Triumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021, including XC and XR ranges) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Tiger 1200 motorcycles as made between 2018 and 2021.
All motorcycles in the 2018-2021 Triumph Tiger 1200 range share a liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC in-line 3-cylinder engine. It’s 1215 cc and has a sporty 11.0:1 compression ratio. The engine puts out 104 kW (139 hp) at 9350 rpm, and 122 Nm (90-ft-lb) of torque at 7600 rpm.
They all put power down through a shaft drive and have Brembo 4-piston monoblock radially mounted calipers, but differ in suspension specs and accessories.
The 2018-2021 models of Triumph Tiger 1200 are a direct descendant of the 2016-2017 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200, but they’ve added more tech, changed the engine tune, and dropped the “Explorer” branding.
There 2018-2021 Triumph Tiger 1200 range is divided up into a few categories and spec levels. See the “About” section below for how it breaks down.
Nonetheless, the maintenance schedule is effectively identical between all the trim levels. The small differences (e.g. spoked wheels) are accounted for in the schedule below — if you have them, maintain them.
Here are all the Triumph Tiger 1200 maintenance schedules we have:
- Triumph Tiger 1200 2016-2017 (WIP)
- Triumph Tiger 1200 (2012-2021) — 1215 cc motor, including XC and XR spec
- Triumph Tiger 1200 (2022+) — 1160cc motor, including GT and Rally spec
This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!
Triumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) Service Intervals
Overall, the 2018-2021 Triumph Tiger 1200 has 10000 mi / 16000 km service intervals between oil and oil filter changes, which is very wide. At every service you should also change the air filter, though change that more often if riding in off-road conditions.
The major service needs to be done every 20000 miles / 32000 km, which involves changing the plugs, checking / adjusting the valve clearances, and also checking / adjusting the camshaft timing.
The Triumph 1200 range has a shaft final drive, so there’s no chain to maintain. Triumph also does not mandate changing the final drive oil.
What you need to service the Triumph Tiger 1200
If you’re servicing the Triumph Tiger 1200, you’ll need the basics of a servicing toolkit. Nothing fancy, but you at least need motorcycle maintenance tools — things like an oil catch pan, a paddock stand, and so on.
Here are the specific consumables you need to order for the Triumph Tiger 1200.
| Part | Triumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Triumph recommends 10W/40 or 10W/50 semi or fully synthetic motorcycle engine oil that meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) engine oil, sold as Castrol Power RS Racing 4T 10W-40 (fully synthetic) in some countries. Tighten the oil drain plug to 25 Nm using a torque wrench. |
| Oil filter | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001 (you’ll find this part on a LOT of Triumphs!), for which you’ll need a special triumph tool to open it (part T3880313). You can also use a Hiflofiltro HF204RC for which you just need a wrench. |
| Brake fluid | Triumph motorcycles need DOT 4 brake fluid and clutch fluid (the 1200 series has a hydraulic clutch). |
| Coolant | Triumph uses HD4X Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant with a 50% ethylene glycol mix. Zerex G05 is a HOAT coolant that meets this spec. |
| Final drive oil | For topping up, Triumph requires 75W/90 fully synthetic hypoid oil that meets specification API Service Level GL5, such as Castrol SAF-XO hypoid oil. Tighten the filler plug to 25 Nm. |
| Front brake pads | Standard brake pads code is T2022475. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA630HH. |
| Rear brake pads | Use original part number T2025045. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA228HH. |
| Spark plugs | NGK code CR8EK. Note they’re sold individually. Make sure they’re gapped to 0.7mm (+/- 0.05-0.1mm) with an appropriate spark plug gap tool. |
| Air filter | The part number for the air filter is T2209555. You can also use K&N part TB-1212. |
Luckily, as it’s shaft-driven, you don’t need to worry about maintaining a chain! (but you do need the final drive oil in case it leaks).
