Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer

Being a Tiger, this is a bike built for adventure. Exploring new roads, even new countries and not stopping just because the road does.

But we made the Tiger Explorer for every rider that wants rugged dependability, long distance comfort, a powerful and torquey engine with an extended fuel range, fine handling and the ability to cope with unmade roads.

And we didn’t stop there. We added high levels of sophisticated equipment, including ABS, traction control and cruise control along with the special character that comes with a Triumph three cylinder engine, and handling so natural and easy the bike is just as much at home in town as on the tundra.

The Triumph Tiger Explorer is designed to give you the power and confidence to follow your heart, wherever it takes you. From effortless cruising along the world’s long-distance highways to choosing a rougher, less well-trodden path, the Tiger Explorer’s superb all-round capability delivers the freedom to take the perfect ride anywhere.

Performance

We gave the Explorer a 1215cc three-cylinder engine. Built with the latest technology to be strong, dependable and have the low maintenance levels you need on long adventures. It has plenty of power and torque with a hefty 137PS at 9300rpm, and 121Nm at just 6400rpm. Useable torque low down in the rev range where you need it most.

Not only does the Tiger Explorer boast great power, its engine has an evocative character with a creamy power delivery and unmistakable Triumph growling soundtrack.

Ride-By-Wire

The fuel injection is controlled by a ride-by-wire throttle system using computer control to give you the torque you need in the most efficient, predictable way.

Double Overhead Cams

Double overhead camshafts operate the four valves per cylinder for an engine that does what it was made to do even when the bike is fully loaded with rider, passenger, a full complement of luggage and facing a steep mountain climb.

Shaft Drive

We designed a rugged transmission comprising of a strong six-speed gearbox and an exceptionally tough shaft final drive. This gives you smooth power delivery yet is capable of dealing with the shocks and knocks it can face off-road. And, it hardly needs any maintenance, so you can get on with your ride without worrying about it.

Frame

We built the tubular steel frame of the Tiger Explorer in the same style as other Triumphs. But it's made extra tough to deal with the stresses of off-road riding and on the road too, where you can load the Tiger Explorer heavily and still ride at high speeds or on badly maintained back roads in full control and comfort.

Suspension

The suspension on the Tiger Explorer is built to cope with any kind of riding condition. We used tough 46mm forks at the front with an extended 190mm of travel, ideal for rough roads and long distance comfort. And at the rear, the single shock provides 194mm of travel and features a hydraulic remote preload adjuster and adjustable rebound damping.

Brakes

Braking is looked after by a pair of 4-piston callipers and twin 305mm discs at the front backed up by a single rear disc, all controlled by our advanced, switchable electronic ABS system.

Wheels and Tyres

The 10-spoke, cast aluminium wheels, 17 inches diameter at the rear and 19 inches at the front, are perfect for off-road riding and effective at dealing with poor road surfaces.

Handling

The Tiger Explorer is such an easy, natural handling bike. Be it low speed corners or fast sweepers, the Explorer shows outstanding handling manners. The wheelbase is long at 1530mm so you have plenty of room on board and excellent stability.

Riding Position

Comfort is crucial on a bike designed for extended touring trips, so for the Tiger Explorer, we've concentrated on that for both the rider and passenger.

The riding position is perfect. High, upright and dominant with wide bars and plenty of space. Even your passenger gets plenty of space as well as large grab handles for their reassurance and safety.

Equipment and Technology
Traction Control

The Tiger Explorer also comes with traction control as standard to give you added safety and confidence in slippery conditions. The system reassuringly keeps wheel slip to a manageable level by reading the speeds of both wheels, along with numerous engine parameters, and adjusts performance to assist the rider in maintaining a safe course.

Cruise Control

Cruise control is fitted to all Tiger Explorers, easing fatigue over long distances and optimising fuel efficiency.

Switchable ABS

The standard ABS system uses the latest technology to prevent wheel lock-up in any condition you find yourself in. And it can be switched off for off-road use to match your riding style.

950W Alternator

As a serious all-weather rider you would expect to be able to use various electrical devices, so the electrical system is powered by a class-leading 950W alternator. Plenty of power for you to use on the optional heated grips, spotlights, and seats.

Immobiliser

We added a coded key immobiliser system in case your Explorer attracts the wrong kind of attention. It disables the ignition if an attempt is made to turn or force the ignition switch without the presence of the electronically coded correct key.

Optional Spoke Wheels

An option on the Tiger Explorer is spoke wheels and tubeless tyres adding even more off-road ability.

Screen

Steady motorway speeds are made easy by the aerodynamically designed adjustable screen, which fends off the slipstream without creating undue turbulence or excessive wind noise.

Instruments and Computer

The Tiger Explorer tells you everything you need to know on a journey. The LCD instruments use handlebar mounted thumb switches with up/down scroll facility and feature a comprehensive onboard computer including 2 trip meters displaying distance covered, journey time, average speed, average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, range to empty.

Also visible on the LCD screen is the odometer readout, tyre pressure monitoring system readout (if fitted), heated seat power indicator, cruise control operation information and service interval. There is also an on-screen alert for freezing temperatures as well as a numeric readout for ambient temperature.

