Triumph Tiger 800 XRX 2017 — Specifications

The 2017 Tiger 800 XRX is a bit like the Swiss Army knife of British trail bikes. It’s far from a hyper-technological behemoth, and that may be its charm. With its 95 horsepower delivered by a signature Triumph three-cylinder engine, it doesn’t try to compete with the big-bore adventure twins. Its power is measured, its 79 Nm of torque arrives high in the rev range, which requires a fairly sporty and engaged riding style to extract the best from it. You end up with a motorcycle that thrives on sensations, closer to a roadster dressed for adventure than a true off-road brute.

On paper, its 215 kg when fully fueled puts it at a disadvantage compared to some lighter competitors. But once in the saddle, at 81 cm from the ground, this Tiger 800 XRX proves surprisingly agile in the city and exhibits surgical precision on winding roads. Its trellis frame and Showa inverted fork offer a direct and reassuring feel. The braking, assisted by a switchable ABS, is effective without being brutal. It’s a forgiving machine that encourages you to push, ideal for the sporty touring rider or those who want to try light gravel without ever really leaving the pavement.

The 19-liter fuel tank and a consumption rate of around 5.7L per 100 km ensure a good range, perfect for long journeys. However, at over €12,000 new at the time, its price positioning was clearly bold. This probably explains why the used market for a Triumph Tiger 800 XRX low or a standard 2017 version is now very active. For a lower budget, you gain access to a well-developed motorcycle, with a strong character and a three-cylinder engine as charismatic as at its launch.

Who is its rider? Certainly not a complete beginner, intimidated by its size and seat height, even though a low version exists. It’s not the Saharan piste explorer either. The Tiger 800 XRX, especially in its 2018 year which brought some fine-tuning, targets the connoisseur. The one who seeks an alternative to the all-comers from Japan, a motorcycle with a unique character, capable of devouring the tarmac with gusto and sketching out a few dirt tracks on the weekend. It’s a British proposition, full of temperament and assumed flaws, which is savored more than it is consumed.

If you devour Triumph Tiger 800 XRX forums in search of an opinion, the consensus is often there: it’s a motorcycle that creates enthusiasts. Its engine is a feast for the ears, its road handling is exhilarating, but it requires participation and doesn’t excel in deep mud. A test ride of the Triumph Tiger 800 XRX 2015 or 2017 remains the key to understanding its unique positioning. It doesn’t try to do everything, but what it does, it does with a panache and a pure sensation that is lacking in many of its more aseptic rivals.