Adventure motorcycles are all the rage these days, and Triumph just updated its popular Tiger 800 for 2018. Let’s see how the 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx matches up with the Honda Africa Twin DCT.
The 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 features a host of updates over the previous model in the pursuit of better terrain conquering capability. The bike comes with new TFT instrumentation with new switchgear featuring five-way joystick control. The bike witnesses a design update as well, complete with all-LED lighting system. The Honda Africa Twin has a no-nonsense feel when it comes to looks. The most noteworthy feature of the bike is the revolutionary DCT gearbox. Here’s how the two terrain tamers perform on paper:
| Specifications | 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx | Honda Africa Twin DCT |
| Engine | 800 cc in-line three-cylinder engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection | 999.11 cc twin-cylinder OHC engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection |
| Peak Power | 95 PS at 9,500 rpm | 88.3 PS at 7,500 rpm (at crankshaft) |
| Maximum Torque | 79 Nm at 8,050 rpm | 91.9 Nm at 6,000 rpm (at crankshaft) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed DCT |
| Front Suspension | WP 43 mm upside down forks, with adjustable rebound and compression damping, 220 mm travel | Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted fork with dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustment, 230mm stroke. |
| Rear Suspension | WP monoshock with remote oil reservoir, hydraulically adjustable preload, 215 mm rear wheel travel | Pro-Link gas-charged monoshock, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment, 220 mm rear wheel travel. |
| Front Brake | Twin 305 mm discs, with switchable ABS | Dual 310 mm petal discs, with ABS |
| Rear Brake | 255 mm disc with switchable ABS | 256 mm petal disc with switchable ABS |
| Seat Height | 840 - 860 mm (UK model, adjustable) | 820-840 mm (adjustable) |
| Weight | 205 kg, dry | 245 kg, kerb |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19 litres | 18.8 litres |
| Price | INR 13,76,000, ex-showroom, pan India | INR 13,06,927, ex-showroom, Delhi. |
The 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx features five riding modes: ‘Road’, ‘Off-Road’, ‘Rain’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Off-Road Pro’. Cruise control, heated grips, on-board computer, aluminium sump guard, engine guard, plastic radiator guard, 12V socket, USB port are standard as well. The Honda Africa Twin comes with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and ABS. HSTC and ABS not only work in unison, but they can be independently set to give the rider 80 different possible combinations.
Also Read: Honda Africa Twin Review & Test Ride
There’s also a unique feature called the ‘G Switch’, which responds to the unique needs of off-road riding by providing half-clutch control that responds directly to throttle operation. It improves traction throughout all modes. There’s also a unique incline detection feature to help the bike go over loose, steep track or dune without hassles. The automatic DCT gearbox comes with buttons on the switchgear for manual shifting, if needed. The Automatic mode has three riding modes: D mode, S1, S2, S3 modes each offering progressively sportier shifting. A shift lever is available as an option. While the two bikes come with their own set of technological features, the Tiger is dearer than the Africa Twin by INR 69,073.
