Trail – Tiger Explorer Trial: Triumph explores the trails of success! – A tiger in King-Size format

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Tiger Explorer trial: Triumph explores the tracks of success !

Trail - Tiger Explorer Trial: Triumph explores the trails of success! - A tiger in King-Size format

Take a 1215 cc three-cylinder, modern and full at all speeds. Insert it into a cycle part that is as healthy as it is comfortable: you get the excellent base around which Triumph has built a convincing maxitrail, the Tiger Explorer. Test.

A king-size tiger

Imposing. Here is the first adjective that comes to mind when you discover the Triumph Tiger Explorer. With 2248 mm long and 962 mm wide at the handlebars, the Englishwoman does not really have the physique of a ballet dancer … No more than her weight: from the top of its 259 kg fully loaded, the Explorer flirts squarely with being overweight, a feeling reinforced by its chunky front part.

Surprisingly narrow at the crotch, the 20-liter tank (including 4 reserve) only widens as it goes up towards the wide and easily gripped handlebars, while solid fairings form the junction between its upper part and the radiator. ‘water.

As if to reinforce this intimidating build, a "Triumph" plate takes place on a prominent plastic piece fixed on each side of the sides. Aesthetic, this accessory also acts as a protective pad for the side fairings.

The whole gives off an impression of robustness, especially as the quality of workmanship is at the rendezvous: from the belly pan delivered as standard to the fork crown which overhangs a "beak" typical of trails since the Suzuki DR 750, the plastics are assembled with care. Likewise, many small details suggest a practical motorcycle (controls from the dashboard to the handlebars, elbow tire valves, screen, adjustable handlebars and levers) and designed to last..

To prevent the boots from marking them, the rider’s footrest plates are covered with rubber while the notched brake pedal and the side stand are very generously sized. These two elements are also well placed and easy to handle..

The deployment of the central stand, fitted as standard on the Tiger Explorer, requires on the other hand to deal well with the generous size of the motorcycle. Watch out for the sloping parking lot, where the mass and height of the Triumph are quickly remembered by the pilot…

Handlebars in hand, this apprehension linked to the weight does not fade immediately, despite the treasures of good manners displayed by the Explorer. Starting with its surprising accessibility: despite a flat saddle placed at 860 mm of origin, a pilot of 1.75 m touches the ground with his tiptoes thanks to the contained width of the seat and the bottom of the tank.

For shorter riders on legs, simply remove the saddle and move the two wedges placed underneath to increase the height to 840 mm. An operation which takes less than a minute and which makes it possible to appreciate the satisfactory volume of the trunk located under the passenger seat: an SRA / FFMC approved "U" lock is placed there, between the Triumph tool kit and pants. rain.

Travelers in duo will also appreciate the presence of the luggage rack fitted as standard, on which a top-case sold as an option is attached (read the "Commercial information" section of our technical sheet on the following pages). Well off, the passenger benefits from a seat as well padded as that of his driver, as well as accessible handles. On the other hand, to climb on board, he will have to show a generous "leg lift" as the rear of the motorcycle is high. !

With his torso straight and arms outstretched, the rider also enjoys an enviable fate: as on most GT trails, the riding position does not put stress on any articulation, which makes it easier to grip the bike. . And even if the heavy weight and the rather high center of gravity are fatally harmful to handling, the Tiger Explorer steers quite easily at low speed..

Well balanced and responsive to orders, the Triumph also benefits from an excellent turning radius, a smooth and progressive clutch, as well as a smooth and precise selection – except on one of the models tested, where it s ‘is shown to be more eye-catching. So many elements that allow you to quickly feel the urge to take advantage of the elasticity of the three-legged !

Always up and running and more flexible than an Asian gymnast, the three-cylinder is indeed a monument of availability and gentleness! Capable of resuming in sixth at 1500 rpm without hiccuping, it allows crossings of towns at 50 km / h in fourth gear, while purring at 2000 rpm like a big cat.

But a cat who has claws, and especially the trunk: a frank rotation of the right handle – pulling a long hair – immediately wakes him up and propels the whole forward with joyful vigor! And the good news is that a big part of this playful temperament should cross borders, since the engine sacrifices only 1 Nm of torque to the French bridle (120 Nm at 6100 rpm). On the other hand, no less than 31 horses remain on the other side of the Channel (106 hp at 6300 rpm)…

Linear, the times are of the "beefy" type from low revs, while the unit pushes without weakening until the arrival of the switch at 10,000 rpm. We want to believe the English engine manufacturers when they announce that the "three-legged" outputs 100 Nm of torque from 2500 to 9500 rpm! Full as an egg, it allows to wind on the torque in sixth at 90 km / h at 3000 rpm, or to draw a report with a very British phlegm.

This is also one of the only criticisms that it is possible to address to it: if its smooth torque curve undeniably favors the pleasure, especially in duet, the presence of a peak of tone marking the arrival at highs – diets would not have displeased us. A rather subjective defect therefore, unlike the vibrations felt in the hands from 6000 rpm, then in the feet 2000 rpm later…

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