By reducing the preload setting for the rear shock at low speeds, the bike can drop the seat by as much as 20mm.
Triumph has introduced a new Active Preload Reduction feature for its Tiger 1200 adventure bike, which it claims can reduce seat height by as much as 20mm at low speeds, for easier handling.
- Reduces preload for the rear shock at low speeds
- Available on both Rally and GT variant lines
- Activated using the bike’s switchgear
There is no denying that large adventure motorcycles come with their own unique set of challenges. They offer significant suspension travel and ground clearance to be able to tackle the rough stuff, but that also results in relatively higher seat heights. To help alleviate that concern, Triumph has rolled out the new Active Preload Reduction feature for its flagship ADV, the Tiger 1200.
The bike already features a semi-active electronically controlled Showa monoshock, and this new system lowers the preload setting for the shock at low speeds and at a standstill, which in turn lowers the seat and makes it easier for you to get your feet down. At low speeds, the lower centre of gravity also makes the motorcycle easier to balance and manoeuvre, as per Triumph.
On the GT variant line (GT, GT Pro and GT Explorer), the standard seat height can be adjusted between 850mm and 870mm, while on the Rally line-up, it ranges between 875mm and 895mm. With this new feature, seat height can be lowered by a further 20mm (at most), giving minimum possible seat heights of 830mm and 855mm for the two variant lines.
The exact amount that the seat lowers will depend on the combined weight of the rider, pillion and luggage on-board, with the maximum amount being 20mm. The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 also offers a similar feature, called ARH (Adaptive Ride Height), which once again lowers the preload and reduces seat height at a standstill. However, the Harley system operates automatically, while the Tiger seems to require the rider to press the ‘Home’ button on the switch left cube for one second to lower the seat.
To find out how the Tiger 1200 compares to the Pan America, as well as segment heavyweights like the BMW R 1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada V4, check out our mega comparison review of the four big ADVs here.
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