After their Bonneville range, it’s the Tiger models that give the British brand their numbers. As regularly updating their line-ups go, Triumph is giving their 2018 Tiger range a host of bells and whistles that will boast of having it ’Transformed,’ with a ’New Tiger Triple Engine’ and ’New Tiger Technology.’ Apart from this, the bodywork also gets mild updates to look fresh for 2018.

Triumph loves them so much that it feels no inhibitions with having six different models each for 1215 cc and 800 cc engine mods for 2018. Both the 1200 and 800 have four road variants (XR, XRx, XRx low, and range-topping XRT), and two off-road ones (XCx and a top-spec XCA). Guess we’ll take the best of them and spread it out for you nice and easy.

That is the Triumph Tiger 1200 XC range. Drumrolls please. The first thing you notice is that name. Previously all the Tigers running on the 1215cc motor had the ‘Explorer’ badging on them. But for 2018, Triumph has made things easier by just sticking to the 1200 branding.

STYLING

“Purposeful, muscular and distinctive, the legendary 80-year Triumph Tiger bloodline is unmistakable.”

Keeping the 1200 XCX and XCA looking smart is the new bodywork and decals with updated side panel designs that keep the off-road stance pronounced even better. It gets new five-position electrically adjustable windscreen at the front and aero diffusers for segment-leading aero protection. The top spec XCA gets a bigger unique-in-class electrically adjustable touring screen for better protection.

The headlights are now all LED and gets signature daytime running lights (DRL) whereas the XCA features the all-new innovative Triumph Adaptive Cornering Lighting for enhanced visibility when cornering. Engine protection bars & radiator guard comes as standard. The XCA exclusively also gets LED auxiliary lighting while it can be opted for the XCX. Adding to rider satisfaction, both models receive 12V and USB power sockets, and keyless ignition.

It borrows the TFT screen seen on the new Street Triple that can be controlled using the new ergonomically backlit switch cubes and five-way joystick. The 5”full-color TFT instrument cluster gets adjustable angle panel allowing the rider to have customized styles and access to the new onboard computer that gives all the information under the sun straight to the rider in an intuitive and fun way. There are different screen display styles to choose from, pre-set to the riding modes and changeable easily on the move.

The 2018 edition also sees new stylish all-black spoked wheels tethered onto machined hubs and carrying studded ADV tires obviously. The XCA gets pampered with heated grips and seats that give in for rider comfort under cold conditions. It also features Billet machined footrests and titanium, and carbon fiber wrapped Arrow silencer to please you the extra mile.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

The Tiger engine still manages to hold the cup for being the most powerful shaft-driven engine in its class. For 2018, it receives multiple updates to deliver more immediate power lower down in the rev range, the area that is most often used by adventure folks. This has been achieved by the development of more efficient engine components (e.g. smaller flywheel, lighter crankshaft, magnesium cam cover) that allows the engine to spin up faster for instant power delivery.

The 1215cc in-line triple boasts of having the most potent shaft-driven engine in its class that belts out 140 bhp and 91 lb-ft of torque. The XCX gets torque assist hydraulic clutch, but the XCA takes it up a notch with the new Triumph Shift Assist for smooth clutchless gear changes. It significantly reduces rider fatigue especially over long distances and demanding terrains.

Giving the XCX Tigers a better soundtrack is the lighter exhaust system made out of aluminum for the thrilling Tiger Triple sound. The XCA updates with a lightweight Arrow titanium and carbon fiber silencer giving it a better soundtrack.

It has a unique twin airbox setup, twin throttle bodies, special intake system, new output shaft, and elegant packaging that allows the straight-line exhausts to hide the Euro4-compliant catalytic converters. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with a torque-assist clutch and shaft final drive.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

The 1200 has up to 100 improvements over the previous generation model to save 11 lbs off the XCX and 23 lbs off the XCA with the new engine, chassis and exhaust components giving it better off-road agility and dynamic handling. Adding to rider confidence is the new seat compounds, revised handlebar positioning and updated frame geometry for an enhanced rider ergonomics and comfort.

Rider aids on the 2018 models include an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), integrated braking system (developed with Continental), optimized cornering ABS & traction control, hill-hold (only XCA), ride-by-wire throttle, and an updated cruise control. There are up to five riding modes on the XRX whereas the XCA gets six riding modes having an additional "rider programmable" mode. Both get the new “Off-Road Pro” mode, which allows the rider to disengage all electronic rider aids.

The XCA also features an adjustable ‘2-position’ seat that allows the rider to lower the seat by 20mm to suit their riding styles. The new stylishly black aluminum spoked wheels wrap around new off-road tires from Metzeler Tourance, while as an optional, one can choose the handbook-approved Pirelli Scorpion set-up as well.

Other mechanicals includes top-of-the-line units like the Triumph Semi-Active Suspension (only in XCA) incorporating WP adjustable front and rear suspension for a far superior level of electronic control over the bike’s reaction to the surface. Twin 305mm floating discs with Brembo Monobloc 4-piston radial calipers handle the braking at the front while a single 282mm Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper does it at the back.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

The 2018 range of Triumph Tigers are some of the most versatile machines that gives you so much for the price you pay. While the Tiger XCX comes with a price tag of $ 19,550, the top-of-the-range, and the most expensive of the Tiger series, the Tiger XCA will fetch for $ 21,750.

