Triumph Tiger Explorer News
(click on images)
Triumph has released the first official pictures of its new BMW GS rival, the 1200cc Tiger Explorer.
The bike is powered by a 1200cc, three-cylinder engine with Triumph’s first ride-by-wire throttle system, and comes with cruise control, traction control and switchable ABS.
The bike follows much of the same basic look and specification as the current Tiger 800, including a similar tubular steel frame, but is notable as the first modern Triumph to feature shaft final drive, in line with direct rivals the R1200GS, Yamaha Super Ténéré and Moto Guzzi Stelvio. This is integrated into a single-sided swingarm design. Wheel sizes are 17 inch rear, 19 inch front.
Various options and accessories are promised but not yet specified, including hard and soft luggage, low and high seats plus a range of electrical items likely to include heated grips, lights and so on.
Just one technical detail has been confirmed, which is the fitment of a class leading 950W alternator, enabling the simultaneous use of many accessories and heated clothing too.
Disappointingly (especially for the journalists flown to London from around Europe only to be given a memory stick with a handful of pictures on, after a long presentation about Triumph’s corporate success...) Triumph has not confirmed any important details such as power and torque figures, weight, tank size or fuel range. It’s possible to make some guesses: Triumph is claiming class leading performance, which assuming the Multistrada is not included in the class means a power output of around 130bhp (97kW). Staff at the presentation also suggested the fuel range was better than the R1200GS, which at least means this was considered important at the design stage, so expect a tank size of at least 4.6 gallons (21 litres, 5.6 gallons US).
There are also no pictures of the shaft system itself. This looks bulky but Triumph appears aware of reliability issues with BMW’s and claims their own is exceptionally strong. But then they would...
As with the Tiger 800 and according to Triumph's general policy, there is nothing ground breaking technologically about the bike, while the styling is conservative too, closely following the Tiger 800's generic adventure bike look. Even so, Triumph has been enormously successful building exceptionally good motorcycles to this unadventurous formula - clearly this accords with customers' own priorities.
Full details will be released at the Milan EICMA show on November 8.
Other News
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 20:28
#2
That silencer is 'orrible. Why oh why haven't they followed Buell with under engine exhaust/bashplate, i can't understand this fixation of putting ugly "cans" on the side of modern bikes. As for the bike we will wait and see but I do Triumph for listening and running high output generators to take account of all the gizmos we can play with. Does it have a couple of power outlet sockets as well?
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 20:37
#3
I don't know about the power sockets, they were a thin on the useful info but I think it's very likely there'll be at least one.
They'll have avoided the underbelly silencer to maximise ground clearance as the bike will have some off-road ability, like the GS, and it would be vulnerable there too.
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 20:39
#4
RiC: Inline triples are pretty good for mass centralisation, higher than a boxer but not quite as tall as a parallel twin like the Super Ténéré.
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 20:52
#5
Kevin: I am looking forwards to your test report and comparisons with the competition.
Strikes me a comparison of drive away price with essential extra's, ignoring the bike's list price, will be revealing.
As we know, as clever clot's, a low headline list price can fool punters to ignore essential accessories cost.
Anyway looks like your in for some fun during the forthcoming test ride season!
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 21:33
#6
No view of the shaft side of the bike, my guess is it looks Shlt , Otherwise we might have seen a 360 degree view of the machine. I don't mind what I'm seeing although from a looks prospective the thing appears heavy, top heavy ! I suspect BMW has little to fear , lots of hype about the Yamaha , Multi , and now Triumph , being GS beaters , still think none of these are in the same race !
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 22:14
#7
Kevin: Hear what you say about Mass Centralisation and triples but for me it's about that design desire to get the best mass/ handling from the bits that are incorporated into the assembly. It makes a difference, mass position, to a bikes handling that raises it's head, as pleasure and performance, every time a bike is ridden.I'm not convinced it's a priority at Triumph in my limited experience of their bikes and acknowledge it's a relative issue to other marques.
Honda are masters at it and BMW are getting there fast with all their latest bikes.
Wonder if Triumph are too cost focused to get that extra design edge from mass centralisation?
I want them to succeed so will be open minded until I test ride the bike after digesting your report,
Mon, 24/10/2011 - 22:17
#8
Blue... :-(((
It looks so BORING!
Let's hope they'll be able to make me an Orange one :-))))
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 08:14
#9
Yes I agree that exhaust looks very bake bean can,ish,, and I suspect it is a wee bit top heavy( what is the good of a bike that one person cannot picck up after an off on the dirt)the shaft drive is a good addition,but all in all not my cup of tea,I think they should devlope the bonnie engine more to fill this kind of roll in to something like the old Honda Africa Twin.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 10:39
#10
Kevin, just a small correction in your piece re the "first modern Triumph with shaft drive". Rocket 3 has a shaft.
Anyway, my thoughts on this, being a long term Tiger rider (955i since 2002 and an 800XC since June) is that it'll feel much like the Tiger955i to ride. If the 800XC comes in at 215Kgs wet this has got to be heavier and I reckon it'll be similar to the 955 but with more power.
