The long wait is over, and Triumph have finally hit the race track in the AMA Supercross series. The brand says it took 4-years to complete with Their tag line being ‘All new, all Triumph, all in, and it would be safe to say that I am all-in too!

Triumph released specifications on their all-new 250F motocrosser, dubbed the TF 250-X a few months ago now, and you might just say, eh it is just another bike. Good for you pal, but I am totally jazzed up about this new bike and I think for good reason. The brief is that this bikes take is “the most complete specification package ever to launch into the ultra-competitive 250cc motocross market” – straight from Triumph PR. And with the likes of Carmichael, Cervantes, and Tedesco attached to the project, just to name a few, I bet you can guarantee that this machine is no joke. So here is all the information I found out about the bike from online press releases, listening to people who have ridden the bike, and from simply using my eyes to see what we are working with. Excitement is high!

All New, All Triumph, All In

You think triumph, you think 50+ old dude riding a Bonneville across the country with his other 50+ mates and their old crooked knees. Not the demographic that would be getting on a 250F MX’er. The brand is ‘re-branding’ so-to-speak, and entering into the serious dirt bike market is a huge step towards not only gaining new riders all over the world, but also getting back to its alleged racing roots (before my time), which for the past few decades, have been focused on purely on tarmac.

Now, Triumph wanted to make it very clear that this is an all-new bike, and not in any way based on any other machine on the market today. It has its own proprietary engine, its own designed alloy chassis, swingarm and ergos. The frame looks very akin to a pre-2010 Yamaha MX frame; Aluminium by substance, but in the backbone design we are more familiar with seeing in steel form. Keefer for Keefer Inc Testing mention the same on his podcast about it being very Old Yamaha-esk in the chassis. KYB suspension in the form of 48mm AOS spring forks, machined triple clamps and a 3-way piggyback shock, plus, Brembo brakes, an oversize front disc, DirtStar 7000 series aluminium rims, machined hubs, Pirelli Scorpion tyres, Pro Taper Carbon-core bars and ODI lock-on grips give it a high end component feel from the shop floor. All thumbs up from me here.

Performance Racing Powertrain

Triumph has developed an all-new performance racing powertrain. Their new competition four-stroke single is ultra compact and super light, with a forged aluminum piston and titanium valves. The engine also has diamond-like carbon low-friction coatings, lightweight magnesium covers, and an Exedy Belleville clutch – which I am interested to have a look at what that means and looks like.

Plus as an optional extra, an advanced engine management and tunability system via the MX Tune Pro app, which enabling riders to use real-time user selectable mapping, a real-time engine sensor dashboard, and live diagnostic functionality, through a controlled and programmable engine management system.

The engine does look cool, especially with the Akro strapped to it. But even the stock exhaust system comes with a resonator and what looks to be a very clean, simple and refined end can.

Aluminum Chassis

The unique aluminum chassis has a high strength, lightweight spine frame with twin cradles, designed for the optimum balance of performance, mass, and flexibility. The total weight of the bike is claimed to be 104kg wet! Now that is 2-stroke numbers we are talking about and the brand says it will have the best ‘power- to-weight’ ratio in the category. If they have achieved 104kgs then that is pretty impressive. I have gone on record saying that the alloy spine frame that Yamaha used on its off-road range from 2006-2010 was one of the best feeling chassis I have ever had the pleasure of riding. So the fact that Triumph have gone with that same design makes me excited.

Available Accessories from the Dealer (NZ TBC)

-          Akrapovič full titanium exhaust system
-          XTrig hole shot device
-          Athena LC-GPA launch control/traction control and LED engine speed indicator
-          MX Tune Pro wi-fi module
-          Performance gripper seat and seat cover
-          Bodywork replacement kit

Triumph off-road dealers could also be stocking a new clothing range, available alongside the new TF 250-X. Launched by Triumph in partnership with Alpinestars, the range includes Motocross and Enduro boots and apparel – again TBC for NZ.

The Carmichael Involvement

Ricky Carmichael said, “The TF 250-X is an incredible bike. This is the bike that we set out to build. When you talk about the chassis, the powertrain, the components - it’s the best of everything you could ever want. And whether you’re a professional rider or an amateur rider, you will not be disappointed. I love this bike; it’s been such an honor to be part of the project with such an iconic brand.”

Now take that with a pinch of salt as there is no doubt that Rick was paid a shit tonne to come on board and work on the new project with Triumph. But let’s not forget that ‘The Goat’ has never appeared to do things by halves. He changed the way dirt bike riders trained and was the first guy to complete the perfect season in Outdoor AMA Motocross. To think that for a moment, he would be simply cashing a pay cheque and not care about the end result would be foolish. That is why I think this bike will be bloody awesome and that is also why I can’t wait to swing a leg over it.

Jalek Swoll racing AMA Supercross in Detroit.

When can we get one?

Well, it would appear that from about September 2024 (remembering this is a US press release), Triumph dealers should begin carrying the new Triumph off-road product. However, with the homologation rules in the AMA series, I heard something around having to have bikes in dealerships by April/May? That’s US though. What exactly that means for when NZ will get these on the dealer floor is currently unknown. They will retail for $9,995 USD for the base model with no accessories, but also $9,750 pounds. So hopefully that doesn’t come across to us at the UK exchange rate. Otherwise we are F’d. But at a guess it will sit in and around the current price range for a new Euro 250F in NZ.

What’s Next?

Well, I fully expect that the next big announcement from Triumph will be the TF 450-X. I mean, it just makes sense and an easy evolution into the market. Whether or not we see an off-road Enduro range from Triumph is hard to tell, though with Ivan Cervantes on the team (Multi World Enduro Champion) it would be an obvious segway.

Just another bike…? Yeah maybe. But I think it’s gonna be a glorious thing for the market and I have been snagged hook, line and sinker on the promo. Other than the Stark Varg, this is the bike I am most keen to try, it can’t come soon enough if you ask me - which you probably didn’t

Triumph TF 250-X Specifications:

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Type: Single Cylinder 4-Stroke DOHC
Capacity: 249.95 cc
Bore x stroke: 78 mm x 52.3 mm
Compression: 14.4
Final Drive: 13/48
Clutch: Wet Multi-Plate Belleville Spring Hydraulic
Gearbox: 5 Speed

CHASSIS

Frame: Aluminium, Spine
Swingarm: Aluminium Fabrication
Front Suspension: KYB 48mm spring fork fully adjustable with 310mm Travel
Rear Suspension: KYB Spring shock fully adjustable with 305mm Travel
Front Brakes: Brembo Twin 24mm Piston, 260mm Disc
Rear Brakes: Brembo Single 26mm Piston, 220mm Disc

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS

Width Handlebars: 836mm
Seat Height: 960mm
Wheelbase: 1492mm
Rake: 27.4º
Trail: 116mm
Wet weight: 104kg
Tank Capacity: 7 L