Apart from all the bells and whistles, the Tiger range can further be enhanced with an extensive range of dedicated accessories including all-purpose aluminum luggage giving you the load capacity for any trip along with a 50 optional accessories to maximize the riding experience. Triumph has also launched its new technical adventure clothing line to complement the new Tiger range.

COMPETITION

When it comes to riding and built quality, there is no escaping the comparisons from the European brothers. Talk about BMW or Ducati, they have been running the show for quite some time now and have produced the world’s finest. To give the Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa something to quirk about, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and Multistrada surfaces on the face of the Triumph.

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Apart from the new heart and chassis, the new Multistrada 1260 family sees new fairing panels and lighter, sportier looking wheels. Out front, the 1260 has the same busy face with the teardrop-shaped twin LED headlamps engulfed in a curvy V-shaped front fascia, which also comes with Ducati cornering lights (DCL) as well for the ‘S’ variant and above. While the Multistrada 1260 carries an LCD dash, the S and above variants get 5” TFT units also seen on the new Panigale V4 that incorporates the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

The new Ducati Multistrada 1260 has been bestowed with the same 90-degree V-twin Ducati Teststretta DVT engine as found on the standard Multistrada but gets its stroke increased from 67.9 to 71.5 mm. Peak power of 158 hp comes at 9,500 rpm and 95.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,500. Of which, 85% comes before the rpm hits 3,500, meaning, the Multistrada 1260 offers the highest torque output in its class at the most frequently used range. That makes the 1260 the most powerful adventure tourer in its class.

The new Multistrada 1260 gets the chassis from the 1200 but is updated with an extended swinging arm and wheelbase that changes the riding geometry to a confident feel and provides in for sharper handling and stability by the rider. The 1260 gets Kayaba 48 mm upside-down fork and Sachs monoshock while the S and above gets Sachs 48 mm front fork. Braking is handled by dual 320mm front brake discs with radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers and one 265mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution control system giving adjustments on the fly.

The new Multistate 1260 comes with a starting price tag of $ 18,695. The 1260 S costs $ 20,995 while the top of the range 1260 Pikes Peak will come at $ 24,995.

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

The flagship motorcycle of the GS series, R 1200 GS Adventure, is regarded as one of the most capable and technically advanced adventure motorcycle across the world today. The motorcycle, in its latest avatar, is here showcasing the best of engineering prowess in the segment of enduring motorcycles, and at the same time, it takes forward the legacy of the almost 35-year-old ‘GS’ nameplate, which initiated with the R 80 GS back in 1980.

The motorcycle is positioned above the standard R 1200 GS as a more kitted out and beefed up motorcycle, ready to conquer even more difficult terrains. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes with the company’s trademark philosophy of equipping the motorcycles with asymmetric headlamps. Though this time, the headlight unit comes fitted with LED daytime running lamps, which makes it very special and distinctive. The adjustable front windscreen is also larger than the one on the R 1200 GS. The fuel tank also gets heavy black claddings towards the front, with the frontal portion of the tank getting tubular frame protection, all the way towards the engine downwards.

The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes fitted with a four stroke, air/liquid cooled, flat twin, 1170cc engine, which is shared with the standard R 1200 GS and pumps out 125 hp of power and 92 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed gearbox which transfers the power produced to the rear wheel via a shaft drive, the engine has a solid bottom end grunt and mid-range punch, and is very smooth running and high revving in nature. The combination of air as well as liquid cooling enables the engine to be efficient and reliable without sacrificing on high pulling power.

The bettered out Paralever 37mm front hydraulic forks, and cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Telelever have made the steering of the motorcycle even more accurate than before, resulting in a sharper handling and better weight balance. To add in, the optional Dynamic ESA which BMW provides for this bike enables the suspension setup to behave as per the amount of load and type of terrain the bike is going to tackle. As mentioned above, the four different riding modes can be retrieved just at the press of a button on the switchgear. The bike also comes with a Shift Assistant Pro, which allows you to change the gears without using the clutch and throttle levers. The bike comes with dual 305mm disc brakes at front and a single 276mm disc brake at the rear, coupled up with the ABS.

MSRP on the R 1200 GS Adventure starts at $18,895 for Light White. Add another $100 for Ocean Blue Metallic Matte or Racing Red Matte. Add the Premium options package for another $3,350.

VERDICT

For some people, adventure is about finding your way through the unknown to see things no one has and doing things most haven’t. But unless you plan on walking, you need the right tool to get there. This is where Triumph’s Tiger series comes in and sweeps you off your feet in the most humble and matured way.

Every single innovation, engine enhancement, premium specification and ergonomic refinement is about delivering an epic ride. It is lighter, more powerful, better equipped, and comes with a host of features that enhances rider experience and satisfaction to a notch higher than ever before.