Triumph Tiger 800

[browneye]

Have started setting up the bike for light touring, making it more comfy for the wifey.
First I modified the pillion seat by grinding out the middle of it into more of a dish-pan shape while leaving the front full height since it slopes pretty good to the front. Then added a layer of 1" softer foam in the same shape as the new seat top profile. Finally made a new cover out of some carbon-fiber-look vinyl that is BLACK. WTF were they thinking putting a gray cover on the passenger seat anyway??

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

She likes a backrest and I just couldn't stomach those cute givi boxes on an adventure bike, so I made a backrest pad out of 3/8" solid core cabinet plywood, added a 1" peice of the seat foam, and covered with the same vinyl as the seat. The angle surprised me, I had to have her sit on the bike and then set the angle of the backrest so when she leans back it sits square to her back. The support bracket is 2" aluminum angle. And I added strap loops for a bungee net or to strap a roli-bag or whatever on top of the box. Great place to put layers or extra clothes you peel off when it gets hot here. The grab handles are still fully functional.

I also did a bit of tail-tidy to get rid of some of the bracketry back there. Trimmed off the fender below the license plate and shortened the reflector bracket. The side reflectors had to go, too clap-trap and I can add reflective tape to the boxes if johnny-law doesn't like it the way it is.

Factory engine guards and a center stand are on their way too.

[motomuppet]

Originally Posted by henryII

Spotted this at my dealer last day. I think the color looks good on the XC

So after several trips to my local dealer to gawk, quibble and drool over the black XC, I finally paid my money and said I will pick it up in a week. Next sat roles around and there is my sexy new black xc, plated with my chosen bits and pieces on it sitting out the fornt....right next to one of these green meanies fresh outta the crate! They look awesome in the flesh....still love my balck one, but what a cruel trick to play on a guy!

[RichardU]

Originally Posted by browneye

Have started setting up the bike for light touring, making it more comfy for the wifey.

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[live2ridetahoe]

Originally Posted by browneye

Have started setting up the bike for light touring, making it more comfy for the wifey.
First I modified the pillion seat by grinding out the middle of it into more of a dish-pan shape while leaving the front full height since it slopes pretty good to the front. Then added a layer of 1" softer foam in the same shape as the new seat top profile. Finally made a new cover out of some carbon-fiber-look vinyl that is BLACK. WTF were they thinking putting a gray cover on the passenger seat anyway??

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

She likes a backrest and I just couldn't stomach those cute givi boxes on an adventure bike, so I made a backrest pad out of 3/8" solid core cabinet plywood, added a 1" peice of the seat foam, and covered with the same vinyl as the seat. The angle surprised me, I had to have her sit on the bike and then set the angle of the backrest so when she leans back it sits square to her back. The support bracket is 2" aluminum angle. And I added strap loops for a bungee net or to strap a roli-bag or whatever on top of the box. Great place to put layers or extra clothes you peel off when it gets hot here. The grab handles are still fully functional.

I also did a bit of tail-tidy to get rid of some of the bracketry back there. Trimmed off the fender below the license plate and shortened the reflector bracket. The side reflectors had to go, too clap-trap and I can add reflective tape to the boxes if johnny-law doesn't like it the way it is.

Factory engine guards and a center stand are on their way too.

I love the carbon vinyl seat. Where did you get the material and who stitched it up for you? Looks amazing. I hope your partner likes sitting there.

JG

[browneye]

Originally Posted by live2ridetahoe

I love the carbon vinyl seat. Where did you get the material and who stitched it up for you? Looks amazing. I hope your partner likes sitting there.

JG

Here in the county seat (Orange County) is Santa Ana, some call it little Tijuana and is a mecca of all things cars. On main street are at least a handfull of upholstery shops, as well as AA Foam and Fabric. They have every kind of upholstery material known to man.

Seriously, I have been doing these kinds of projects for years, I picked up that vinyl some time ago to do a seat mod on my last bike but the original seat cover went back on, so it was left over.

And I am an old wooden boat sailor from the northwest and pretty good with a sewing machine. Only I don't sew clothes, but outdoor gear, home and auto upholstery, sails, etc. strictly as a hobby.

Thank you for your interest and compliments. I'm happy with the way it turned out. If ol' lady doesn't like it we can just do it over.

[jimjim]

Originally Posted by browneye

Next I got a rear rack plate from CJ Designs in WI and mounted my Seahorse box I took off the Versys when I sold it. I kept the side boxes too as they are all setup for Happy Trails racks so I have a new rack set coming for the Tiger. Total expenditure for full pannier and topbox - about $400.

