Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer Bike Overview
This adventure bike has had a big transformation. It sure does look like the original 2012 Tiger Explorer, but in 2016 six new versions were released. This includes three road variants – known as the XR range, and three off-road – known as the XC range.
The bike has a new riding position and seat, making it more comfortable and more manoeuvrable overall. You’ll also experience better steering, brakes and wider tyres with this bike, making it feel sturdier on the road. The biggest improvement though, has to be the Semi Active Suspension WP suspension which is second to none.
However, the new 137bhp Triumph is pretty heavy and sporty riders are going to find lighter bikes easier to handle. The engine is great though, meeting Euro 4 noise and emissions standards and making around 6% extra torque at 5500rpm. Distribution of power is good and the throttle response is also delightfully smooth.
The quality of this bike is very high, with no worries in terms of reliability. It is a good bike if you want high touring comfort and on road ability.
You also get a lot of equipment as standard, even on the basic model Explorer. This includes five riding modes, cornering ABS systems, great traction control and semi-active suspension. In higher spec models you can also get an on-board computer and cruise control, as well as heated grips and a heated seat. You can’t go much wrong if you want to spend a little extra money.
Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer Bike Spec
- Capacity1215cc
- Top speed133mph
- Weight259kg
- Average fuel consumption41mpg
- Seat height837mm
- EngineLiquid cooled, four stroke, DOHC, 4v
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Owner Reviews
Pros
It's great to ride
Cons
I like the bike as it is, the only thing I think to be a flaw in my opinion is the triumph luggage, as an adventure bike you would think the luggage would be water tight.
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Great view over other vehicles, comfort seat on rider and pillion nice and comfy
Had the bike for several years been great only issue had to change lambda sensor but can't fault it any other way.
Never had an problems when needing to stop ABS works well.
The bike is top heavy especially when full tank, but never find this a problem even though I'm only 5ft 7inch, only find it a bit of a problem when stationary and try to move it manually while sitting on it. When riding its such a great ride great on the corners and bliss on motorway with the cruise control activated.
It's got grunt when you want it very responsive.
I find the running costs fair compared to my other bikes I've had, great on fuel especially on long runs
Pros
Very comfortable ride
Cons
Heavyweight in slow speeds
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Very comfortable bike to ride
No problems with the bike
Brakes are very good
Very smooth ride, heavyweight in slow speed but corners very well.
It's not the fastest but you will never be without power when you need it
Average on fuel
Pros
Large tank means up to 200 miles between stops.
Cons
Heated grips are poor and could be improved
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I have sat in the saddle for 500 miles in a day and had no issues with my back or wrist. Heated seat is spot on in cold weather.
Engine is designed for high mileage. The suspension bushes are nylon and wear out at around 30k miles. This make the fork seals leak. Its not an expensive job but any time my bike is in the garage means I'm not on it.
Plenty of confidence when applying the anchors. The abs system works well.
A well balanced machine. I commute to London and it handles well between traffic. Learning to balance the bike at low speed makes life easy. When parking I try to back the bike in for ease of get away.
135 bph and plenty of torque to pull you out the muck. Good mid range power where it’s needed.
10,000 mile service intervals, with big service every 20,000 means I'm not taking the bike off the road every 3 months.
Pros
Comfort
Cons
Top heaviness.
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Tank range is 200+ miles ... fill up and do it again no problem.Pillion comfort is great.. my wife and i have ridden bikes for 40 years now... apparently the Explorer has the best grabrails ever... and loads of room..
Excellent if cared for. mine is pure white and scrubs up very well.
A little vague.. but its a heavy bike ... up to the job .. but no more.
Handles much better than it should ... only downside ( to the whole bike) its very top heavy ... noticeably when manouvering.
Absolutely awesome... pick a gear and open up ... superb for touring ... torque is sublime.
Services are expensive .. but does good mpg .. consumables are reasonable.. and .. no chain!
Pros
Weight of the bike is the worst thing. Best thing is the power delivery
Cons
Weight of the bike
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This is a comfortable bike to ride. Good seat height
Good paint job and build quality. Typical triumph
Breaks could be more responsive
Smooth power delivery
Powerful fun bike when you need it
It costs around £1000 to run each year
Pros
Engine, silky smooth with lovely power delivery. Overall the best adventure style bike I've owned and I've had a few.
Cons
Brakes lack feel
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Harsh ride and choppy on gnarly roads. Front and read springs changed, now good. Bit top end heavy but not a problem. Takes corners well.
Performance is spot on, fast but not ridiculously fast and super smooth power delivery
Brakes lack feel
No problems. Now two winters into ownership and absolutely no corrosion cleans up like brand new.
