Used Test: 2013 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC

Despite reliability issues with early models, the Explorer is now a solid used buy…

- Chris Moss

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.