Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes I'm Serious About Ordering a Tiger Explorer 1200

Hi all

Has anyone got any constructive comments about the new Tiger Explorer 1200.

I'm getting a quote with accessories but regardless I've got the cash and I'm in the market for an adventure tourer. From all that I've read on the net regarding reviews, none are negative in any real way. In fact, the reviews describe a package built up from the ground over six years which is comparable with the BMW GS.

Btw, I'm keeping my speedy but for Australian conditions I also need a duel purpose bike.

If you have the spare moolar, do it.
I would if I could.
Hearing nothing but good things about 'em

Thanks for your comment Member #3886 (it's shorter than calling you by your username and I couldn't find your Christian name )

Seriously though, I have worked hard and now at 52 yrs old and retired, travel is on my horizon. There are many other reasons also including Aus's roads out in the less populated country areas are rubbish and needing long suspension etc etc and so forth.

I also hope others can let me know what they think both good and bad.

I've heard nothing but good things so far. I'd get one myself if my SM was paid off. Maybe next year.

Good luck with that one Matt.

I don't see how you can loose on the Tiger... super great reviews out there!! I envy you, my man!

During Daytona Bike Week I was sitting on the Explorer and talking to the Triumph rep about it. They have a Explorer package (I don't remember what they called it) that includes a lot of accessories at over 20% off of what you would pay if you got them after the bike. All these accessories are all installed at the factory. This package included pretty much everything I would want on the bike (at least from Triumph).

I would consider the Explorer, but my Tiger is paid for, and I have it setup exactly the way I want it, which took a while to do. Plus at 20,000 miles the bike is just getting broken in.

Tom

Stacka, I gotta wonder, this is the second thread I've noticed that you've changed the title to "Re: Bike Dies, then starts after a few minutes." What's up with that? I'm assuming it's some kind of autofill thing with your browser, but if you're doing it on purpose, knock it off, please.

They are really cool bikes but I don't really understand their purpose. They are way too heavy to take off road and there are better bikes for pavement.

I have my America and a KLR 650. I bought them both new and paid less than the Tiger for both of them.

I suspect it's more about crossing the Nullarbor Plain than single track in the Appalachains.

Replying to get the subject line back on track....

The bike sure is getting nice reviews in the regular cycle magazines and they all seem to agree its tilted more toward street than off-road. That hasn't stopped the BMW crowd from running their heavy bike everywhere. I'm waiting for the GS1200 shoot out that's sure to come from Cycle World.

Edited by me again:

Hi all, Friar John alerted me to the fact every time I posted a reply, it would by default change the subject title from another thread on BonAm.

Anyway, I've worked out the problem has been due to a iPhone app which I use so I don't have to keep logging into different websites. I've changed the settings and fingers crossed no "Bike dies ..... Etc" will be seen again.

Thanks John for bringing it to my attention. And yes, if I saw it from another user it would drive me spare too. Particularly given what subject kept coming up. All good

Thanks Big Friar

Quote:

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They are really cool bikes but I don't really understand their purpose. They are way too heavy to take off road and there are better bikes for pavement.

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It seems to me Chet's statement may have been from someone more experienced with North American roads and much less to do with those over here in Aus.

No Chet, my days of trail riding are way over otherwise I'd buy one like yours and between it and my speedy I'd be covered. It's my opinion the term 'Australian Conditions' will be ideally suited for the explorer. Not only will it be comfortable on our Motorways, but by riding inland and coming across dirt roads and everything in between, I reckon I'll be well looked after on my new mount.

Is there any such thing as the perfect bike for all the different type of riding we want to do? Obviously no, but over here in Aus, is there one that can eat the miles on Motorways, dirt roads and everything in between? I think so which is why I'm going with the explorer.

Yes, I am taking a punt going with the explorer instead of the GS but from what I've read, the motor and transmission is currently just that little bit more superior for my needs and, it keeps me solely with a Triumph stable.

Anyway Chet, I'm coming over to the U.S. In two months which will confirm my theory about what your roads are like compared to ours here and I'd be surprised if my theory wasn't correct. Otherwise I would probably have bought the bike we aren't allowed to talk about.

So in short, I'm looking at buying a bike with all the bells and whistles and will take me Travelling as reliably and comfortably as possible here in Aus. Perhaps over there my second bike may have been different but here, no way.

Now, for what I'm after regarding power, torque and overall comfort and performance, I reckon my choice will reward me many times over. That's the plan anyway.

