The 1200 Tiger Explorer Mega Thread

[Gordon Bennett]

I had an hour on a black one today (its got a bit of a metallic flake to it, nice), and I'll just jot down some thoughts. I rode there on my GS adventure as it's declared rival, so comments are really referring to the differences between the two. I asked for the seat to be put in the high position and tilted the screen back to the lowest position, which tends to suit me on every bike where such things are adjustable. The engine feels like typically Hinckley fare, with the usual whistles and hums. The gearbox however is a considerable improvement, and is less notchy and much more clutchless upchange friendly. I used to have a Tiger 1050, and the gearbox was the worst feature. The initial ponderous feel at a standstill (same as a fuelled up GSA as you'd expect) evaporated when moving and the handling was neutral with supple, compliant suspension. I took it down some very bumpy roads at around 80 - 90 with no drama or frights - good stuff. I felt comfortable right away and feel it would only need minor ergo tweaks to suit me, lever positions, span etc. the usual stuff.
The switch gear is new to me, chunky and good tactile feel, again an improvement over previous models. The only real gripe was a bit of air turbulence off the screen, better than a KTM adventure, worse than a GSA, maybe slightly worse than a Multistrada to give you some idea. In the interests of science I ran it up to 100mph for a couple of miles and it didn't get any worse.
The Ride by wire throttle was great - if you hadn't been told about it, you wouldn't even notice, specially when compared to that abysmal POS that adorns the BMW 1600GT.
There was plenty of power, more steamroller than squirter in nature, and although obviously faster than a GSA, not by as much as I was expecting. I had the throttle against the stop on a few occasions with not a hint of protest from the traction control, even when hitting significant bumps. The info displayed around 43mpg (around the same as Multistrada). When I topped up with fuel (thank you previous test rider, for lying about that) I noticed that the filler hole is so small the fuel nozzle wouldn't fit! A quick double check I hadn't picked up a diesel pump by mistake, but no, it's deliberate - very odd.
There is a hint of triple character in there when acclerating or blipping the throttle on downchanges, but its thouroughly muted at cruising speeds. Arrow pipe anyone? The shaft was good, with no driveline backlash, although its implementation looks a bit of an afterthought at the gearbox end. It certainly looks as if the 1200 engine started life as a chain drive, with a shaft added on later.
Oh and glory be its got self cancelling indicators, which I regard as a major safety feature, considering the number of bikes I see going for miles with them left on, and cars pulling out in front of them as a consequence. Not me you understand...
I understand there are a few launch models unsold in the UK, but only in Grey - if your interested, get yourself a test ride soon. The sales bod hinted that a big tank version may be next if demand exists, which would make a great touring rig for me. So I'll keep the BM for another year (and have a look at the Bubblehead boxer when it comes out).

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by cug

I think that's a little bit preliminary to say. I was one of the people saying that it felt really heavy getting it off the stand. I rode to the IMS on my GS (not GSA), sat on the Super Tenere and on an RT before I got to the Explorer and it felt really heavy. Got back to my GS and that felt lighter.

One person now here claiming it feels lighter says not all too much. The only real thing is to put them side by side and compare - and I will do that. Doesn't matter that I won't buy one for the time being.

I respect your opinion. At the show I scampered back and forth between the Yam Ten and the Explorer to compare. Neither felt all that heavy to me, but no way to measure this.

Yes, only a few comments on the lightness here ... but on some of the magazine/E-zine reviews I've seen the same comments regarding the light feel and effortless handling. In some way this sort of thing is quite subjective ... and rider size, strength and perception may make a difference.

While at the show Triumph had a fully bagged and equipped T800XC there.
(Panniers, tank bag, crash bars)
It was taller than the Explorer ... and to me ... harder to lift up right off the stand. Call me crazy, but the Explorer felt lighter to me!

[Paulvt1]

Good report Gordon. "Bubblehead Boxer". Nice one..

[JohnG.]

Originally Posted by Paulvt1

Good report Gordon. "Bubblehead Boxer". Nice one..

Yup,here's another quick report comparing 800xc & the Explorer 1200

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...-800-XC-Tested

[burgerking]

Nice orange

http://kalich.de/html/kalich.html

[JohnG.]

[MooMoo]

Originally Posted by burgerking

Nice orange

http://kalich.de/html/kalich.html

My little girl would love to ride in that sidecar when she gets old enough. I will need to find out if they are sold in the US.

[Bain Dramage]

I can't wait to test ride one here.

I just wish it didn't have a fuel tank the size of an old man's bladder...

[moggi1964]

Originally Posted by Bain Dramage

I can't wait to test ride one here.

I just wish it didn't have a fuel tank the size of an old man's bladder...

That suits me because I have an old mans bladder and need to stop every 175 miles anyway

[GaelicDog]

Originally Posted by Bain Dramage

I can't wait to test ride one here.

I just wish it didn't have a fuel tank the size of an old man's bladder...

You know, I've had 2 GS Adventures and one of the deciding factors with each purchase was the Exxon Valdez sized tank. With age comes wisdom, I think. On a several long trips I ran the bikes from full to fumes but the extra capacity was only a convenience to keep me on the bike longer. The only times I came close to running out was when I pushed the limits by passing gas stations. Each time I planned on taking the bike off road or on extended gravel runs I made sure the tank was no more than half full to lighten the load.

I was disappointed, at first, that this bike scaled down the fuel capacity. I am planning a run from Key West to Prudhoe BAy next summer and it will be on this bike. I've rethought my plans, I'd rather have this lighter version and carry extra fuel though the remote area than carry the extra tank width and load all the time.

