Note: Australian edition — AUD pricing approximated from UK MSRP, exact OTR varies by state and rego. Spotted something off?
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30-Year Arcs / ADV / Triumph Tiger Lineage
Triumph United Kingdom

Triumph Tiger 1200. 30 years on.

Triumph's flagship adventure bike — but the 1200cc lineage only began in 2012. The 1996 column is the 885cc T709 Tiger (sub-1000, predecessor era). The 1050 came 2007. The 1200 Explorer 2012. The new T-plane 1200 in 2022.

1996
Tiger T709
2006
Tiger 955i
2016
Tiger Explorer 1200
2026
Tiger 1200 GT
Continual audits are underway to verify local pricing for every bike in every market. Apologies for any gaps you see while this is in progress.
1996 30 yrs ago · 885cc
1996 Tiger T709

Tiger T709

885cc triple (sub-1000)
Trail-styled Triumph triple

885cc triple (sub-1000)
85 bhp
78
215
840
ABSFuel injectionTraction controlRide modesTFT dash885cc inlineSteel spine
Known issues
  • Tiger T709 — carb sync drift — all years
  • Reg/rec failure — all years
  • Cam chain rattle on cold start — high-mile bikes
A$14,000
A$28,100
A$4–4.9k
A$ figures approximate — converted from UK MSRP at ~1.95×. Local OTR varies by state, rego & LCT.
2006 955i era · 2006
2006 Tiger 955i

Tiger 955i

955cc triple (sub-1000)
Pre-Tiger 1050 era

955cc triple (sub-1000)
105 bhp
92
215
840
ABSFuel injectionTraction controlRide modesTFT dash955cc inlineSteel tube
Known issues
  • Tiger 955i — fuel pump priming issues — 2001-06
  • Reg/rec failure — 2001-06
  • Snatchy throttle response — 2001-04
A$14,600
A$24,600
A$4–4.9k
2016 Explorer · 2016
2016 Tiger Explorer 1200

Tiger Explorer 1200

First Tiger 1200
1215cc shaft-drive triple

First Tiger 1200
137 bhp
121
267
837
ABSRide-by-wireTraction control4 rideColour TFTSemi-active TESCruise control
Known issues
  • Tiger Explorer 1200 — Triumph well-known shaft-drive bevel-gear noise — 2012-17
  • Reg/rec failure — 2012-17
  • TFT dash issues on later models — 2016-17
A$24,800
A$32,200
A$8k–A$22.0k
2026 Current · 2026
2026 Tiger 1200 GT

Tiger 1200 GT

T-plane 1160cc triple
17kg lighter than predecessor

T-plane 1160cc triple
148 bhp
130
240
850
Cornering ABSRide-by-wireIMU-based traction6 ride7" TFTShowa semi-activeBlind spot
Known issues
  • Tiger 1200 GT (T-plane crank platform) — crankshaft sensor faults — 2022-on
  • Quickshifter sensor failures — 2022-on
  • Generally well-developed Triumph triple platform
A$33,700
A$33,700
A$33.7k new
// 30-Year Delta

What actually changed.

1996 → 2026 · 30 years of "progress"
Power gain +63bhp 85bhp T709 → 148bhp 2026 GT. The triple has stayed central to the Tiger's identity, but capacity has gone from 885cc to 1160cc and electronics have multiplied.
Torque gain +52Nm 78Nm → 130Nm. Big jump in 2012 with the 1215cc Explorer, then refined on the new T-plane motor that prioritises low-end shove.
Weight loss −27kg Notable: the 2026 GT is 27kg LIGHTER than the 2016 Explorer (240kg vs 267kg wet). Triumph went on a serious weight-loss programme for the 2022 T-plane redesign.
Real cost change +A$5.7k A$14,000in 1996 ≈ A$28,100today. The 2026 GT is A$33,700. About 20% more in real terms — for radar, semi-active suspension, IMU electronics and 60+ more horsepower.
Rider aids count 0 → 9 1996: nothing. 2026: cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes (6 of them), cruise, hill hold, blind spot radar, semi-active suspension, lift control, slide control.
Engine character Even-firing → T-plane The 2022 redesign brought T-plane firing — uneven crankshaft intervals (1-3-2 firing pattern at 90°/270°/180°) that gives the triple a twin-like low-end character. Whether you like it depends on whether you wanted a triple to start with.
Cheapest way in A$4.9k A clean 1996 Tiger T709 today. Hinckley-era Triumph triple with trail tyres for less than a kitchen. Surprisingly capable, distinctly British.
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// Sources

Where these numbers come from

Every figure on this page is from a published manufacturer spec sheet or a reputable review publication. No press junkets, no opinions in the spec data. Inflation calculated using Bank of England's CPI tool.

1996 Tiger T709 Manufacturer specs · MCN · Bennetts BikeSocial
2006 Tiger 955i Manufacturer press · MCN Reviews · autoevolution
2016 Tiger Explorer 1200 Manufacturer UK specs · MCN · Total Motorcycle
2026 Tiger 1200 GT Manufacturer UK · Bennetts BikeSocial · Cycle World