Latest Bike review Price Bikes Rate cost in India

2011 Middleweight Adventure Touring Comparo - Motorcycle USA MotoUSA Newsletter Receive Weekly Updates - Sign Up Today

Shop Motorcycle Parts, Gear & Apparel at Motorcycle USA

Home Street Bike Sport Bike Cruiser Dirt Bike ATV Scooter Forums My Moto Street Bike Reviews Gear Reviews Touring Features Videos Photos Buyer's Guide Dealer Locator Fantasy Racing Ride Guide Share This Article:  X  Facebook Delicious Digg it! ReddIt! MySpace Twitter Linkedin StumbleUpon Technorati Newsvine Live Google Yahoo Buzz FriendFeed Bebo DesignMoo Mixx Email 2011 Middleweight Adventure Touring Comparo Monday, May 30, 2011 Print Share RSS Font:

Email a Friend *Email Addresses (up to 5):
 
 
 
 
Personal Message: *Your Name:
*Your Email Address:
Send me a copy of this email * Indicates a required field Email addresses will only be used to send this message. They will not be used for promotional purposes. See our Privacy Policy. Where do I want to go today?

See the new ADV challenger in the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC Comparison Video.That’s the question we ask ourselves every time we strap on the helmet, but riders have to be somewhat realistic in how they answer. Cruisers aren’t really headed to Laguna Seca, sport bikes aren’t droning two-up along straight, endless freeways, scooters aren’t hitting jumps and dirt bikes avoid pavement. Motorcycles are much more than simple transportation. They’re economical, reliable and most importantly, fun. While two wheels offer an entirely unique level of freedom, very few can bring all aspects of motorcycling to its rider. The adventure touring segment boldly attempts to do just that.

BMW introduced the F800GS in 2008/09 and the middleweight division was born. Larger and offering more technology than single-cylinder machines without the weight and size of the liter-class bikes, BMW struck a recipe that suites a wide variety of consumers. We’ve tried comparing the BMW in the past with bikes like the KTM 690 Enduro R, but there simply hasn’t been a direct competitor in the U.S. The F800GS has enjoyed unrivaled sales until now with the birth of BMW has its hands full in the middleweight adventure market. See the original badboy in action with our 2011 BMW F800GS Comparison Video.Triumph’s Tiger 800 XC. The British machine is also available in a standard configuration which focuses on street performance, but the XC is closest to the BMW in design. Both have multi-cylinder engines, inverted front fork and spring/oil shock, minimal bodywork, neutral riding position, wide handlebars, and 21/17-inch front and rear wheels.

Finally the matchup we’ve all been waiting for is here. In anticipation of the test, we asked ourselves the all-important question. With increased fuel capacity, advanced technology and all-day comfort, canyon-worthy handling, wind protection, long-travel suspension and aggressive off-road-capable chassis, the answer is pretty much anywhere.

Motorcycle USA loaded a few light backpacks and headed out for a two-day ride through Southern California designed to test these machines on the street and dirt. Both models were equipped with stock, street-biased tires, Pirelli Scorpion Trails on the BMW and Bridgestone Battle Wings for the Triumph. Aside from collecting feedback from test riders and tabulating fuel economy, we also put down runs on our in-house dyno and balanced them on digital weight scales. After more than 300 miles of mixed riding, hot temperatures and varied elevation, both machines demonstrated unique personalities and wide-ranging capabilities worthy of the adventure touring name. Read on to see what these bikes bring to the table.