AND, we've been seeing random MPG numbers in the lower 40's, that ain't half bad with this powerplant.

[Gregster]

Originally Posted by burgerking

Nice orange

http://kalich.de/html/kalich.html

Yeah, they got it partially right - the side car and wheel should lean with the bike too.

[moggi1964]

Originally Posted by Gregster

Yeah, they got it partially right - the side car and wheel should lean with the bike too.

It's not a sidecar; it's a love seat. If it leaned you wouldn't be able to hang off the bike and kiss your girlfriend (or wife if the girlfriend was busy that day).

[Jud]

Originally Posted by GaelicDog

You know, I've had 2 GS Adventures and one of the deciding factors with each purchase was the Exxon Valdez sized tank. With age comes wisdom, I think. On a several long trips I ran the bikes from full to fumes but the extra capacity was only a convenience to keep me on the bike longer. The only times I came close to running out was when I pushed the limits by passing gas stations. Each time I planned on taking the bike off road or on extended gravel runs I made sure the tank was no more than half full to lighten the load.

I was disappointed, at first, that this bike scaled down the fuel capacity. I am planning a run from Key West to Prudhoe BAy next summer and it will be on this bike. I've rethought my plans, I'd rather have this lighter version and carry extra fuel though the remote area than carry the extra tank width and load all the time.

AND, we've been seeing random MPG numbers in the lower 40's, that ain't half bad with this powerplant.

I'm irritated that they opted for form over function. I have had to carry extra fuel for my DL650 and my FJR. I have had to buy larger tanks for three different bikes now and I'm going to have to build up a custon aux. tank for my wife's Ascot. Small tanks suck on any bike that even remotely was designed for touring, any kind of touring but especially adv touring.

It's way easier to have more fuel capacity than one needs and just not use it {if you want less weight and you know you won't need the range,,,, just don't top it off completely} than to need the range and have to carry a couple gallons of extra fuel is a jerry rig fashion and by jerry rig I mean it. I have had to carry 4gals in two 2 gal cans strapped to the rear of my DL. I have shoved several Gator-Aid bootles filled with fuel into the spare tire{that actually works rather well!} and now I have three tool tubes bolted in various places, each carrying a 1 liter MSR bottle. Again, small fuel tanks suck! Conveinence does count for alot. Yes, you can always "make do" with a small tank but it ain't fun as my wife did the Trans Lab on an Ascot that has a whoppin 2.5gal tank. The worst thing is that there is no trade off at all for a larger tank to begin with. Like I said, don't need the extra range and don't want that whoppin 6-12lbs that another gallon or two will add,,,,, just don't fill it all the way up!

It really would not have cost a single cent more and as a matter of fact, I think it cost more as the larger tank was engineered first. As for looks, none of the Adv bikes are lookers and "Purdy is as purdy does" IMO.

And that fuel consumption in the middle 40s is mediocre in my book. It isn't bad but it's far from comendable. Heck, my FJR averages low to mid 40s with me riding it and I'm terrible at getting good fuel mileage. When I want, I can easily hit high 40s and have seen the low 50s several times. I rented a Ully once and I was averaging middle 40s loaded down with gear and two up. Modern Hardly Abelsons routinely get high 40s to middle 50s and if they can do it with an antiquated air cooled and push-rod actuated lump of an engine,,,, it should be easy enough for the other manufacturers to do so too.

[moggi1964]

Originally Posted by Jud

I'm irritated that they opted for form over function. I have had to carry extra fuel for my DL650 and my FJR. I have had to buy larger tanks for three different bikes now and I'm going to have to build up a custon aux. tank for my wife's Ascot. Small tanks suck on any bike that even remotely was designed for touring, any kind of touring but especially adv touring.

It's way easier to have more fuel capacity than one needs and just not use it {if you want less weight and you know you won't need the range,,,, just don't top it off completely} than to need the range and have to carry a couple gallons of extra fuel is a jerry rig fashion and by jerry rig I mean it. I have had to carry 4gals in two 2 gal cans strapped to the rear of my DL. I have shoved several Gator-Aid bootles filled with fuel into the spare tire{that actually works rather well!} and now I have three tool tubes bolted in various places, each carrying a 1 liter MSR bottle. Again, small fuel tanks suck! Conveinence does count for alot. Yes, you can always "make do" with a small tank but it ain't fun as my wife did the Trans Lab on an Ascot that has a whoppin 2.5gal tank. The worst thing is that there is no trade off at all for a larger tank to begin with. Like I said, don't need the extra range and don't want that whoppin 6-12lbs that another gallon or two will add,,,,, just don't fill it all the way up!

It really would not have cost a single cent more and as a matter of fact, I think it cost more as the larger tank was engineered first. As for looks, none of the Adv bikes are lookers and "Purdy is as purdy does" IMO.

And that fuel consumption in the middle 40s is mediocre in my book. It isn't bad but it's far from comendable. Heck, my FJR averages low to mid 40s with me riding it and I'm terrible at getting good fuel mileage. When I want, I can easily hit high 40s and have seen the low 50s several times. I rented a Ully once and I was averaging middle 40s loaded down with gear and two up. Modern Hardly Abelsons routinely get high 40s to middle 50s and if they can do it with an antiquated air cooled and push-rod actuated lump of an engine,,,, it should be easy enough for the other manufacturers to do so too.

Then buy something else!

[Mercury264]

Originally Posted by moggi1964

Then buy something else!