It'll be interesting to find out that power and what rear tyre they're putting it through. MCN reckoned it'll be around 140BHP. Through a 150/70 tyre? Hmmmm!
Also, I think they realised that 99.9% of BMW GS owners never go near a dirt road so they designed a bike that will slaughter the BMW on tarmac roads.
Not for me as I've discovered that my 800XC is THE bike to have if you want to explore the real rough back tracks when you're on an adventure holiday.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 17:37
#11
Roundincircles,im surprised by your,comments about mass centralisation,and the way a bike handles not being a priorty at triumph,have you ever ridden a street triple,speed triple,my tiger 800 handles brilliantly,believe me triumph knows how to make a bike that handles very well,im sure the explorer will be great.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 17:56
#12
Roundincircles,im surprised by your,comments about mass centralisation,and the way a bike handles not being a priorty at triumph,have you ever ridden a street triple,speed triple,my tiger 800 handles brilliantly,believe me triumph knows how to make a bike that handles very well,im sure the explorer will be great.
My comment was based on my observation of the Adventurer,almost, upright engine and the room forward and aft that could have been utilised to cant it forwards, albeit that would have necessitated a rearrangement of the radiator.
It is a relative handling issue to other makes and the gain to be had in agility and handling.
I would add that I mentioned my limited experience of Triumph having only owned an early triple Thunderbird, a triple Trophy ( top heavy ) and one of my all time favourites - a triple Sprint.
I have test ridden most late triple engine Triumphs and would agree that they handle well and have character-full engines.
However going that extra mile with the design costs money in development and build and I'm yet to be convinced that Triumph want to go that route. They seem to be comfortable to follow and that strategy is serving them well......it's a valid strategy.
Like many I look forwards to riding the latest bike, shaft drive and all, and dearly hope that engine has 'triple character and characteristics'!
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 18:48
#13
As far as I'm concerned, this bike looks promising.
It looks good (IMO), has proper power (130-140hp), triple, cruise control (very useful in North America), ABS, traction control and fully adjustable suspension (albeit not electronically adjustable).
Now, if it has a proper tank, with a range greater than 200 miles, doesn't weigh more than 240kg, with a base price of about $16kUS - that will make it attractive indeed.
The Adventure segment is shaping up to be extremely competitive within the next year:
1. New Triumph Adventure 1200
2. New BMW GS (liquid cooled)
3. New Honda Crosstourer 1200
4. New KTM 1200 SMT?
Cheers.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 19:59
#14
I can't stop wondering Triumph is trying to sway people that want a MTS/GS hybrid.
Mudguard/Beak look from MTS. Check
Powerful engine close to MTS. Check
Off-road capability of the GS. Check
Maintenance free shaft-drive of the GS. Check
Funky looking headlights from the GS. Check
Before the MTS appeared the Tiger 1050 was the most oriented road bike but now Triumph has veered more into the GS world with a bit of MTS salt.
I wonder a bit about Triumph's choice as it seems to fall right where they have pointed, in between, it will neither have the status of the BMW or the outright performance of the Duc.
I'm sure it will be a good bike on its own but it doesn't have anything original to stand on against the competition. Will it fall in the Super Teneré stereotype? "You really don't want to have a BMW or you really want to have a Yamaha."
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 20:09
#15
BatuKMan: The priceing/ performance may be persuasive compared to BMW and Ducati. I would bet on it in the UK.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 21:22
#16
You are correct roundincircles but from the sales of GS/MTS/Diavel, etc... low price doesn't equal to large sale numbers.
Also take into account that Triumph also has to compete in mainland Europe and USA where the prices are more competitive than in the UK.
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 22:12
#17
Interesting we are doing what the manufacturer would want "hyping" the unreleased bike. To add to the hype, more power than the Yamaha , More shaft than the MTS , and less money than the MTS and the BMW . I see a good market . This segment is not about going off road, it is image to the over 50's group who can't spend a day on a sports bike and still want a rough image. The over 50's also have the ability to buy !
I'm in that group own the Multi because it is a comfy road bike !!
Tue, 25/10/2011 - 23:32
#18
My comment was based on my observation of the Adventurer,almost, upright engine and the room forward and aft that could have been utilised to cant it forwards, albeit that would have necessitated a rearrangement of the radiator.
So all the heavy gearbox components right at the centre of mass doesn't mean squat?
Wed, 26/10/2011 - 09:45
#19
My comment was based on my observation of the Adventurer,almost, upright engine and the room forward and aft that could have been utilised to cant it forwards, albeit that would have necessitated a rearrangement of the radiator.
So all the heavy gearbox components right at the centre of mass doesn't mean squat?
Blacktiger: That's a good point that the gearbox is low and as a heavy component that lowers the mass but the engine could have been canted over and thus lower as well!
On the modern Honda's and BMW straight 4's and 6's the gearbox is on the side of the engine so with the engine canted forwards the mass becomes yet more centralised.
