2018 TRIUMPH TIGER 1200 XRT & XCA
FIRST TEST
P68
LESS POUNDS
MORE PUNCH
The biggest change I noticed
within the first 10 minutes of a
125-mile ride into the Spanish
Badlands behind Almeria on the
range-topping, totally tarmac-
focused XRT variant, was the
undoubted extra zip delivered
by the revamped motor's all-new
crank assembly which weighs
6.6 pounds less than before,
with the flywheel a whopping 5.5
pounds lighter, and another one
pound saved on the crankshaft
itself. This makes it much more
responsive from low revs, but
without being snatchy or remote-
ly abrupt in terms of pickup from
a closed throttle.
The zestful but controlled fuel-
ing delivered by the Keihin ECU
is near to perfection—indeed,
it's hard to think of another bike
which has such a fluid power
delivery and effortless transition
through the six-speed gearbox
from way low to way high.
Gear changes are accom-
plished seamlessly and smoothly
without touching the clutch
lever, thanks to Triumph's all-new
Shift Assist electronic system
for clutchless shifts both up
and down the gearbox. It was
the first time I'd experienced a