Maintenance Schedule for the Triumph Tiger 1200
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a distance or time interval — whichever comes earlier.
Part of the below table includes checks you should do every day.
Triumph Tiger 1200 — Daily checks
Do these checks every day, as well as at your periodic service interval.
| Triumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) Daily Checks |
|---|
| Engine — Check for leaks and oil level Check engine oil level when bike is upright, off side and centre stand, with engine at operating temp after running for ~5 minutes, then waiting 3 minutes |
| Fuel lines — Check for leaks, chafing etc. |
| Cooling system — Check for leaks |
| Cooling system level — Check, Top up with coolant if necessary |
| Clutch operation — Check |
| Clutch fluid levels — Check, top up if necessary (Castrol DOT 4) |
| Wheels — Check for damage |
| Spoked wheels – check for broken or damaged spokes and check spoke tightness |
| Tyres — Check for wear/damage |
| Tyre pressures — Check / adjust |
| Steering bearing — Check for free operation (no notchiness) |
| Front and rear suspension — Check for damage, leaks, and smooth operation |
| Brake pads — Check for wear. Replace as necessary |
| Brake master cylinder — Check for leaks |
| Brake pistons — Check for fluid leaks, seized/sticky pistons |
| Brake fluid levels — Check level, top up as necessary (Castrol DOT 4) |
| Final drive — Check for leaks |
| Lights and instruments — Check |
| Bank angle indicators — check for wear |
| General fasteners — check for security |
| Side stand — check for wear, smooth operation |
| Centre stand (if fitted) — check for wear, smooth operation |
Triumph Tiger 1200 — Maintenance schedule table
In addition to the daily checks above, follow the below maintenance schedule. We also separated out an “annual service checklist” below.
Notes
- For items with both a time-based and distance based intervals (e.g. oil changes), follow the earlier of the two.
- The break-in schedule is omitted. It includes an oil and filter change, final drive oil change, and all items under the daily and annual checks.
- The final drive oil change only needs to be done at the first service.
| mi x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | Every |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | X years |
| Perform the daily checklist (see above) and annual service checklist (below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1 |
| Engine oil – renew (Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-40) Tighten to 25 Nm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1 |
| Engine oil filter – renew (part T1218001) Tighten to 10 Nm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1 |
| Air cleaner – renew (K&N part TB-1212) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Throttle body plate (butterfly) – check/clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Throttle bodies – balance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Spark plugs – check | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Spark plugs – renew (NGK CR8EK) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Valve clearances – check/adjust | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Camshaft timing – check/adjust | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Coolant – renew (Triumph HD4X or an alternative e.g. Zerex G05) | 3 | ||||
| Clutch fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 | ||||
| Brake fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 | ||||
| Fork oil – renew | ✓ | ||||
| Headstock bearings – lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Rear suspension linkage – check/lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Secondary air injection system – check | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Fuel hoses – renew | 4 | ||||
| Evaporative loss hoses – renew | 4 |
Annual service list
This is the list of annual service items to do on your Triumph Tiger 1200. Do these according to the schedule above.
Notes:
- Items marked [T] need Triumph specialist tools.
- Items marked * don’t need necessarily to be done annually if you’ve done no distance.
| Tiger 1200 Annual Service checklist |
|---|
| [T] Autoscan – carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph diagnostic tool |
| [T] Instruments, chassis ECM and engine ECM – check for latest calibration download using Triumph diagnostic tool |
| Cooling system – check coolant hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. * |
| Clutch master cylinder – check for leaks |
| Headstock bearings – check for notchiness. Adjust / lubricate as necessary. * |
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation. * |
| Final drive oil level – check Renew at first service. Otherwise Triumph does not mandate a final drive oil change. |
| Fasteners – inspect visually for security |
| Side stand pivot pin — clean/grease * |
| Centre stand flanged sleeves – check, clean, grease |
| Gear change pedal – clean bushes |
| Accessory rack sliding carriage (if fitted) – check for correct operation |
About the Triumph Tiger 1200 range (2018-2021)
The Triumph Tiger 1200 is a popular adventure sport motorcycle, competing with the BMW R 1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada 1260.
