Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro: 2022 bikesales Bike of the Year Highly Commended

The Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro has been awarded Highly Commended in the 2022 bikesales Bike of the Year awards, proudly presented by Shannons Insurance. And given its superb performance and high equipment level, it is easy to see why.

Launched in the back half of 2022, the long-awaited overhaul of Triumph’s large-capacity adventure platform has been met with hugely positive feedback, with some even declaring it a step up from its ever-popular rival, the BMW R 1250 GS.

Powered by a brilliant three-cylinder 1160cc engine, the new Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro improves on the previous Tiger 1200 platform in every area.

As well as a dirt-friendly 21- and 18-inch wheel setup, the shaft-driven Tiger also sheds significant weight from its predecessor, while offering a slimmer and more compact chassis.

In another little shot at BMW, Triumph has also added a higher-spec Rally Explorer, which packs a 30-litre fuel tank for longer journeys.

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The Rally Pro model is the most versatile of the Triumph Tiger 1200 range (which also includes the road-orientated GT Pro and GT Explorer), with Metzeler Karoo tyres and semi-active Showa suspension with 220mm of travel front and rear.

Also featured are high-spec Brembo Stylema monobloc brakes and Magura radial master cylinders, as well as a comprehensive suite of electronics that includes cornering-sensitive ABS and traction control, riding modes, cruise control, a quickshifter, and a 7-inch TFT display.

For added comfort, the Tiger 1200 Rally Pro includes a keyless ignition, heated grips, hill-hold control, an adjustable windshield, smartphone connectivity, LED lighting and adaptive cornering lights. Meanwhile the Explorer model adds heated seats, tyre pressure monitoring and blind spot detection as standard.

Our test unit was fitted with hard panniers, but these are an optional accessory. Still, it gave more context to the Tiger’s supreme go-anywhere ability.

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BOTY judge Scott Kessler probably summed it up best: “Any bike that is this versatile and can carry 30 stubbies in each pannier is a winner!”

Kaz Anderson praised the Tiger’s “off-road competence” on the dirt, saying “the Tiger offers a great deal of comfort and off-road performance.”

Kate Peck was impressed with the premium nature of the Tiger 1200, calling it a “luxe off-roader”.

“It’s like the glamping of adventure bikes,” she said. “It is stunning to ride and imposing, mean, and polished to look at.”

With a price tag of $31,800 ride away (excluding panniers), the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro is far from cheap, but it is about on par with its direct competition.

While there weren’t too many complaints about the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, a few electronic niggles did rob it of points and maybe even the win. Notably, the keyless system proved temperamental over the course of Bike of the Year and frustrated several of our judges.

“The Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro is almost as good as a big-bore adventure bike gets,” said bikesales Editor Dylan Ruddy. “And if it wasn’t for the sub-par keyless system and a rather big price tag, it might have been the 2022 Bike of the Year.”

As a deluxe adventure tourer, the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro has so much going for it, with excellent performance and comfort to match. While its long-term reliability remains to be proven, the Triumph Tiger 1200 is the kind of bike you’d be thrilled to travel the world on. And that is why it is Highly Commended in the 2022 bikesales Bike of the Year awards, proudly presented by Shannons Insurance.

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