Triumph first took the wraps off its 2018 Tiger 800 adventure motorcycle range at EICMA 2017. The Hinckley-based manufacturer has made over 200 chassis and engine updates on the new Tiger 800. Most prominently, the bike has had its three-cylinder engine tweaked for better response. Now, the Tiger range has made its way to India in three variants – XR (Rs 11.7 lakh), XRx (Rs 13.1 lakh) and the XCx (Rs 13.7 lakh) (all-prices, ex-showroom India)
Power figures are similar to its predecessor at 95hp and 79Nm of torque; but the British brand claims that effort has gone into making the engine smoother and more reactive. Among the numerous internal changes are a new crankshaft and a new clutch. In terms of design, the 2018 Tiger 800 features new aero diffusers, full-LED lights on top-spec models (XRx and XCx in India), new backlit switchgear and an adjustable screen. The handlebar has been moved further back by 10mm while the seat features 20mm of adjustability.
The XC models carry forward the previous fully adjustable WP suspension; but there is a new addition to these models that comes in the form of Brembo brakes, which replace the Nissin units on the middle and top-spec bikes. Other changes include better finish levels with the bike offering an added electronics kit including a full TFT display for mid and top-spec variants (seen on the XRx and XCx in India).
The previous Tiger 800 range started at Rs 10.87 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The new model is more expensive due to the upgrades and hiked CKD tax rates. In terms of competition, the 800 range takes on the BMW F750 GS and the F850 GS that have been priced at Rs 12.2 lakh and Rs 13.7 lakh, respectively. Ducati’s Multistrada 950 and the Honda Africa Twin also take on the Tiger 800 with price tags of Rs 12.8 lakh and Rs 12.9 lakh, respectively (all prices, ex-showroom, India).
Suraj Sreekumar
Vishal Venugopal
Stephen Raj Antony
Dinshaw Magol
