Triumph Tiger Explorer

Captain, was really being cheeky with the Explorer XT, however I will be among the first to order one as it addresses the only real weakness IMHO for its capability which is its range, OK I am perhaps in a minority, my TeX has been out 5 times so far, back home from the dealer when I picked it up, back for its first service and used 3 times, 770 miles done, approx. 250 miles per ride, would prefer to have range of 250 + miles.

Escaped on Saturday afternoon, did most of Lake District passes including Wrynose & Hardknott both ways, total 240 miles and enjoying it more as it starts to loosen up and suspension/brakes bed in.

Came back filthy but a quick blast from the Karcher and it looks just like it came out of the showroom, easy to clean IMHO (though I prefer riding to cleaning).

So far 44.1mpg, not yet squeezed more than 16.5 litres into tank.

No longer aware of any vibrations in the bars, suspect only noticeable if sticking around the 5000rpm mark, will look out for it next time out.

Agree with the comments about model specific forums and first dance with new bikes, I guess the luxury of choice in what and when can often mean you don't have to live with a bad choice although after that you perhaps end up more demanding.

Now have the task of convincing the wife that its as good as the K1200GT for long runs, will probably have to get a heated pillion seat on order!

Captain, I must agree that I had never considered the idea of heated seats, however after a bout of pneumonia I started to use them in a car, when I got a bike with them I couldn't believe how much difference they made coming home late and tired, actually help concentration and could even be considered a safety addition.

Sadly by the time I ordered my TeX most of the optional items were on back order so heated grips and seats etc were left off thinking winter was over, forgot we don't have seasons anymore, just weather!

Guess if the TeX is popular enough there will be some long range tanks made, guess as I get older the stops might be more welcome, probably too late for me to try doing Iron Butts now.

Might have a built in trade for this TeX as my son is looking for an upgrade for his V-Strom and my daughter wants that for a knock-about, they are already making plans..... as usual it'll cost me!

Have to agree strongly about the usability of tall-rounders they might not get the biggest grins but you get more of them :-)

One good thing about living oop-nerf is the roads, well suited to having fun!

Anyway there is a triple lump of iron in the garage and the sun is shining.......

For those on the west side of the Atlantic ...

If'n you're really anxious, Pete's in Baltimore, MD got a blue one in today with the Launch Package. The Sales Manager told me they didn't even know it was arriving. Evidently, the truck pulled up this morning unannounced ;-) He supposed that they got an early one b/c they are the #2 Triumph dealership in The States.

Without having to peruse the many past pages of this Explorer thread, to see whether it's already been brought up, indications seem to be cropping up from Triumph service techs, posted via owners / enthusiasts on other forums, that this 1200 motor features a full access cassette gearbox.

Perhaps part of a modular build design, easier conversion to a chain drive variant, who knows...

Anyone had confirmation on this unusual news / speculation, with the big bore Tiger ?

996DL

Mention has been made of the limiting on the TeX, is this just due to availability of tyre for over 130mph with "Adventure" tread patterns or due to anticipated instability over 130mph? For anyone not planning on using agricultural tyres it may be a frustrating limitation to its ability to cover big miles.

Just thinking of suitability of the current drivetrain in a Trophy format, as it is in the Tex it would be an interesting competitor to the RT1200, allowed to use what I already suspect is available, it could prove a very adept mile muncher with the inherent ability to raise a smile, maybe not the king of grin associated with a Diavel or Rocket but could be a very interesting development!

If given the ability to fall into corners with the same panache as the Tex (for such a heavy bike).

RIC, not seen much feedback on your TeX recently, any further thoughts or comments before Captain gets his and fills the forum?

