Triumph Tiger 800 XR 2017 — Specifications

Does a trail motorcycle necessarily have to play the adventurer with Dakar-like aspirations? Triumph, with its Tiger 800 XR, answers negatively by offering a formula resolutely focused on paved roads, without denying its off-road roots in its DNA. In 2017, this model positioned itself as the urban and road alternative to the XC, which is more adventurous. Here, we face a superbike with a distinct character, an intelligent compromise for those seeking agility in the city and comfort on national roads, without the extravagance of a true trail bike.

The heart of the beast is this inline three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 799 cm³ that has become a signature of the brand. With 95 horsepower at 9300 rpm and 79 Nm of torque, it does not seek to display brute power but rather exemplary progressiveness. The acceleration curve is linear, the engine supple and available from low revs, making it an ideal companion for dense traffic or long stretches of road. Compared to a V-twin from the competition, it offers a more refined sensation, less burly, with that characteristic sound that oscillates between the purr and the howl as the tachometer needle spins. Its dry weight of 188 kg, for 213 kg fully fueled, contributes to this feeling of maneuverability. The steel trellis frame and the 43 mm Showa inverted fork ensure precise and reassuring handling.

But where the shoe pinches, or at least where the choices are felt, is on its off-road equipment, or rather its relative absence. 19 and 17-inch spoked wheels and moderately suspended travel make it a motorcycle capable of venturing onto a track, but not an adventure beast. That is precisely its role. The seat height of 810 mm, although considerable, remains accessible thanks to the narrowness of the fuel tank, a crucial detail for riders of average build looking for a high-perched motorcycle for visibility. The braking, ensured by Nissin calipers and a switchable ABS, is effective without being lightning-fast, perfectly balanced for the versatile use aimed for.

Who is the Triumph Tiger 800 XR for? Clearly for the road traveler who prefers asphalt but refuses the posture of a pure GT, for the urban rider who appreciates the dominant riding position in traffic, and for the motorcyclist seeking a unique engine character. Its price, around 10,600 euros new at the time, placed it in the class of mid-size trail bikes, in direct competition with models such as the BMW F 800 GS or the Yamaha Tracer 700. What is its strength? This versatility tinged with British refinement. What is its weakness? For the true adventurer, it lacks seriousness off the road. It is a motorcycle of compromise, but a brilliantly successful one, which explains why so many glowing reviews are still found on forums dedicated to the Tiger 800 XR, whether it is a 2011, 2015 or 2019 model. A test ride of the Triumph Tiger 800 XR remains the best way to convince yourself of the validity of its concept.