Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Deposit Put Down on a Tiger 1200 Explorer

When I bought my Sprint a few years ago, I wanted blue (all my bikes had been blue!) but got a deal on a silver one (graphite = silver) he had in the showroom.
Glad I did as the blue was common ... er ... "popular"

Funcle, a quick question for ya, have the blue ones been faster in your opinion? I don't want a 'probably' type answer like Dwight with his mischievous rants. I would like something more certain if possible. Cheers buddy

For you infomation I'm laid up in bed atm. The back has chucked a wobbly with a muscle or two going into spasm. The pain killers are being eaten like lollies. I'm pretty confident the Tiger will be more comfortable than most seated positions though. Anyway, it's a day or two in bed to rest the muscles and then I should be up and about better then ever

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I don't want a 'probably' type answer like Dwight

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No point asking Dwight! Don't tell him I said that though
If you want a proper answer, ask me.
In my opinion, the blue ones might possibly be faster. For sure. Probably. Or not
Glad to help

Thanks Funks.

Dwight, always good to talk to someone who too has experienced the fun aspects of back issues. I have to manage myself every day and will forever more.

To be honest, I've been trying to work out the best routine for myself since I retired 2 months ago. I've been reluctant to:

a) Do my exercise regime in the mornings after completing the domestics my Missus has me doing (we are a team after all and it's only about an hours worth), and,

b) Starting up a 3 x a week swimming regime just because it is by itself arguably the single most valuable exercise I can do. Then the other days I can do weights as appropriate.

Then whatever happens throughout the day, it doesn't matter, I've done what's needed to stay on track instead. For some reason whether it's due to laziness or simply a lack of discipline, I haven't been able to get it together. So the time has come for me to get serious about this thing cos I haven't got anyone to blame but myself.

So once the back muskels stop spasm'ing, I'll be buying a gym membership that has a 50m pool as well as everything else, and giving the seriousness of my back condition the due diligence it deserves. Then I envisage I'll be be able to really enjoy all the fun stuff retirement holds for me.

something i noticed yesterday while at my dealer, are all Tiger's left side drive?? if not when did they start doing that?? and i wonder why they do that?? if i am not mistaken, they are the only left side drive bikes that Triumph builds. i do like the idea of shaft drive on a tiger,it kinda makes sense for a bike that you might want to ride to someplace like south America or the outback someplace where a chain could be trouble.

My local friendly neighborhood Triumph dealer just got their first Explorer in blue, and I was invited to be the first customer to sit on it.

It's a great machine, but may be "more" dual sport than I need. So I'm really leaning towards a Tiger 800 if I can get a test ride.

Hi Kevin,

I too went to my local dealer (40klm's away - grrr but great people) because they got their dealer Explorer model in blue just this week past.

I was a bit nervous knowing I was going to see it in the flesh because I had already put a $2K deposit on one unseen other than via internet pics and videos.

As I expected though I had nothing to be concerned about because it's even better than I thought. My biggest concern was it would be look "huge". I know that may sound odd but the look I am referring to whilst hard to explain, isn't one I particularly like.

Anyway, I was talking to the mechanic who had put it together from the crate etc and after sitting on it I said to him it felt very comfortable indeed. I then asked him what was involved in changing the height and what height was it set at then.

He told me it was on the middle setting. Meaning the height of the seat could go up by 40mm or so and if there were any "shorter legged" riders out there, it could be lowered from the standard setting by another 40mm or so (don't quote me on the exact difference). I think he also explained that to go to the lowest setting it needed a different seat but whatever, I'm not in that category.

He then showed me how easy it was to change the seat height. Above the number plate area of the rear fender their is a place to insert the key which then clicks the pillion seat to spring open and be taken off. Then just take off the riders seat and underneath Triumph have cleverly designed an adjustment mechanism.

Being inquisitive whether the highest setting may even be more comfortable than the middle one, he adjusted it, put it back on the bike etc and I gave it a go. Well, what do ya know, it was more even more comfortable than the stock height. Fantastic. I just sat on the bike for ages, trying to imagine what it would be like to ride etc and looking at all the controls and its design. I just can't wait to ride one. I could of course book myself in for a test ride but no, I going to savor that moment for when I take delivery a few days after coming home from my U.S. trip.

I also found out there were two other accessories that I felt I needed. One is the rubber tank protector located where the seat abuts the tank. Apparently the zips of the jackets we wear rub hear and scratch the paintwork. I also should add here that the tank is "steel" and not plastic, if anyone was interested. In fact the whole bike is fitted with quality alloy parts and I really do not think Triumph have skimped on anything. I guess considering they are trying to steal sales from BMW, these things make a difference to a buyer's decision.

The other part I decided I might as well get put on pre-delivery is the backrest on the top box. Whilst my missus isn't that keen on being a pillion for longer than 50klm's or so, I wanted to make sure when she does get her backside on that "really" comfortable looking pillion seat, she can just lean back, relax and enjoy the ride. Then we'll see if she wouldn't mind a "REAL" ride

I took some pics too but I've got to go and do some things before I go out for mother's day and my missus has already been onto me about being ready in time

So I'll post them up tomorrow.

Am I happy though? Silly question Stacka

You're right Keithy Boy, so go ring the cops mate

Whilst they're on the way though, why don't you browse the almost exact bike to that what I'll be getting (including accessories), just a different can in the Arrow - yeah babairrrrr

Regarding ordering accessories, it's interesting cos I started off simply ordering just a few of the basics thinking I'd buy and install others along the way. Well over several weeks I thought nah,, get all the accessories I need, have the dealer put them on and then all I need to do is ride.

Anyway, just for your infomation here's the accessories that'll be fitted as it happens, when I pick it up a couple of days after my U.S. trip. Happy days are here again.

- Side Panniers
- Sliding Carriage (has something to do with the top box)
- Top Box
- Back rest on the top box (my missus will love it)
- High Screen (it's 50mm higher than stock)
- Tank Pad (protects the part of the tank near where the riders Jacket Zip touches)
- Headlight Protector
- Radiator Guard
- Hand Guards
- Heated Grips with Switch Mount Kit
- Tyre Pressure Kit (TPMS Kit)
- Engine Protection Bars
- Alloy Sump Guard
- Fog Light Kit
- Arrow Slip on Exhaust with new mapping to suit)

By the way, these accessories were each a lot cheaper than I thought. Mind you, they did add up in the end.

On the same subject, a little video.
Tiger upgrade.