Q What’s it like on a big tour?
Editor Matt rides 700 miles to Scotland and back to find out
THE SEVEN-HUNDREDTH MILE in the last 40 hours has clicked over in a maelstrom of torrential rain, deep puddles and the kind of lean-inducing sidewinds that force you to contemplate the consequences of losing the front in a straight line. We’re heading south, sucking in the A1 after experiencing the kind of chills and rain that typify the Scottish summer cliché.
The GT Explorer is in its element. The most touring-based of all the Tigers, within minutes of hitting the road, it’s obvious it loves a mile-eating mission.
I’m sitting at 85mph, the neat, easy-toread TFT tacho barely hitting 5000rpm and despite the rain, the world is good.
That 1160cc triple plays out a muted baritone tune, full of booming character, refinement and sophistication. The cruise control takes the wrist-ache out of the journey (though Triumph missed a trick with no radar assistance.) The screen’s decent enough that I wouldn’t bother with an aftermarket item, steadfastly diverting the worst of the cold (it’s June tomorrow but just 8°C today). The Triumph rules the fast-lane, cutting through the puddles: the OE Metzeler Tourances might not be the sharpest steering but their wet-weather grip and stability are impressive.
Sheltering from the weather is easier thanks to that 30-litre tank. Designed to give the bike a 300-mile range, it does make the Triumph fatter but not to the same extent that a big tank bloats a BMW GS Adventure, though the big Bavarian does have another three litres of capacity. The Tiger isn’t supersized like a GSA; its front profile is svelte compared it its girthy German rival.
Lots of people will plump for the Explorer option of the Tiger and it is easy
‘There is more to touring than just the miles’
to see why — earlier on today, the fuel range indicator clicked to zero after 284 miles of non-stop ‘enthusiastic’ riding and a return of 46.6mpg. Not quite the 300 miles some had hoped for but its definitely more than doable: an easy 50mpg and 300 miles is possible with more restraint, cruise control and a long motorway run ahead.
But there is more to touring than just churning through the miles and the time spent on the twisties was informative as well as fun. The old Tiger 1200 always felt long, heavy and a bit of a wrestle and this is far better than that, but the GT isn’t quite the revelation I’d hoped it would be. Firstly, I reckon the Tiger could wear the weight of its panniers better — even basic physics teaches us that their additional mass so far away from the centre of gravity is inevitably going to do funny things to a bike, but some handle it better the others. In the Tiger’s case, it deadens the steering, meaning slower direction changes and more inside pressure to hold a line. Wind up the damping settings on the semiactive suspension some and things do improve, though.
In this state, more fun comes to the fore; there’s still stability and composure but the more accurate handling inspires you. Work the Triumph harder and the top-end pull is impressive — it’s certainly a fast motorcycle. Chasing through the twists and turns of the Scottish borders is good fun, and the Tiger is masterful at covering ground quickly and with little fuss. But those touring-spec gear ratios mask the huge torque and impressive power, so it takes a while to pull through each gear and means you’re hitting highly illegal speeds by the time you’ve finished with third or fourth.
The result is that despite the impressive numbers, it doesn’t quite deliver the shove and instant joy of a GS or a KTM 1290 Super Adventure — you need to work at it with the Triumph.
But back on the motorway, heading for home and the Tiger still delivers as it smashes the miles, the chill taken off by a heated seat and grips. A final stop to dig out another layer reminds me how well the Tiger’s luggage system works. The Trekker panniers and 52-litre topbox add over £1000 to the OTR price but they hold enough for a weekend away for a couple, are waterproof and can be fitted and removed in seconds. I think they’re the Tiger’s most essential accessory. They sum up the bike too — not cheap but well thought-out, effective, quality and extremely useful.