What's it like riding the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer? Find out here...

Tested by Rich Newland

I find that riding a big adventure bike gives me a completely different outlet for my love of riding. With the exception of my daily commute and nipping out to grab a curry, I rarely do short journeys – and the Tiger should be the epitome of mile-munching, multi-terrain, enablers. Step back in time 12 years, and I had the original Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer as a long-termer, on which I covered over 8000 miles in five months through a brutal winter.

I’m fascinated to see what over a decade of dramatic development has done for the Tiger. I’ll use it for the daily commute; for meetings all over the country; for evening blasts and weekend adventures and, if I can escape my desk for long enough, I’d love to take the big Tiger to the Picos for a mini adventure.

I love big-mile days on the road, and the 30-litre tank will mean I can go further, faster, in 2025. I will take it off-road, too – riding as many green lanes as possible in all weathers. I spent 2024 on the R1300GS and 2023 with the Multistrada V4 Rally – and can’t wait to see how the best of British stacks up against both.

Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer quick specs

• Price: £19,695
• Engine: 1160cc, liquid-cooled, inline triple
• Power: 148bhp @ 9000rpm
• Torque: 95.8lb.ft @ 7000rpm
• Seat height: 875-895mm
• Weight: 261kg (wet)

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