Triumph's large adventure bikes will be available in the spring of 2022.
There is a new Triumph Tiger 1200 hovering around, and its target is the BMW GS. The updated Tiger 1200 adopts a new shaft transmission device, abandoning the old O-ring chain, in order to improve its durability and attract more ADV enthusiasts to join the brand. This is not the only improvement for Big Tiger, as Triumph has redesigned the bike from the ground up to make it faster and lighter in the process.
These bold moves show that Triumph is willing to compete with the major players in the ADV market, because Tiger 1200 hopes to overthrow the current king of this market segment.
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Since its release in 1980, with the introduction of the R 80 G/S, BMW has been dominant in the field of large dual-sport motorcycles. The powerful horizontally opposed engine from Bavaria with shaft drive is an ideal combination for those who wish to travel on the road and off-road.
But with the release of the Triumph Tiger 1200 series in 2022, this advantage may soon end. When Triumph replaced the previous-generation chain drive with a shaft drive system, it immediately showed its intentions.
Whether traveling across the country or driving off the beaten track, the axle drive is almost bulletproof and requires less maintenance even under long-distance pressure. Many buyers see the axle drive system as a necessity for their large ADV bikes, and Triumph clearly sees this as an opportunity.
Related: Triumph just launched four new special edition models
In all news materials related to this new Tiger 1200 series, Triumph constantly pointed out the advantages of this bike over the "closest axle drive race" (BMW's manufacturer code).
To power the Tiger 1200, Triumph switched to a new 1160 cc three-cylinder engine. This triple crank can produce 147 horsepower and 95 pound-feet of torque, and due to its T-shaped flat design, it has the low-end characteristics of the two-cylinder and the high-speed capability of the four-cylinder. All these powers promoted a machine that was 55 pounds lighter than the previous generation.
Triumph achieved this feat and added cost to the entire bike, including a new lightweight frame with a bolt-on rear aluminum subframe, and a lighter and stronger "three-link" rear swingarm.
Understanding the various uses of large adventure bikes, Triumph has tailored this product line to meet the needs of riders. For road warriors, Triumph took asphalt into consideration when designing the Tiger 1200 GT, Tiger 1200 GT Pro and Tiger 1200 GT Explorer.
GT models are equipped with 19-inch front wheels and 18-inch rear cast aluminum wheels. GT and GT Pro come standard with a 5.3-gallon fuel tank, while GT Explorer is equipped with a 7.93-gallon fuel tank to add more mileage between refills. For those who want to get dirtier, Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer offer 21-inch front wheels and 18-inch rear tubeless spoke wheels.
All bicycles use Showa suspension system and Brembo brakes. They also provide information to the rider through the new 7-inch TFT display, providing up to six riding modes depending on the model. In addition, the explorer (GT and rally) is equipped with an innovative triumph blind spot radar system developed in cooperation with Continental. When the vehicle approaches the bicycle from behind, the radar system will alert the rider to avoid untimely lane changes. These bikes are even equipped with a hill keeping system (except for the 1200 GT) to help the rider get off the slope.
From top to bottom, the Tiger 1200 series meets the needs of modern riders in a dynamic way. Its goal is to get a lot of money from BMW's ADV sales when it goes on sale at a price of $19,100 (Tiger 1200 GT) starting in the spring of 2022.
The 1200 XE has true on-road and off-road capabilities, making it attractive to riders looking for a more versatile machine.
Christian Pierce has been working at HotCars since January 2021, and his preferred mode of transportation is two-wheeled transportation. He likes to ride motorcycles, from modern cafe racing to classic cruisers. He participated in everything from races to rallies, and even studied the history of the motorcycle industry while studying for a graduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.