- The first motocross bike from Triumph has seen them go ‘all-in’.
- Enlisted the help of the GOAT – Ricky Carmichael for development.
- The first in a range of dirt bikes which will hopefully include road-registerable ‘rally’ versions.
Words: Paul Pics: Two Creative Photography
Okay, we don’t do dirt bikes in BRM. But with an invite to go check out Triumph’s all-new 250cc motocross bike near Ardmore Airport in South Auckland, we couldn’t help thinking this move from the Brit manufacturer is the start of something big. Yep, count us in!
When we talk about Triumph dirt bikes, it’s more likely that your mind will conjure up images of modified Bonnevilles racing across American deserts with cool dudes like Steve McQueen behind the handlebars. And until 2023, that was pretty much what Triumph and dirt bikes equated to, but that’s now all changed.
When Triumph made the decision to hit the off-road scene, they decided they needed to go ‘all in’, so enlisted the help of some of the greats in the dirt bike scene. One of the biggest (arguably THE biggest) was Ricky Carmichael. Think of Valentino Rossi, but in the World MX arena, you’ll have a pretty good idea of this guy’s calibre. Oh, and the fact he got the ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of all Time) long before our Italian buddy, so it was a significant milestone when Triumph brought him on board. Add a few other greats like Ivan Cervantes, Ivan Tedesco and more recently, rally ace Sam Sunderland, and it’s clear that the TF 250-X is going to be the beginning of a comprehensive line-up of off-road machines which, we’re hoping, will include some with lights and indicators that we can enjoy adventure riding.
Spec’d Up
Looking over the four Triumphs parked under an ezi-up next to the Ardmore motocross track and it’s easy to see that they’re taking this seriously – there’s everything there to make this a competitive bike straight out of the crate. Powered by a 249.95cc DOHC four-stroke, the TF, they tell me, has a class-leading power-to-weight ratio, with a claimed output of 39.9hp and a wet weight of the entire bike, an exceptionally light 104kg.
Speaking with Alarn Young, who is an experienced motocross rider, he explained the new Triumph is “what you’d get if Kawasaki and KTM had a baby”, with the best bits from both combined in the new machine. With the Triumph engine flexible in nature, much like the Kawasaki, he said the ergos and fast/light steering were reminiscent of current KTMs, making the TF 250-X exceptionally easy to ride. Suspension is obviously a big thing for these bikes which fly through the air almost as much as they’re on the ground, and Triumph hasn’t skimped there, with top-spec KYB front and rear.
But it was the technology that really grabbed my interest, with the Triumph’s cockpit sporting more buttons than I’d ever seen on a dirt bike before. There’s an electric start (the days of kick start are, thankfully, long gone), while on the left side of the handlebars there’s an array of buttons to control throttle maps, launch control, traction control and the quickshifter! Yep, all the tech we see on road bikes has worked its way across to dirt bikes and, according to everyone I spoke with, made them all the better for it.
Triumph is obviously serious about this move into the dirt bike arena as not only have they produced a machine that’s instantly capable of competing with the current crop of MX bikes, but they’ve also priced it right. At $14,995, it’s one seriously impressive machine that is also cheaper than pretty much all the competition. Yep, Triumph really are all in with dirt bikes, and we can’t wait to see what else is set to come.
For more details, head to your local Triumph dealer or visit www.triumphmotorcycles.co.nz
