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:

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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.

PartTriumph Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) spec
OilTriumph 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 filterReplace 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 fluidTriumph motorcycles need DOT 4 brake fluid and clutch fluid (the 1200 series has a hydraulic clutch).
CoolantTriumph 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 oilFor 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 padsStandard brake pads code is T2022475. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA630HH.
Rear brake padsUse original part number T2025045. The equivalent part number for EBC brakes is FA228HH.
Spark plugsNGK 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 filterThe part number for the air filter is T2209555. You can also use K&N part TB-1212.
Consumables for Triumph Tiger 1200 series

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 (2018+) — Regular daily checks

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 100010203040Every
km x 100016324864X 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 – renew4
Evaporative loss hoses – renew4
Triumph Tiger 1200 maintenance schedule

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
Tiger 1200 (2018-2021) Annual Inspection Checklist

About the Triumph Tiger 1200 range (2018-2021)

Triumph Tiger 1200 2018-2020 Cover Image
Triumph Tiger 1200 models — XR and XC models side by side.

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:

CategoryRoadOff-road
Base modelXRn/a
Mid-specXRxXCx
High-endXRtXCa
2018+ Triumph Tiger 1200 features compared

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:

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.

Triumph Tiger XCa Maintenance Schedule Screenshot From Manual
Maintenance Schedule from Triumph Tiger 1200

The manual is available on the Triumph web site.

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