Triumph Tiger 800 XCA 2018 — Specifications

Is it possible for a machine sporting 21-inch spoked wheels at the front and WP suspension to truly be content with just paved roads? For the Triumph Tiger 800 XCA, the answer is a definitive no. This English motorcycle, especially in its XCA trim which tops the range, has never hidden its adventurer ambitions. Beneath its fairing lies a 799 cc triple-cylinder engine, a mechanical unit delivering 95 horsepower at 9300 rpm and a torque of 79 Nm, available early in the rev range. This engine is the soul of the beast: supple, sonorous, and incredibly versatile. It pulls relentlessly from idle to its rev limiter, making you forget the advertised 208 kg dry weight. On the pavement, it feels lively and precise, while on a trail, its progressiveness is a major asset for the rider.

Speaking of what sets it apart from its XCX little sister, the 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCA pushes the concept of a fully equipped trail bike to its peak. Cruise control, heated grips, and even a heated seat are there for long excursions. The dashboard is a 5-inch TFT screen, controlled by a joystick, and backlit switches are a welcome refinement when night falls. In terms of safety and traction, Brembo ABS is switchable at the rear, and traction control offers six modes, including an Off-Road Pro mode that releases the electronic reins for the most challenging terrain. Fully adjustable WP suspension, paired with knobby tires, confirms that this machine is ready to leave the paved road without hesitation.

So, who is this Tiger 800 XCA for? Clearly for the globetrotter-adventurer who refuses to choose. The one who wants a motorcycle capable of swallowing the highway with a 19-liter saddlebag, a reasonable consumption of around 5.7L/100km, and tackling a forest path the next day without breaking a sweat. It faces formidable competitors such as the BMW F 850 GS Adventure or the Yamaha Ténéré 700, but it plays a different card: that of refinement, complete equipment, and the unique character of its triple-cylinder engine. Its price, hovering around 15,000 euros at the time, positioned this Triumph Tiger 800 XCA in the high-end segment. Today, searching for a used Triumph Tiger 800 XCA can be an excellent idea to acquire this level of finish without breaking the bank.

However, you need to have the height to tame it. With a seat height of 840 mm, it is not within everyone's reach. A smaller rider will have to compromise with this build, especially once loaded. This is the price to pay for its 1545 mm wheelbase and generous ground clearance, guaranteeing stability off-road. On forums dedicated to the Triumph Tiger 800 XCA, this point often comes up, as does the praise for its road handling, which is much more lively and engaging than its explorer look suggests.

Ultimately, this Tiger XCA is an impressive synthesis. It may not be the most radical in pure off-road, nor the lightest, but it excels in the art of intelligent compromise. It is well-rounded, technological, and incredibly enjoyable to ride, whether for a daily commute or a long journey. It is probably this assumed versatility, this luxury Swiss Army knife side, that even earns it remarkable appearances, such as when it was customized in a "black out" version for Norman Reedus, alias Daryl Dixon in *The Walking Dead*. An unexpected pop-culture argument for a motorcycle that really doesn't need it to stand out.