RIC sorry to hear that - i guess one benefit is that the X12 has a really light throttle and the cruise control for those motorways

Captain - not long to go - have been out today in the rain - just fun riding for the pleasure - trying to understand how my Tom Tom works - sat with my mate and a beer and between the two of us we figured a few things out - he has a T8 and is grossly jealous of my filthy 12

Run it up to 120 mph today on the satnav - no issues - speedo running about 3-4 mph over

Just in after an afternoon with a grey (and rather dirty) launch model. I grabbed the demo bike just when my dealer went home today, I´ll keep it for the rest of the weekend. Clocked in 160km in a couple of hours on norwegian back roads, in 10 degrees Celsius, with my missus on the back. Spring time is a bumpy ride here as the roads are trying to get back to their normal fit after the frost heave.

Coming from the RallyRaid(*), I notice the TEx is about 10 years of bike development further down the road. The engine is pulling like a train everywhere, regardless of any gear and rpm. In my book, the chassis is planted, steering is quick and the breaks are feather light. No wind turbulence with the launch model high screen.
I haven´t got adjusted to the engine rpms yet. Changing up too early and looking for gear 7. Speaking of gears: When I took it out, it was a bit chilly. The air temperature showed 3, 4 and 6 degrees. And suddenly it was back to 2. And what a funny symbol they had chosen to display behind the temperature. Looks like a gear symbol?! Doh. :)

CC:
More fiddling with the buttons and after a while I managed to engage the CC. But only after my first break, when I noticed that the CC-button had two positions, in (engaged) or out. It did not work like I had thought tho´, but it wouldn´t be very safe: when engaged and set, I thought I could lift my right hand from the throttle, lets say to relax on one of those longer stretches. When releasing the throttle it disengage. That´s ok with me. It´s not cancelled when touching the front brake either (break light switch) as far as I can see. As long as the speed is still kept up it´s still engaged. The clutch will disengage it. I feel that I haven't understood the way it works yet. Have to read the manual.

ABS and TC:
Haven´t noticed any.

Air tire pressure sensors:
The display reads 37 PSI front and 44 rear. I will try to lower it a bit tomorrow, the tarmac is still cold. I will also check the rear preload/damper. I think it is winded up too much on the adjustment wheel. Feels like the back is a bit stiff, making the front bouncing back at it.

Automatic indicator cancceling:
I believe it´s just a timer, and no gyros involved. I would like to have a way of adjusting how long time it should take before the indicators went off. I think they are on for too long, so I reset them myself. I don´t want any Volvo driver to believe that I´m about to turn (once more) when I´m not.

Speed sensation:
The TEx is seriously effective, it just swallow anything that gets in its way. I´m going too fast (speed limits?) all over the place, and that may be a long term problem. I need my drivers license, and I carry a passenger - nearly all the time, trying not to risk everything in one shot.

The competition:
I have yet to try the MTS1200, from the same silly reason as the speed sensation above. But then, with the age of my bike, I could probably "upgrade" to the MTS1100S as I don´t have to have the latest/greatest anymore. But I want another cylinder this time. Lived with twins for 15 years, three is the way to go. My dealer just got a like new 2010 Tiger 1050 SE. I want to demo it just because I believe the bike and engine is still fabulous. And a chain isn´t a problem with me as long as I get a central stand. This orange 1050 is kitted out with ABS, boxes, hand guards, heated grips and so on, only 7000km.

Tonight: RTFM. Need to read up on how the CC is meant to work and how to reset the trip counter, silly me!
Tomorrow: clean it, adjust air pressure, adjust damping - and ride for half a day (at least). Forecast is +13.
Some day: demo the Tiger 1050 SE, it´s €10k below the 1200 (at €30k).

(*)Bike history: 96 Speed Triple T309 (first proper bike), 98 916, 00 Mille-R, 00 Mille-R, 03 Caponord RallyRaid. My "other" bike is a XR650R.

"mine will arrive on Monday - wahoo!!!!!!!!!!"
Is that even earlier than what you expected? Congrats!

