Thinking of buying a Triumph Explorer

[Kenn157]

The launch model he had was a disaster. The replacement trouble free for the past 18k so far. They step up if there's a problem. They actually care about the customers and their brand image.

The last time I rode that launch model was in Nov 2012.
Triumph gave me the new bike 1/5/13. It's been totally trouble free with 20,071 miles a/o today.

I ride it everyday to work, unless it's raining in the morning which only happened maybe a 1/2 dozen times. Rain on the way home, NP!
It's so comfortable to ride, the cruise control is the best and keeps me within the law. No maintenance shaft drive, heated seats and grips, tall windshield. I bought the Triumph top box and panniers which provide tons of storage. The link in my signature was my first Explorer but my replacement bike is exactly the same thing. The other bikes have been to work once each this year. I need storage and they don't have it.

The Explorer's trip computer says I get 51 mpg's, even on spirited rides. It's got power and does the twisties with ease. Foot pegs are a little low and my boots hit when in a nice lean. I have to remember to move my feet back up on the toes. It's a "little" top heavy. Not an off road ride like a dirt bike can do. Hard packed dirt with small stones is no problem. I guess the EX might be better with it's spokes but it is a tubeless rim.

Buy it!

[OneCheekRider]

I got it!!!



Ken, thank you! Exactly what I wanted to hear, especially since I just dropped the cash! Looks like we have similar tastes in colors! How do you like that Arrow exhaust? Is there an Explorer specific forum you're on or recommend?

[Spooler]

Awesome! Nice color, and nice 1050 in the background...

[South of Heaven]

To clarify, the stator issues were on first gen 1050's, corrected for the '08 model year.

As for the valve clearance check, I know of no one who has had them checked at 10k (I'm a regular on a few triumph forums) and actually needed adjustment. Most report they're still fine at 20k. That's not to say it isn't worth doing, just hasn't been proven to be necessary. I tend to think Triumph is just being overly cautious with their service intervals. Also, valve clearance check is stupid easy on these bikes. Just about anyone with a set a feeler gauges, a fisher price set of mechanics tools, and an $11 valve cover gasket can check them out.

The valve check schedule is always premature and over cautious for EVERY bike manufacturer. That's just part of living in a litigious society.....If MV Augusta recommends to check the valves at 12k is it really gonna kill you to wait to 16k? No. Dealers make most of their profit from service not from sales/parts, if it were up to them they'd have you come for a valve inspection at 6k. Sorry to threadjack the discusssion.... Triumphs are cool. lol

[Rosco61]

Congratulations. That is Awesome !

[GearHd6]

Is there an Explorer specific forum you're on or recommend?

http://www.tiger-explorer.com/

[Kenn157]

http://www.tiger-explorer.com/

I'm on that one. Also triumph RAT.

Tiger-Explorer is also ion Facebook

[Kenn157]

To be perfectly honest, I don't know what it sounds like with the stock exhaust. The Arrow is lighter and adds around 3hp more I've been told. We should meet up soon and I'll tell you of my first Explorers trials and tribulations.

[Kenn157]

You're in Medford? I lived there till 03, then bought in Salisbury.

[OneCheekRider]

Yessir, I am in Medford, down the street from Tufts. I would love to hear your exhaust next to mine as well as hear about your Explorer story. Mines going back for the head replacement!

[Spooler]

Already?! Did you know it would be needed when you got it? Warrantee/recall fix? Good luck!

[OneCheekRider]

Yes, I was aware this was an issue before I bought it - likely why they listed it way under NADA/KBB and I got it for even less. I actually pointed it out as it sounded similar to the Yamaha tic. Since it's covered under warranty and at no cost to me, I'm not really bothered by it. The replacement head is actually an updated part to completely fix the issue. I figure I will put enough miles on it in the remaining warranty that should another issue arise, it will be addressed before I have to foot the bill. The dealer already had the parts on order before I even purchased it.

There was also a recall on the ECU, which has also been replaced. Since I had been searching for used Explorers from private sellers, I am relieved this dealer priced it so competitively and are being awesome about all the known issues to date and fixing them. I figure there might have been some hurdles had I gotten one from an individual.

[KnuckleBallz]

Will you be selling your Fz6? Mine got stolen in June & I've been missing her quite a bit lately.

[OneCheekRider]

Will you be selling your Fz6? Mine got stolen in June & I've been missing her quite a bit lately.

Yes, come check it out if you want. I didn't exactly plan on selling it so just about everything is up to date on it. Just let me know.

[Spooler]

Awesome. What dealer are you dealing with? Always good to hear which Triumph dealers are good.

[OneCheekRider]

Second Wind BMW/Triumph. Highly recommend as that was the first motorcycle I bought at a dealer in over a decade!

[KnuckleBallz]

Yes, come check it out if you want. I didn't exactly plan on selling it so just about everything is up to date on it. Just let me know.

OK, pretty busy weekend but I'll try to follow-up next week. Thanks

[Kenn157]

Mike is was great to meet you last Sunday! Your bike is amazing if I do say so myself. So happpy to have another rider with one and you're not that far away.

[zombie]

thinking of buying a used 1200 explorer
how are you guys making out with reliability

[Kenn157]

my explorer that is to say my replacement Explorer has been flawless

[markbvt]

For whatever it's worth (which may not be much as it's not the same bike), my Tiger 800 XC is coming up on 70,000 miles with no issues whatsoever. Bike is awesome and rides/runs as well as it did when it was new.

Mick, if you buy an earlier-model TEX, see if the head update was done under warranty. If not, make sure you can get it done.

--mark

[OneCheekRider]

I LOVE this bike. With the said, I've had the head replaced under warranty right after I got it. I also had the rider's seat heater switch replaced under warranty. Lately, I've been experiencing occasional stalling shifting from 2nd to 1st slowing to a stop. On the forums it seems to be related to either the throttle position sensor or the right combo switch. At any rate, it's still under warranty so I'm not too concerned.

[OneCheekRider]

Buying this bike has not only given me countless memories but I’ve made SO many lifetime friends because of it.

This thread is where I met Kenn and I probably talk to him every single day.

Anywho, love this bike so much I bought Kenn’s!

Added upper crash bars and LED signals to match mine. Will be riding out to TN on it tomorrow.




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[Kenn157]

Buying this bike has not only given me countless memories but IÂ’ve made SO many lifetime friends because of it.

This thread is where I met Kenn and I probably talk to him every single day.

Anywho, love this bike so much I bought KennÂ’s!

Added upper crash bars and LED signals to match mine. Will be riding out to TN on it tomorrow.

The Tiger looks great! It was just sitting in the garage collecting dust. That Tiger never did a long road trip before. The first Explorer I got back in May of 2012 went to Newfoundland.
So just the ride to my house tomorrow will probably beat its one day milage record.
Wicked happy you have it now. A "deal" you couldn't refuse free is hard deal to pass up! Totally happy with that decision. You can't take shit with you when you die so give it away while it still works. Plus you can't complain about something not working.

All joking aside, it's gonna live a better life now then when it was with me.

See you tomorrow and safe riding on the way my friend!

[OneCheekRider]

I'd like to think of it as a package deal with the other bikes

But yes, amazing deal and I am incredibly grateful. See you tomorrow!