Triumph presents a new bike for serious adventurers. Fresh out of the factory, the 2011 Tiger 800XC already made a mark in the city and beyond with a 21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel wrapped in dual-purpose rubber. Equally at ease on asphalt and dirt, it targets a vast market looking for a go-anywhere motorcycle that remains easy to live with on a daily basis.

Triumph presents a new bike for serious adventurers. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)

The Tiger 800XC boasts a tall, clean profile and a much stronger emphasis on off-road styling than the 1,050-cc Tiger SE. The fully-exposed tubular steel frame and forward-mounted three-cylinder engine, along with the twin headlights capped by a clear windscreen, define the visual identity of this new conqueror.

Civilized performance
The Street Triple 675-derived engine produces 94 hp at 9,300 rpm and 62 lb-ft of torque at 7,800 rpm. Displacement grew to 799 cc thanks to a longer piston stroke (61.9 mm vs 52.3 mm). The powerplant benefits from increased oil flow, a more powerful alternator and revised gear ratios that limit revs and fuel consumption.

A smoother power delivery, longer gears and extra weight make the Tiger 800XC less explosive than the Street Triple, but that's perfectly fine when you ride a dual-purpose bike. The flexible and charismatic engine peacefully yet convincingly picks up the pace at medium revs while producing sound effects reminiscent of a flat-six from Porsche. What a treat!

With generous torque available as early as 2,000 rpm, there's no need to downshift a couple of gears to effectively launch past those four-wheelers called automobiles on a small byroad. Plus, this feline quickly finds a way out of tough spots on the trail, allowing you to stick to a single gear.

The Street Triple 675-derived engine produces 94 hp at 9,300 rpm and 62 lb-ft of torque at 7,800 rpm. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)