Triumph Tiger Explorer

Hard to say Grump, as my bike tracks true rain or shine and I like the tyres, they seem well suited.

The only thing I can think of, a long shot, is that the tyre pressure sensors (assuming you have them) are out, or your hand gauge is out of calibration?

Lets us know how your investigation progresses, particularly rear wheel movement too. There's nothing on the T12 forum in similar vain, so seems to be isolated to your machine, which naturally must be very annoying for you.

Talking of tyres, is there a more road orientated tyre available for the TEX?

Mine will rarely, if ever, go off road....

I have fitted PR3's and Dunlop have launched Roadsmarts.

Got my bike on Tuesday, it's fantastic - in general/all over, and nimble on the backroads as Grumpy said. Keeping a higher speed than I used to do and the drive out of corners are amazing.
Washed it first time today - yes, it got angles/corners(?) everywhere but it's nice to do without the chain/greasy stuff around the rear wheel... My first bike without the a chain.
Using the CC on the highway it drifts +/- current set speed, but not a problem. Software update? I'm, for the time being, pulling the clutch when I want to disable the CC. Any other way to do it smoothly? Turning off the throttle or hitting front brakes doesn't do it for me (will try the back brake). It's sunny outside - have to get out for another ride. Have to wait another week for the panniers/tank bag/heated grips.

Wonder if I will ever get bored with this chassis/engine/gearbox/shaft drive combo.
Today's favorite gear: 4th! Proper enough drive out of the corners, smooth enough throttle control when entering and mid-corner. Still adjusting to the whirl of the three cylinder engine. My ears are telling me to shift up, tacho says stay right here(5-6k).

Captain scarlet said: "Don't listen to the nay sayers, a bike is reliable until proven otherwise "

You're dead right with that. That goes for any bike.

I'm not fooled by the explorer's oversize swingarm, that tells us absolutely nothing about what is inside. But by the same token, there is no reason whatsoever to assume that there could be anything likely to give unreasonably early trouble.

Agreed about the F650GS thing too, although i don't feel quite so strongly about it as you .its like, what are they trying to hide?

I agree with the Shaft observations. Triumph designs are heavily Japanese based. I have had several Jap bikes with shafts and no failures over big mileages. BM's have had shaft failures going back a long time. I once had an R100GS from new and the shaft failed on it. That is going back a few years !

Tyre wise, RIC would seem to be correct in his observations. As it wears, the handling of the Metzeler is improving. Other small issues are being dealt with. I am thoroughly enjoying the bike. A true test of this is that every time I come back from a spin I still have a big smile on my face. Only my KTM's otherwise do that for me, so this is a huge compliment to the Triumph.

One final issue. I purchased the Triumph Panniers and Topcase with the bike. I had no idea how heavy they were. The panniers and the topcase will add almost 25KG to the rear of the bike, before I even fill the cases. That is too much weight. These items are very well built but 25KG is still too much to add to the back of any bike in my view, before it is loaded.I would like to have the views of others on this. Thanks.

Excuses! Get up early in the morning you lazy bum. There is generally less traffic then as well. I'm in 33 deg C by 13:00 hrs but at 08:00 it is 16 deg C. (Farenheight - 32) * 5/9 = Centigrade)

Well, i went for another ride on a T12 today. Lovely day in north Wales. Got to say - it's a blinding bike. Probably no quicker than my Super Ten over distance, but the way it makes it's power is enthralling. The motor is so flexible and willing. Bear in mind my S10 tops out at 7600 rpm - short shifters delight. The Tiger is most certainly more road sports orientated. I now can't wait to ride the Trophy. That should be one ace GT package.

Yes - still got the S10. The Yamaha is a softer overall package. The motor of both bikes define how you ride them. I find i change up quickly and just surf the huge levels of low end and mid range torque. The Tiger feels, and is, more aggressive. It enjoys revs - but it's far from gutless. Both are really good bikes. I do like the hassle free wheels on the Triumph (spokes are a pain) and the transmission and shaft are superb.
If i were buying now, and using the bike for roads only, then the Tiger would be the one.

I should add - i don't own the Tiger (sadly). It was just an extended test ride. As for heat and comfort, summer is finally here. It's about 28 degrees here. Not my favourite season, but nothing to what you guys have had to endure.
The Ten seems to kick out a fair amount of heat, honestly can't say about the Tiger. It was much cooler yesterday. As for comfort - the Ten is a bigger bike with higher bars, but the T12 seemed spot on for my 6ft frame. There are times when i want lower bars, which the Tiger has, and the step over seat distance seems lower on the Tiger. Just felt spot on all in all.

Has anyone read the comparison of the explorer vs 1200gs in the latest edition of BIKE magazine?
The dyno read out power and torque curves were interesting.
The gs made 99bhp rwhp, the explorer made 104rwhp.
Although the explorer made 5 hp more at the top end, the gs clearly had significantly more torque in the lower rev range.
This was also confirmed in the top gear roll on performance tests, where the gs pulled ahead slightly.
They also decided the gs was better handling and more agile.

Then to finish things off they revisited the honda cross tourer and decided that is the one to get if you ride mainly on the roads. It has they say, superior suspension and abs to the other bikes.

Interesting how noone seems to be able to agree on which is the best. Even something objective as the power and torque curves and acceleration seems to vary on who is measuring it.

Leighton - has there been any agreement on which bike is best in any genre at all, ever? I think that day shall never come and rather pleased about it I am too.

Kev - have you managed to put the T12 on your scales yet? I'd love to know what the real world figure for it is. It didn't feel far off my Super Ten - probably a couple of Pukka Pies in it..