The 1200 is the bigger motorcycle of the Tiger range — Triumph also has a popular 800 and 900 “middleweight” range of adventure motorcycles.
The 2018 model took what the 2016 revision was doing well, removed the word “Explorer”, and added some high-value components. The base engine is the same though.
All models are significantly lighter than the previous generation — up to 10kg (22 lb) lighter.
The Tiger 1200 has a howling three-cylinder engine that reviewers like to say has all the smoothness of a four and all the character of a twin. But a triple has its own character — and the high-RPM howl is enough to win over converts.
All motorcycles in the Triumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) range share a liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC in-line 3-cylinder engine. It has a capacity of 1215 cc and has a sporty 11.0:1 compression ratio. The engine puts out 104 kW (139 hp) at 9350 rpm, and 122 Nm of torque at 7600 rpm.
All models in the 2018-2021 Tiger 1200 series also share
- A full ride by wire system
- Adjustable WP suspension (but the spec level determines if it’s electronically adjustable/active)
- Twin 305 mm floating discs, with radially mounted Brembo 4-piston calipers
- 19/17-inch front and rear wheels (XC models get spoked, XR models get cast)
- Shaft drive
The exact trim of the Tiger 1200 changes what you get with it, but you can spend less or more to get things like better suspension, luggage, lights, and some electronic accessories.
Here’s how the models of the 2018-2021 Triumph Tiger 1200 compare in features:
| Category | Road | Off-road |
|---|---|---|
| Base model | XR | n/a |
| Mid-spec | XRx | XCx |
| High-end | XRt | XCa |
And here’s a brief gallery with one colour option from each of the five trims of 2018-2021 Triumph Tiger 1200, to visually see the difference:
Tiger 1200 XR: Base road-going model. WP suspension (manual), 19/17 cast wheels, 3 ride modes, analogue display, electric screen, centre stand
Tiger 1200 XRx: Mid-spec road-going model. Electronic WP fork, electronic shock with semi-active damping and active shock preload, TFT, keyless ignition, extra ride mode, IMU (cornering ABS/TC). Low ride height (LRH) variant available.
Tiger 1200 XRt: High-spec road-going model. As above plus heated grips and seats, touring screen, programmable ride mode, hill hold control, crash bars, TPMS, titanium silencer, shift assist
Tiger 1200 XCx: The mid-range adventure mixed on/off-road model (there’s no base model). Spoked 19/17 rims with tubeless tyres. Electronic WP fork, electronic shock with semi-active damping and active shock preload. TFT, keyless ignition, 5 ride modes, cruise control, IMU (cornering ABC/TC), hand guards, crash bars, centre stand, sump/radiator guards, self-cancelling turn signals.
Tiger 1200 XCa: The premium adventure on/off-road model. As the XCx, but also with heated grips and seats, shift assist, cornering lighting, titanium silencer, programmable ride mode, hill hold control, touring screen, and more TFT styles.
Some new features available on the 2018 Triumph 1200 vs the 2016 model are (on different trim models):
- Adaptive cornering lighting
- TFT instruments
- LED lighting
- Improved electronics — refined cruise control, and an “off road pro” riding mode
- Keyless ignition
- Triumph Shift Assist for clutchless shifts up and down
- Backlit handlebar switch cubes (all but base model)
For the 2022 model year, Triumph announced a significant revision to the Tiger 1200 line. They get different an all-new T-plane triple engine, different wheel sizes, more range for the more adventurous models, and radar.
You can find the maintenance schedule for that range here.
Manual for the Triumph Tiger 1200
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Tiger 1200 range, all of which share a common user manual for 2018-2021.
The manual is available on the Triumph web site.
