Triumph Tiger 800 XRt 2019 — Specifications

So, we’re still wondering what a road-oriented trail bike needs to offer to justify a ticket price nearing €15,000? Let's take the 2019 Triumph Tiger 800 XRt, this model that gives the XRX the cold shoulder by stealing its master keys. Here, we're no longer talking about light adventure, but about full-on asphalt touring, dressed for the city and tailored for mountain passes. Its inline triple of 800 cc is the centerpiece: 95 horsepower at 9500 rpm, it’s not subtle, but it's primarily its early availability of torque that makes the beast so civilized. Compared to a Japanese triple, you feel the British accent, more raspy, less placid, with a liveliness that the short first gear accentuates.

The real subject is the equipment. The base, already solid with switchable ABS and traction control, Brembo brakes, and cruise control, goes into "premium" mode with the final ‘t’. We add heated seats for the duo, a fully adjustable Showa inverted fork, LED fog lights, and even backlit switches. The instrumentation, borrowing the color TFT screen from the Street Triple, is a joy of clarity and personalization. For a real-world Triumph Tiger 800 XRt test ride, it's this plethora of details that marks the mind, far more than the simple figures.

However, all of this has weight, both literally and figuratively. With its 202 kg dry weight, it’s not a feather, and the 81 cm seat height can be intimidating. It’s clearly not the bike for the perfect beginner, but rather for the demanding globetrotter who wants comfort and technology without sacrificing character. Faced with a BMW F 850 GS Adventure, more oriented towards off-road, or a Yamaha Tracer 900, more nervous and lighter, the Tiger 800 XRt 2019 plays the card of elegance and integral refinement. It's an assumed choice, for those who prioritize the two-up travel experience and image.

The price, just so. At €14,800 new, it was positioned in the high end. Today, looking for a used Triumph Tiger 800 XRt, especially for the 2018 or 2019 model years, can be a good calculation to acquire this technological generosity at a lower cost. Triumph Tiger 800 XRT forums are full of praise for its duo comfort and versatility, but some criticize its overly refined character, far from adventurous ruggedness. That’s exactly it: it’s not a Swiss Army knife, it’s a precision instrument for the road.

Ultimately, this machine embodies the culmination of the Tiger 800 lineage before the move to the 900. It doesn't revolutionize anything, but it perfects everything. For those looking for a complete, comfortable road trail bike with a plethora of equipment without worrying about the latest trends, the Tiger 800 XRt, whether it's from 2018, 2019, or even 2020, remains a very appealing proposition. It's the bike that makes you forget the journey to keep only the pleasure of riding, warm and cozy, whatever the weather.