The 1200 Tiger Explorer Mega Thread

[paul56]

Very nice. Share your impressions of both of them with us?

[Masterblaster]

Cant on the Trophy, did not ride it, did check it out and sit on it though, the front end is big, stereo is nice, all the comforts, cruise control, heated seat grips etc, electronic suspension and shield, biggest thing on both bikes is the self cancelling signals, finally caught up with Harley technology hehehe. I already bought the Explorer so I did not really want to ride the Trophy, wife was with me so I had to keep my head straight. The power is the same on both bikes, massive power compared to the Sprint 1050 or the Tiger 800. Only 200 on the Explorer so far, will update at 1k miles.

[MariusD]

Congrats on the nice new Tiger! I'd be curious to know why you chose the 1200 over the 800 tiger. I was just at the triumph dealership today and found them both fairly comfy, but the 800 seemed to be more "managable" for a lack of a better word. The 1200 seemed just sooo BIG...

[Masterblaster]

You cant go wrong with the 800, its a great flickable bike, seat sucks wind protection sucks but very easily curable, madstad shield and saddlemen seat. I ride long a lot so I like the cruise control, my other two bikes in the garage are a 12 Busa and a 12 Ultra, being an old man I like riding in max comfort with max power available, Ultra can wheelie, busa dynoed at 201 mph, Ultra has Cruise and radio, Explorer has mega power and cruise great wind protection. #1 reason for trading the Tiger 800 is for cruise control though, I am a lazy old bastarge with many bones hurting from prior adventures so every little bit of extra comfort will help extend my riding life. Cant go wrong with a Tiger 800 so don't fret.

Originally Posted by MariusD

Congrats on the nice new Tiger! I'd be curious to know why you chose the 1200 over the 800 tiger. I was just at the triumph dealership today and found them both fairly comfy, but the 800 seemed to be more "managable" for a lack of a better word. The 1200 seemed just sooo BIG...

[E.O.T.D.]

Congrats on the new bike MasterBlaster! great choice! I just got the same one in black two days ago. Traded an 06 GS for it and I don't think I'll be looking back. Once I rode the Explorer demo at the dealership I was done. I've only been able to get 100 miles on it since it came home, cant wait for the break-in period to be done so I can use all that power your talking about!
I liked the 800 a lot but I ride 2up w my girlfriend a lot and the bigger bike will make it much easier. Plus I am a sucker for power, sounds like you are too with a Busa in the garage.

What do you think of the factory seat? So far I am not impressed with the factory seat on mine. I'm already scouting about for an aftermarket. Had a Sargent on the GS and once it was broken in it was awesome.

[Masterblaster]

The seat is hard right now, I have old man ass (none) so I will give it a few K miles to break in, if it still feels bad after that I will send to Mean Citry Cycles to get redone for $100 or so.I am spending all my motorcycle money on gun stuff right now so need to be a little frugal, plus this bike does not seem to need much, wind protection is great stock, have the bags, fog lights and my zumo mount being installed next Saturday morning, part of the purchase deal..I ride 25 - 35 k miles per year so the bike will be well broke in soon enough. Only other accessory I want on it is the engine guard, don't know which is available yet or which one but other than grip puppies and bar ends I don't think it needs anything else.

Originally Posted by E.O.T.D.

Congrats on the new bike MasterBlaster! great choice! I just got the same one in black two days ago. Traded an 06 GS for it and I don't think I'll be looking back. Once I rode the Explorer demo at the dealership I was done. I've only been able to get 100 miles on it since it came home, cant wait for the break-in period to be done so I can use all that power your talking about!
I liked the 800 a lot but I ride 2up w my girlfriend a lot and the bigger bike will make it much easier. Plus I am a sucker for power, sounds like you are too with a Busa in the garage.

What do you think of the factory seat? So far I am not impressed with the factory seat on mine. I'm already scouting about for an aftermarket. Had a Sargent on the GS and once it was broken in it was awesome.

[lonerockz]

A little TEX porn from today's quest to get it beyond 100 miles.






Gotta say 5000 rpm is a whole lot more fun than 3500!

[Masterblaster]

Good taste

[Typhon]

Congrats, very nice. Ride safe.

[Shoofly]

Congrats on the TEX! I've been on the big graphite cat since mid June. It's a hoot. Check out the Tiger Explorer Forum for all things TEX related - like the current hoopla over the cam bucket service bulletin. Maybe check to see if your VIN is within the range of the affected machines. Mine's smack dab in the middle. My dealer ordered the parts earlier this week, and will do the upgrade as soon as they arrive.

[iDave]

What a beautiful machine! I would LOVE to have one of those in my garage. Congratulations .

[ridenm]

Originally Posted by Big Jon

They're definately NOT Mefo StoneMasters. I have them on my KLR and the tread is almost twice as deep as the ones on Super TEX...

I'm just making a SWAG, since the picture indicates a German-sounding photographer name, that the tires are German-sourced--not necessarily the ones available in the USA and presumably DOT-approved.

[Pacific]

Originally Posted by MariusD

Congrats on the nice new Tiger! I'd be curious to know why you chose the 1200 over the 800 tiger. I was just at the triumph dealership today and found them both fairly comfy, but the 800 seemed to be more "managable" for a lack of a better word. The 1200 seemed just sooo BIG...

I know exactly what you mean by this. When I traded in my 800XC, I found the bigger bike less nimble, which it obviously is -- as though the bike had more control than I did. That feeling persisted for 200 or 300 miles, but then disappeared. No question the 800 is more agile, but after you adjust to the size and power of the Explorer, you find it's a very responsive ride.

[ridenm]

Originally Posted by MariusD

Congrats on the nice new Tiger! I'd be curious to know why you chose the 1200 over the 800 tiger. I was just at the triumph dealership today and found them both fairly comfy, but the 800 seemed to be more "managable" for a lack of a better word. The 1200 seemed just sooo BIG...

Originally Posted by Pacific

I know exactly what you mean by this. When I traded in my 800XC, I found the bigger bike less nimble, which it obviously is -- as though the bike had more control than I did. That feeling persisted for 200 or 300 miles, but then disappeared. No question the 800 is more agile, but after you adjust to the size and power of the Explorer, you find it's a very responsive ride.

Two words: shaft drive.

I have had my fill of chain maintenance on street bikes. I also like the side benefit of the single-sided swing arm.

[W. Boyter]

I was hoping to get mine early this year (got plans for the rascal), but dealer is now telling me April. That's a little too far out to help me, but I was wondering if anyone has gotten or seen the 1200XC model in the U.S. yet.
Thanks!