Well for me when I saw as standard equipment cruise control I kinda figured it would be used more for touring then off roading. I think it will be a good bike for Australia or anywhere for that matter. Please don't forget us and post lots of pictures after you pick it up.

Hi all, If but probably when I take delivery of the Tiger (85% certain), I will be buying a fair few accessories including the Arrow slip ons.

Anyway, I'm suspecting the note coming from them will be very much similar to the Arrow's currently on the 1050cc Tiger.

So if you're interested


have a listen to the clip on this website

Imo it sounds much better than the standard cans the Tiger's come with. No real identifiable low notes coming from them which appears to be a standard coming out of the factory.

Thought you'd be interested.

One other aspect I wanted to clear up is what type of riding I will be mainly using the Tiger for, and that's on all types of black top as well as dirt roads as necessary and wanted.

Yes, I definitely do want to have the ability to ride on dirt but when I do I suspect the majority of them will be relatively smooth access roads for residents in more remote areas of Aus. Many of these roads are graded by the local councils before they get too rutted, making them easy roads to navigate, and that's even with speedmasters and TBA's many times.

So it's my experience the dirt roads I'm mainly expecting to ride on won't be in the "Paris Dakar" category and subsequently I'll be able to navigate them fairly easily and comfortably.

Of course, even if I do come across dirt which isn't that rider friendly and more designed for say the 1200's little brother the 800cc model, I'm confident provided I'm not in too much of a hurry, again I'll be able to ride it comfortably and without too much trepidation.

This now brings me to the subject of suspension which of course is the main component any duel purpose bike will need if it is to be able move off sealed roads. I also think we need to keep in mind their is almost 200mm of travel both front and back which provided the pre-load on both ends is dialed correctly and rebound on the rear also tweaked, I can't see why would I expect too many issues of concern.

IMHO, I think there are too many riders (not on this forum though) who don't really understand how suspension actually works. I succinctly remember the main distributor of Hagon shocks in the U.S. telling me via email how the 20kg rated springs on the Nitros were correct for riders weighing approx' 90kg (That is what Hagon had in the spec sheets). That is after I told him they weren't the correctly rated springs.

Regardless, he went on to inform me no purchases in this category were returned because no riders were unhappy with their Nitros performance.

What??? You've got to be kidding. I had also been given the 20kg rated springs when I first purchase my Nitros and I can tell you right now, they were definitely not up to the grade I expected of $850 shock units. Not for the roads I was riding out in the country areas of Australia.

Long story short, we were able to convince Hagon U.K. their spec sheets were way out for not just the Nitros but all their rear suspension units for Speedmasters and TBA's.

My point is, what does that say about all those riders who bought Nitros with 20kg units and didn't return them? Well to me it says they don't understand how the springs are way too soft for the rider to enjoy a quality ride.

In other words, suspension is only as good as the rider's ability to know how to use it effectively. If he or she doesn't, maybe just maybe the bike will be blamed for what is really an operator error.

Of course, there is always the option of trading up a rear unit for higher quality ones but again, that's only possible if the rider is aware the oem's are inferior and not just that the bike is inadequate for the job.

I say "go for it". There's nothing like having a "go anywhere" bike in the stable.

I'd be tempted also if I didn't get this one last year:



Who knows, in a year or two I may decide to buy a 1200 as well.

Yep, I've got one quote

(don't ask )

for the tiger from a small family owned business near where i live with a fair few accessories included and I'm waiting on another quote from a large dealer in Sydney.

I'm almost certain the small dealer's quote will be a straight add up of the accessories RRP and they can't move on the bike's cost. I know they can move down on the quote's price but until I can show them a lower one they won't budge.

I do want to give my business to the small dealer (like, it's real small) but I too worked hard for my retirement pension so I told them I wasn't a benevolent fund and they understand that.

Anyway, once I have the second quote which will probably be today, we should be able to work out something and I'll slap down a deposit.

The other factor why I like the Triumph is, next year BMW are bringing out a water cooled GS which will automatically make it somewhat redundant. For the price they have been fetching second hand, the Tiger is much more attrative anyway and even though BMW have dropped the price of a new GS by $2.5k, they can have them. Particularly as I've heard they are still having various electrical problems and of coarse their shaft drive is inherently a long term problem waiting to happen.

Finally, most prospective buyers here in Aus want to see and ride one first before they even think about slapping down their cash. Me, I really don't need to cos I'm confident it's everything and more that I'm after. I also don't want to be waiting to the end of the year once those prospective buyers get themselves in a rush and Triumph have supply issues.

That's how I see it could happen anyway, but regardless I'm going for it.