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WHAT THEY SAY:<br />
Clive Strugnell:<br />
Just like the Yamaha Tenere’, the<br />
1200XCX has been steadily developed<br />
from the original Triumph Tiger launched<br />
way back when. There was a time<br />
when Triumph publicly stated that their<br />
adventure bike look alike Tiger wasn’t<br />
really meant for serious off road use,<br />
but that is long forgotten and this new<br />
version certainly disproves that.<br />
Starting with the looks of the<br />
machine… it seems to have been hewn<br />
out of one solid block of military grade<br />
steel…it is huge, and looks it! It doesn’t<br />
just look impressive, it is – especially with<br />
the very latest WP supension.<br />
Starting the unique 1200 triple cylinder<br />
engine is just great. It has a ripping<br />
sound which make you want to rev<br />
the thing all the time. On the move the<br />
superb handling and great riding position<br />
encourage one to give it gas - and when<br />
you do it flies! Although it has bags<br />
of smooth, very useable torque, very<br />
different to the other bikes engines.<br />
It is just so much fun to flick up and<br />
down through the gearbox because it<br />
sounds so good. It is as comfortable<br />
as the Windsor Castle smoking lounge,<br />
and a nice place to spend the day<br />
eating kilometers between nowhere and<br />
somewhere. This bike makes you wonder<br />
why Ewan and Charlie did all those trips<br />
on a German bike when they could have<br />
used one of these? Ok the New explorer<br />
was not around then – but just imagine<br />
what that would have done for the brand?<br />
The Triumph matches the BM and<br />
Yamaha in that it has a shaft drive and<br />
lots of place for custom panniers and a<br />
large passenger. At the end of the day<br />
this is a brilliant bike for the rider who<br />
wants quality and understated class.<br />
Heine Engelbrecht:<br />
Good package. Sits very comfortable.<br />
Lovely sound. Nothing exciting though<br />
and the dials on the bike are over the top.<br />
Kurt Beine:<br />
This would be my first choice for general<br />
touring in South Africa, and one or two<br />
countries across our borders, pillion or<br />
solo, the Triumph Explorer, it’s upgraded<br />
suspension, screen and informative dash<br />
are the most noticeable improvements<br />
over the previous version, and that<br />
135HP triple motor is just so addictive, it<br />
is sold with all the features possible, just<br />
needs luggage.<br />
Arne:<br />
Easier to ride and Less terrifying than the<br />
Tenere. Smooth and quiet.<br />
Paddy Moore:<br />
Superbly smooth and powerful engine,<br />
excellent brakes and gearbox, but a<br />
hard low seat. A real mile eater on tar,<br />
but still a bit heavy on the dirt and with<br />
a complicated electronic setup system.<br />
I was glad to be on it on our dark, traffic<br />
strewn way home though. One for<br />
passengers and big riders.<br />
Rob Davies:<br />
This is a bike I’ve ridden a lot and have<br />
grown to respect. Also the first bike I rode<br />
with cruise control. (Really useful feature<br />
when your right arm is moeg). The power<br />
delivery is just so smooth and for a big<br />
bike it feels really light. Even off road the<br />
brilliant suspension just sucks up every<br />
bump with ease. So you ask will I be<br />
upgrading? Not anytime soon. My good<br />
old electronics free 950se rocks! But, if<br />
one day the wifey fancies joining me on a<br />
trip, I’ll be putting her on the back of the<br />
Triumph…<br />
96 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2016
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