2022 Triumph Tiger 1200, Track Test

The Triumph Tiger is a motorcycle with a certain charm, an involving nature, and a sweet character. To put it succinctly, it’s a true-blue ADV in every sense of the word. However, that was not always the case – not all Tigers have been this way from the beginning. You see, for the longest time, it was only the middleweight Tigers (800 / 900) that felt special and engaging to ride. And the flagship 1200? Well… let’s just say that it was a little too big and cumbersome a brute to satiate your adventure pangs.

But, all of this is a thing of the past now. The all-new Tiger 1200 not only improves on its predecessor’s shortcomings but also embraces that special element of smaller Tigers, along with a newfound level of agility.

Headlined by an all-new engine and frame, the current-gen Tiger 1200 is a completely new motorcycle. Triumph openly admits that with this new version, they are going after the BMW R 1250 GS – which is basically saying that it doesn’t just have to be as good as the Beamer but also better in every single area. And the moment you ride the new Tiger 1200, it’s evident that Triumph has left no stone unturned.

Let’s start with the ride and handling first. Since the new Tiger 1200 has shed over 25kgs over its predecessor, it immediately feels light and more balanced than before – almost like the Tiger 900. The version that we tested was the off-road focussed Rally Pro – with off-road tyres and a big 21-inch front wheel – and it still went around the fast and flowing bends of the BIC remarkably well. Now, you might say that its lap time was a bit slow, but, then, it’s like judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree. On the road and off it, the Tiger’s handling is remarkable – it has improved by leaps and bounds. The 1200 now also feels more at home on the rough turf, thanks to its sophisticated electronics, semi-active suspension, and lighter frame. Then, there’s the new 1,215cc triple motor that pushes out sports bike-rivalling figures of 148bhp and 130Nm – it’s an absolute peach, this engine. And, best of all, the Tiger 1200 is priced brilliantly and undercuts all of its rivals while offering more kit and performance.

However, what doesn’t work in its favour is the fact that it looks a little too much like its younger sibling – it doesn’t have an identity of its own in terms of design. Plus, the engine isn’t the smoothest – NVH levels are higher than that of its main rivals. That said, it was still a top contender for this year’s awards, as it came really close to the top three in the final scores.

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