BMW F800GS Technical Specs2011 BMW F800GSEngine: 8 valve, DOHC, Parallel Twin
Displacement: 798cc
Bore/Stroke: 82mm x 75.6mm
Horsepower: 74.44 HP
Torque: 51.957 lb-ft.
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Cooling: Liquid
Fueling: Electronic fuel injection
Ignition: Electronic
Starting System: Electric
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: O-ring Chain
Chassis: Tubular steel trellis frame, load-bearing engine, twin-sided aluminum swingarm
Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/4.6 in.
Wheelbase: 62.1 in.
Seat Height: 34.6 in. (33.5 in. Low option)
Front Suspension: Marzocchi 45mm inverted fork, 9.0 inches travel
Rear Suspension: Monoshock, adjustable preload, 8.5 inches travel
Front Brake: Dual 300mm floating discs, Brembo 2-piston floating calipers
Rear Brake: Single 265mm disc, Brembo 1-piston floating caliper
Front Tire: 90/90-21, spoked aluminum wheel
Rear Tire: 150/70-17, spoked aluminum wheel
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gal.
Curb Weight: 487 lbs.
Colors: Lava Orange Metallic/Black Satin, Alpine White
MSRP: $11,950 base, $12,900 standard package ($13,690 as tested)Triumph Tiger 800 XC Technical Specs2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XCEngine: 12 valve, DOHC, in-line Triple
Displacement: 799cc
Bore/Stroke: 74mm x 61.9mm
Horsepower: 81.63 HP
Torque: 49.74 lb-ft.
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Cooling: Liquid
Fueling: Electronic fuel injection
Ignition: Electronic
Starting System: Electric
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: X-Ring Chain
Chassis: Tubular steel trellis frame, twin-sided aluminum swingarm
Rake/Trail: 23.1 degrees/3.58 in.
Wheelbase: 61.7 in.
Seat Height: Adjustable 32.2-34.0 in.
Front Suspension: Showa 45mm inverted fork, 8.7 inches travel
Rear Suspension: Showa monoshock w/remote oil reservoir, linkage, adjustable preload, 8.5 inches travel
Front Brake: Dual 308mm floating discs, Nissin 2-piston floating calipers
Rear Brake: Single 255mm disc, Nissin 1-piston floating caliper
Front Tire: 90/90-21, spoked aluminum wheel
Rear Tire: 150/70-17, spoked aluminum wheel
Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal.
Curb Weight: 496 lbs.
Colors: Crystal White, Phantom Black, Intense Orange
MSRP: $10,999


















































1234Next Street Bike News Headlines Win an iPad from MotoUSA!Edelweiss Global Expedition ReturnsMotoUSA Photo of the Week - August 5, 2011Alpinestars 2011 Fall Touring CollectionAGV AX-8 Dual Helmet Review More Street Bike Motorcycle News Recent Street Bike Reviews 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 First Ride We take to the streets with Aprilia's 2011 Dorsoduro 1200 to find out if this street bike offers the ultimate road-going supermoto experience. Electric Superbike Racing: Brammo Part IV Road racer Steve Atlas brings us up to speed on the latest testing Brammo has put its Empulse RR through in preparation for the next TTXGP race at Laguna Seca this weekend. 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 First Ride We spend two days riding through Southern California with the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 and a host of accessories for the new mid-size adventure touring motorcycle. 2011 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE Review Once a Euro-only model, the Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE makes its American debut and Motorcycle USA gets a tastes of the quirky Italian ride. Electric Superbike Racing: Brammo Part III Brammo completely dominated the electric field at the TTXGP opener at Infineon Raceway. Get the full scoop from the man behind the controls of the Brammo Empulse RR. 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC First Ride MotoUSA gets its first taste of the new and highly anticipated 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC adventure touring motorcycle. More Street Bike Reviews  Adventure Motorcycle Dealer LocatorRelated Articles 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC First Ride 2010 Midsize Adventure Bike Comparison 

View all articles by JC Hilderbrand
View all articles in Street Bike Motorcycle Comparison Review
 

Login or sign up to comment.

Please Login to Post a Comment User Name:
Password:
Remember Me Forgot Your Password? Create an Account Close Window You posted a comment, now share it on Facebook! Email Newsletter
Sign-up for our weekly update. MotoUSA Mobile
Optimized for your device. Motorcycle Superstore
Shop with confidence - #1 rated. About Motorcycle USA Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Contact Editorial Advertising Advertise With Us
Contact Advertising Sales
Resources Wallpaper & Calendars
Motorcycle TV Listing
Racing TV Guide
Trackday & Riding Schools
Popular Searches Services Motorcycle Helmets Guide
Motorcycle Tires Guide
Motorcycle Insurance Guide
Motorcycle Industry Resources Motorcycle USA covers the world of motorcycles with breaking motorcycle news, motorcycle reviews and motorcycle race coverage. When you can’t afford to miss a single event in the world of motorcycling, trust Motorcycle USA to bring you the inside scoop on the two-wheeled world.
Copyright 1996-2011 Motorcycle USA, LLC. All rights reserved.