The Tiger

Be warned; this page is really for bikers who want to know about the machine or Loki as she is known.

Bikers take modifications of our machines very personally.  I like mods to have a reason rather than just being for show, with the possible exception of a lovely exhaust but I will try to justify that later.  To that end I accept a bit of risk, for example I won't replace something that I think is able to do the job but that I have reservations about until it breaks or proves its self to be an unacceptable risk.  Eg The standard hand guards.  They look like they can do the job but in a recent crash I snapped the clutch lever.  Clearly the hand guards don't do as good a job as they could so its time for more robust ones.

List of mods (photos can be found in my gallery):
Fog lights - Came with the bike
Heated grips - Came with the bike
Centre stand - Came with the bike
Sump guard - Adventure Spec
Engine crash bars - Adventure Spec
Rear luggage rack - Adventure Spec
Front & rear spindle/fork protection - R&G
Pannier frames - Touratech
Panniers - ARDcases
Cut down screen - Me with a hack saw
Bar risers - Squaredeals Ltd
Right hand heel guard - SW Motech
Rear brake & gear levers - Rally Raid
GPS - Garmin
TKC80 tyres - Continental tyres
Free flow air filter - K&N
Pre-airfilter - UNIfilter
Exhaust end can - Leo Vince
Sheep skin seat cover - Lambland

It seems like a lot but I think I can justify all of them so here it goes...
The equipment that came with the bike is nice to have and, even in Jordan, the heated grips have been very useful.  The fog lights less so but thats because I try to avoid riding at night.  The centre stand is essential for maintenance but it suffers off road and has plenty of dents and scratches to show the abuse.
I replaced the standard sump guard with one from AS because the original didn't cover the oil filter and it looked and felt weak.  The AS spec guard is 5mm of TIG welded aluminium and is as hard as nails.  Even so it's now dented, scratched and has small chunks missing (all superficial).  The AS engine bars are high tensile steel and also bare superficial battle scars that are proof of them doing their job.
The kit from R&G has saved the forks and rear swingarm, proof of this is also clear to see. The front guard has bit of stone embedded in it and the rear needs replacing but the forks and swing arm are fine which is what matters.
My luggage rack has carried... well, luggage so that works.  The pannier frames have not only carried the panniers but also added extra crash protection.  The right one is bent in towards the exhaust and is well scratched but the exhaust is fine.  My panniers are made in England and not only look great but they are robust and cheaper than the big name brands.
I cut the screen down after advice from a friend who saw someone loose their front teeth on the way over the handlebars as the screen went in through the helmet.  Also I like the extra wind blast.
My bar risers are for off-road riding when I'm standing on the pegs.  As standard I was bending forward and putting weight on the front wheel which you don't want to do in sand as you'll crash quickly.  Now my weight is back and I'm far more comfortable.
The heel guard was an attempt to stop my trousers being melted by the exhaust.  It failed.  Don't buy this.
The standard foot levers got so bent out of shape and I got fed up bending them back that I replaced them with Rally Raids offerings.  Since then I haven't had any problems.
My GPS is on loan from a friend and is fantastic on and off-road.
I choose the TKC80 because it offers good life and performance on and off-road especially in sand (they're cheap too).
The air filter combo is due to the very dusty conditions in the desert, I have to clean them after every trip and the standard one is a one trick pony.  With the UNI filter fitted the K&N doesn't have to come out too often which is good because its a pain of a job.
The exhaust...  I love the look and sound of it.  It also happens to be lighter and adds a bit more power in the mid range.  Finally, the seat cover.  One must look after ones behind on long rides and for £25 you can't go wrong with a sheep skin.  Plus it reminds me of my first girl friend.... Baaaarbara.

Loki a Triumph Tiger XC.

Fog lights & cut down screen.

Adventure Spec luggage rack and cargo net.

Garmin Zumo.

Battle scared engine guard.

Front fork bobbin complete with a bit of Wadi Rum.

Rally Raid gear lever.

Useless heel guard & Rally Raid rear brake lever.

Leo Vince exhaust.

Touratech pannier frame.

Rar risers.

Sheepskin.

Sump guard.

TKC80, knobbly enough to run over a stegosaurus's back.