Triumph Tiger 800 XRt 2017 — Specifications

Imagine a motorcycle that dreams of being a Swiss Army knife, capable of doing everything without ever falling apart. That is the challenge of this Triumph Tiger 800 XRt, a machine born for travel but which has retained the soul of a roadster. Beneath its prepared adventurer appearance, it hides a sporty temperament eager to express itself on the road. For a test ride of the Triumph Tiger 800 XRt, it is this duality that strikes immediately.

The base is this inline three-cylinder engine of 800 cc, a mechanical unit that sings at 9500 rpm and delivers 95 horsepower. It is lively, incisive, and loves to rev. Purists of large twin-cylinder engines may find it a little short on low-end torque, with its 79 Nm arriving fairly high in the rev range, but once in the thick of things, the turbine takes off with a communicative pleasure. The chassis, a steel tubular trellis, is of exemplary clarity. The Tiger throws itself into curves with the intuitiveness of a sportbike, forgetting its 220 kg when fully fueled. The Showa suspension, well-calibrated, ensures a good balance of comfort and road holding.

But the real subject of this XRt is its equipment. Triumph thought of everything, or almost. 12V sockets, heated seats and grips, anti-fog lights, luggage supports, GPS fixing points and tire pressure monitoring as standard. It is a motorcycle ready to leave with a passenger without going through the accessories box, except for the panniers. Cruise control and riding modes inherited from the XRx version complete a very complete picture. For those looking for a used Triumph Tiger 800 XRt, this 2015-2017 generation offers a very interesting equipment/price ratio compared to a BMW F 750 GS or a Yamaha Tracer 700, which are less generous as standard.

The downside, if we dare, lies in this "too" complete positioning. At 13,300 euros new at the time, it bordered on the price of a Tiger 900, which is more modern. Its 19-liter tank allows for good range, but its reasonable consumption of around 3.6L/100km should not be forgotten, as this engine, although lively, is starting to show its age compared to newer, more torquey units. For very road-focused use and travel on good roads, it is an exquisite companion. For rough terrain, it is better to turn to its XC sisters, which are more suitable.

Ultimately, this Tiger 800 XRt will appeal to the demanding globetrotter who wants a motorcycle immediately ready for long trips with a passenger, without sacrificing the pleasure of agile and lively handling. It is a unique proposition in the landscape of road trail bikes, a British synthesis that has proven itself. Opinions on Triumph Tiger 800 XRt forums often confirm this: it has created a loyal customer base, those who believe in travel without frills, but with style and efficiency.