Tiger 800 vs Tiger 1200

[Rink675]

Which one would you rather have and why? I want to get a commuting/ fun bike and I am torn between the 800 and 1200.

[Knolly]

I've only rode the 800 but from every review of the Explorer, the general opinion seems to be that the Tiger 800 is such a fantastic bike that the Explorer is really an answer to a question no one asked.

[dabird]

Originally Posted by Rink675

Which one would you rather have and why? I want to get a commuting/ fun bike and I am torn between the 800 and 1200.

They are both great bikes. I plan on getting the 800 in the future. I tried them both, and found the 1200 explorer to be way too tall. I'm 6' and could barley touch my tip toes to the ground. also my wife claimed she felt she was sitting to high up on the passenger seat. In the smaller tigers. There is the 800, and the 800xc. again I found the xc to be a little tall. and really are you going to to be riding off road? I found the 800 to be just right. Plenty of power, handles great, and was comfortable. Try them all and pick the one that suits you. Me, I don't feel secure if I can't flat foot.

[MacBandit]

If you want a commuting and all around fun bike the 800 would be the answer. If you want a mile pounder touring machine that can go down gravel roads then the 1200 is the machine. One is a touring bike that can do gravel the other is a sort of long travel standard/do everything. Personally however if you are use to a 675 the 800 feels slow.

[Rink675]

Originally Posted by dabird

They are both great bikes. I plan on getting the 800 in the future. I tried them both, and found the 1200 explorer to be way too tall. I'm 6' and could barley touch my tip toes to the ground. also my wife claimed she felt she was sitting to high up on the passenger seat. In the smaller tigers. There is the 800, and the 800xc. again I found the xc to be a little tall. and really are you going to to be riding off road? I found the 800 to be just right. Plenty of power, handles great, and was comfortable. Try them all and pick the one that suits you. Me, I don't feel secure if I can't flat foot.

I figured the 1200 was tall but I didn't think it was that tall! I will have to get the 800 then because I am fine with all sportbikes but getting higher then that would start to bring issues.

Yea I would do tons of off road riding, there are so many trails that run from state to state that ATV's, dirtbikes and ect use so it would be fun to be able to go off road and not have to bring a trailer and drive to a place just to ride.

I just wish you could find them used because I could get myself one mean race bike for the cost of a brand new 800 lol.

[eldridge216]

800 XC model for me....... spoked wheels, little more beefy supspension, and slightly more off road oriented.

[firestarter]

having bought a tiger 800 in march last year thinking it would be a great ride boy was i mistaken it got sold earlier this year because 94hp and 210kilos of bike make for a slugish bike that only had at best avarage gas milage. i traded it in for a 2008 speed triple with arrows that returns better economy than the tiger ever did and puts a big smile on my face every time i ride it where as the tiger was just a bike all be it a triumph

[Rink675]

Originally Posted by firestarter

having bought a tiger 800 in march last year thinking it would be a great ride boy was i mistaken it got sold earlier this year because 94hp and 210kilos of bike make for a slugish bike that only had at best avarage gas milage. i traded it in for a 2008 speed triple with arrows that returns better economy than the tiger ever did and puts a big smile on my face every time i ride it where as the tiger was just a bike all be it a triumph

Did you ever take it off road?

[MacBandit]

Originally Posted by firestarter

having bought a tiger 800 in march last year thinking it would be a great ride boy was i mistaken it got sold earlier this year because 94hp and 210kilos of bike make for a slugish bike that only had at best avarage gas milage. i traded it in for a 2008 speed triple with arrows that returns better economy than the tiger ever did and puts a big smile on my face every time i ride it where as the tiger was just a bike all be it a triumph

That's pretty much my impression of the 800 as well. Also as for fuel mileage for comparison the Tiger 1050 can get high 50s for fuel mileage and the as you know the 800 is lucky to get in the high 40s.

[Rink675]

Originally Posted by MacBandit

That's pretty much my impression of the 800 as well. Also as for fuel mileage for comparison the Tiger 1050 can get high 50s for fuel mileage and the as you know the 800 is lucky to get in the high 40s.

Such disappointing news, how much off road riding did you do?