Nissan brakes, powerful but not brilliant feel.
Pros
The Explorer has to be the best Triumph I have owned. It is an amazing bike, whether to tour, commute or just a ride out. It comes with ABS,traction control and cruise control. It's fun to ride, looks fabulous and always brings a smile to my face.
Cons
Couple of points, the seating could be better and the rear brake. Though having several Triumph bikes, this seems to be a common problem.
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Very easy ride with plenty of of torque. Although a heavy bike once rolling it is remarkably agile. Though don't be under any illusions if the Tiger starts to go over you won't stop it. Having said that I filter daily and easily. It handles amazingly well even in the wet. I changed the tyres to Road Pilot 4, the grip, handling and ride is excellent. Very smooth when you wind it on, the sound is amazing.
This has to be the bikes strongest point. The engine is amazing,the sound idling is wonderful but once you wind it up the howl sends shivers. It has amazing Torque and pulls away easily in any gear. I've never red lined it but can only imagine the power must be amazing.
Couple of points, the seating could be better and the rear brake. Though having several Triumph bikes, this seems to be a common problem.
Excellent build, with no mechanical problems at all. The only problem I've had was a problem with a release on the top box, but an hour at the local triumph dealer sorted it Foc. Brilliant service.
The brakes come with ABS as standard and these should be standard on all bikes. The front brakes on the bike are excellent. Squeeze too hard and there is no upsetting of the bike, the rear brake is adequate but not as much bite as the front.
Pros
My Explorer totally reinvigorated me as a motorcyclist. I had gotten to the stage where I often used the car because I couldn't be bothered to get dressed up and get the bike out. Now, I look for every excuse to ride it. It's one amazing machine.
Cons
Top end noise when cold. A bit of sound damping around the cam cover wouldn't go amiss.
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Way better than a bike of this size and configuation ought to.
Powerful. A bit noisy when cold but not unusually so. Very smooth when riding. Loves to be ridden hard
Top end noise when cold. A bit of sound damping around the cam cover wouldn't go amiss.
Can't fault it. Paint and fasteners of the highest quality AND it has a steel tank so magnetic tank bags stay put.
Good enough to be confident. It's a heavy old bike to haul up.
Pros
Engine, but overall a great package. Ullapool North West Scotland to Beverley East Yorkshire 483mls in pouring rain all done in safety and comfort…..Say no more.
Cons
Lights could be improved
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Would be nice if it was a bit lighter. But doesn't feel heavy on the move
Best motorcycle engine bar none
Servicing deals available during the winter months.
no problems in the first 6000miles. Very well put together with quality components.
pity the rear isn't Brembo as well as the front
Pros
Ride height good, seat comfortable. wind protection good, Good all rounder.
Cons
Nothing
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Does what i want
Shaft drive, great engine
About 35 to the gallon. New set of tyres. Nothing else yet
Kept out side with covers, have treated with acf50, no rust yet
Abs,traction control. No issues
Pros
The best thing about this bike, it’s responsive, I can feel every bit of the machine, I feel like I’m syncing with the power of a tiger
Cons
The fuel range and the weight but can’t have one without the other Or that I can get a little taller
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It’s a fantastic machine, it corners and handles the road very well, with the semi active suspension you can adjust the comfort, the down side is that it is a top heavy bike as in only 5,6 so I do struggle a little
You can over take in every gear, it always has power when ever you need, if your overloaded your panniers, no problem, no weight slowing this girl down, twist the throttle and it goes, I find I used to struggle keeping up on my gsf650 bandit, but this girl just pulls all day lone
The fuel isn’t overly a problem, if it had a slightly bigger fuel tank up to 300 mile range it maybe be okay, but sticking at 70mph it does drink the fuel a little bit but saying that I can get 230 out of it with mixed mph speeds
Build quality is top of the list, it’s a work horse, built proof, Indestructible, every day machine
Fantastic breaking system, they are brembo brakes, I don’t know much about them, other than they’re high quality, as sometimes I can get too carried away with riding and the breaks are always there to pull me back
One comment on “Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer Bike”
Worst build quality of any bike I have owned. Bike is one year old 2020 Tiger 1200. Fork seals leaked when new, replaced under warranty. Software errors indicated INS chip was not communcating which required replacement of main wiring harness. Dealer put in new one and it was also defective. None in North America so Triumph had to express ship one from UK. This one fixed problem. Rear brake failed completely on hot day. Dealer bled it and it started working again. Went for ride today and low voltage warning light came on. Love riding it when it works but bike has spent almost 3 monthes at dealer in a year.