Triumph Tiger Explorer XR / XRx / XRt Service Manual (2016-2017)

Triumph substantially revised the Tiger Explorer for the 2016 model year, expanding the large-capacity adventure range into six versions. Three were configured primarily for road-focused adventure touring, the XR, XRx and XRt, while the XC, XCx and XCa formed the more off-road-oriented side of the range. All retained the 1,215 cc three-cylinder engine and shaft final drive that had defined the original Explorer, but the 2016 update brought major chassis, electronics and equipment changes.

The revised 1,215 cc triple produced approximately 139 PS at 9,300 rpm and 123 Nm at 6,200 rpm, driving through a six-speed transmission and shaft final drive. Triumph also introduced a lighter torque-assist clutch and ride-by-wire throttle control. The XR series continued to use 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast wheels, reinforcing its road-biased role compared with the spoked-wheel XC family.

The major technical development was the increasing integration of electronic rider aids. The base XR used conventional adjustable WP suspension, while the XRx and XRt gained Triumph Semi-Active Suspension. Depending on trim, the range also included an inertial measurement unit, cornering-optimised ABS and traction control, multiple riding modes, cruise control, electrically adjustable windscreen and Hill Hold Control. The XRt sat at the top of the road-oriented range with the broadest touring and comfort equipment package.

The 2016-2017 Explorer generation was relatively short-lived under that name. For 2018 Triumph substantially revised the platform again and adopted the simpler Tiger 1200 name, while retaining XR, XRx and XRT designations for the road-focused variants. The 2018 motorcycles gained further changes including TFT instrumentation, keyless ignition on higher trims, Triumph Shift Assist and revised electronics. This is why the attached service manual should remain specifically catalogued as Tiger Explorer XR / XRx / XRt, 2016-2017, rather than being broadened to the later Tiger 1200 models.