Refined’s a keeper?
Getting to know the latest hi-tech Tiger
I’VE DONE A lot of miles on Triumph’s 1200cc adventure bike. I rode on the launch of the Tiger Explorer in 2012 and since then I’ve ridden it all round France, Spain and Italy, never mind the North Coast 500 before it was called that — and afterwards, as well. I’ve ridden it up mountains, through cities, and for mile after tedious mile on motorways. I’ve ridden it in pouring rain and baking heat, solo, two-up, and loaded to the gunnels. It is a bike I know very well indeed.
But this is the first time I’ve had one parked in the garage as a machine to get to know on more intimate, daily terms. And I’ll be honest, until it arrived I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it. I mean, I always liked the big Tiger. Respected it, even. Had some good times with it, too. But I’d never quite come to love it.
Will this one be different? Has the update that simplifies the name to ‘Tiger 1200’ made what was already a very good bike into a great one? Well, the point of a longterm test is we can’t answer those kinds of questions on day one. But I’ll tell you what, I can already say with confidence this is the best 1200cc adventure bike Triumph has ever produced.
This XRT version has an advantage in the charm stakes as all bells and whistles are included, along with easy-to-clean cast
“There are lots of positives with the new Tiger 1200”
wheels (not the spokes of the XCA version). That means it has heated grips and heated seats (with an independent control for the pillion). It has cruise control, an electronically adjustable screen, an easy-to-read full-colour TFT dash controlled by a little joystick that is not only easy to use but is also paired with menus that are simple, clear and intuitive (a first on a Tiger). It has electronically activated suspension, which adjusts its preload automatically and its semi-active damping is tweaked with the joystick.
Better still, the first couple of hundred miles suggest the engine’s lost none of its eager, satisfyingly meaty three-cylinder character. If anything, it feels more eager and free revving – even sticking to the running-in guidelines. It was fast enough at 6000rpm but as miles passed and the rev ceiling rose, it’s got better and better, aided by handling that feels lighter and more natural plus a slick quickshifter that helps keep the engine in its sweet spot.
Sadly, the update hasn’t included a diet – the XRT is 11kg lighter but it has also lost the old model’s engine crash bars and this bike has no luggage. Pushing it up the slight incline out of my garage shows it’s still a heavyweight. This model is also keyless… until it needs fuel (cue fumbling for the key to open the tank). This also happens a little too often for my liking, as that 20L tank asks for a top-up after about 150 miles.
So there are lots of positives with the new Tiger 1200. Only a few niggles. It’s already impressed me… we’ll see if I come to love it as a bike to live with every day. SIMON WEIR