2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 Series

The Rally Pro rides more like a dirt bike than the heavyweight beasts it is competing against.

- By Bill Dragoo

NEW KING OF THE JUNGLE?

The old Triumph 1200 was considered an overweight, smooth-motored street bike more suited to sport touring than off-roading. It had the will and looks to get dirty, but without the ability to do it well. Enter the new 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 series, a machine Triumph has touted as the most agile and maneuverable large adventure bike you can buy! Does it stand up to this claim, and how does it compare to BMW's venerable R1250GS series?

In recent years, other manufacturers have stepped up with premium suspension packages and improved handling inspired by a racing heritage. However, other issues remain: reliability woes, excess engine heat, or seat heights requiring the inseam of an NBA basketball player. Make no bones about it, Triumph is going after the most popular big-bore adventure motorcycle in the world, the mighty BMW R1250GS and GS Adventure. What new tricks has Triumph conjured to take down the competition?

MUSCLE UP, WEIGHT DOWN

The first weapon in their arsenal is the engine. A brand-new 1160cc triple with T-Plane crank replaces the old even-firing three-cylinder motor. The T-Plane firing order is 1-3-2, skipping over the middle cylinder every cycle. Consequently, the crankshaft rotation is 180 degrees, followed by two 270-degree rotations between firing strokes. The result of this configuration is an exhaust sound more like a V-twin, enhanced by the slim, lightweight silencer. Power delivery is also unique, and more effective at keeping the rear wheel hooked up in the dirt.