If you are on a lookout for a performance bike priced between Rs 10-15 lakh, there are many to choose from. The buying decision is only a small part of it and the real fun starts when you ride them. The quickest options are super sport bikes, with speed that can thrill, but they are the least practical.
The other option are cruisers, they remain among aspirational. Their styling and low seat height plays a big role in making them accessible for riders of all sizes. That said, they are a pain to ride in traffic. Here come the street bikes that make a good case for themselves, as they can be used in the city and have speed on tap.
But, none of the aforementioned bikes have the ability to go anywhere, like you can with an ADV bike. The Tiger is the king of the segment and has left us impressed. We rode the bike to Lavasa because Mumbai drowned owing to the heavy rains.
How does it look?
The British bike maker made more than 200 updates to the New Tiger 800. But, when you look at it, you would find it difficult to spot the differences. But upon closer inspection you will see that the bike now has different LED DRLs and reworked body panels. In fact, let aside the fuel tank all the panels have been redesigned to make the Tiger 800 look smaller. The XRx also sports a TFT instrument cluster. This display showcases all of the information with the use of a five-way joystick. The bike also has a screen that can be adjusted manually similar to the Ducati.
The bike uses a 800cc three-cylinder mill that makes 93.7hp and 79Nm of torque. But, the bike maker has tuned it to rev more freely. The gearing is also shorter and the crankshaft is new. The exhaust is lighter than the older model, but our bike was equipped with the optional Arrow unit.
How does it perform?
The Tiger also had responsive ride-by-wire and a motor that feels more tractable and smooth. As we headed out of the city, we faced traffic and this where the motor behaved very well. However, we were left wishing for a slipper clutch. When we got onto the highway, the Tiger 800 was eating up the kilometres. We were sitting between 5,000 and 6,000rpm and overtakes required a little twist of the throttle.
The Tiger 800 is quick and backed by loads of electronics that help inexperienced riders. The upright riding position was the best it could be for touring and the seat is well-padded. Riding through heavy rain was easy thanks to the rider modes available. In rain mode, the bike still gives you all of its power but in a smooth manner to protect the tyre from slipping. The bike also gets cruise control and heated grips as standard, both amazing features for touring.
The Tiger handled rough tarmac with ease, all you were required to do was stand up and open throttle. This was thanks to the Showa fork and monoshock that offered extensive travel. However, there is very little adjustability on offer because this bike is a mid-spec model.
Should I buy one?
The new Tiger 800 XRx at Rs 13.3 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) is Rs 1 lakh more expensive than the bike it replaces. This is quite a large hike, but we should keep in mind that prices for CKD motorcycles were recently increased. The updates have made the XRx much more appealing. Overall, the Tiger 800 XRx is a smart buy.
