Tiger Explorer XC just announced

[Rincewind]

The Tiger Explorer XC version was just announced on Triumph's Facebook page.  It was shown at the Triumph Live event.  Details will be on their website Monday, they said.

[garry]

Oh my. I wonder if those are tubeless spoked wheels. I like the green. What's that sucking sound? Oh, it's my savings account being drained...

[Rincewind]

That single sided swing arm with the wire wheels looks fantastic.  It would seem likely that the wheels are tubeless for this class of bike, and the spokes on the front wheel make it look that way.

Available April, they said.

[Mac]

Based on the 800cc motor?

[Windblown]

That's a manly looking bike!  Looks nice.  

Between the weight and power I doubt I'm manly enough to handle it off-road though...  Coming in at 60+ pounds lighter the Triumph 800XC is what's on my radar.

... and while the girls are nice looking I say if you're going to have eye candy standing around a motorcycle take a page out of Ducati's book. Them guys know eye candy. .

 

[garry]

Based on the 800cc motor?

No, it's based on the all-new Triumph Explorer 1200 that is out now. All they did was bolt on accessories and add the wire wheels.

[Windblown]

Oops just double checked. Closer to 100lbs heavier than the 800.  

[Windblown]

Seems like these big "Adventure" bikes are becoming the rage.  I dig the looks but aren't they really just an uber-sport tourer in reality? Does anyone really take an almost 600lb motorcycle (+ weight of the gear that would be loaded on it) off-road?

[garry]

Taking these beasts off-road isn't what they are designed for. Some people do take them places they weren't designed to go with a combination of knobby tires (TKC80s), skills, and guts.

IMO, what they do manage to well is be a true "all roads" bike. Dirt/gravel roads, even jeep trail stuff, is fun thanks to the 19" front wheel and longer travel suspension, yet they are still fine bikes on the paved stuff that makes up the bulk of their use.

[Windblown]

IMO, what they do manage to well is be a true "all roads" bike. Dirt/gravel roads, even jeep trail stuff, is fun thanks to the 19" front wheel and longer travel suspension, yet they are still fine bikes on the paved stuff that makes up the bulk of their use.

Good point. Which is in part why I made the comparison to the big sport tourers. I'm sure compared to an ST1300, FJR, or VFR1200 they are  a bit more dirt road friendly. 4WD trails? Not sure on that count. Maybe with an expert rider who has the skills to avoid dropping 600 lbs of motorcycle that suddenly decides it want to take a nap.

Me? I'd only have to pick one of those babies up out of the dirt once, maybe twice before I'd know I had bit off way more than I could chew. LOL.

[Silverbird]

These bikes are quickly becoming as unusable as a hyperbike. It takes a very special rider to use the ability of these big adventures bike in the dirt, just like it takes a very special rider to use everything a supersport has to offer.  Fun for a while, but then you realize the bike is way better than you'll ever be.

[SLK50]

You apparently live in the world of perfect asphalt.
I don't and these bikes make perfect sense for the
real world.

[Windblown]

You apparently live in the world of perfect asphalt.
I don't and these bikes make perfect sense for the
real world.

I don't live in a world of perfect asphalt. I live in a world where my both my C10 Concours and my FZ1 have seen a bit of dirt, gravel, occasional stream crossings, etc.  I have photos but can't access them at work, LOL.  Anyways, it's been my experience that tire choice and bike weight are the biggest factors on loose surfaces long before suspension travel, ground clearance (which the Explorer does not have much of), or a 21" front rim become major advantages.

If it's bad enough to need 6" or more of suspension travel and off-road tires (which I wouldn't use on a long range mount that was mostly going to be on pavement regardless)  then I prefer something that's sub 400 lbs.  But I'm just a skinny fart so I shy away from big bikes when the going gets tough. And like all things, what puts a smile on your face is all that should matter to you.

 

[Silverbird]

I weigh 160 too, but 5 inches of properly set-up suspension is enough. I not saying these ADV bikes are a waste of money anymore than a 1000RR is.     But ya just can't use all that

And yeah that XC is a manly looking sob!

[Rincewind]

I still haven't found this bike on Triumph's website, but here are some details c/o WBW - http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/2012/triumph-tiger-explorer-xc.htm

It states that the rims are indeed tubeless.  Otherwise it seems like this is identical to the base Explorer with the addition of already-existing options.  

[black hills]

this is the typical road for my 990:



It does fine on the asphalt, but the CBR is more fun. It also does OK (if you don't mind working your ass off) on rougher stuff, but the 300XC-w is more fun.

