2016 Triumph Explorer
While not exactly
nimble in the trails, the big adventure bike (usually about 1200 cc) has
established itself as a class, offering riders the ability to tour in comfort
but still veer off on a gravel fire road without fear of putting a rock through
the crankcase.
Triumph joined the big
adventure class in 2012 with the introduction of the 1200 Explorer model,
offering a unique-for-the-class inline triple over the usual twin format.
Initially, the British bike maker had introduced only a basic Explorer model,
equipped with cast wheels, but then followed up one year later with the
Explorer XC, which boasted more off-road capability thanks to tubeless spoke
wheels, crash bars, a skid plate, auxiliary lighting, etc.
For 2016 Triumph has made
several improvements to the Explorer, while introducing new technologies.
Changes to the new Explorer should improve its on-road capability, and more
importantly for hardcore adventure tourers, the off-road capability on the XC
models.
All Explorer models use the
same 1,215 cc triple, which the manufacturer claims has more power, though
current specs claim it now produces 137 hp @ 9,300 rpm and 90.7 lb-ft of peak torque
@ 6,200 rpm. It includes a new, light-effort mechanically assisted clutch, and
there’s a new exhaust system.
The company has also
expanded the number of model variations to five (there are six variants in
other markets, but the base XC model will not be available in North America),
which still makes for a somewhat confusing array of deviations – I’ll be riding
the XCa model which is the top-of-the line model with a penchant for dirt, and
is equipped with spoke wheels of the tubeless variety.
It comes with all the
possible options in one machine, including crash protection, cruise control,
semi-active suspension, lean-sensing traction control and cornering ABS, plus
heated seats and hill hold, which will prevent the bike from rolling backwards
during a hill start. There is a more basic XCx which is sans heated seat and
Hill Hold and has a low-seat version too.