Nice work browneye. I have the same rack and case.

[littlelionmonster]

just put a deposit down on a '12 white XC. Hopefully, I can pick it up tomorrow.

I've been looking at different exhausts, don't want to drop the $800 for the Arrow pipe, heard lots of good things about Leo Vince, but haven't seen anything on these

GPR Exhaust

Didn't know if anyone had put one of these on a Tiger yet. I don't want a crazy loud pipe, but I like the looks of this one.

[E-town dirt dude]

Originally Posted by littlelionmonster

just put a deposit down on a '12 white XC. Hopefully, I can pick it up tomorrow.

I've been looking at different exhausts, don't want to drop the $800 for the Arrow pipe, heard lots of good things about Leo Vince, but haven't seen anything on these

GPR Exhaust

Didn't know if anyone had put one of these on a Tiger yet. I don't want a crazy loud pipe, but I like the looks of this one.

Congrats on the new Tiger. I have a white 11 XC and love it. As for exhausts, I put on an MTC exhaust. I really like it. The quality is good and they have great customer service. It was shipped to my door(England to Canada) in a week and a half for $420.00. You get to choose the can length, finish and end cap. Make sure to ask for an extra set of quiet baffles. I found it a bit loud in it's stock form. They shipped me some quieter baffles at no extra charge. The baffles are really easy to remove or swap out. A friend of mine put a Leo Vince on his KLR. The build quality seems good and its pretty quiet.

Enjoy the Tiger

http://www.mtcperformanceproducts.co.uk/index.asp

[IMG][/IMG]

[xcountry41]

Originally Posted by E-town dirt dude

Congrats on the new Tiger. I have a white 11 XC and love it. As for exhausts, I put on an MTC exhaust. I really like it. The quality is good and they have great customer service. It was shipped to my door(England to Canada) in a week and a half for $420.00. You get to choose the can length, finish and end cap. Make sure to ask for an extra set of quiet baffles. I found it a bit loud in it's stock form. They shipped me some quieter baffles at no extra charge. The baffles are really easy to remove or swap out. A friend of mine put a Leo Vince on his KLR. The build quality seems good and its pretty quiet.

Enjoy the Tiger

http://www.mtcperformanceproducts.co.uk/index.asp

[IMG][/IMG]

Hey E-town Just a quick Hi , proud new owner of a 2012 orange XC out in Ft. Saskatchewan. Thought it would be good to touch base as you apparantly are researching improvements etc.
Just in the process of setting mine up . Going to go with the stock exhaust for now. Shooting to install my SW Motech crash bars, top rack, and GIVI trekker top box this weekend I hope (yard work ). Going with triumph skid plate, heated grips and fog lights. Ordered a Giant loop great basin soft luggage system to try in front of the Givi instead of side cases for now. 800km service tomorrow . Man I'm loving this bike! Hoping to head to the Kootenays over Gray creek pass with it in a couple weeks.
Cheers, Gary

[hawkbox]

Nice looking bike, just a heads up Kootenay pass was cold as balls over the Canada long weekend but my rain suit and barkbusters kept me comfy on my road version. Think I need to order a center stand for it though.

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by littlelionmonster

just put a deposit down on a '12 white XC. Hopefully, I can pick it up tomorrow.

I've been looking at different exhausts, don't want to drop the $800 for the Arrow pipe, heard lots of good things about Leo Vince, but haven't seen anything on these

GPR Exhaust

Didn't know if anyone had put one of these on a Tiger yet. I don't want a crazy loud pipe, but I like the looks of this one.

Look into FUEL EXHAUST from the UK. It arrived in five days, was about $200, fit and finish was awesome, and it sounds great!

[rubRsidedown]

That FUEL exhaust looks VERY nice.
I'd like to hear it over a stock unit.

A little before and after YouTube action, no?

[levain]

Are you guys just bolting these exhausts on and going? Any re-map? Any change in performance, or is this just for looks?

[deltamark]

Itching to make an offer to an area dealer on either a Roadie or the XC. Haven't test ridden the Roadie yet, so I'll decide once I do. In calculating my offer, I'm wondering if installation of desired accessories is generally included with a new bike purchase? Or, do I need to figure in more $ for that?

[av_mech]

Originally Posted by deltamark

Itching to make an offer to an area dealer on either a Roadie or the XC. Haven't test ridden the Roadie yet, so I'll decide once I do. In calculating my offer, I'm wondering if installation of desired accessories is generally included with a new bike purchase? Or, do I need to figure in more $ for that?

They'll charge you unless you already have a great relationship with them. My advice is learn to do it yourself. The best way to learn your new machine is work on it.