2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCA and XRT test: smart vision
Does the imposing Triumph Tiger 1200 intimidate you? Opt for the Tiger 800 2018: more accessible and hardly less well equipped, the "little tiger" of Hinckley successfully cultivates a vision of the trail that is comfortably versatile. Testing of the high-end versions XRT and XCA on the roads and tracks of Morocco.
Test Tiger 800 XCA and XRT 2018 – Page 3 – Technical point
Engine
The 800cc three-cylinder of the Triumph Tiger 800 presents only subtle developments in 2018, especially focused on injection and exhaust. This ends with a silencer lightened in weight, but "weighs down" in vocalization: the suave sound has gained in the trunk, and that’s good. !
Engine manufacturers have also shortened the first of six reports, mainly to improve off-road relaunch. The mobile crew is lightened, with the benefits of liveliness and character. Unsurprisingly, the performance is identical to 2017: 95 hp and 79 Nm of torque, i.e. the legal power limit to be eligible for the A2 motorcycle license..
Note that the performance is obtained slightly higher in the revs: at 9500 rpm instead of 9250 rpm for power and at 8050 rpm against 7850 rpm for torque. This shift dictated by the standards is far from making it "sharp": availability and roundness are the qualities of this double ACT block, which transmits its power via a chain.
As on the previous model, the clutch is a multi-disc in an oil bath and the accelerator is electronic. The sensitivity and response of this "Ride-by-wire" – very precise and pleasant – vary according to the driving mode engaged.
Cycle part
No major changes either in terms of the chassis: the Tiger 800 renew as is their tubular steel trellis chassis, with impeccable welds. As before, the peripherals differ depending on the version: the Tiger XCs are more off-road and the "XR" more oriented towards the road..
Thus, the "XC" family receives cross spoke rims in 21 and 17 inches, when the XRs are placed on wheels with spokes in 19 and 17 ". The inverted fork of 43 mm and the monoshock do not come from the same supplier: Showa for the "XR" and WP (KTM brand) for the "XC", all of good quality and hydraulically adjustable at the front and preload as well as rebound at the rear.
Logically, the Tiger XC have a higher travel: 220 and 215 mm against 180 and 170 on the XR. The saddle height – adjustable without tools – suffers: the XC peaks between 840 and 860 mm, while the XR goes from 810 to 830 mm. The geometric values also vary: the wheelbase and caster lengthen on the off-road versions (1545 mm and 93.5 mm against 1530 mm and 86.6 mm on the XC). As in 2017, a lowered version – XRX Low – is available with specific suspensions and saddle.
Braking is improved on all versions – except the entry-level "XR" – through Brembo front calipers (Nissin in 2017), coupled to 305 mm discs (255 mm at the rear ). The advertised weight varies from 202 to 208 kg dry depending on the version, or between 225 and 230 kg when the 19-liter tank is full..
Note that the ergonomics are evolving: the handlebars are moved back by 10 mm and the saddle is redesigned. As in 2017, the "Tiger" deploys treasures of attention to make life on board pleasant: the saddle height is adjustable, as are the distance between the levers and the position of the handlebars. The windshield also has a manual adjustment on 5 heights (except on XR).
Electronic
As indicated above, several driving modes are available on the Tiger 800 2018. These modes offer preset values of throttle responsiveness but also ABS and anti-slip, both of which can be deactivated. Everything is controlled from the backlit controls (on XRT and XCA), intuitively and easily.
On the "basic" versions, four driving modes are available: Rain (rain), Road (road), Sport (must be translated, there ?!) and Off-Road (all-terrain). Switching from one to the other is done by driving after having pressed the "M" button on the left. Then, we choose its mode via the joystick and we cut the throttle to validate. The modes with which the ABS and traction control are reduced or cut (Off-Road and Off Road Pro among others) are not accessible while driving, for safety.
The number of modes increases to six (6!) On the top of the range Tiger 800 XCA and Tiger 800 XRT models, which also have an "Off-road Pro" and "Rider" mode, thanks to which it is possible to configure – and save! – the audience to his liking. Convenient. New all-terrain modes reduce the action of ABS and traction control, or even cut them off entirely in Pro.
This 2018 evolution also receives LED lighting and above all a five-inch color matrix TFT screen, with six different display styles. Very complete and readable in all circumstances, as on the last generation of Tiger 1200. Triumph is making great efforts in this area, and it pays off in terms of efficiency and pleasure. !
Finally, the standard cruise control – which is controlled from the left hand – is still relevant, as is the USB socket in the trunk and the 12V near the switch. The saddles and handles are heated on the most high-end versions, as on the previous model.
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