Triumph’s Biggest Cat Is Out Of The Bag

Dec 8, 2021
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4 min read

The Tiger 1200 range is lighter, more powerful and loaded with tech

The new 1160cc engine makes 9PS and 8Nm more than its predecessor.
The Tiger 1200 is now lighter by over 25kg.
Packs a sophisticated electronic suite including radar-based blindspot detection.

Triumph Motorcycles has finally let its flagship ADV, the Tiger 1200, out of the bag after months of teasing. Just like with the Triumph Tiger 900 range, the British marque has redone the bike completely, including its name. The new Tiger 1200 is now available in GT, GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro and Rally Explorer variants. Here're all the juicy details on the burly ADV:

Looks Like A Tiger
Gone is the bug-eyed face and the beefy proportions. Instead, Triumph has gone the maxi-enduro way, by cutting down on all the flab. The new Tiger 1200 flaunts a new fascia, inspired by the Tiger 900; however, instead of the brow-style LED DRLs, the flagship ADV sports a horizontal DRL (unibrow?), reminiscent of its predecessor. The fuel tank has a narrower profile, but packs as much 30 litres of fuel (Explorer variants only). Just like the Tiger 900, the 1200 features a split radiator to keep the body compact.

Roars Like One Too
The House of Hinckley has used the tried-and-tested T-plane triple crank for the Tiger 1200. The uneven firing order improves low-end tractability (for off-roading) without compromising on the top-end response (for highway touring). And of course, all this results in a raunchy exhaust note.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 family features a new 1160cc in-line triple motor that belts out 150PS at 9000rpm and 130Nm at 7000rpm, a bump of 9PS and 8Nm compared to the previous model. All that power is delivered through an improved shaft drive.

Moves Like A Tiger
Triumph’s strict diet has helped the Tiger 1200 shave over 25kg, of which 5.4kg can be attributed to the lighter frame and the bolt-on aluminum subframe. Furthermore, the new tri-link swingarm further takes off 1.5kg. However, with a kerb weight ranging from 240kg (GT) to 261kg (Rally Explorer), the Tiger 1200 isn’t really a featherweight still.

The lighter and powerful Tiger 1200 now relies on Showa semi-active suspension, tuned differently for the GT and Rally variants, while braking duties have been entrusted to Brembo Stylema calipers on all models for brutal stopping force.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 GT trio runs on a 19-inch alloy wheel at the front and an 18-inch unit at the rear, while the Tiger 1200 Rally duo flaunts a 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheel setup, shod with tubeless tyres.

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The GT and the Rally variants of the Tiger 1200 flaunt different ergonomics, tailored specifically for their intended purposes. To make it more interesting, the seats come with two-point adjustability, changing the saddle height by 20mm. The GT, GT Pro and GT Explorer have two seat height settings – 850mm and 870mm, while for the Rally Pro and Rally Explorer these are 875mm and 895mm.

Has Feline-like Senses Too
The Triumph Tiger 1200 features a sophisticated IMU-governed electronics suite. The highlight is the new Blind Spot Radar system and Lane Change assist developed with Continental. However, this feature is reserved for the Explorer series. This system utilises a rear-facing radar to let the rider know about the oncoming traffic.

Other electronic aids include cornering traction control, ABS, hill hold control, quickshifter, adaptive cornering lights, heated grips, electronic cruise control and upto six riding modes. Most of the features are standard on all bikes except for the GT. Additionally, the Explorer models also pack heated seats.

All of the settings can be accessed via a new 7-inch TFT display that comes with smartphone connectivity, navigation and GoPro control.

Ready To Brawl With The Bavarian Brute?
The Triumph Tiger 1200 now claims to be the most powerful shaft driven bike in its class, and the numbers back it. The new Tiger is 17kg lighter than the BMW R 1250 GS, while making 14PS more. Has the Bavarian brute finally met its match? Well, it certainly looks so.

Triumph has most of its motorcycles in the Indian market, and given the country’s newfound love for these big globetrotters, we see no reason why the British marque would not bring its flagship ADV to India. If and when it does, it is likely to come at a starting price of Rs 20 lakh. Would you pick the British ADV over the popular German behemoth? Let us know in the comments.

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