Despite reliability issues with early models, the Explorer is now a solid used buy…
The Tiger model has been in Triumph’s line-up since 1937, and part of the Hinckley-produced range from 1993. The first 900 version was one of the earliest bikes, sharing the same frame and engine as several other models. Despite the credible performance of the dual-purpose machine, as we in the UK were a sports bike-mad nation the triple went relatively unnoticed. Even after upgrades in 1999 when it was significantly revised and featured fuel-injection, followed more notably in 2001 when it became the Tiger 955i, Triumph’s adventure bike still couldn’t win that many fans. It certainly couldn’t match the increasing popularity of the class-leading BMW R1150GS.
Triumph took a very different design route in 2007. Its completely new Tiger 1050 clearly showed it had no intention of steering its rider to anywhere other than road-based destinations. In fact, with its 115bhp three cylinder engine, powering a much lighter 198kg chassis featuring inverted forks and radial brakes, the 1050 had impressively sporty performance.
In 2010 another couple of Tigers were added to the range – the 800 and more off-road focused 800 XC. Designed to rival the BMW F800GS, the bikes won acclaim with their enlarged Street Triple-based engine and capable running gear. But it was in 2012 that the Tiger Explorer 1200 was launched, pitched directly at the class king, the BMW R1200GS. Many clearly warmed to the Brit rival and lots of deposits were placed for the 135bhp, three cylinder machine. Its spec options may have ultimately been fewer, but in standard trim it still featured switchable ABS, traction and cruise control. Coming in at several hundred pounds less than a similarly spec’ed German bike helped its case even more.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 2017 de Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