When a Fireblade, at 200 kilo, is turned there is hardly any force required and a 360 kilo K1600 also defies it's weight as that turns at fast or slow speeds with little rider input. By comparison a 1200 GS needs 'hauling' down and up to turn and on a long tour you work so hard that you can have 3 meals a day and loose weight! That is one USP that never appears in the advertising!
The Triumph may be a fine ride as it is (time will tell) and be good enough,it's just that good enough can be better and thus beaten!
I just guess I want Triumph to be leaders and beat BMW and Honda, silly patriotism, but they seem happy to be followers.Triumph are a financial success and getting fat and happy so are unlikely to change and you can't knock that!
Wed, 26/10/2011 - 11:36
#20
When a Fireblade, at 200 kilo, is turned there is hardly any force required and a 360 kilo K1600 also defies it's weight as that turns at fast or slow speeds with little rider input. By comparison a 1200 GS needs 'hauling' down and up to turn and on a long tour you work so hard that you can have 3 meals a day and loose weight! That is one USP that never appears in the advertising!
Triumph seem to be able to achieve the same effect via their steering geometry. Take my 800XC, at 215Kgs and being as tall as it is, it really shouldn't turn so quickly and effortlessly but it does. Everyone said the geometry at 23 degrees head angle would be unstable off road etc but it isn't. There's some kind of magic in what Triumph are doing but it works.
Wed, 26/10/2011 - 12:24
#21
Blacktiger: That's good that Triumph are using magic to design agility into their bikes and John Bloor needs congratulations regarding how he has brought the 'magic' back to Triumph.
Thu, 27/10/2011 - 17:12
#22
Does anybody else feel MCN take the p..s when they announce a scoop, you buy the paper and the article is absent?
Take this weeks web promotion, features on Simoncelli(very well done) and 4 page Triumph Adventure feature. Even the papers editorial makes reference to the Triumph feature on page 2.
Nothing about the Triumph, no articles
Smacks of poor management and disregard for the customer.
It's almost fraudulent. No, it is fraudulent.
Thu, 27/10/2011 - 22:50
#23
I was giving them the benefit of the doubt because of the Simoncelli article.
Fri, 28/10/2011 - 00:09
#24
There is a little 1/2 inch bit somewhere saying that the Explorer piece will appear next week due the the Simoncelli tragedy.
Fri, 28/10/2011 - 23:12
#25
Motorrad has a comparison today - new triumph 135bhp 260kg, GS 110bhp 246kg, Ducati 148PS 234kg, Varadero 1000 94 bhp 289kg, SuperTen 110PS 267kg
Fri, 28/10/2011 - 23:18
#26
Is the Varadero really that much of a porker? I am not questioning the accuracy of the data, I am just surprised that the GS is the second lightest and the Honda the heaviest by a long way.
Fri, 28/10/2011 - 23:30
#27
I was wondering about the numbers too, but I do presume they've stuck the bikes on their own scales?
Sat, 29/10/2011 - 12:01
#28
I can't stop wondering Triumph is trying to sway people that want a MTS/GS hybrid.
I wonder a bit about Triumph's choice as it seems to fall right where they have pointed, in between, it will neither have the status of the BMW or the outright performance of the Duc.
Quite often it's the middle ground that sells. You only have to look at what's being driven on the road. There are far more 320i than M3 out there. Triumph don't often get their market research wrong.
And, for all those that moan about it looking like other makes. Yes it does have elements of this and elements of that but overall it looks different to everything else out there. I like the way it looks but it'll be too porky for my use. I'm sticking with my800XC for the foreseeable future.
Sat, 29/10/2011 - 22:38
#29
I was wondering about the numbers too, but I do presume they've stuck the bikes on their own scales?
Well Kevin gave the wet weight comparisons and they are different, the MTS for example is 220 kg wet ? If like me you have changed exhaust and don't have the heavy suspension , you weigh in 15 kgs less !
Sun, 30/10/2011 - 07:35
#30
Motorrad has a comparison today - new triumph 135bhp 260kg, GS 110bhp 246kg, Ducati 148PS 234kg, Varadero 1000 94 bhp 289kg, SuperTen 110PS 267kg
In among those weights the latest iteration of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio with the dual lambda sensors and 32l tank, looks reasonable at a claimed 104bhp and 257kg kerb wt.
Sun, 30/10/2011 - 13:41
#31
Surely those weights must include the side cases?
The Stelvio is listed at 251kg w/o cases (and not sure if fully fueled/90% full or any gas at all), on Guzzi's website. It is a HEAVY beast and definitely more than 11kg vs GS.
I can certainly believe the new Triumph to be 14kg heavier than the GS, which isn't liquid cooled.
Can anyone confirm the MTS's weight - including cases?
Cheers.
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Kevin. That engine looks disappointingly high and vertical. Wonder what that does for mass centralisation and handling agility?
But as you say Triumph travel a well travelled road technically apart from their stellar and character-full engines.
Seems a comparison with Honda's V4 shaft drive Cross Tourer will be the test of interest!