for about R4,000.
Advice for New Triumph Tiger Owners
If you’re planning to take your bike off-road, invest in protection. You can’t go wrong with:
- Bark Busters
- Tank Guards
- A good skid plate (Triumph’s stock plates aren’t bad)
Triumphs are a joy to ride but expensive to repair. Take the necessary precautions to protect your investment.
Would I Recommend a Triumph Tiger 800 XCX—or a Triumph in General?
Absolutely! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Tiger 800 XCX and had many great adventures on it. My only advice is to really assess your needs before buying.
Ask yourself:
- What’s your riding style?
- Where will you be riding?
- Will you ride with a pillion?
- If you’re riding rough terrain, can your budget handle potential damage?
Owning the Tiger 800 XCX was a pleasure, and I can confidently recommend Triumph as a brand. The community is strong, the support is great, and I’ve owned multiple Triumphs in the past. Just choose a bike that fits your riding style.
For the 2015 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX, I’d say it’s a 70/30 road-to-off-road bike. If that sounds like your kind of riding, this could be the perfect bike for you.
Would I Buy One Again?
This is always a tough question. Motorcycling is not one-size-fits-all.
On one hand—yes. I’d definitely buy another one. It’s a fantastic, great-looking bike. There are few ADV bikes that look this good, perform this well, and still offer off-road capability.
But on the other hand, I didn’t love how top-heavy it was, or where the power sits in the rev range. Ultimately, it comes down to riding style. If I could own multiple bikes, the Tiger would definitely be in the garage. But for someone like me, who can only afford one, it’s just a bit too cumbersome for the kind of off-roading I enjoy, even though it’s capable.
The Verdict
The Triumph Tiger 800 XCX blends adventure-ready performance with long-distance comfort and sporty road manners. Over two years, I took it across all kinds of terrain, dropped it a few times, and came to truly appreciate what it offers.
It’s not perfect, its top-heavy build and high-revving engine might not suit all off-road riders, but it’s reliable, well-built, and supported by a great community.
If your riding is mostly on-road with occasional dirt adventures, the Tiger 800 XCX could be your ideal adventure partner.
Special Thanks
A big thank you to the team at Triumph Sandton for their support and service throughout my ownership experience. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to Mike Mac, the renowned Triumph specialist in Edenvale, for his expert advice and affordable parts. Your guidance has been invaluable in keeping the Tiger running strong!
