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Test Triumph Tiger 800 (Baujahr 2019)

The middle, sometimes quite different

25.11.2019

Photos: Dietmar

Adventure bikes with around 800 cubic metres and around 100 hp are often referred to as the Golden Center. Strong enough to satisfy sporty types, light enough to survive off-road. The test will determine whether the Triumph Tiger 800 meets these requirements.

Center without mediocrity

The first course around the 800s leads quite quickly to the realization: beautiful bike and not too big. Don't misunderstand: If the big 1200 sister still has the dimensions of the Alps, it is the Harz here. It is small and agile in comparison, but not absolute.

We have the model-maintained version in front of us, which has been revised in many respects in 2018. There are many versions with different shapes to choose from – but according to the assessment of the Triumph dealers, the vast majority of them use the well-equipped variants. A behaviour that finds itself in the 1200s, which costs around 20,000 euros, and of course the BMW GS customer (and delights the dealers).

So if you check the XCA version we drive in the order form, around 15,000 euros will flow quickly from the account to the British Empire. Oha – not little for a bike with 95 hp. But the buyer gets the full electronic drone: This starts with ride-by-wire and does not stop at the traction control, various mappings of the engine, driving modes, cruise control, self-resetting flashers and adjustable spring elements from WP. There are also main stands, hand protectors, on-board socket, oil pan protection and motor protection bar - and even a heatable seat for driver and passenger.

The engine power remained the same

Full hut, then, the connoisseur wonders if the 800 suffers from obesity? There are at least 232 kilos that the dealer delivers there, which is fine in the adventure class at the top end. No one goes to the terrain, where the excess pounds are weighed in sterling, with the things anyway. The triumph, as can be seen from the equipment, sees itself as a tourer.

The sitting position pushes the rather upright ride, which was different in the previous model. The driver can choose between different seat heights. Practical: The chosen height can be adjusted by two centimetres each if several people share a bike. The windscreen has been adapted since 2018 and now works better for most drivers. The bench feels comfortable and it is. But now: Engine on and off!

Although, according to Triumph, no part of the engine was spared from the revision during the revision, the output of 95 hp has remained the same compared to the previous model. For this, the torque over the entire belt is a bit higher. In fact, the three-cylinder does not zigzag around when starting up. It starts quite calmly, and friends of the well-kept driving culture get their money's worth here: What a soft gas acceptance, what a running culture. And that with a three-cylinder!

Comfort is everything

Even in the "Sport" driving mode, the culture is high on the list, here no one rocks the desert like with Ducati or KTM. Beatles instead of Stones. This continues in the chassis. So far, the triumph has been rather too soft in the course of its comfortable interpretation, that has changed. Now it is much more precise without getting unduly tough.

However, it is precise and handy only compared to earlier and the thick 1200 sa- sister. Compared to the 850 GS from BMW or the KTM 790 Adventure, there would be objectiveroom for improvement. Subjectively, on the other hand, the commandment is good to very good. If you are looking for an asphalt file in an adventure look, you are wrong here anyway.

This also applies to off-road capability. Although most owners of adventure bikes do not do this as mentioned, the biker should avoid anything that is more uncontrollable than gravel. This is also due to the slight head load of the Tiger 800, which pushes slightly outwards even on sand with the front wheel.

Travel instead of lawn

One may think this is a disappointment with the hearty off-road look (especially the version in khaki). But you can see it as it is meant: this is a fantastic travel machine with excellent equipment. For everything else, the Motorradtest.de team recommends an enduro of mobile.de for 1,000 euros, because it looks so coolly smashed.

A mid-range bike, which is not middle class. The Triumph Tiger has style. She is the Range Rover of the motorcycle world, and that's really a compliment.

The test bike was put to us by Triumph Hamburg.

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