2017 Ducati Multistrada Enduro v Triumph Tiger Explorer XC comparison

The Multistrada 1200 Enduro and the Tiger 1200 Explorer XC are two beasts in their own rights. We find out which is the wilder one.

Published on Jun 28, 2017 04:28:00 PM

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2017 Ducati Multistrada Enduro v Triumph Tiger Explorer XC comparison

Heavy ammunition

The Enduro gets Ducati's Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Valve Timing) engine which has immediate benefits on road and off. The engine pulls smoothly from 2,000rpm, ensuring you don't have to shift the gears much. However, as with all Ducatis, you really have to keep an eye out for the false neutrals between fourth, fifth and sixth gears. The throttle response is sharp and power feels good as the revs climb, with the bike pulling noticeably harder at around the 6,000rpm mark. But it must be noted that the fuelling did feel a bit jerky in Urban mode. The 160hp produced is more than enough grunt for a motorcycle this large. Although, when off road, having it in Enduro mode with power limited to 100hp is definitely advisable. It's more than enough power needed while in the dirt.

The heart and soul of the Tiger, however, is its motor. The fuel-injected 1,213cc engine has double overhead cams, with an inline triple-cylinder layout and ride-by-wire throttle. The 137hp of peak power and 121Nm of torque is directed to the rear wheel via a shaft drive that is not only durable, but also much lower on maintenance than a regular chain drive. This results in an extremely sharp throttle response that's great for the road. But couple this up with the absence of power modes and it can complicate things a bit when riding in the dirt, although the traction control does smooth things out a bit. There's a deep howl from the inline-triple, providing you with a pretty affable soundtrack. The torque is spread well across the rev range and pulling away from speeds as low as 25kph in third gear means you don't have to work through the six-speed gearbox as much as you'd need to on the Enduro. If you decide to push the motorcycle, you'll notice that it has a very strong and linear mid-range that tapers off into a not-so-punchy top end. But, all in all, this is a very tractable motor.

Into the wild

Despite the Explorer being an absolutely brilliant companion for the highway, its off-road credentials are a bit more subdued. First, the handlebar tends to feel a bit low when you're in the standing position. Second, the throttle feels way too sharp for off-roading, although the traction control does iron this out considerably. Finally, this motorcycle weighs a whopping 259kg and this weight is obvious when out on the dirt. So, even though the Explorer is capable of some amount of trail riding, you and the motorcycle would be happiest out on wide open stretches of highway – it is definitely a road-biased machine. Set the suspension up on the stiffer side and the Explorer will conquer twisties effortlessly, dipping in with poise. It feels decently sporty when you hit the bends.

The crowning glory of the Multistrada is how well it changes its character depending on the riding modes. Once you get moving, premonitions of it being a ridiculously large motorcycle start to fade. It, in fact, is extremely manageable and rider friendly. Here's where you get to explore the beauty of the different modes. In Urban mode, the Enduro feels a bit underpowered, but this should be good for wet riding conditions. The fuelling feels a bit jerky as well. The big problem here, however, is the amount of heat generated in slow-moving traffic. The larger tank restricts the flow of air around the engine and ends up sending searing levels of heat towards your left thigh. Although, a short blast into triple-digit speeds does see the temperature drop.