2016 Triumph Explorer XCa and XC
Our test of the Triumph Tiger Explorer reminded us of the soulful nature of its big 1215cc triple. An awful lot of motor for the adventure category. Apparently, Triumph thought consumers needed even more power, so the 2016 Explorer line, consisting of three off-road focused XC models and three road-biased XR models, gets revised triples with even more power and torque.
Several other changes, and the nature of the six models are discussed in the following Triumph press release:
TRIUMPH INTRODUCES SIX NEW MODELS IN THE TIGER EXPLORER RANGE
- NEW Triumph Tiger Explorer XR and XC ranges
- 6 new motorcycles – Explorer XC, Explorer XCx, Explorer XCa, Explorer XR, Explorer XRx and Explorer XRt – an Explorer for every adventure
- 1215cc triple engine with shaft final drive with more power and more torque – the most powerful in the adventure segment
- NEW rider-focused and active technology
- NEW cornering-optimized Traction Control and ABS
- NEW TSAS – semi-active suspension system
- NEW low seat variants
- NEW first-in class electrically adjustable screen
- NEW Hill Hold Control system
ATLANTA (November 17, 2015) – The new Tiger Explorer family has been conceived, designed and built to deliver the ultimate transcontinental adventure motorcycle for every adventure rider.
The new Triumph Explorer range is divided into two distinct model variants – the XR series, designed and optimized to deliver the ultimate on-road ride, and the XC series is designed to excel off-road. Both the XR and XC models are more than capable of performing in either environment. The range-topping Explorer XCa and Explorer XRt models offer an unprecedented level of equipment and technology to provide a motorcycle completely prepared for any adventure – no matter the distance or destination.
All models, from the range-entry Explorer XR and Explorer XC through to the top tier XCa and XRt, feature a 1215cc triple engine, unique in the large capacity adventure segment, delivering its power through a final shaft drive. The triple engine’s power is delivered smoothly and progressively across the rev and speed ranges through its linear torque curve. A torque-assisted clutch makes the clutch action incredibly light, in turn making both long distances and stop-start urban riding less demanding on the rider. The engine performance is also enhanced through a new exhaust system, with a distinctive resonant note.
The new Tiger Explorer features a host of technological upgrades with a particular emphasis on state-of-the-art active technology to ensure superb stability and control.
These features include:
- Triumph Semi-active Suspension
- Corner optimized switchable ABS and Traction Control
- The introduction of Rider Modes, including a rider programmable mode
- Hill Hold control
The new Tiger Explorer’s overall performance is given a new level of dynamism through the use of WP adjustable suspension on the two entry-level models. The other four models feature the groundbreaking Triumph Semi Active Suspension system. This allows the rider to electronically control the adjustment of the front and rear suspension damping, automatically adapting the rear shock absorber pre-load settings to reflect the terrain being covered and providing optimal grip and drive in any situation.
To give the rider the handling, control and response they want to negotiate well-made roads and broken terrain in all conditions, the Tiger Explorer offers as standard multi-channel switchable ABS and traction control on the entry level XR and XC models. The other four variants come with cornering-optimized ABS and traction control, to ensure superb stability even when approaching the most challenging apex.
The Explorer XCx, XCa, XRx and XRT all feature an Inertial Measurement Unit that, through a series of strategically positioned sensors, monitors and responds to the bike’s movement status, calculates the lean angle of the bikes and uses this measurement to ensure greater stability by optimizing the performance of the ABS and traction control systems.
Add to this the choice of up to five different Rider Modes – four which are pre-set and one which can be programmed by the rider – which alters the configuration of the bike to suit riding style, road and weather conditions.
Additionally the new Hill Hold Control feature prevents the motorcycle rolling back when attempting to set off on a steep incline – particularly beneficial when the motorcycle is fully loaded or carrying a passenger.
A new engine with more power, improved handling, rider and active rider–focused technology packaged in a family of bikes with a contemporary look and style that are distinctly their own. Featuring sharp new lines giving a stylish and muscular look and combining to deliver enhanced rider and passenger thermal comfort. Additionally all models introduce a first-in-class electrically adjustable screen that allows the rider to constantly tailor aero protection and comfort whilst riding.
The new Triumph Tiger Explorer range, with its choice of specifications and switchable, selectable and programmable features, is a range of bikes that allows riders to tailor their desired adventure, to go anywhere and everywhere from the daily commute to the corners of the earth.
2016 Triumph Tiger Explorer XCa
| Tiger Explorer XR and XC series |
| Spec highlights include (varies depending on model): |
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2016 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRt
See more of MD’s great photography:
I have a ’14 Explorer and love it. 2K trouble free miles. As far as I can see most of the changes on this version are the sophisticated electronics, which don’t interest me much. The adjustable windshield is nice, though, as are the pannier mounts (previous plastic pannier system is almost universally hated, though I still use them and they work well enough). Extra power is good too, I guess, though I can’t say I was feeling the need for it.
