Now with a three year warranty, Triumph obviously has a lot of faith in its new 1200 Tiger range, machines which are taking on Japanese, American and other European brands in the most hard-fought category of all, adventure.
The design is modern, adventure-focussed and compact. The bodywork is all new, as are the graphics and colour schemes.
And you will be able to get one for under 30K. Just.
Compared to the bikes they replace, the new generation Tigers are lighter, more powerful, better suspended and more comfortable. Indeed, Triumph claim the new bikes are more than 25kg lighter than the previous generation and up to 17kg lighter than the closest shaft drive competition (based on a comparable specification). So lighter and more powerful than the BMW twins, but not trying to match it with the massive outputs of the KTMs and Ducatis.
Triumph says “the all-new Tiger 1200 has been designed to be the world’s most capable, agile and manoeuvrable large-capacity adventure motorcycle“.
The company hired one of the most succesful motocross and supercross riders ever, Ricky Carmichael, to help develop the new machine.
“If you didn’t know that it was a 1200 because of the horsepower, you would have thought it was a 900, that’s how light this motorcycle feels. It felt so nimble, like when I would stop and turn around on a gravel road, just really slide the bike, turn it and go, I’m able to do that now on a 1200.
“They have done such a great job with weight and balance and positioning, and where you’re sitting at, you’re able to hold an inside or tighter line a lot easier on the 1200, as opposed to the old model, just because of the weight saver and how good that the suspension is handling.
“It’s the class of the field, I really believe that. Comparing it to a twin, this bike is in a league of its own.”
For the first time you’ll also be able to buy a long-range version, with two Tiger Explorer models, complete with 30-litre tanks.
Like the 900cc range which preceded it, the new 1200s come in GT and Rally versions. The GT are more road focussed, with cast aluminium wheels (19-inch front, 18 rear). Rally models have 21/18-inch spoked wheels.
Both GT and Rally have Pro and Explorer variants: the easiest to sport and most significant difference is the fuel tank size – the Pro models have 20L tanks, the Explorers 30L.
Whatever you choose, it’ll be powered by Triumph’s latest-generation triple – a new 1160cc 148hp T-plane powerplant with characteristic uneven firing order. Triumph claim about 9hp more than the old bike and 14 more than the shaft-driven competition.
Highlights of the new engine include improved acceleration with better mid-range and top-end performance.
It’s not all about the motor though. There’s an all-new chassis with a bolt-on rear aluminium subframe and pillion hangers. The new chassis has allowed for a slimmer waist and more compact design, better ergonomics and an adjustable seat height.
There’s a lighter and stronger tri-link’ swingarm and Showa semi-active suspension set-up tuned for maximum road and off-road capability.
The electronics and technology is, of course, cutting edge. The Explorer gets the new Triumph Blind Spot Radar System, developed in partnership with Continental as well as standard heated seats and tyre pressure monitoring.
All models have Showa semi-active suspension , all-new 7.0-inch TFT instruments with integrated My Triumph Connectivity System, optimised Cornering Traction Control with IMU, up to six riding modes, keyless system, including ignition, steering lock and fuel cap, LED lighting with DRL, plus Adaptive Cornering Lights Triumph Shift Assist, heated grips and hill hold.
Accessories include luggage developed in conjunction with Givi, stainless-steel protective gear, low seat options, Triumph/Sena bluetooth communication system and lots, lots more.
They should be in showrooms soon.
More information at the Triumph website
rice, service and availability
• Three years/unlimited mileage warranty, with the option to extend
• High service intervals: 10,000 miles (16,000km) / 12 months
• Expected to arrive in local showrooms in the second quarter of 2022
• Tiger 1200 GT Pro From $29,990 rideaway
• Tiger 1200 GT Explorer From $32,600 rideaway
• Tiger 1200 Rally Pro From $31,800 rideaway
• Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer From $33,950 rideaway
Variant Colour spec Rideaway price
Tiger 1200 GT Pro Standard colour $29,990
Tiger 1200 GT Pro Metallic colour $30,290
Tiger 1200 GT Explorer Standard colour $32,600
Tiger 1200 GT Explorer Metallic colour $32,850
Tiger 1200 GT Explorer Twin colour $32,990
Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Standard colour $31,800
Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Metallic colour $32,050
Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Twin colour $32,190
Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer Standard colour $33,950
Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer Metallic colour $34,200
Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer Twin colour $34,350
