The 1200 Tiger Explorer Mega Thread

If you read a few of my earlier posts here and elsewhere, I've detailed some facts about Triumph production, parts sources and quality control in production. If you ever get a chance I'd recommend a factory tour in the UK. It's really fun! I got private tours, escorted by some mid level execs filling me in on all production details. But now they have group tours for anyone.

Most all engine parts are Made In Japan. Electronics, F.I. systems, brakes and suspension are Made in Japan. The frame and swingarm ... and several other parts ... are made in Triumph's 2 factories in Thailand. They do absolutely beautiful work in Thailand. Truly world class. Look close and compare to ... anyone.

Motors are built (using all matched Japanese engine parts) by hand, one by one in England. All the latest modern production techniques are used, including Laser measurements. Very serious set up. You just have to Be There and see it.

I've been lucky enough to have visited a few MC factories through my work and some connections. I've been to Triumph twice, to BMW in Spandau, Berlin and to Yamaha in Japan. All are mind blowing ... especially Yamaha, but Triumph are now right up there, IMO.

absolutely!

Can't argue that ... it's not the most exciting bike to be sure. I loved my DL1000 however and over time liked it more and more. I admired it's toughness in the face of abuse as I hammered it through several Mexican trips including significant off road. 80K miles, no problems.

Still ... the Tiger XC is my choice now. Just need to save up the dough.

That's what I'm talkin bout!

When I paid my deposit prior to the bike being unveiled at the Milan show, the bike was not being compared to anything else, neither GS nor GSA. Certainly not by Triumph, anyway, who are the only people who matter as far as I'm concerned.

The red bike in the MCN article is the bike I hoped I was getting, the blue bike is the one which made me ask for my deposit to be refunded. I have stated my reasons for this in previous posts.

Jonny955 is correct in what he is saying.
By the time any larger tanked version comes along, my money will have been spent elsewhere.

Without starting a fuel capacity war here, I have to say the original first drawing I really like the looks of that tank and bike overall. The test mule photos are nothing like it and I have to agree with all the feed back they got, looked awful.

I do think they were smart to keep it more inline with the GS1200 and not the GSA version which probally gives it more overall appeal. If it handles and performs on the road as good or better as the GS1200 is said to be I'm sure it will be very popular.

Tiger 800 - Pretty neat bike from what I've read - about the same power to weight as my VFR which is fine, but something about it just doesn't do "It" for me. It really is a nice bike and if they'd gone with a 1050 mill in that bike I'd probably already own one. Except for that "something" that doesn't really do "it" for me....

I have to agree if it just had the 1050 motor that would work for me and probally would be allot cheaper than the 1200 is going to cost.

But thats just it you always want something a little differant and everybody else is the same so they can never build the perfect bike because it would only be perfect for one person.:eek1

I'm of mixed feelings about the changes they made. First, I like the looks of the revised bike now. I would have liked the bigger tank, but it's still not big enough, so I'll have added a second tank to either. I realize I'm in a small minority there.

I'm glad the GS was the target. Plenty of bikes with 35" seat heights I can't ride already. The lower height on the Triumph makes me happy.

in my humble opinion the two most beautiful new bikes to be released over the next six months are the triumph tiger 1200 explorer and the bmw k1600s . the triumph explorer will be available in black . thank you triumph . anything that is not already black on the 1200 explorer black model i will eventually exchange for a compatible black replacement part or have the part painted black . as for the bmw k1600s this will be the fastest shaft drive bike in history and uses bmw's new six cylinder engine now built into the bmw k1600gt . the so called bmw concept 6 ( aka k1600s ) looks like a space ship on two wheels but will not be offered in an all black color version . for some reason bmw does not like all black sports bikes so i will have to paint my bmw k1600s all black at some auto body shop for an additional $3000 . but it will be worth the money . this coming spring or summer i plan to purchase an all black triumph 1200 tiger explorer and a custom painted all black bmw k1600s . in my humble opinion these two bikes are the most fantastic motorcycles ever designed for use on the streets and back roads . thanks for listening and i will post some pictures of my new rides when they arrive .

Did you just hit the Lotto?

You seem to place an inordinate amount of importance on the color (or absence of color) of the motorcycles you own. I appreciate your ability to generate such passion from a generally trivial matter.

Probably wants to make sure it matches the shoes and bag. Not good to have non-matching jewelry...

unfortunately my financial plan ( aka plan " L " ) has not yet materialized . it is my destiny to hit the lotto some day but until then i figure my two above mentioned dream bikes will get real close to 50 large fully loaded and customized and tweaked and that is a lot of money to blow on two bikes . but the 2012 bmw k1600s custom black edition and the midnight black custom loaded triumph tiger 1200 explorer ( aka the midnight explorer ) rise to the level of industrial art design that rivals the 1965 jaguar xke or the original world war 2 jeep and simultaneously advances the two wheeled vehicle into a new era of cutting edge technology .

I want what ever he's been taken ! ! !

Not me, would take years of rehab to get off that stuff! I think there is another thread for dream bikes.

:huh

I trust they'll be more reliable than an xke.

Doggell, didn't you just get a Super Tenere? (I would guess a black one) What happened, jumping ship already? So fickle...

Sucks eh? I just want to be the one person they build a perfect bike for. Not asking for much

And a trailer, a black one.

Now waiting for the question....

"is it better to tow the S10 behind the Explorer or the other way round?"