Since I do my own maintenance, including major, dealer locale isn’t as big an issue (warranty would be though). Resale has been a challenge, mainly because of the number of certain models sold, and the paucity of people willing to do their own valve adjustments and what not with a declining dealer network. However if you want to sell your Tiger 800 for a song, send it my way!
The reason the resale is so bad is that Triumph forces its dealers thru the auto-stock program to take unwanted models. If you don’t take a certain model mix your floor plan goes down to 7 days so the dealer swallows it up and cuts the price down to cost or below to rid themselves of the product to avoid the high cost of floor plan SO you have to replace the models sold so the hold thing starts over again. Some models just don’t sell well in certain parts of the country. The system works in large markets such as 1 million people to choose from but in small markets this business model will put the dealers out of business of just say screw you Triumph and come get your bikes i am done with you. If you Vrooom can do your own work-good for you but most people can not fix todays motorcycles. I know this info as a fact so ask a Triumph dealer is this true. Stay away from this Brand.
I own a Triumph. There is no resale because there is a glut of them on the market. They f@#ked most of their dealers and all the new customer base they built up. Good bike though. If you keep your bike forever, and do your own servicing, it will serve you well. I’m keeping mine, and hope to find a dealer someday for the major work. You can also pick up some nice used ones for a song!
I own a triumph now and it will be forever my last, good bike but sorry a$$ company, They screw all of the dealers especially the small ones. I am selling mine this spring and going back to Kawasaki where there are dealers and the company looks out for there dealers. Most of the Triumph personal are a bunch of know it all’s and look down on you, that’s what I experienced at Barber vintage festival. Beware of Triumph [a bunch of jerks] Remember people resale sucks
Buy second-hand, skip the whole dealer experience and save money to boot.
6 models for one bike that isn’t even that popular is incredibly stupid.
How about they offer 2 or 3 models and drop the MSRP $1000.
I agree Silver, a real stupid company Triumph is AND they are running there dealers off 1 by 1 and soon there will be dealers in only large cities. Triumph wants dealers than can sell 75 plus each year and small market dealers cannot do that. If you are a small market dealer Triumph makes it impossible for you to stay afloat. Warning to buyers of Triumph, you better love it because you can’t sell it when it used.
BMW went through the same process not long ago – killing off the smaller dealers. It hasn’t seemed to hurt them in the least. While it certainly isn’t the best thing for consumers, that doesn’t mean it is a bad business decision on Triumph’s part. Time will tell, I suppose, but I suspect that nobody is going have the slightest problem selling or trading in their Triumph in the future.
BMW never had small market dealers like Triumph, BMW cannot be compared to Triumph as far as resale, I know a BMW dealer that will not take a Triumph on trade unless its at a to good of a deal to pass up[which means he stole it].You can sell anything if the price is LOW enough and that’s where the Triumph’s will be CHEAP. Silver is correct 6 models that the dealers will have to sale at cost or below to rid themselves of the high flooring cost that Triumph has. And some dealers only have 7 days flooring.
“BMW never had small market dealers like Triumph”
BMW most certainly did, and not terribly long ago either. They just don’t anymore.
According to not one but both of the BMW dealerships I frequent here (both dealerships carry both brands), Triumphs take sales from BMW, particularly their Tiger 800 models. They also sell a ton of Bonnies.
Eliminating smaller dealerships lowers Triumph’s distribution costs but more importantly reduces the number of Triumph dealerships competing with each other in a given geographic area (something that just about all dealerships are concerned about.) thus improving margins for the more successful dealerships that make the cut. I don’t like it, but I get it.
Sorry, but your alarming predictions of people not being able to sell their Triumphs in the future is ludicrous. You can still sell Triumphs made 60 years ago. Hinckley Triumph is one of the few “new” motorcycle companies in our lifetimes to have achieved worldwide success. I don’t think they are going anywhere.
BMW killed our local dealer (in a major metropolitan city) but we still have a Triumph dealer and another 50 miles north of the city.
I work at a Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris,Triumph dealer and obviously test ride all the trade in units. I am also proud owner of a 2013 Tiger Explorer XC and wouldn’t trade it for any of the bikes I have riden through this shop. Sure it has had a couple things needing attention but so does every other bike we sell. You can argue all day long but you will not convince me there’s a better or more fun bike to ride that can do everything the Explorer does. If you have not put miles on one, your opinion doesn’t count.
I see you have drinked all the cool-aid, Honda,Suzuki,Kawasaki,Yamaha all make a better and more reliable bike than a ragged ass Triumph. Its to tall,to heavy and unreliable and no much of a dealer network
heavy yes, tall? no, all the others are taller.
