2015–2019 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
The Triple That Fits Everyone
The XR is the road-focused Tiger 800, and that decision runs through the whole bike. Its 799 cc inline-three makes 94 hp and 58 lb-ft, delivered in a broad, even spread that keeps you from hunting for gears. A steel trellis frame carries a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear, the combination that lets it steer quickly on pavement while keeping 7.5 in (190 mm) of ground clearance underneath. ABS and traction control are standard, as are an adjustable screen and adjustable seat height. In a class that keeps piling on hardware, this one sits deliberately uncomplicated.
It rides the way those numbers suggest. Light on the steering, settled when the pace rises, and undemanding at the speeds you actually travel, which makes it a real all-rounder for riders who want back roads, long days, and low fuss. It ages well, too: servicing is simple and running costs stay modest. The honest caveats are the road bias and the ownership homework. A 19-inch front with 7.1 in (180 mm) of fork travel handles gravel and graded dirt but not much beyond, the fork offers no adjustment, and the engine can use oil if you cruise hard for long stretches.
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 |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 |
| Ground clearance | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
Rear brake pad delamination
The outer rear brake pad material can separate from the backing under hard braking, gouging the rotor. Aftermarket pads resolve it.
Excessive oil consumption at sustained high RPM
Several owners report the engine using oil between changes, particularly when cruising at higher speeds. Regular top‑ups are recommended.
Front brake caliper clonking
A ‘clonking’ noise from the left‑hand front brake caliper has been reported by one owner, possibly due to pad rattle or loose components.
Where this Triumph Tiger 800 XR 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 XR is actually built for.
For 200 to 400 mile days on roads like the Blue Ridge, this one fits. It leans further than you expect, steers light, and the seat and screen adjust to you. Cruise control is an option, not standard.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
It crosses a state comfortably and the 5.0 gal (19 L) tank gives you useful range. Loaded two-up over big passes, though, a 470 lb (213 kg) middleweight asks more of the engine than a dedicated tourer does.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2011–2014
The Triple That Does Everything
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 XR. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
