Comments on: MD Double-Tested: 2012 Triumph Explorer (Bike Reports) (News) http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/ Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews Sat, 25 May 2013 23:00:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Tommy http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56847 Tommy Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:10:07 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56847 You reported 40 mpg in spirited riding and I've read mid-30's elsewhere. That's too low in my opinion. Triumph needs to address this if they're to get my business. A bike of this size and weight should deliver at least mid-40's and an ability to get into the 50's under more moderate conditions. What I've seen and read of the upcoming 1215cc Trophy is extremely interesting but if it demonstrates similar fuel economies to the Explorer, I'll continue to ride my aging but reliable ST1300. You reported 40 mpg in spirited riding and I’ve read mid-30′s elsewhere. That’s too low in my opinion. Triumph needs to address this if they’re to get my business. A bike of this size and weight should deliver at least mid-40′s and an ability to get into the 50′s under more moderate conditions.

What I’ve seen and read of the upcoming 1215cc Trophy is extremely interesting but if it demonstrates similar fuel economies to the Explorer, I’ll continue to ride my aging but reliable ST1300.

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]]> By: Pete http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56711 Pete Sat, 11 Aug 2012 08:57:21 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56711 I bought Explorer on May this year, and I have driven it 9500km. I have owned or tested over 250 bikes and my Triumph is not only best bike I have owned ,it is best bike I have ever tested. I'm so odd, that only thing that counts on me ,is how bike rides ,not how it looks or what other 'Wiseguys' thinks of it....Greetings from Finland I bought Explorer on May this year, and I have driven it 9500km. I have owned or tested over 250 bikes and my Triumph is not only best bike I have owned ,it is best bike I have ever tested. I’m so odd, that only thing that counts on me ,is how bike rides ,not how it looks or what other ‘Wiseguys’ thinks of it….Greetings from Finland

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]]> By: Patrick D http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56446 Patrick D Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:59:02 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56446 There's plenty of evidence of the off road ability of bikes like this on Youtube if you do a search. Any 'opinion' that these bikes are no better than a conventional road bike off raod is squashed. There’s plenty of evidence of the off road ability of bikes like this on Youtube if you do a search. Any ‘opinion’ that these bikes are no better than a conventional road bike off raod is squashed.

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]]> By: Gary http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56396 Gary Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:40:02 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56396 Hi John and Dirk, Silly as it may seem to you, I'm going to disagree. The fact is, before there were dirtbikes, people stripped fenders off street bikes and went "scrambling." I know ... I was one of them. And I've ridden my share of class-C racers, motocrossers and enduros. I started racing MX in the mid-70s. I still say an off-road bike that weighs more than 240 lbs is no off-road bike. It is a pig. With lipstick in the form of long-travel suspension. You can certainly ride them off road and pretend you are racing through Dakar, but the bikes being raced there are about as similar to your GS as Schumacher's F1 Mercedes is to an E-350. Hi John and Dirk,

Silly as it may seem to you, I’m going to disagree. The fact is, before there were dirtbikes, people stripped fenders off street bikes and went “scrambling.” I know … I was one of them.

And I’ve ridden my share of class-C racers, motocrossers and enduros. I started racing MX in the mid-70s.

I still say an off-road bike that weighs more than 240 lbs is no off-road bike. It is a pig. With lipstick in the form of long-travel suspension.

You can certainly ride them off road and pretend you are racing through Dakar, but the bikes being raced there are about as similar to your GS as Schumacher’s F1 Mercedes is to an E-350.

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]]> By: Dirck Edge http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56388 Dirck Edge Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:47:03 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56388 John is clearly correct. I raced motocross bikes for years, and have tested most of the big enduros. They are very clearly superior to pure street bikes off road...even those of similar weight. Longer suspension travel, greater ground clearance and better ergonomics are just some of the reasons. The biggest single difference might be the larger diameter front wheel (Typically 19 inches, but sometimes 21 inches) that creates, by itself a huge advantage over a bike with a 17 inch front hoop. Not to mention the more dirt-worthy tread on those tires. I have video of some dirt action on Yamaha's big, 575 pound Super Tenere that I should post to underline the point. Indeed, the Paris Dakar heritage of these bikes makes this a silly argument. John is clearly correct. I raced motocross bikes for years, and have tested most of the big enduros. They are very clearly superior to pure street bikes off road…even those of similar weight. Longer suspension travel, greater ground clearance and better ergonomics are just some of the reasons. The biggest single difference might be the larger diameter front wheel (Typically 19 inches, but sometimes 21 inches) that creates, by itself a huge advantage over a bike with a 17 inch front hoop. Not to mention the more dirt-worthy tread on those tires. I have video of some dirt action on Yamaha’s big, 575 pound Super Tenere that I should post to underline the point. Indeed, the Paris Dakar heritage of these bikes makes this a silly argument.

