Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer dealer launch test ride report

It is fair to say that I was more than a little excited as I approached the neatly organised line of thirty brand new shiny Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorers glistening in the morning sun of southern Spain. The various press reviews I had read had all been very positive and I was keen to see just how good it really is. Although there was not a cloud in the sky the temperature was still a little nippy at just 6 degrees C, so I promptly selected a bike with heated grips fitted as I only had my summer gloves with me and I am basically a wimp when it comes to riding with cold hands.

The first major thing that hit me when I sat on the bike and lifted it off the side stand was how incredibly light it felt. The official weight figures for the Explorer claim it is some thirty kilos heavier than the BMW R1200GS which is the benchmark bike in this class, a bike which I have ridden many times and always feels heavy when you lift it off the side stand. With this in mind I was expecting the Explorer with it’s extra weight to feel heavier, however Triumph have clearly given this matter serious consideration and have created a very well balanced bike that is easy to lift off the side stand and carries it’s weight very well indeed. This became even more evident as I wheeled the bike backwards out of the line up and eased it onto the centre stand with very little effort.

As I pressed the starter button I was met with the unmistakeable growl of a Triumph triple, which quickly turns into a pleasing yet inoffensive snarl as the revs rise. Even from cold the engine feels crisp and responsive and the bike feels instantly familiar: you know you’re sitting on a Triumph.

The first part of our route took in several miles of motorway so I decided to have a play with the cruise control, which is fitted as standard on the Explorer. The operation is really quite simple: you must be in fourth gear or higher, press the cruise control switch (I switched it on before starting the ride and just left it on standby), then when you want to use it just press and hold the ‘Set’ button on the right switchgear for a couple of seconds and it’s on. You can then adjust the desired speed easily by pressing the ‘up’ or ‘down’ buttons. Coming off cruise control is also simple, either touch the brake, pull the clutch lever or rotate the throttle twist grip forward as far as it will go.

Soon we left the motorway and headed into the mountains onto twistier roads and I was quickly surprised by just how well the Explorer handles. It is remarkably planted through the corners and changes direction effortlessly even at speed. On several occasions I encountered significant bumps mid corner which were no problem for the bike, and on one particular corner there was a speed bump which I hit at over sixty mph whilst still leaning slightly, this I expected to be messy, but again the suspension dealt with it with minimal fuss.

At one point I slowed the Explorer down to under 2000RPM in sixth gear and fully opened the throttle to see how the engine responded. The result was no juddering, just smooth acceleration which grew with the revs, this is due to the massive amount of torque and the ride by wire throttle; the engine does not bog down or over fuel, it just pulls cleanly.
On the outbound journey I had set the seat in it’s lowest position, which although not uncomfortable, I found a little too low for my 6’2” frame, so for the return journey I raised it to the higher position which I found suited me better. Overall I found the upright riding position and spacious layout to be very comfortable and at no point during the two and a half hours that I was riding did I feel uncomfortable in any way. During the ride I left the adjustable screen in its standard position which offered more than adequate protection from the wind, with very little buffeting.

On reflection when I arrived back at our hotel it was easy to see why the press are raving so much about the Explorer. It is a very versatile all round bike: the riding position is natural and very comfortable with good wind protection, the chassis is extremely well balanced meaning it is easy to manoeuvre both when riding and when parking / pushing and the engine is absolutely superb with lots of torque and smooth, useable power throughout the rev range. The gearbox is slick and the controls are intuitive and fall easily to hand. As for the total riding experience, the Explorer is very hard not to like; it is equally competent cruising down a motorway as it is on twisty roads, and when ridden hard it delivers in every aspect.

I had big expectations for the Explorer and I am pleased to say that they were easily surpassed. I cannot wait to get on our demonstrator.
 
Adam Jordan
Dealer Principal

2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer

Brand new for 2012 is the Tiger Explorer, a flagship model for Triumph's Adventure range.

Following on from 2011's phenomenally successful Tiger 800 models, which have become Europe's best selling sub-800cc adventure tourers, the Tiger Explorer is powered by an all-new, shaft-driven, 1200cc, three-cylinder engine, delivering class-leading performance to the adventure touring market.

Featuring a high-specification as standard, the Tiger Explorer debuts Triumph's new ride-by-wire throttle system and includes cruise control, switchable ABS and traction control as standard. The unparalleled quality continues in the chassis department with a strong steel frame and cast alloy wheels, 19" front and 17" rear, the latter showcased by the stylish single-sided swingarm.

A suite of bespoke accessories have also been developed for the Tiger Explorer's launch with hard and soft luggage, low and high seat options and a wide range of heated and electrical accessories which can be run simultaneously thanks to the Tiger Explorer's class-leading, on board 950w generator.