The new 2012 Tiger Explorer takes up the lines and features of the Tiger 800 and launches a full-on assault on the star players of the Adventure Touring scene, the BMW R1200GS and KTM 990 Adventure. Trailblazers and two-wheel pathfinders, be warned: the Tiger Explorer is scheduled to land in Triumph dealerships this spring.

Apart from drawing on the 800 for styling inspiration, the British brand’s engineers designed the new warhorse from scratch. On paper, the 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer brandishes the finest weapons available to take on the trails, although its high-riding, SUV-like looks don’t make it look like it would do too well on steep slopes.

The Tiger Explorer is scheduled to land in Triumph dealerships this spring. (Photo: Triumph)

Triumph leaked some images and info on its new machine before Christmas, but we know very little about its actual dimensions. Be that as it may, at first glance it seems quite hefty. But once aboard, it doesn’t feel much larger or higher than its little 800-cc brother, except maybe for the 20-litre fuel tank that could have come straight off a Dakar bike.

Three faithful cylinders
The all-new 1215-cc engine features the three-cylinder architecture so dear to the brand. To propel the 259-kg bike, it punches out 137 hp at 9,300 rpm and 72 lb-ft at 6,400 rpm. The DOHC, 12-valve engine uses direct injection and a ride-by-wire electronic throttle system.

Like the top competitors in its class, the Tiger Explorer boasts numerous electronic driving aids, including cruise control as well as traction control and ABS systems than can both be deactivated.

Triumph says the bike should be serviced every 16,000 km or 12 months, a maintenance schedule that’s sure to please road-trippers. What’s more, this red-blooded machine uses a single-sided swingarm with a shaft as a final drive, which keeps maintenance costs down. It’s paired with a six-speed transmission.

Triumph says the bike should be serviced every 16,000 km or 12 months, a maintenance schedule that’s sure to please road-trippers. (Photo: Triumph)