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]]> By: John Tuttle http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56377 John Tuttle Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:41:29 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56377 Gary, you certainly are correct on the point that weight makes a huge difference. You are not likely to find one person who would disagree. But is this relevant to the question of whether large adventure-touring bikes have real advantage over pavement-only bikes of similar weight? You are claiming in effect that except for when there is an appreciable advantage in weight reduction, there can be no appreciable advantage in off-pavement capability. Let us assume for the moment that this is true. There is no discernible reason why the same would not apply to smaller bikes. A small, light bike designed expressly to be ridden on the pavement would do just as well, in serious off-road circumstances, as a machine that weighs the same but is designed expressly for off-road riding. Why, then, would anyone buy a dirt bike? You can buy a small, light bike that is designed with no consideration for off-pavement riding, and it will be every bit as capable at off-pavement riding as a bike designed expressly for that purpose. I am curious whether your reply will be responsive to this very sound argument. The fact is that even without an appreciable advantage in weight reduction, this type of bike is appreciably more capable in off-pavement circumstances, as compared to bikes of similar size and weight that by design are meant only to be ridden on pavement. I have known more than a few people who own and have owned the R1200GS, and they all swear by them. Moreover, I personally have witnessed people riding these bikes, and I have seen them riding these bikes on gravel roads and even on dirt roads with severe ruts. I personally have witnessed people riding the R1200GS in these circumstances with a level of control and confidence that would be out of the question on a pavement-only bike of similar size. You simply are confusing the question of whether this type of bike has capabilities that touring bikes of similar size do not have, with the very different question of whether this type of bike is every bit as suitable for serious off-road riding as a small, light dirt bike is. These are two fundamentally different questions. Gary, you certainly are correct on the point that weight makes a huge difference. You are not likely to find one person who would disagree. But is this relevant to the question of whether large adventure-touring bikes have real advantage over pavement-only bikes of similar weight? You are claiming in effect that except for when there is an appreciable advantage in weight reduction, there can be no appreciable advantage in off-pavement capability. Let us assume for the moment that this is true. There is no discernible reason why the same would not apply to smaller bikes. A small, light bike designed expressly to be ridden on the pavement would do just as well, in serious off-road circumstances, as a machine that weighs the same but is designed expressly for off-road riding. Why, then, would anyone buy a dirt bike? You can buy a small, light bike that is designed with no consideration for off-pavement riding, and it will be every bit as capable at off-pavement riding as a bike designed expressly for that purpose.

I am curious whether your reply will be responsive to this very sound argument.

The fact is that even without an appreciable advantage in weight reduction, this type of bike is appreciably more capable in off-pavement circumstances, as compared to bikes of similar size and weight that by design are meant only to be ridden on pavement.

I have known more than a few people who own and have owned the R1200GS, and they all swear by them. Moreover, I personally have witnessed people riding these bikes, and I have seen them riding these bikes on gravel roads and even on dirt roads with severe ruts. I personally have witnessed people riding the R1200GS in these circumstances with a level of control and confidence that would be out of the question on a pavement-only bike of similar size.

You simply are confusing the question of whether this type of bike has capabilities that touring bikes of similar size do not have, with the very different question of whether this type of bike is every bit as suitable for serious off-road riding as a small, light dirt bike is. These are two fundamentally different questions.

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]]> By: Rooster http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56366 Rooster Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:59:54 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56366 "I think most four-wheel SUVs are also worthless off-road … at least compared to a harder-core four wheeler." I think the point Bob is making, with respect to your comment, is that a stock 4x4 Ford Expedition, while a 'worthless' offroader, will get you farther into the boonies than a Crown Victoria will. Try driving your 'Hard Core ' 4x4 from Houston to Colorado while carrying your kids, and luggage etc. These bikes may not have much offroad ability, but they darn sure have more than a Goldwing or other pure street/touring bike. Apples =/= Oranges “I think most four-wheel SUVs are also worthless off-road … at least compared to a harder-core four wheeler.”

I think the point Bob is making, with respect to your comment, is that a stock 4×4 Ford Expedition, while a ‘worthless’ offroader, will get you farther into the boonies than a Crown Victoria will. Try driving your ‘Hard Core ‘ 4×4 from Houston to Colorado while carrying your kids, and luggage etc.

These bikes may not have much offroad ability, but they darn sure have more than a Goldwing or other pure street/touring bike.

Apples =/= Oranges

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]]> By: Gary http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56308 Gary Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:56:06 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56308 Hi Ayk, Why, yes ... yes I have ridden one. Several GSs ... and owned a V-strom several years. All great all-around bikes. All lousy off-road bikes. But I will grant you one thing. A dirt bike is not as good for touring as an adventure sport is for off-road. But then again, I don't think I'd want to field dress a buck with a butterknife. Hi Ayk,

Why, yes … yes I have ridden one. Several GSs … and owned a V-strom several years. All great all-around bikes. All lousy off-road bikes.

But I will grant you one thing. A dirt bike is not as good for touring as an adventure sport is for off-road. But then again, I don’t think I’d want to field dress a buck with a butterknife.

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]]> By: mudnducs http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56307 mudnducs Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:54:11 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56307 PLEASE make a 1200 Speed Triple! PLEASE make a 1200 Speed Triple!

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]]> By: Ayk http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/08/md-double-tested-2012-triumph-explorer/comment-page-1/#comment-56298 Ayk Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:41:12 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=23423#comment-56298 Apparently you haven't ridden one. My F800GS has taken me over lots of ratty roads, places where I wouldn't want to be on anything less dirt worthy than the GS (such as a V-strom, which I have ridden off the pavement). But a dirt bike wouldn't get me to Utah from California very well, would it? Hammering along for 600 miles on a 530EXC (ridden those, too) to get to the good stuff--no thanks! On my GS I blast along the slab in comfort at 80, enjoy the curves of a nice two-lane highway, then head into the boonies on a rocky two-track and camp in the middle of nowhere. Not everyone rides them that way, but the bike is ready for it. Show me the 'real dirt bike' that can do that and I'll buy one. Apparently you haven’t ridden one. My F800GS has taken me over lots of ratty roads, places where I wouldn’t want to be on anything less dirt worthy than the GS (such as a V-strom, which I have ridden off the pavement). But a dirt bike wouldn’t get me to Utah from California very well, would it? Hammering along for 600 miles on a 530EXC (ridden those, too) to get to the good stuff–no thanks! On my GS I blast along the slab in comfort at 80, enjoy the curves of a nice two-lane highway, then head into the boonies on a rocky two-track and camp in the middle of nowhere. Not everyone rides them that way, but the bike is ready for it. Show me the ‘real dirt bike’ that can do that and I’ll buy one.

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