Familiar solutions
The Explorer is built around a tubular steel trellis frame similar to that of the Tiger 800, with 46-mm Kabaya inverted forks up front and a single Kayaba rear shock with remote reservoir. As for brakes, we’ve got all the usual suspects: two 305 mm floating discs keep the 19” front wheel in check and a 287 mm disc manages the 17” rear wheel.

The Tiger Explorer rolls off the assembly line with adjustable handlebars and windscreen, a large, height-adjustable saddle (from 800 to 857 mm), a complete digital instrument cluster with analogue tachometer and a passenger pinion that’s perched higher up and surrounded by a hand grip.

If you prefer a fully equipped bike, Triumph offers a laundry list of options: fog lights, auxiliary outlets, top and side cases, heated hand grips and saddle, hand guards, GPS cradle, high-performance Arrow exhaust and various protective plates for the headlamp, engine and radiator.

Has Triumph hit a home run with the Tiger Explorer? It’s too soon to tell, but the Tiger 800 has had the segment wrapped around its little finger from the beginning, so Triumph had already done its homework before designing the 2012 Tiger Explorer. This is a promising bike on paper, and one that’s ready to fight its way to the top of the class.

The Explorer is built around a tubular steel trellis frame similar to that of the Tiger 800. (Photo: Triumph)