2024 Triumph TF 250-X in all its glory

By Team TMX on 29th Nov 23

News Motocross

We’ve already seen the factory version that Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup and Camden McLellan plan to race in the 2024 FIM MX2 World Championship but now, here in all its glory, is a first peek at the all-new Triumph TF 250-X that you’ll be able to buy from your local Triumph dealer in just a few months for the princely sum of £9,795. But what will you get for your money?

Well, Triumph’s PR machine claims that it will have ‘class-leading power to weight ratio and the most complete specification package ever to launch into the ultra-competitive 250cc motocross market’. With a claimed wet weight (generally considered in the motorcycle industry to be ready to ride with a tank full of fuel) of 104kg they might well be telling the truth provided their powerplant pumps out the ponies. And given their racing heritage on tarmac, that honestly has to be expected even if this is Triumph’s first attempt at creating a 250cc four-stroke motocross engine.

The complete package has been designed and developed in close collaboration with off-road legends Ricky Carmichael and Ivan Cervantes. Starting with a sheet of blank sheet, the TF 250-X was designed from the ground up with a high-performance powertrain and unique aluminium chassis. The bodywork is slim and aggressive and should be easily recognisable out on the track with its distinctive yellow and black Triumph Racing colour scheme.

“The launch of the TF 250-X is the culmination of a significant commitment and investment from Triumph, to not just bring a totally new bike to the motocross world, but to deliver a winning performance,” says Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Product Manager, Steve Sargent. “To achieve this, we are focused on delivering the most complete package for any riding level from champion to amateur.

“This bike is 100% Triumph, conceived, designed, developed and manufactured by our world-leading chassis and engine teams, with expert support from our racing champions. We started with a blank sheet of paper and began an all-new ground-up design, including a new engine, new chassis and new electronics.”

Triumph tells us that the motor is compact and light with a forged aluminium piston and titanium valves. Although we’ve not seen inside a TF 250-X motor yet we’re promised that there are plenty of contact surfaces with diamond-like carbon low-friction coatings and an Exedy Belleville clutch hiding behind the lightweight magnesium covers.

Mightily proud of their motor, the Triumph techs are also incredibly impressed by their chassis-producing prowess. The unique aluminium chassis has a high-strength, lightweight spine frame with twin cradles, designed for the optimum balance of performance, mass and flexibility.

Complementing the overall package is the fitment of some fairly high-end products as standard – the TF 250-X comes with forged and machined 7075-T6 aluminium triple clamps, KYB suspension (48mm AOS coil forks and a three-way adjustable rear shock), a premium Brembo braking system, Galfer brake discs, DirtStar 7000 Series aluminium rims, Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tyres, Pro Taper carbon core handlebars and ODI half-waffle lock-on grips.

There is also a Competition Accessories range that includes an Akrapovic full titanium exhaust system, XTrig holeshot device, Athena LC-GPA ECU with launch and traction control and LED engine speed indicator, MX Tune Pro wi-fi module and some lower tech stuff like a performance gripper seat and cover as well as a bodywork replacement kit – we think they mean plastics. It’s stuff we all expect to be available for most manufacturers’ machines but in Triumph’s case let’s not forget that most aftermarket parts producers are seeing this bike for the first time too.

Someone who has spent a lot of time with the TF 250-X is the man we call the GOAT – Ricky Carmichael. Carmichael has worked tirelessly with Triumph’s chassis and engine teams across the journey of scoping, prototyping, testing and development.

“The TF 250-X is an incredible bike,” claims the 15-time AMA champion. “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. Whether you’re a professional rider or an amateur rider, you will not be disappointed. I love this bike, it’s been such an honour to be part of a project with such an iconic brand.”

While we can’t wait to see – and try – this bike for ourselves, what we can say right now is this. This machine blows our initial expectations about the project way out of the water and it would seem that Triumph has triumphed in achieving what they initially set out to do. Fantastic work.

One final word of advice to any potential buyer – you’d best buy a decent set of Torx bits as all the fasteners seem to be of the six-point star shape pattern variety. While these are technically superior to traditional hex bolts for several reasons – they’re also lighter – they also tend to fill with dirt which can lead to rounding issues if your tools aren’t the best quality or there’s an element of user error.

Regardless, the TX 250-X is highly desirable and we can’t wait to see, touch and ride one ourselves…

Technical Specifications - 2024 Triumph TF 250-X

Engine & Transmission

Chassis

Dimensions & weights

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