Triumph Adds Active Preload Reduction To Tiger 1200

[Admin]

Triumph is rolling out a new seat-lowering suspension feature for its Tiger 1200 range: 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro pictured. (Jeff Allen/)

When Harley introduced the industry’s first adaptive ride height feature on the Pan America 1250 Special in 2021, you knew the competition was watching for clues on how to develop its own seat-lowering tech. Sure enough — in a clear shot across H-D’s bow —-Triumph Motorcycles has released a similar seat-lowering feature to the Showa semi-active suspension found on its current Tiger 1200 series.

Called Active Preload Reduction, Triumph’s tech has been developed to lower resting seat height by reducing the rear suspension preload as the bike slows. The feature will go a long way toward making the Tiger 1200 GT, GT Pro, and GT Explorer models with their fairly tall 33.46 and 34.52 inch seat heights more accessible to shorter riders. The Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Rally Explorer models sit even higher, at 34.44 and 35.23 inches.

The Active Preload Reduction lowers those seat heights by up to .78 of an inch when the bike comes to a standstill, depending on the combined weight of the rider, passenger, and luggage, according to Triumph. That’s not a massive reduction, but the company says that if you fit the aforementioned bikes with accessory low seats (an extra-cost option), you can go an additional .78 of inch lower, for a lowest setting of less than 32 inches on the GT family and under 33 inches on the Rally bikes.

Related: 2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 First Ride

The company says the new system will lower seat height by .78 inches (20mm) as the bike comes to a standstill. (Triumph/)

As with the Pan America, Triumph utilizes Showa suspension components on its Tiger 1200s, but to Triumph’s credit, the system isn’t a $1200 option like it is on the Special; the preload reduction feature will be standard on all new Tiger 1200 motorcycles, and can be accessed by pressing the ‘Home’ button on the right switch cube for one second. (Triumph didn’t specify whether stock suspension settings automatically re-engage as the bike accelerates and whether there are additional settings). For existing 2023 Tiger 1200 owners, the feature can be added via a software update done at an authorized Triumph dealership, with no upgrade fee for those customers (though standard dealership labor rates will apply).

Related: Carmichael and Cervantes Testing Triumph Prototypes

The new Tiger 1200 Rally Pro also receives the suspension feature as standard equipment. (Triumph/)

As Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent added, “The new [Tiger 1200] feature can be enabled on the fly, lowering the center of gravity at slower speeds, making it even more accessible, offering riders more confidence at slow speeds and better contact with the ground as they come to a stop.”

Vertically challenged riders, rejoice.

View the full article