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2015–2017 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
The Triple That Travels
The Tiger 800 XC runs a 799 cc inline-three that spins up smooth and free, good for 94 hp and 58 lb-ft, with a delivery that stays honest low down and keeps pulling as the revs climb. Underneath sits a proper adventure chassis: a 21-inch front wheel, upside-down fork, and long-travel suspension that reads a broken road without complaint. ABS and traction control come standard, so the safety net is there when the surface turns loose. In the middleweight adventure class this is the versatile all-rounder, equally at home on pavement and willing to leave it behind.
On the road it rides like a machine built to cover ground for years, not just weekends. The triple asks for little and gives back a lot, the ergonomics stay livable hour after hour, and the whole package carries the tactile quality you expect when a Triumph gets it right. It suits the rider who wants one bike for long tours, back roads, and the occasional dirt detour. The honest caveats: at 33.3 in the seat is tall for shorter riders, and 474 lb wet is real weight to manage once a trail turns technical. Know that going in and it rewards you.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 94 hp (70 kW) @ 9,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 58 lb-ft (79 Nm) @ 7,850 rpm |
| Displacement | 799 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 308 mm |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 |
| Wheelbase | 60.8 in (1545 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 8.0 in (203 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.5 in (215 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.3 in (846 mm) |
| Wet weight | 474 lb (215 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Thumb the starter and the triple settles into that unmistakable three-cylinder hum, part low-end shove, part hardening howl up top that never wears on you. Vibration stays low through the bars and pegs, so your hands are still fresh at the end of a long day. The riding position is tall and upright, wide bars sitting in easy reach, and the saddle holds you comfortably well past the point most bikes start to nag. The switchgear falls under your thumbs without a second glance, and the lighting throws a clean, wide beam once the miles run past dusk. There is genuine ground underneath you too, so leaning it into a mountain sweeper never scrapes hardware and stands you back up before you meant to.
Rear brake pad delamination
Under severe braking, the outer pad material has been reported to separate from the backing plate, potentially gouging the rotor.
Where this Triumph Tiger 800 XC pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Tiger 800 XC is actually built for.
For 200 to 400 mile days linking Highway 1 and Blue Ridge corners, the triple's smooth pull and supportive saddle fit you well. It leans further than most and stays comfortable when the route does the talking.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If your year is measured in Trail Ridge, Going-to-the-Sun, and long two-up hauls, this Tiger has the luggage capacity and all-day comfort for it. Budget for the tall seat and its weight when fully loaded.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
Planning multi-day BDR miles on a middleweight? The 21-inch front, long travel, and load capacity make it a credible partner. Accept the 474 lb heft on technical sections and it earns its keep.
Made for AZBDR — Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · California BDR South · COBDR — Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2011–2014
Triple Smoothness, Real Dirt Credentials
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Triumph Tiger 800 XC. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