My dealer has written my name all over the demo bike. They are keeping it until late May - in some sort of a deal with the Triumph distributor? When I picked it up they had three other bikes ready for delivery in the shed, two blue and one grey. They will get four more the coming week (sold 7 ´til this weekend, more than any other model this year). Does Triumph produce and ship any other model at all this spring?
The demo had only rolled about 550km when I got it yesterday. It´s been out "all the time" but I don´t understand the low total distance. They have probably read all the positive reviews, taken it for a spin to the local "Ace" cafe and back - and then ordered a new one. No GSes in exchange yet, but rather a FJR1300 and a ZRX1200 so far.

So the rumour you had been abducted by aliens,isn't true,i noticed you have finaly put some pilot road 3s,on the strom,awaiting the verdict.

Kev - Very interested in the Michelin Pilot R3s on the V-Strom as mine is due some new tyres again. Have you got "Standard PR3s or the P3Trails?

Also interested in the Tridays event, had been considering the BMW Garmish bash, having swapped the K1200GT for the TeX not sure if attending on the TeX would be sensible, so the Tridays is probably more appropriate, good chance to try the TeX on a decent run now its loosening up. Perhaps doing both might be the answer!

Am having LOL with GSA riders round here, they can't quite work out what is giving them a right hand wave GSA style!

Took the V-Strom in for MOT yesterday, still smiling after riding it even though the TeX is in the garage, no issues despite having had it from 2005 and it now being used by my son to commute to Uni (Rochdale - Sheffield) all year round, hope the TeX heated grips will last as long!

Been back to dealer for a few bits for TeX, shame most seem to be on back order still, yet again R1200GS's out on demo TeX's while I was there, salesman says they have been surprised at uptake from existing GS owners.

"Is that even earlier than what you expected? Congrats!"
... thanks. Original estimate was end of May. Then they said Triumph have increased production to meet demand, so expect mid May. Last Friday it was on the system but no despatch or invoice (to dealer) date. So they were surprised as me. It will be the first bike in the shop, they don't need a demo to sell them it seems (sold nine bikes yesterday, not sure how many were eXplorers, in quite a small shop), so naturally I'm very happy. It will be PDI'd on Mon/Tue, I hope to collect it Tuesday and already have plans to take it to the mountains on Wednesday, with a current forecast of sunny and 87F local and probably 77F in the mountains themselves. Oh happy day... :-D

"Does Triumph produce and ship any other model at all this spring?"
... even though not a new model. My dealer told me that the Bonneville in black was sold out for the rest of the year. And he told me that in March!

"No GSes in exchange yet, but rather a FJR1300 and a ZRX1200 so far"
... it'll attract diverse owners I'm sure. As Motorcyclist June put it 'The Explorer is no homage to the R1200GS. It's mostly everything the GS "isn't". And for a lot of people, that's a very good thing'.

"I now have a graphite Explorer parked in the garage ready for a year's duty as Ash transport."
... (Leslie Philips voice-over...) ding-dong, I say! Rock n' roll. As you do more miles, in all weathers, than most, it'll certainly be interesting to see how you find living with the bike as an early adopter. That said, with a six year gestation period, one would hope that they've got it fairly right from the get-go. It'll be interesting to see what road-orientated touring tyres come out to fit it and indeed how they perform.

"my Q5 parking brake rusted to the discs, never happened before!"
... blahdy Ducati's LOL! ;-D

"Captain, enjoy the bike and post your thoughts toot suit, toot, toot!"
will do. Apologies, in advance, if they happen to be detailed! ;-D

Hi TTiger1050, re 30" inseam, mine is 29" and using TeX with standard seat, front in high position, rear low, not had to try the engine bars yet! IMHO balance in town (Manchester UK) not been an issue when I popped in to Apple store the other day, just glad I was on a bike as cars are not fun in that kind of traffic! Not ridden Stelvio but used GS and GSA, decided I did not like looking for a kerb to stop on and did not like either in the city.

TT said: "because of how much lighter, and it feels it, the GS is then these others. I ride city everyday and travel to the country upstate alot.". And. "for my barely 30" inseam and city bashing, that's an issue for me." And. " I know what everyone's going to say: Get a T800"

Not everyone.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the R1200R. That's the bike you are describing!