Triumph had the best-selling Yamaha Tracer 9 sports-tourer in its sights when it conceived this bigger, higher spec version of its Tiger Sport 660, and it’s done a fantastic job of not just beating the Yamaha on performance, but also under-cutting on price.
Although on face value it is simply a larger variant of the entry-level, Trident 660-based, version, the 800, with significantly more power and torque, improved suspension and a spec featuring all you really need from a sports tourer (including adjustable screen, cruise control and quickshifter) wins in every respect.
As a result, the Tiger Sport 800 is not just an entertaining, characterful sportster, it’s a comfortable and decently equipped tourer which manages to be ‘just right’ in its blend of size, performance and equipment. It tops it all off by being characterful and great value too. If this sounds like your kind of bike, buy one fast. It’s sure to be in high demand.
Triumph Tiger Sport 800: performance and handling
Although based on the 120-degree crank three cylinder engine from the 660, the 800’s unit has been bored and stroked to 798cc, given new throttle bodies and has a host of other modifications to develop peak power of 113bhp at 10,750rpm.
With 84Nm of torque at 8500rpm, the 800 represents impressive increases of 42% and 31% respectively on the two main engine outputs. The result is not only light and compact, but more than competitive against Yamaha’s Tracer 9 triple. Triumph claims it beats its benchmark in roll-ons and acceleration, due to its lighter weight, and that’s no mean feat considering the Yamaha is itself a fantastic motorcycle.
It still has all the intoxicatingly flexible Triumph triple drive from 4000rpm, which we’ve come to know and love, but it adds three switchable modes (Rain, Road and Sport) and a standard up and down quickshifter. The result is a brilliant, road relevant powertrain which, at £10,995, makes you wonder why anyone would spend £20k on something like a 170bhp Ducati Multistrada V4.
Its chassis is equally impressive. Although the frame and suspension are similar to the 660’s they’re both different and improved. The 800’s Showa inverted forks and rear shock, both with 150mm of travel, are recalibrated and now adjustable with compression and rebound damping on the forks and rebound damping at the rear, along with a remote preload adjuster.
They’re still not fancy, but nor are they lacking in any way – they’re just ‘right’ and beautifully set-up to give a ride that is comfortable without being wallowy. Handling through the twisties betters all the Tiger’s rivals, especially at this price point. The brakes, too, are more than good enough, being twin four-pot radial calipers, which are Triumph branded but made by J-Juan. They help keep the cost low with no apparent compromise.
With virtually identical proportions to the Tiger Sport 660, plus an upright, ‘adventure sports’ gait, the Tiger Sport 800’s riding position also manages to be ‘just right’, being neither too big and heavy, nor too small and dinky – even for my 6’3” (190cm) frame. The seat is plush and deeply padded, there are substantial passenger grab handles, the screen is two-way height adjustable by one hand, there are extra wind deflectors and hand guards available as accessories. The resulting riding position is neutral, intuitive and all day comfortable. I had no complaints at all.
In terms of practicality the Tiger Sport 800 also pretty much does it all. It’s a great tourer, with all the equipment you really need (there’s also a colour-matched, three-case ‘GT Pack’ option which includes heated grips and handguards for £1100). It’s an affordable, economical and nimble commuter and yet it’s probably best as an invigorating and downright ‘fun’ real world sportster, where its fine handling and characterful triple shine brightest.
Equipment is another area in which Triumph, impressively, has pitched the new Tiger Sport 800 just right. As standard there are the three aforementioned riding modes, a LCD/TFT dash (again from the Tiger Sport 660), a manually adjustable two-position screen, cruise control and quickshifter.
Some of the spec, like the dash, are a touch basic, and overall equipment levels are certainly not lavish, but it’s also well-judged and certainly not too little, either – again it’s just right. Besides, if you want more, the ‘right’ mix of extra cost accessories are available, too, ranging from an Akrapovic silencer for £918 plus the aforementioned ‘GT Pack’ for just £1100.
Ultimately the new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 has a launch price of £10,995, which is not only £300 cheaper than the base version of its main rival, Yamaha’s best-selling Tracer 9, but also significantly cheaper than an equivalent specced BMW F900XR, another key rival. That, in itself, is tempting but it’s also worth repeating here that the Tiger Sport 800 is also better equipped and faster than the Yamaha and more characterful and entertaining than the BM.
Or, to put it another way, I was hugely impressed the new Tiger Sport and would go as far as to say it’s not just already one of my bikes of the year, it’s one of Triumph’s best bikes… among the very best bikes currently available. As a brilliant, affordable, real world all-rounder it’s all the bike most people actually need in 2025.
It really does do it all: a capable and fun sports bike; a comfortable tourer and a decent commuter. It has a ‘rightness’ about it few bikes can match and the cherry on top is that it’s great value as well. As mentioned at the top, if it’s the sort of bike you fancy, buy one – I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they sell out.
2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800 Specification
Price: £10,995
Engine: 798cc triple, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 113bhp (84.6kW) @ 10,750rpm
Torque: 84Nm (62lb-ft) @ 8500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel perimeter
Suspension: (F) 41mm USD Showa forks, rebound and compression damping adjust (R) remote preload and rebound adjustable Showa single shock.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 17 x 3.5in/ (R) 17 x 5.5in
Tyres: Michelin Road 5 (F) 120/70 x 17, (R) 180/55 x 17
Brakes: (F) 310mm disc, Triumph four-piston radial caliper, (R) 255mm disc, single-piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Weight: 214kg (kerb)
Wheelbase: 1,422mm
Seat height: 835mm
Fuel tank: 18.6 litres
Fuel consumption: 60.1mpg (claimed)
Service intervals: 10,000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
Words: Phil West
Photos: Triumph