Triumph Alpine and Desert Explorers ahead of update

Triumph Motorcycles has added two special-edition models to its Tiger 1200 line-up – Desert and Alpine – indicating a major change in the range for next year.

It’s been a long time since the 1200 model had major changes, especially in the engine and it is now lagging behind models such as the BMW R 1250 GS, Ducati Multistrada 1260 and KTM 1290 Adventure.

For a start we expect a bigger capacity just as Triumph did when it went from the Tiger 800 to Tiger 900 models.

Over the past few years, Triumph has dropped the “Explorer” tag from the Tiger 1200 name, updated the electronics and ergos, and reduced weight about 10kg, but the price also shot up by as much as $2600.

And just as the Tiger 900 dropped the confusing model names (XRx, XCx, XRt, XCa) for the more simply Rally and GT, we expect the same will happen when the big Tiger is upgraded.

Alpine and Desert models

But back to the new limited-edition models which will see out the last of the 1200 models.

Triumph says the  edition is “inspired by epic adventures taken across the most inhospitable deserts in the world, from the Sahara, to the Kalahari and beyond”.

The Alpine is “inspired by the epic alpine adventures riders have made across one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain ranges in the whole world”.

Ok, enough of the hyperbole!

They are based on the XRx and XCx models, but with an Arrow titanium exhaust, an up/down quick shifter, plus special paint, badges and graphics.

There is no word from Triumph Motorcycles Australia on when they will arrive or the price, but we can expect another hike, although less than the cost of fitting the extra gear.

Expect to pay about $1000 more than the current prices of $24,200 (XRx) and $25,600 (XCx).