VOL. 55 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 16, 2018 P69
no-hands downshifter on a bike
with shaft final drive, and it was
frankly flawless. It's worth noting
this is Triumph's first such device
fitted to any of its production
models, and they got it right first
time. Maybe they learned how to
do it correctly in developing their
similarly equipped prototype
765cc Moto2 engine!
MORE MODES THAN
YOU NEED?
That two-way powershifter is just
one of the many ways in which
the new bike delivers the highest
level of state-of-the-art electronic
technology yet to be found on
any Tiger model. The ride-by-
wire digital throttle offers a
choice of up to six riding modes
for the 1200 triple—Rain, Road,
Off-Road, Rider, Sport and
Off-Road Pro. The entry-level
Tiger 1200 XR variant features
only the first three modes, with
the XRX adding Sport and the
range-topping XRT getting the
Rider mode. Off-Road Pro is
reserved for the XC family and
completely deactivates ABS and
traction control, and switches
the electronic suspension to its
Off-Road setting.
Either new or much improved
over the previous generation
Explorer are the keyless ignition,
hill-start control, and see-round-
turns adaptive cornering lighting
which progressively activates
four LEDs up to a lean angle of
(Above) The XRT is a touch
less expensive than the
range-topping XCA, but is
angled more at street riding.
(Right) Triumph's dashes
are some of the very best
in the business.
(Top right) Revamped
brakes have fixed the lack-
of-feel issue that plagued
the old Tiger Explorer.