Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer XRx Low 2016 — Specifications

Imagine a machine that dreams of being as comfortable on the rough tracks at the end of the world as it is on Sunday’s highway. The 2016 Tiger 1200 Explorer XRx Low is precisely that ambitious proposition, a large trail bike built for long-distance adventure, but which hasn’t forgotten to make a crucial concession: a seat at only 785 mm from the ground. For those who have experienced it, this simple detail changes everything. It opens the doors to this 1215 cm3 three-cylinder engine to a crowd of travelers who, without it, would have to settle for watching this 244 kg (dry weight) beast with a touch of frustration.

Under the 20-liter tank, the signature Triumph engine develops its 139 horsepower with characteristic elegance. The power is there, linear and generous, but it is its torque of 123 Nm, available from low revs, that defines its character. It pulls smoothly, with a suppleness that neutralizes the considerable weight of the machine from the first few meters. Compared to some burlier German boxers or more nervous Italian V4s, the British three-cylinder focuses on fluidity and long-distance cruising. Shaft drive transmission completes the portrait of a machine designed to devour continents without a chain to grease.

To handle it all, Triumph brought out the heavy artillery. The 48 mm WP inverted fork and the single shock absorber offer wheel travel worthy of a true trail bike, while Brembo radial calipers bite on 305 mm discs at the front. The equipment is serious, like the price which flirted with 17,100 euros at the time. We are clearly in the high-end segment, a credible and often more affordable alternative to the immovable GS from Munich. The geometry and 120/70-19 front tires confirm the off-road intention, even if its weight invites moderation on overly technical trails.

So, who rides this Tiger? It targets the demanding globetrotter, the one who prioritizes comfort, autonomy and stability over extreme off-road performance. The Low version is its stroke of genius, an inclusive gesture that allows riders of more modest stature or those seeking absolute confidence at stops to enjoy this large displacement engine. It is a motorcycle for a settled traveler or a great road explorer, more than a desert wanderer. Its drawback? This mass that is felt in tight bends or low-speed maneuvers, an inevitable tribute to its size and full tank.

Ultimately, the 2016 Tiger 1200 Explorer XRx Low remains a perfectly identified object of desire. It does not claim to be the most radical, the lightest or the most ferocious. It instead offers a package of remarkable consistency, built around a fabulous engine and ergonomics designed for very long distances. It is the mount of civilized adventure, the one where you arrive as fresh as you left, without having to balance at every traffic light. A brilliant compromise, halfway between a luxury yacht and a 4x4, which has managed to find its audience.