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.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.