With so many new models entering the middleweight adventure bike class recently, Triumph must be feeling the pressure to launch something new. And judging by spy shots published on the German site Motorrad, Triumph’s long-awaited revamp of the Tiger 800 is just about ready for its debut as a 2020 model. There are no official specs out yet, but with a discerning eye, it’s easy to spot many of the big changes.

The off-road oriented XC, the model caught by photos, appears to feature new tubeless, spoked wheels, 21-inch front and 17-inch rear, with the spokes arrayed toward the edge of the wheel, similar to BMW’s design. (The road-oriented version, called the XR, will presumably still have a 19-inch front and cast wheels.) The dual front brake calipers are radially mounted, four-piston units, which should improve brake feel. We can’t really see the rear shock, but the forks look suspiciously like Ohlins units.

There are some big changes afoot in the frame. It is still a lattice design with tubes approximately in the same arrangement as the old model. But this time there’s a separate, bolt-on aluminum subframe and bolt-on passenger pegs, which should address complaints that the old welded-on design was difficult to repair or replace in the aftermath of an accident. Triumph beefed up the joint between the main frame and the subframe on ’18 and later models, evidence that they knew the area could be problematic. The new frame design allows for a split-radiator design which could enhance cooling capacity. Engineers also redrew the swing arm which now sports deep recesses and a hole on each side, presumably to make it lighter.

The cockpit also shows a larger TFT dashboard, perhaps with touch screen capabilities. Tiger’s already had modern display technology, so expect some cutting-edge details in terms of connectivity and graphics this time around.Previous models were already equipped with LED lighting, features that continue into the redesigned version with the slimmer dual headlights incorporated into bodywork that extends from the tank.

A new header pipe is routed to the left side of the bike in what appears to be an effort to improve ground clearance. There is also a newly-designed skid plate that may be constructed with some type of hardened polyurethane material rather than aluminum. Side mounting points on the skid plate offer additional stability as well. A re-designed undercarriage will be a welcome improvement as the current Tiger 800 XC skid plate is attached only at the front, causing it to distort easily and push into the oil filter with repeated impacts.

Overall, the bike looks lighter and more refined while retaining the distinctive, angular lines of the Tiger. Front shrouds are now lower, extending down below the rider’s knees, and incorporate the angled radiators. Out back, the frame lattice is still on proud display while the passenger seat and bodywork look slimmer and lighter. A redesigned tail section features a smaller tail light that’s been moved to the rear fender, beefy passenger grab rails and a slightly smaller passenger seat. There’s an entirely new exhaust system that looks much lighter than its predecessor, though we’ll have to wait for the official spec sheet to see if the Tiger shed weight.

And speaking of the spec sheet, we’ll also have to wait for it to see if the rumored increase in engine capacity for the inline triple is true. Multiple publications are claiming there will be a bump in displacement to 900 or 1000cc with resulting horsepower increases. Time will tell.

Photos by Motorrad

Author: Bob Whitby

Bob has been riding motorcycles since age 19 and working as a journalist since he was 24, which was a long time ago, let’s put it that way. He quit for the better part of a decade to raise a family, then rediscovered adventure, dual sport and enduro riding in the early 2000s. He lives in Arkansas, America’s best-kept secret when it comes to riding destinations, and travels far and wide in search of dirt roads and trails.