It's a nice all around bike to go exploring on.

this is about as rough as I go foro two up, but solo I do a bit more:


sometimes my passenger get's over dramatic about how rough the road is:


once you get used to the bike and it's abilities you end up in places you never dreamed of. They are more capable off road than you might think. I think the new Truiumph would be a fine choice!

[black hills]

I weigh 160 too, but 5 inches of properly set-up suspension is enough. I not saying these ADV bikes are a waste of money anymore than a 1000RR is.     But ya just can't use all that

And yeah that XC is a manly looking sob!

 I would disagree. water bars on the fire roads at 60mph require all of the 10 or so inches of resprung /revalved suspension my 990 has to offer

[squeezer]

I still haven't found this bike on Triumph's website, but here are some details c/o WBW - http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/2012/triumph-tiger-explorer-xc.htm

It states that the rims are indeed tubeless.  Otherwise it seems like this is identical to the base Explorer with the addition of already-existing options.  

Want.

[SalsaShark]

Wow... these will look great parked next to all the beamers down at the local coffee shop!

[black hills]

Wow... these will look great parked next to all the beamers down at the local coffee shop!

 its sad that so much work goes into building a capable machine only to be wasted on some spode

[crispiegee1]

I hate the idea that, if I bought one, other motorcyclists that I otherwise respect would sit around presuming to know that I'm some latte drinking poof.

It's a lovely bike and fairly capable looking. While I'm not certain that I would have many opportunities to get it very dirty, I'd like to have the versatility to know it can handle it when needed. My sport bike is fairly unhappy on dirt trails.

[surfsup]

me wee has seen many miles of dirt roads... but if it never touched dirt again it wouldn't matter. it's the touring ergos and paved road carving ability that sold me on a dual sport.

this would be the only bike (right now) that would excite me enough to replace it... but not this year  

[gritsngravy]

As a larger rider of a certain age I can see why the adventure bikes are gaining in popularity.  Ergonomics alone would make any of the big adv bikes a great alternative for me.    Ergo wise all the latest tall roaders remind me of the the old school sit up & beg UJM's of the 70's.  Cruise, tour, carve,  and the ability to do some off roading..... sounds like a well rounded machine to me.   The thing to remember when going off road is that the biggest adv bikes are the moto equivalent of a crossover car.    Yeah you can go off road but don't try to keep up with true dirt bikes.  

[crispiegee1]

Anybody know how high the seat is?

[black hills]

As a larger rider of a certain age I can see why the adventure bikes are gaining in popularity.  Ergonomics alone would make any of the big adv bikes a great alternative for me.    Ergo wise all the latest tall roaders remind me of the the old school sit up & beg UJM's of the 70's.  Cruise, tour, carve,  and the ability to do some off roading..... sounds like a well rounded machine to me.   The thing to remember when going off road is that the biggest adv bikes are the moto equivalent of a crossover car.    Yeah you can go off road but don't try to keep up with true dirt bikes.  

   I will probably never take my CBR on another trip since the 990 arrived. it is easier to pack, has better range, and is far more comfortable to ride all day. Don't get me wrong, I love the CBR but the 990 is my touring choice. the added benefit is when you see a road like this you can see where ir goes.

[SalsaShark]

I was being a bit snarky when I made the coffee shop comment. When I had the opportunity to sit on one, it seend very comfortable and only a bit wider than the multistrada.

As a larger rider of a certain age I can see why the adventure bikes are gaining in popularity.  Ergonomics alone would make any of the big adv bikes a great alternative for me.    Ergo wise all the latest tall roaders remind me of the the old school sit up & beg UJM's of the 70's.  Cruise, tour, carve,  and the ability to do some off roading..... sounds like a well rounded machine to me.   The thing to remember when going off road is that the biggest adv bikes are the moto equivalent of a crossover car.    Yeah you can go off road but don't try to keep up with true dirt bikes.  

I get that. I loved my Multistrada for it's ergos and the ability to eat up miles regardless of when and where. Highway, twisties, dirt... didn't matter. Too bad it had so many glitches or I'd still have it.

   I will probably never take my CBR on another trip since the 990 arrived. it is easier to pack, has better range, and is far more comfortable to ride all day. Don't get me wrong, I love the CBR but the 990 is my touring choice. the added benefit is when you see a road like this you can see where ir goes.

Seriously considering a 990ADV once I've gotten the title to the Tuono.