A friend test rode the Explorer; he is an 800 owner. Here are his impressions:
First Ride Impressions
- Thread starter CarlS
- Start date
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Very nice thanks for posting this 
Interesting read, I eagerly await the demo bike @ TTC. Think it's gonna be near the end of April.
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I am wanting to take a test ride also. Local dealer does not have a demo yet; but expects it any day.
I have heard of any in this area yet either but may have to call the dealer to see when he expects to get one.
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I had my first test ride at the weekend.
It is a dealer demo fitted with the 'launch pack'. I currently ride a Tiger 1050 and used to have a Tiger 955- two quite different bikes. The 1200 physically has more in common with the 955 and is even heavier.
Effortless and composed is my best way to describe this bike. It makes strong power throughout the rev range. The gearbox and shaftdrive are super smooth. The bike squats a bit under acceleration and the rear rises a surprising amount under strong braking (due to the shaft drive). I adapted to the steering right away (not everybody does apparently). The T 955 had the steering responses of an oil tanker but the 1200 has better, more neutral steering. The test bike was set up with firmer suspension front and rear than I would choose. The brakes are very good- they don't look too impressive and I'd been disappointed with the brakes on two different T 800XCs that I've ridden. The touring screen (part of the launch pack) works very well.
Some folks struggle to get used to the fly-by-wire throttle. I had to negotiate a stone strewn junction in 2nd gear. I gingerly opened the throttle. It was like opening the throttle on my XT Yamaha at low revs- the ECU slows the throttle action by a large amount at low revs and you can feed in power with total ease of control. As the revs rise the throttle action sharpens until, at high revs, it has sports bike responses. I found it completely intuitive to use and think that it is the single most outstanding feature of the bike. Think of exiting a mini roundabout or junction in the wet, or a sticky off road section, and applying a small amount of throttle with the tameness of opening the throttle on a Honda 90 and you'll get the idea! A sensational bit of technology IMO.
So it's fantastic and I want one right? Well no, actually. There are those who are already riding the Tiger 1200 off-road, but I can't see that I'll ever have the ability and confidence to take such a big heavy motorcycle off-road. In pure road terms, next year the Trophy 1200 will arrive and whilst it will also have an upright riding position it'll be a lower bike with a lower c of g, better streamlining, integrated streamlined luggage, 17" front wheel with wider tyre and a much wider rear tyre. I cannot think of any situation on asphalt where the Tiger 1200 will be able to match it. And, surely, it will be tuned to give significantly more power than the Tiger 1200? It has to in order to compete with the BMW 1300 & Kawasaki 1400 tourers. So I'll want one of those instead? I doubt it. I'm really not in to these super powerful, super heavy bikes.
You see, I've been hearing one or two things about next year's Tiger 1050 Sport that sound interesting. But that, as they say, is another story
.
It is a dealer demo fitted with the 'launch pack'. I currently ride a Tiger 1050 and used to have a Tiger 955- two quite different bikes. The 1200 physically has more in common with the 955 and is even heavier.
Effortless and composed is my best way to describe this bike. It makes strong power throughout the rev range. The gearbox and shaftdrive are super smooth. The bike squats a bit under acceleration and the rear rises a surprising amount under strong braking (due to the shaft drive). I adapted to the steering right away (not everybody does apparently). The T 955 had the steering responses of an oil tanker but the 1200 has better, more neutral steering. The test bike was set up with firmer suspension front and rear than I would choose. The brakes are very good- they don't look too impressive and I'd been disappointed with the brakes on two different T 800XCs that I've ridden. The touring screen (part of the launch pack) works very well.
Some folks struggle to get used to the fly-by-wire throttle. I had to negotiate a stone strewn junction in 2nd gear. I gingerly opened the throttle. It was like opening the throttle on my XT Yamaha at low revs- the ECU slows the throttle action by a large amount at low revs and you can feed in power with total ease of control. As the revs rise the throttle action sharpens until, at high revs, it has sports bike responses. I found it completely intuitive to use and think that it is the single most outstanding feature of the bike. Think of exiting a mini roundabout or junction in the wet, or a sticky off road section, and applying a small amount of throttle with the tameness of opening the throttle on a Honda 90 and you'll get the idea! A sensational bit of technology IMO.