12v Power Socket

We’ve added a 12V power socket close to the ignition switch for a GPS unit or heated clothing.

Adjustable Seat Height

We made the seat broad, flat and easily adjustable to either 837mm or 857mm - no tools needed. So you can get comfortable whatever your size, while even the bars and levers adjust for finer tuned ergonomics.

Payload

The Tiger Explorer’s payload is an incredible 222kg. Ideal for those long adventures.

MD Review

It is no longer news to anyone that follows motorcycling that the big enduro/adventure bikes are all the rage. Britain has a great heritage of exploration (Dr. Livingstone, I presume?), and with its new Tiger Explorer, which follows on the recent success of the Tiger 800, Triumph joins the battle against the big bore class leading BMW R 1200 GS. In a category that now includes new models from the likes of Honda and Kawasaki, after just a single ride it is clear that Triumph has built a bike with all the necessary ingredients to be successful.

The highlights include the new 1215 cc triple that puts out a claimed 135 hp and 89 foot-pounds of torque through shaft drive to the rear wheel. Carrying 5.3 gallons of fuel, and featuring a 950 W alternator, the new Tiger Explorer promises to be a touring rider’s handy tool. The ergonomics are comfortable and upright, and the seat height is adjustable over a relatively broad range.

The claimed wet weight of 539 pounds seems pretty decent for a bike in this displacement category, but the BMW is a full 65 pounds lighter thanks to extensive efforts to trim weight by the German manufacturer.

Naturally, Triumph is dead serious about being successful in this niche, and the bike will be made available with ready access to dozens of accessories, including large saddlebags and top box (together, offering nearly 100 Litresof storage space), as well as heated grips, heated seats and a taller windscreen, among others.

Although the Tiger Explorer is a big bike, the seat height adjustment and narrow chassis allow relatively short riders to find a comforting reach to the ground with their feet. Something missing from many competitors in this category.

The Tiger Explorer is not without its electronic gadgets. Standard ABS and traction control are accompanied by cruise control, all of which are easily manipulated from the handlebars. Traction control offers three positions, including the most intrusive (allowing essentially zero wheel spin), slightly less intrusive and an “off” position.

After adjusting the seat height, as well as the windscreen position, we hit the starter button for the first time and that new triple with class leading power burbles to life. The new ride-by-wire throttle provides instant response from the big motor. The familiar, pleasing sound and smooth vibes immediately recall your last ride on a Hinckley triple (in my case, the Tiger 800). We begin to roll through the land of Granada, surrounded by olive groves and tranquility. Everything is smooth, highlighted by that throttle response that so precisely transmits to the rear wheel.

Traveling through an urban environment, the big Tiger is surprisingly nimble feeling and easily fits between lanes with the high handlebars clearing the mirrors of the adjacent cars. The ergonomics are immediately appreciated, with my hands in a comfortable position and the adjustable seat providing just the right amount of support.

Escaping to the faster highways, it becomes apparent to me that cruise control could be very useful on longer trips. Many motorcyclists scoff at cruise control, largely because they are unfamiliar with it. Trust me, this feature, which is so seamlessly integrated on the new Tiger Explorer, could be a godsend on boring drones across the super slab.

Like many of Hinckley’s recent triples, the motor runs like silk with no intrusive vibration whatsoever. Together with the couch-like ergonomics, I can tell this is going to be a relaxing ride with very little physical effort. Comfortable cruising on the highway can get boring, however, so I steer the Tiger Explorer to the twisty back roads.

It is on the flowing twisty back roads of Grenada where the magic happens. This big machine changes directions so easily that the weight beneath me virtually disappears. In fact, I decide that the fluid handling of the big Tiger Explorer is a great complement to that hugely powerful, smooth power plant motivating the mass. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and haven’t experienced a Hinckley triple, you simply must do so.

That instantaneous throttle response is very controllable … nothing unexpected happens as you open and close the grip. Together with all the leverage provided by that wide handlebar, this big bike creates a big grin under my helmet.

Traction control and long travel suspension only add to the pleasure. No need to worry about opening the throttle aggressively despite dicey traction here and there, and the extra suspension travel soaks up the bumps and undulations without diving excessively on the brakes.

The only fly in the ointment is, in a way, a complement to the Tiger Explorer. The bike generates so much confidence that you find yourself entering corners as aggressively as you might on a much lighter sport bike, revealing the extra mass beneath you. Having survived the overly aggressive corner entry, however, the bike quickly soothes you with that tremendous sound emanating from the engine, particularly above 6,000 rpm.

Finally, we take the machine off-road to assess its true adventure potential. Granted, machines in this category are not motocross bikes, and they certainly do not handle like such lightweight, nimble off-roaders. Respecting its size and weight, and being careful not to drop it (you don’t want to try to pick this bike up), it acquits itself surprisingly well. Both ABS and traction control can be turned off, which you would typically want to do on dirt or gravel.

Triumph is on a roll. It is carefully selecting the right categories to pursue, and producing quality machines priced as good value. The Tiger Explorer is no different. In the highly competitive mega-enduro class, this machine offers the most power and the only three-cylinder configuration. Together with a well sorted chassis and the available accessories expected in this class of motorcycle, Triumph appears to have produced another hit.

Source motorcycledaily.com