2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer and GT Explorer first look

Feb 15, 2024

Today, Triumph announced the lightly refreshed 2024 Tiger 1200 range. You might be saying to yourself, “Didn’t Triumph just update that line in 2022?” And, you’d be right.

The brand overhauled the open-class adventure bike with its “T-Plane” inline-triple, improved ergos, and updated tech just two years ago. However, minor tweaks to those same areas further refine the Tiger 1200s for 2024.

The fine print

The Tiger 1200 lineup originally consisted of five variants (GT, GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro, and Rally Explorer). That won’t be the case in 2024. For the new model year, Triumph discontinued the base GT trim while retaining the Pro and Explorer options. When it comes to the U.S. market, the British marque will only ship the Rally Explorer and GT Explorer to this side of the pond. Although, Triumph did tease a potential return of the Rally Pro and GT Pro in 2025. As such, this first look will focus on the travel-prepped Explorer family.

Showa semi-active suspension, a 7.9-gallon gas tank, and a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheelset suit the Rally Explorer for long-distance trips on- and off-road. Triumph photo.

Smooth over

There’s little more to want from a 1,160 cc triple-cylinder engine than 147 horsepower (at 9,000 rpm) and 95 foot-pounds of torque (at 7,000 rpm). Still, Triumph finds a way to further develop the three-pot platform. The objective: improve low-rev torque delivery for smoother acceleration and deceleration, particularly at slower speeds. The solution (in Triumph’s estimation): increase engine inertia with a revised crankshaft, alternator rotor, and balancer.

The “T-Plane” inline-triple features a 1, 3, 2 firing order. Triumph attributes the engine's “low-speed advantages of a twin” and “top-end performance of a triple” to the that uneven firing order. Triumph photo.

According to the Hinckley engineers, a revised balancing strategy also mitigates engine forces applied to the chassis (-5% pitch, -43% yaw, and -89% roll). The smooth-running powerplant reportedly “improves comfort through all the key rider touchpoints,” as well.

Triumph notes that the longer clutch lever improves the room for the rider’s fingers, while a redesigned clutch smooths first-gear engagement. Triumph photo.

One of those touchpoints, the seat, also benefits the rider with a flatter shape and extra space. Tiger 1200 GT Explorer, on the other hand, loses a bit of legroom, with Triumph moving the model’s footpegs up by 20 mm (0.8 inches) and inward by 5 mm (0.2 inches) to increase ground clearance.

Customers can turn to the Tiger 1200 accessories line for luggage, comfort, and performance mods. Triumph photo.

Ever since Harley-Davidson introduced Adaptive Ride Height on the 2021 Pan America 1250 Special, other manufacturers have devised systems of their own. Now, Triumph joins the club with the Active Preload Reduction feature on both Explorer variants. As the bike rolls to a stop, the system decreases rear suspension preload, dropping seat height by up to 20 mm (0.8 inches). The user activates the feature by long-pressing the Home button on the right switchgear.

The Explorer trims already boast a Continental-developed Blind Spot Radar System. Active Preload Reduction only adds to the Tiger’s tech suite. Triumph photo.

Despite its new tech and accommodations, the Tiger’s pricing doesn’t soar. The GT Explorer carries a $23,795 price tag (compared to $23,595 for MY23) while the Rally Explorer starts at $24,895 (compared to $24,695 for MY23). The former comes in Carnival Red, Snowdonia White, and Sapphire Black. The latter is available in Matte Sandstorm, Jet Black, and Matte Khaki. Triumph expects the first 2024 Tiger 1200 Explorer units to arrive in U.S. showrooms starting in May.

	2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer	2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer
Price (MSRP)	$23,795	$24,895
Engine	1,160 cc, liquid-cooled, 12-valve, inline triple
Transmission, final drive	Six-speed, shaft
Claimed horsepower	147 @ 9,000 rpm
Claimed torque	95 foot-pounds @ 7,000 rpm
Frame	Steel-tube with forged aluminum side plates
Front suspension	Showa 49 mm fork, semi-active and electronically adjustable for compression and rebound damping; 7.9 inches of travel	Showa 49 mm fork, semi-active and electronically adjustable for compression and rebound damping; 8.7 inches of travel
Rear suspension	Showa shock, semi-active and electronically adjustable for spring preload and compression and rebound damping; 7.9 inches of travel	Showa shock, semi-active and electronically adjustable for spring preload and compression and rebound damping; 8.7 inches of travel
Front brake	Brembo M4.30 Stylema four-piston calipers, 320 mm discs with ABS
Rear brake	Brembo single-piston caliper, 282 mm disc with ABS
Rake, trail	24.1 degrees, 4.72 inches	23.7 degrees, 4.4 inches
Wheelbase	61.4 inches
Seat height	33.5 / 34.2 inches	34.4 / 35.2 inches
Fuel capacity	7.9 gallons
Tires	Metzeler Tourance, 120/70-R19 front, 150/70-R18 rear	Metzeler Karoo Street, 90/90-R21 front, 150/70-R18 rear
Claimed weight	529 pounds; 540 pounds (Pro); 562 pounds (Explorer)	549 pounds (Pro); 575 pounds (Explorer)
Available	May 2024
Warranty	36 months, unlimited miles
More info	triumphmotorcycles.com	triumphmotorcycles.com