TRIUMPH EXPLORER ANYONE OWN ONE

[Dawg68]

I just got rid of my 2015 explorer XC.
Nice bike, fun to ride but no matter what I did I couldn't get comfortable. After about an hour or two in the saddle I was in pain. My body couldn't get used to the ergonomics of the bike. I gave it 12000k to see if I could make it work, I can ride the rocket all day long.
The only other thing I discovered is that due to the weight of the ride, it's a heavy bike for goat paths. Great on double track or gravel.

 

[Ishrub]

Thinking about getting a Explorer 1200 xc, anybody have one? if so pro's and con's

3 spec levels just for the XC model alone!
TRIUMPH TIGER 1200 EXPLORER (2016-on) Review

Model history
2012: Triumph Tiger Explorer launched – the firm’s first ever big adventure bike.

2016: Model updated with Euro 4 engine tweaks, a new exhaust, seat, electric screen, riding position, bodywork tweaks, riding modes, IMU traction control and cornering ABS, semi-active WP suspension, Brembo monobloc brakes. Explorer range extended to six versions.

Other versions
XR – Base model road.

XRX – Mid-spec road, also available in ‘Low’ spec with 52mm lower seat height

XRT – High-spec road

XC – Base model off-road

XCX – Mid-spec off-road, also available in ‘Low’ spec with 52mm lower seat height

XRC – High-spec off-road

 

[HansO]

the one I'm looking at is 2014 XC it has Wire Wheels (a bit more robust than alloy mags), it has low Km's, it has the switchable ABS, traction control and cruise control, previous owner got the optional Triumph panniers and a top box plus the engine protection bars, barkbusters and alloy sump guard, that is plenty of bling for me

 

[cusso ken]

the one I'm looking at is 2014 XC it has Wire Wheels (a bit more robust than alloy mags), it has low Km's, it has the switchable ABS, traction control and cruise control, previous owner got the optional Triumph panniers and a top box plus the engine protection bars, barkbusters and alloy sump guard, that is plenty of bling for me

Sounds like you are very keen, it's a strange when you start looking at "other" motorcycles you change your mind as to what you want in a bike this has happened to me many times and I almost always end up with a new Ride,

 

[Ishrub]

the one I'm looking at is 2014 XC it has Wire Wheels (a bit more robust than alloy mags), it has low Km's, it has the switchable ABS, traction control and cruise control, previous owner got the optional Triumph panniers and a top box plus the engine protection bars, barkbusters and alloy sump guard, that is plenty of bling for me

TRIUMPH TIGER 1200 EXPLORER (2012-2015) Review

Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 Review | MCNews.com.au

 

[barbagris]

Sounds like you are very keen, it's a strange when you start looking at "other" motorcycles you change your mind as to what you want in a bike this has happened to me many times and I almost always end up with a new Ride,

tbh I think you start looking because you're disenchanted (in some way) with current ride. OR circumstances force a re-evaluation. Certainly has always been the case with me.

 

[HansO]

I just got rid of my 2015 explorer XC.
Nice bike, fun to ride but no matter what I did I couldn't get comfortable. After about an hour or two in the saddle I was in pain. My body couldn't get used to the ergonomics of the bike. I gave it 12000k to see if I could make it work, I can ride the rocket all day long.
The only other thing I discovered is that due to the weight of the ride, it's a heavy bike for goat paths. Great on double track or gravel.

shows how we are all different, I needed to make lots of changes to the Rocket to make it comfortable, and goat tracks are not what I plan to ride, there will be some borderline tracks where I can still take my 4x4 in 2 wheel drive but no single/goat tracks, I'm not a little bloke and have no trouble with heavier bikes

 

[Ishrub]

shows how we are all different, I needed to make lots of changes to the Rocket to make it comfortable, and goat tracks are not what I plan to ride, there will be some borderline tracks where I can still take my 4x4 in 2 wheel drive but no single/goat tracks, I'm not a little bloke and have no trouble with heavier bikes

Me thinks you may find the 'heavier bikes' are even heavier these days (the 2012-2015 model is
259kg), especially off road, over 60 in no time, with dodgy hips/knees and a recent arm break. Get a cheap 250 single traily you can tow or hitch bar mount to the 4x4 and then use it just for the real off road bits and to scoot around town with a simple milk crate cube on the back.
a/ You don't need to go fast offroad if exploring firetrails etc.
b/ They are cheap as chips to buy second hand, register and run.
c/They are truly light and capable off road at speeds up to 80kmh.
d/You have heaps of moola left over for other things, interests or a road bike if the urge strikes.
e/Over 60 in no time, with dodgy hips/knees and a recent arm break.
f/Big difference in riding on road and off road when over 50. What was rubber and bounced now shatters or swells up with any bump or fall like one of your pumpkins on steroids!

Now ignore me, buy it anyway and sell it on to me within a year!

 

[cusso ken]

tbh I think you start looking because you're disenchanted (in some way) with current ride. OR circumstances force a re-evaluation. Certainly has always been the case with me.

You have hit the nail on the head, I have always liked to have machinery that I could depend on and feel confident in the reliability of, in return I am a bit of a fanatic in servicing of all my machines and if they don't live up to my expectations they come to the end of the trail with me, my son can fiddle with the Touring and I am confident he will have no problems fixing it and he can use it as he likes, I just have lost faith in what is a magnificent machine unfortunately at times assembled by imbeciles they(Triumph) need to have a hard look at the quality control on the assembly line

 

[HansO]

Me thinks you may find the 'heavier bikes' are even heavier these days (the 2012-2015 model is
259kg), especially off road, over 60 in no time, with dodgy hips/knees and a recent arm break. Get a cheap 250 single traily you can tow or hitch bar mount to the 4x4 and then use it just for the real off road bits and to scoot around town with a simple milk crate cube on the back.
a/ You don't need to go fast offroad if exploring firetrails etc.
b/ They are cheap as chips to buy second hand, register and run.
c/They are truly light and capable off road at speeds up to 80kmh.
d/You have heaps of moola left over for other things, interests or a road bike if the urge strikes.
e/Over 60 in no time, with dodgy hips/knees and a recent arm break.
f/Big difference in riding on road and off road when over 50. What was rubber and bounced now shatters or swells up with any bump or fall like one of your pumpkins on steroids!

Now ignore me, buy it anyway and sell it on to me within a year!

don't worry all those facts already circulate in my head and nothing is set in concrete yet hence the thread to hear others experiences might even end up buying a GS BMW