If you think so… buy something else. I have not met one unhappy Tiger Explorer customer.
I only know two guys that have Explorers, but they both absolutely love the bike. No issues on them so far either, and one of the guys puts a heck of lot of miles of the bike.
I hope they never try to sell them
I have a Triumph Tiger with over 76000 trouble free miles and I love it.
I bet its not the Explorer 1200, the 1200 had spoke problems [spoke wheel models]-cylinder head problems-noisy shaft drives and electrical problems
“Hill Holder”? Wonder if that would work on stairs in the girls dorm?
So its come to this, niche bikes for niche markets, with huge price tags, ugly packages, and (fill in the blank).
I can see two people arguing this; the optimist – this is great many bikes to choose from what a golden age of motorcycling. the pessimist – what a load of crap, motorcycling was never meant to be this complicated, expensive, or ugly.
Being an engineer, I would be between these views, but as far as the glass is half full or half empty, it appears in the world of motorcycles, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
My sentiments exactly Sir !
Why don’t they use that motor in their anemic streetbikes?
They do. The Trophy.
Spectacular bike too………….Horizon Inhaler.
http://mnmotorcycle.com/july-2013-bike-review-britains-biggest-the-triumph-trophy-se/
My god is that bike ugly, forget I said anything.
My friends have these bike and always something wrong with them, to heavy and not reliable and dealers dropping the brand. Too much electrical on this bike for the company to get it right.
What happened to the small displacement Triumph that was promised, I think as far back as 2011 or 2012? I seem to recall it was available in SE Asian markets, or at least being built there. Considering the success of the 390 KTMs, 300 Kawahondas and BMW 310, and of course now the Scramblito, I am surprised that Triumph hasn’t gotten on board.
I imagine they are trying to figure out how to bump it up to ~350cc’s or so?
They killed them off last year.
Was always hoping for the “Tiger Cub”.
Lovin’ me some 600 lb dirt bike……………..NOT!!!!!!
My R1150GS looked like a beauty pageant winner compared to this.
They should just go all the way: add front wheel drive and a couple hunerd moar lbs. Hey, add a cage and two more wheels and call it the Triumph Escalade!
Ya, the Trumpet is cobbled together but I don’t believe your BMW would win a beauty contest with a turd. They’re that bad. But it’s okay, the bike is a tool.
Those seem like 6 new packages, not new models.
“…a new level of dynamism”.
Nice bikes I’m sure, but MUST we see phrases like this?
That dynamism is clearly reflected in the vitalizing colorways available for the Tiger line.
If you are not currently working marketing, then you have missed your true calling.
What Jeremy said is that the delta box is clearly visible while standing under the podium
There was a time when I worked in marketing. Unfortunately, I was unable to stifle creative and colorful phraseology from spontaneously spewing forth out of my mouth such as, “THIS IS PURE BULLSH#T!!! WE CAN’T PUT THAT IN THE COPY!!!” If you don’t believe the BS yourself, it is hard to sell it.
In a cruel twist of fate, my career involves deciding how to use data, dollars and statistics, and there is more BS in that than there ever was in marketing. The only difference is that everyone knows it is BS, but they take it hook, line and sinker anyway.
Amen to that.
I agree with Tyler, I’d hire you to write some copy!
I tried to get him hired as an associate editor here when Dirck asked for interested parties but all I heard then were crickets
Hah! If I were either in my 20’s or at least semi-retired, I’d be begging Dirck for that job. Begging! That would be like one foot in the door towards a dream career for me. However, it would be pretty difficult at this point in my life to find the time in my schedule to do justice to a position like that.
Also, I believe Dirck’s requirements were SoCal residency, advanced riding skills, excellent writing/editing skills and some photography acumen. I don’t think I could make up for everything I lack in those categories with charm!
lol well I just figured a Texas boy like you would fit right in with the free spirits in So Cal. What’s a little move further west for your dream job?
I haven’t seen anyone else’s byline so the position must still be open. Go for it..with the right charm you can bluff your way thru all that technical stuff
lol. Believe it or not, I recently passed on a job in the Silicon Valley area. I thought back on that passed opportunity quite a bit after Dirck posted that “Help Needed” ad.
I skimmed through the marketing copy (and these press releases are so boring, speaking as a marketer myself) but didn’t see a lot of details about the differences between all the models. The bikes are nice looking and there’s a guy at work that has one, and he loves it. My Speed Triple (2008) is currently giving me electrical gremlins again, so reliability is still a question mark for me… love the triple engine configuration though.
Are they going to offer any of these models with 17″ front wheels? That would be really road biased and I’d be pretty interested in that as a total all purpose bike, especially since I (like most I bet) don’t go offroad almost ever.
I realize that my question about wheel size adds me to the group of people who have the opinion of, “well it would be perfect if they only did this…” but I can’t help wondering.