Triumph Tiger Sport 800 vs Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Y-AMT Review

At first glance, we're comparing apples to oranges—but this comparison makes sense. Ideally, the brand-new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 should be matched against the standard version of the Yamaha Tracer 9, which is more aligned in terms of price and features. However, Yamaha provided us with the GT+, so we're making the most of it. Why this test is still exciting: Besides the rare MV Agustas, there hasn't been much inline-triple competition for the Yamaha Tracer for a long time. Now, the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 has the opportunity to show on our Slovenian road trip that it offers the best triple on the market.

On paper, the Tracer 9 GT+ and the Tiger Sport 800 are worlds apart in terms of price, but the devil is in the details. The Yamaha boasts a plethora of assistive technologies, a LED light matrix, standard side cases, and a semi-active suspension. On the other hand, the Triumph offers an attractive entry price but skips these electronic aids. However, the core element that unites both bikes is the engine. With 119 hp and 93 Nm in the Yamaha and 115 hp and 84 Nm in the Triumph, these sport tourers are nearly on par. Their weights are also close: 217 kilograms for the Tiger Sport and 233 kilograms for the Tracer 9 GT+. But the real excitement starts when we move beyond numbers to character and riding feel—that's what we're here to discover.

Our test took us through Slovenia's most beautiful motorcycle routes, with the MoHo Motorcycle Hotel Grof near Vrhnika as our starting point. This hotel is perfectly tailored for bikers, offering not only comfortable rooms but also motorcycle-oriented services. Particularly handy is the large touchscreen in the lobby, which allows GPX tours to be downloaded directly to your smartphone.

Additionally, there are laundry services for motorcycle gear, secure parking for bikes, and an in-house restaurant featuring regional specialties. Situated in the heart of a renowned hop-growing region, the hotel offers an evening highlight: freshly tapped beer right on site.

The CP3 engine in the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ is a key reason for this motorcycle's immense popularity. It combines the typical smoothness and easy handling of an inline-triple with impressive flexibility across all gears. The throttle response is direct, the power delivery is linear, yet the engine provides ample torque for its design. Open up the throttle, and you're rewarded with a sporty, almost rugged character. Add to this the pleasant high-frequency vibrations, a punchy sound—even with Euro5+ compliance—and a dynamic nature that invites spirited riding.

The new engine of the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 also embodies the classic triple character, but it is even more predictable and linear. It's far from boring: the Triumph offers a relaxed and harmonious ride, yet provides ample reserves for sporty moments. Subjectively, the CP3 of the Yamaha sounds a bit more pronounced and emotional, but in terms of performance, both engines are nearly on par. With 119 hp and 93 Nm in the Yamaha and 115 hp and 84 Nm in the Triumph, both bikes effortlessly meet the demands of even the most ambitious country road riders.

After several days on the winding roads of Slovenia, it becomes clear: the biggest differences lie not so much in the engine, but in handling and ergonomics. Amelie describes the Tiger Sport 800 as more maneuverable and accessible, especially when parking or making tight maneuvers. The lower weight and more compact dimensions of the Triumph provide a greater sense of security, particularly at low speeds.

The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, on the other hand, feels superior in fast corners. Its semi-active suspension continuously adapts to changing road conditions, providing impressive stability even on rough asphalt. The Triumph requires a bit more physical input here but doesn't feel sluggish at all—both motorcycles remain agile and fun-oriented.

The seating position also highlights the differences: the Tracer offers an upright, almost adventure-tourer stance with more space and a relaxed arm position. The Tiger Sport 800 opts for a sportier posture, with a closer handlebar, more weight on the front wheel, and a narrower seat. Smaller riders often find the Triumph easier to manage, while taller riders benefit from the Tracer's more spacious ergonomics.

For tall riders like Poky, who stands at nearly 1.90 meters, the Tiger Sport 800 proves surprisingly comfortable despite its compact dimensions. The seat height of 835 millimeters provides a secure footing, and although the knee angle is somewhat sharper, it's overall well-executed. Space for pillion rides on the Triumph is limited, but it can be improved with an optional top case and backrest.

The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, on the other hand, offers more space, adjustable ergonomics, and scores with its ten-stage height-adjustable windscreen that effectively shields against wind on the highway—a clear advantage for taller riders. In terms of payload, the Triumph is a pleasant surprise: at 224 kilograms, it surpasses the Yamaha.

When it comes to the engine, Poky sees the Yamaha with a slight advantage. The CP3 feels more confident, offering noticeably more reserves, especially when fully loaded, and it perfectly complements the touring-oriented setup of the Tracer. Nonetheless, the triple of the Tiger Sport is a real highlight—rev-happy, powerful, and sonorous. Triumph rounds out the package with a standard quickshifter that operates precisely and underscores the sporty intent.

In the suspension department, the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 scores with its fully adjustable Showa suspension, offering compression and rebound damping at the front and rebound damping and preload adjustment at the rear. With 150 millimeters of travel on both axles, it skillfully combines comfort and stability. It adeptly absorbs bumps on uneven roads while remaining stable in corners, instilling a lot of confidence.

The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ takes a different approach here: its semi-active suspension dynamically adapts and provides extra comfort on varying surfaces. In contrast, the Tiger impresses with transparency and more direct feedback—ideal for riders who prefer a more classic suspension feel.

A clear advantage of the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 lies in its brakes. With 310-millimeter front brake discs, it offers noticeably more reserves than the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, which is equipped with smaller 298-millimeter discs. While the Yamaha's brakes, even in the GT+ variant, seem average at best, the Triumph's brakes are more robust and provide better modulation.

The brake feel on the Tiger is slightly soft but builds up progressively and is well controllable. After a short acclimatization, strong deceleration can be achieved. The adjustable brake lever and the finely tunable rear brake complete the package. Here, Triumph clearly sets the benchmark.

A minor criticism of the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 is the cockpit. The LC-TFT hybrid display serves its purpose but appears outdated compared to modern full-TFT displays. The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ clearly scores here with a high-resolution, full-color TFT display that impresses even in the standard version. For riders who value a modern look and high readability, the Yamaha undoubtedly offers the more contemporary solution.

Temperatures reaching up to 35°C, torrential downpours, and hot filming sessions—our crossover tour challenged not only the bikes and us but also our gear. With versatile soft luggage solutions from SW-Motech, storage was expanded, and textile suits from Modeka made the tour as comfortable as possible. Both Poky's Modeka Lucano suit, Amelie's Striker III Lady suit, and my Aeris II suit distinguished themselves with pragmatic qualities such as well-distributed pockets, cooling ventilation areas, and comfortable wear.

Meanwhile, our sweaty heads were adorned with HJC F100 Carbon helmets, which, with their flip-back system, are even more comfortable to wear than conventional flip-up helmets. The versatility of our gear was completed by the Cardo Packtalk Pro communication systems on the helmets, ensuring seamless coordination on even the most chaotic tour.

Despite the differing equipment in this uneven comparison, our journey through Slovenia provided fascinating insights. The question of the best inline-triple engine in the touring motorcycle segment remains, in my opinion, a matter of taste. Sporty curve enthusiasts will likely appreciate the cheeky character of the Yamaha CP3 engine. Those who prefer a more refined, linear experience that is anything but dull should consider trying the Tiger Sport 800. Beyond the engines, the rider's size will have a significant impact on the purchasing decision. The Yamaha offers better ergonomics and superior wind protection for taller riders, while the Triumph is easier for shorter riders to handle.