So it's fantastic and I want one right? Well no, actually. There are those who are already riding the Tiger 1200 off-road, but I can't see that I'll ever have the ability and confidence to take such a big heavy motorcycle off-road. In pure road terms, next year the Trophy 1200 will arrive and whilst it will also have an upright riding position it'll be a lower bike with a lower c of g, better streamlining, integrated streamlined luggage, 17" front wheel with wider tyre and a much wider rear tyre. I cannot think of any situation on asphalt where the Tiger 1200 will be able to match it. And, surely, it will be tuned to give significantly more power than the Tiger 1200? It has to in order to compete with the BMW 1300 & Kawasaki 1400 tourers. So I'll want one of those instead? I doubt it. I'm really not in to these super powerful, super heavy bikes.
You see, I've been hearing one or two things about next year's Tiger 1050 Sport that sound interesting. But that, as they say, is another story
.
Very nice report on this one Dave, thanks 
Thanks for the ride report. I am one of those who has trouble (still) adapting to the fly-by-wire throttle of the XC. I guess I have two many years of direct throttle usage.
Nice report DaveB!
Excellent ride report. Thank you
Sorry to disappoint you Carl, however your XC along with my 800 have the usual throttle cables from the twist grip to the butterflies. All the other bits are electronic though. In a way it is fly by wire....steel wire cable.
It is nothing like my Bonnie throttle nor like that on my TR6. It is very abrupt by comparison.
Carl, that's the EFI. Some are a little abrupt and some are very abrupt. I've been told adjusting the backlash in the push / pull cables can make it a bit smoother.
My first Street Triple was hard to ride until I became familiar with it, my new one isn't too bad but not as smooth as bikes with carbs.
I agree with the above comments. I've found that adjusting the throttle free play to be critical in order to make the 'off idle' throttle action smooth, i.e. to minimise the amount of throttle 'snatch' (for want of a better word). BTW, for some reason I've found that the 955 engines have less off idle throttle snatch than the 1050 motors.
Funnily enough one of the first things I do when I get a new bike is adjust the throttle play. I see all the Triumph manuals dictate mm's of rotation play.
I remove all play, I hate it. However - you MUST check lock to lock with the bike running to ensure that the throttle does indeed close.
As others have stated above it does help with the 'snatching', which can be dangerous in itself.
hth
I remove all play, I hate it. However - you MUST check lock to lock with the bike running to ensure that the throttle does indeed close.
As others have stated above it does help with the 'snatching', which can be dangerous in itself.
hth
Thanks for the information guys. The XC is my first and only EFI bike. I have to say I prefer carbs. That does not mean I don't like the bike, however. I am glad my T100 is carbed.
I am glad my T100 is carbed.Thanks for the information guys. The XC is my first and only EFI bike. I have to say I prefer carbs. That does not mean I don't like the bike, however.
My last three new bikes (Street Triple, T100 and now Street Triple R) have been EFI and now I don't want to ever see another carburetor.
FS is back from his x-country trip. A part of the trip was on dirt and because someone couldn't read a map, they ended up doing some real off roading. FS is totally smitten, his brother in law is "sorry" that he rode the Explorer because he now has to explain another new bike to his wife 
Said going off road with the beastie was tough going though. But according to some "It takes real cajones to ride an 800; riding the 1200 is for sissies"??
Said going off road with the beastie was tough going though. But according to some "It takes real cajones to ride an 800; riding the 1200 is for sissies"??
Well I have had the XC in some mighty rough places. I don't think I could have handled the 1200 in those places - and I don't want to try.
Thanks for the report.
Thanks for the report.
Carl, FS said that the Explorer was definitely harder to handle on the 'bundu bashing' (riding where there are no roads) but the bike did OK and although a bit heavy and little harder work, did really well. He's going to get the seat height and handle bars adjusted and feels this would make the bike sit better for him. Apparently the traction control is excellent and performed well on the off-road. His brother-in-law also rode it off road and is totally bitten by the bike - said it's one of the best rides he's ever had.
