Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA in the driving report

Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA in the driving report

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The Triumph Tiger Explorer was already a choice for everyone who drove to destinations near and far with power and elegance. For 2016, the British have revised the large travel enduro three-cylinder.

AT.At first glance, there isn’t much that is new to discover on the Triumph Tiger Explorer. But this impression is wrong. The British have left it with slight retouching in terms of optics, but on the inside, with the technology, they have really put a hand to it. At least with the extensively equipped variants. As already demonstrated with the small 800 Tiger, the English offer five different types ex works. They differ fundamentally about the rims. If these are made of cast aluminum, the variants are called XR (Cross Roads), XRX or XRT. 32 fine wire spokes connect the rim base and hub, the models listen to the suffixes XCX (XC stands for Cross Country) and XCA.

Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA in the driving report

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Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA with hill start assist

With a full tank of over 270 kilograms, the three-cylinder is ready for departure slightly up the slope. With the engine running, briefly apply the front brake and the hill start aid is activated. Works well – even downhill. The 1215 cubic engine takes on the gas just above idling speed. One finger on the clutch is enough to change gears. It hasn’t been that easy before. The new switch box also has an anti-hopping function. The Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA cannot hide its weight, but it rolls, feels tame and makes you want to be petted. The set road mode harmonizes well with the curved roads in the Algarve. As with all other modes, it has preconfigured settings for the response of the engine as well as for the ABS, the traction control and the damping of the suspension elements. The pace increases, long bends are now on the menu of the big cat, from low to medium and high speeds. The sport mode should be the right choice for this.

A few intuitive button presses on the left end of the handlebars later it is stored. ABS and traction control remain unchanged, only the damping hardens noticeably. The engine acts as smoothly as ever at its maximum torque. The Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA lies well on the road and offers a lot of stability with slightly less comfort. At least as far as the shock absorber is concerned. The front fork doesn’t work quite as smoothly, not at the level of the shock absorber. In addition, as before, the Tiger is least able to hide its weight when making brisk turns downhill, and requires clear steering impulses. Nevertheless, it is astonishing what a wide spread Triumph achieved in the coordination of the damping between the different levels of sport and comfort. This becomes clear again on the following jogging track. Because a damping characteristic is preset in every mode, but this can be changed up or down in a total of nine steps, the soft version now follows the tight version. As if on the well-padded paws of a tiger, the XCA rolls over faults, keeps the rear calm, while the rear wheel stoically follows the surface with all its ups and downs. But here, too, the following applies: At the rear, it works in an exemplary manner, at the front with a slightly lower quality.

Offroad ABS allows the shortest possible stopping distances

Because Triumph does not understand the term adventure as an empty phrase, the next step is unpaved terrain. The Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA has an extra off-road mode for this purpose. It is the only one that has to be activated when the vehicle is stationary – for safety reasons. It offers more negative suspension travel, its own damping characteristics, and ABS and traction control intervene later. Both assistance systems can also be switched off completely in this and in the freely configurable rider mode.

The gravel swirls through the air, the Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA does well. But she shouldn’t tip over, especially because of her weight. The ABS works well here, as well as on the road. Allows the shortest possible stopping distances. Even in curves on asphalt, thanks to the gyro sensor in the IMU unit (Inertial Measurement Unit), which measures changes in position and uses this information to regulate traction control and the ABS function when driving on the road. In this way, the Tiger is lightning fast and safe when braking in bends. Only the controllability should be better, the pressure point is not clearly defined.

The Triumph Tiger Explorer has retained its previous character and is less of a bitchy predator than a reliable companion. The extra features of the individual models are made for this. However, if you want to stalk the XCA Tiger, you should bring 18,600 euros. There has never been a special offer for adult big cats.

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Pictures: Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA in the driving report

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Pictures: Triumph Tiger Explorer XCA in the driving report

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