Triumph’s big duallie

By Réhann Coetzee

 

 

When Triumph launched its Tiger Explorer in 2012, it caused a bit of a stir. The big triple-cylinder engine had 137 horsepower, mag rims that the factory insisted were stronger than spoke wheels, and it cost less than BMW’s 1200 GS. In 2013 KTM’s 1190 took the horsepower fight to another level and BMW launched its liquid-cooled 1200 GS.

In 2016 the Explorer was extensively improved, with more ground clearance, electronic suspension adjustment and an engine that was even more tractable than the 2012 model’s.

I made no secret of the fact that I had bought one of the first Explorers in the country and thoroughly enjoyed riding it in anger on and off tar. I got a 2016-model as a long-termer from the previous importers of Triumph and fell in love with that version too.

But now I have serious problems, because a while ago I went on record to share my impression of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure – and I’m not the only one who thinks it is an absolute stunning bike. Kind of like an iron fist in a velvet glove. The kind of bike I would really like to own.

After riding the Triumph 1200 Tiger – no longer called an Explorer – at Triumph’s 2018 mode line-up launch, I am smitten. I so dearly want one, I am sleeping badly.

The Tiger 1200 now also has a TFT screen, as the current trend. But with that, it probably has the most intuitive adjustments to its various settings – including riding modes and refinements thereof.

It also has a quick-shifter and I am convinced this is the best one on the market – after riding the KTM 1290 R and the 790 Duke that both have excellent quick-shifters.

Us journo types often say how there is no such thing as a bad bike on the market. And that really is true. But heavens, the number of stunning bikes is shocking! And the Tiger 1200 is one of them. It is a stunning bike.

I am very wary of brand-bashing, but another journalist and I had the same thought after riding it: Why would you rather buy another brand?

I suppose there is a lot to be said for the macho image of a KTM with its 21-inch front wheel. And it does kick out 160 angry horses, but in off-road mode that is limited to a sensible 100.

And BMW has always boasted (rightly so) about their dealership coverage in the country, as well as their BMW-On-Call service (that is hardly ever needed in any case). But the BMW R1200 GS is now too old to compete with these bikes on a level playing field. I still love the Boxer engine, but even the quick-shifter – which was the first one in the world to offer downshifts too – cannot compare anymore with what is offered by Triumph and KTM. For some reason we still haven’t seen the 1200 GS with the new TFT screen, although it has been available overseas for a while. And although you don’t really, really need more than 100kW in a dual-purpose bike, that is the trend. BMW’s 92kW doesn’t get there, although it still has 125Nm of torque very well spread.

I really don’t want to brand bash at all, that is not what I’m doing here. But Triumph has now taken the dual-purpose bike to the next level. The Tiger’s engine is still the most tractable of the big duallies – from idling speed upwards – although not the most powerful. The Tiger 1200 really feels like the iron fist in a velvet glove.

Triumph SA will not be importing the XR line-up, the more tar-focused version with mag wheels. The XC and XCa will represent the Tiger 1200 line-up on local shores.

Bruce Allen says there are 100 or more improvements on the 2016-spec bike. And that is hard to believe, because it wasn’t a bad bike by any stretch of the imagination. It is also 11kg lighter than its predecessor. And weight has been a huge source of criticism of the Explorer.

The engine now gives even more immediate power delivery and feedback and the ergonomics have been hugely improved with the new TFT screen. And the technology fairy was generous when she waved her wand over the Tiger 1200:

• Adaptive cornering lighting
• Adjustable full colour TFT instrument panel
• All-LED lighting
• Six riding modes, including “Off Road Pro”
• Backlit switchgear
• Quick-shifter (called Triumph Shift Assist)
• Keyless ignition
• Updated cruise control

On top of the new generation state-of-the-art technology, the new Tiger 1200 range offers what Triumph calls a huge choice of “core” features: innovations and benefits to deliver a superior riding experience. Such as fully integrated management systems controlled by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), integrated braking system (developed with Continental), optimised cornering ABS and traction control, hill-hold, ride-by-wire throttle, and the riding modes to configure the motorcycle to suit its terrain at the press of a button.

“An electrically-adjustable windscreen, heated equipment and two power sockets make every journey even more comfortable.”

The XCa has the quick-shifter, adaptive cornering lighting, fog lights and an Arrow silencer as standard equipment. There is also a range of more than 50 optional accessories for the buyer to choose from to customise his or her bike.

Technically speaking: Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Engine: 1 215cc, parallel 3-cylinder, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power: 104kW @ 9 350rpm / 122Nm @ 7 600rpm

Gears: 6 speed, shaft

Fuel tank: 20 litres

Seat height: 835-855mm

Tyres: 120/70/19 front, 170/60/17 rear

Brakes: 4-piston 305mm double disks (front); 2-piston 282mm single disk (rear)

Dry weight: 248kg

Price: R248 000