Tiger Tales - Dialling in the 800XC for the dirt

[markbvt]

Originally Posted by Burren Rider

That front looks pretty good for a road legal tyre. Interesting that the trimming made a difference, wonder if that explains why some tyres feel sketchy for the first 500km's?

I imagine so; it makes sense, if you think about it. Each of those tread blocks had four molding hairs, so when in motion, those little hairs bend over and get caught between the tread block and the ground and reduce the amount of actual tread in contact with the ground. Not surprising that they make the front end feel vague until they've worn off.

--mark

[av_mech]

Another area that I need to address ASAP is mirrors. I love the stock ones: the view and the way they look. But, I broke both of them today. I got into some really gnarly stuff today and dropped the bike a lot!! Any recommendations for something on a spring or a breakaway design? Another area of the stock mirrors that worries me is they screw right into the clutch and brake perches. This was problem on the KLR and Kawasaki fixed it by adding a separate clamp for the mirrors alone. Maybe I'll look into that clamp with the stock mirrors.

On the up-side, the Happy Trails crash guards worked great!! No damage to the bike other than on the handlebars.

[Mercury264]

First thing I did was change the mirrors for KTM folding-style mirrors. They also sell ones with separate clamps. I got mine from these guys.

[markbvt]

You could also always just remove the mirrors and stow them in a tail bag when riding the gnarly stuff.

--mark

[Mercury264]

Originally Posted by markbvt

You could also always just remove the mirrors and stow them in a tail bag when riding the gnarly stuff.

--mark

Personally, I considered this but I figured a. sometimes the gnarly stuff just sneaks up on you and b. I'm lazy and I know I'd never actually take the mirrors off.

With the KTM mirrors, you can simply fold them out of the way, while riding and then fold them back out when you hit the road again.

[DirtJack]

Originally Posted by Mercury264

Personally, I considered this but I figured a. sometimes the gnarly stuff just sneaks up on you and b. I'm lazy and I know I'd never actually take the mirrors off.

With the KTM mirrors, you can simply fold them out of the way, while riding and then fold them back out when you hit the road again.

I use these Dual Star mirrors on all my bikes. Work great.

[Mercury264]

Originally Posted by DirtJack

I use these Dual Star mirrors on all my bikes. Work great.

Mate uses one of them on his dirt bike - he loves it as it's tucked away nicely. Not sure I'd want them on the Tigger though....YMMV

[Lion BR]

Man,
You guys are really making this bike more dirt worthy.

Here is another video of mine on dirt.



But for me, for this bike dirt is not going to be my destination. I love how this bike rides on paved roads!

Kudos to you guys!
Lion

[Mercury264]

I too am amazed at how well it performs on the road. I am not an aggressive rider by any means but I have no chicken strips on the tires at all - you just lean it over with the big wide bars and it goes over and feels totally planted.

[Lion BR]

Originally Posted by Mercury264

I too am amazed at how well it performs on the road. I am not an aggressive rider by any means but I have no chicken strips on the tires at all - you just lean it over with the big wide bars and it goes over and feels totally planted.

Let me borrow your words to describe my experience with this bike on paved roads. Now the only thing that bothers me is the wind noise and turbulence. No screen, with clear air, makes the experience so much nicer and quieter...

Lion

[Mercury264]

Originally Posted by Lion BR

Let me borrow your words to describe my experience with this bike on paved roads. Now the only thing that bothers me is the wind noise and turbulence. No screen, with clear air, makes the experience so much nicer and quieter...

Lion

I have just picked up my screen adjuster so I am really hoping that does it for me. We'll see.

[Adv Grifter]

These are expensive but getting pretty good reviews:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571500

[eakins]

what adv grifter said:

neduros mirrors are the only way to go.
fold them in then you ride offroad, but even if you don't the will fold in if you crash.

http://www.doubletakemirror.com/
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571500

[Lion BR]

Originally Posted by Mercury264

I have just picked up my screen adjuster so I am really hoping that does it for me. We'll see.

Please post the results. Hope it will work!

[Evomx971]

Originally Posted by Lion BR

Please post the results. Hope it will work!

Of course windscreens are a very personal taste sort of thing... for me personally (6'2"), the stock windscreen actually worked pretty good (no buffetting) but was just too noisy, even with ear plugs. I removed the screen all together and really like it w/o the screen. Quiet and with the hot summer, lets air flow through my jacket better. The looks of the bike even grew on me w/o the screen. If I have to do a lot of interstate at 70mph+ or if I'm in the rain, then I start wanting a screen again. When I got the bike I also ordered the touring screen which is adjustable. I mounted it up and tried it in all it's positions... still can't find a sweet spot. All the way up was probably my favorite position, and if I had a long interstate ride to take, I'd probably put the screen on, run it in the high position and wear earplugs and be happy. Will likely put it on as winter approaches as well. The adjuster that comes with the touring screen will also work with the stock windshield so I also want to try that combo... when I had the stock screen on it, I felt that if I could have just tipped the stocker back a little, it might have improved. Still need to try that.

For me... I'll likely end up riding it 90% of the time w/o the screen (naked!!!).