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Adventure Motorcycles

2012Triumph Tiger Explorer

★ 5.0

47 fields on record

The 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer is a versatile adventure-tourer designed for riders seeking long-distance capability with genuine off-road potential. Its 1215cc three-cylinder engine delivers 134 horsepower and responsive mid-range torque, making it equally at home on highways and challenging terrain. Best known for balancing comfort, performance and affordability in the adventure-touring class.

Capacity: 1215.0 ccm
Engine: In-line three-cylinder, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 228.0 kg
Seat height: 837 mm
Power: 134.1 HP (100.0 kW) @ 9000 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (3)

Other years 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail45%

Cornering62%

City riding55%

Daily riding75%

Touring92%

Two-up85%

Track45%

Best for: Built primarily as a long-distance, shaft-driven adventure tourer that prioritizes comfort and highway capability over technical off-road prowess.
Built for: A refined, torquey triple-powered tourer that feels smooth and confident eating up highway miles with a premium, feature-rich cockpit.
Not ideal for: Not ideal for riders seeking a light, nimble off-road machine or a track-focused sportbike experience.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 837mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with balls of both feet on the 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer, with a moderate knee angle of around 90 degrees and a slightly forward riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 821-900 mm — Long Legs →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Range and running costs

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Units

Currency

Fuel per litre

Riding a year

Based on the published US (EPA-style) fuel economy estimate and tank size. Real-world figures depend on how and where you ride, and the last litres of a tank are reserve. Prices shown greyed are examples - type your own.

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1215.0 ccm
Power: 134.1 HP (100.0 kW) @ 9000 RPM
CO2 Emissions: 161 CO2 g/km
EPA Certificate No.: CTDXC1.20TVG-008
EPA Est. Fuel Consumption: 6.87 L/100km (34.2 US mpg)
EPA CO Emissions: 5.3 CO g/km
Torque: 121.0 Nm (12.3 kgf-m) @ 6400 RPM
Engine type: In-line three-cylinder, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio: 0.5882 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 85.0 x 71.4 mm
Compression: 12.0:1
Cooling system: Liquid
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Ignition: Digital-inductive type via engine management system
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Wet. multi-plate

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1530 mm
Overall length: 2248 mm
Overall width: 962 mm
Overall height: 1410 mm
Seat height: 837 mm
Dry weight: 228.0 kg
Wet weight: 259.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 20.00 litres
Oil capacity: 4.00 litres
Ground clearance: Not on record - add it

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Tubular steel trellis frame
Front suspension: Kayaba 46mm upside down forks, 190mm travel
Rear suspension: Kayaba monoshock with remote oil reservoir, hydraulically adjustable preload, rebound damping adjustment, 194mm rear wheel travel
Front wheel travel: 190 mm
Rear wheel travel: 194 mm
Rake (fork angle): 23.9°
Trail: 106 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc. Switchable ABS
Front brakes diameter: 305 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc. Switchable ABS
Rear brakes diameter: 282 mm
ABS: Yes
Front tyre: 110/80-19
Rear tyre: 150/70-17

Other

Color options: Phantom Black. Crystal White
Fuel Tank Material: Metal

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Capacity	1215 cc	1215 cc	1215 cc	1215 cc	1215 cc
Dry weight	228 kg	228 kg	228 kg	228 kg	228 kg
Seat height	837 mm	837 mm	837 mm	837 mm	837 mm
Fuel capacity	20 L	20 L	20 L	20 L	20 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 3 recalls may apply

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STANDDec 2014 · 14V765000

Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Explorer motorcycles manufactured November 1, 2011, to June 1, 2014. The side stand pivot bolt may fracture.

Risk: If the side stand pivot bolt fractures, the motorcycle may fall when parked on the side stand, increasing the risk of injury to someone nearby.

Remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side stand pivot bolt and lock nut, free of charge. The recall began January 5, 2015. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph's number for this recall is SB518.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMJan 2014 · 14V009000

Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Tiger Explorer ABS A1 and 2013-2014 Tiger Explorer Spoke ABS XC A1 and Trophy SE A1 motorcycles manufactured November 17, 2011, through December 16, 2013. In the affected motorcycles, the electronic control unit (ECU) hardware and software may improperly detect the motorcyle's throttle position resulting in the motorcycle shutting down.

Risk: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will update and install new ECU hardware and software, free of charge. The recall began on January 24, 2014. Customers may contact Triumph at 1-678-854-2010.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSMay 2013 · 13V180000

Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd. is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Explorer and Explorer XC motorcycles. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating data on the certification Label is incorrect. Thus, the motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: The incorrect label could cause the operator to overload the motorcycle which may result in handling issues and/or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Triumph will notify owners and replace the labels with corrected GVWR data, free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2013. Owners may contact Triumph at 1-678-854-2010 for more information.

These recalls cover some 2012 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all Triumph recalls →