By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx (MY2015) vs Tiger 800 XR (MY2015)
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx vs Tiger 800 XR: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Swapping saddles at a gas stop, the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx is the one that's got you perched up high. Over on the Triumph Tiger 800 XR, the bars come back to meet you and your shoulders don't hunch forward. Its screen doesn't let the wind batter your chest.
So which one do you buy?
The Tiger 800 XCx has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Small edge: Tiger 800 XCx
On a long day in the saddle, the Tiger 800 XCx comes out a little ahead. The difference is better wind protection. Ride both before you decide.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner. Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Tiger 800 XCx
Gravel's part of the plan on the Tiger 800 XCx, yet it's the triple that sets its mood. It pulls hard from low revs, and there's no harshness anywhere on the way to the top. Ruts sink into the long-travel suspension. Seven in the morning, this is the machine you'll want.
Nils rode the Tiger 800 XCx in Austria in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
Tiger 800 XR
On tarmac the Tiger 800 XR sets up a relaxed riding position you'll hold all day without wearing out. Out of a slow corner, a twist of the throttle finds strong torque from the triple, and there's no need to hunt for a lower gear. The tach needle sweeps up freely.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tiger 800 XR has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 33.1 in (840 mm).
- The Tiger 800 XR has the lower wet weight: 470 lb (213 kg) vs 487 lb (221 kg).
- Ride Modes: standard on the Tiger 800 XCx, not offered on the Tiger 800 XR.
Which one for the way you ride
Real off-road capability
No verdict: Tiger 800 XR
The Tiger 800 XR belongs on pavement. Don't plan real off-road miles on it.
On commuting, twisty roads, and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tiger 800 XCx
Strengths
- Kit List Gets It Right
- Better Than Its Spec Sheet
- Strong and Smooth Together
- Carries Gear, Goes Far
- High build quality and reliability
Trade-offs
- Off-Road Looks, Road Character
- It Can Refuse to Start
- Rattle From the Rear End
- Coolant Clamps Can Seep
- Suspension undersprung for heavier riders
Tiger 800 XR
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, engaging triple engine
- Comfortable long‑distance ability
Known problems to check before you buy
Tiger 800 XCx
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Tiger 800 XR
- 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.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old Tiger 800 XCx with a 10-year-old Tiger 800 XR.
- Tiger 800 XCx
- $6,300
- Tiger 800 XR
- $6,000
At ten years old, the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx sits around $6,300 while the Triumph Tiger 800 XR lands near $6,000. That's a $300 gap. They're recorded figures, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 799 cc
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 94 hp (70 kW)
- Peak power at
- 9,250 rpm
- Torque
- 58 lb-ft (79 Nm)
- Peak torque at
- 7,850 rpm
- Fuel capacity
- 5.0 US gal (19 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Rear tire
- 150/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Tiger 800 XCx | Tiger 800 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 487 lb (221 kg) | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| Tiger 800 XCx | Tiger 800 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 100/90-19 |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.5 in (215 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tiger 800 XCx | Tiger 800 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
