Triumph TF250-X 2024 Review

Mention an upcoming new model to most seasoned motocross riders and the response is generally emphatic and full of excitement.

However, the mood will often turn when chat evolves to actually buying said machine.

“You never buy the first model of anything,” comes the typical response. “You allow the manufacturer to sort through their teething issues and bugs first.”

That brings us to the new Triumph TF250-X.

The British brand’s first motocrosser is ready to shake up the tightly-fought 250cc establishment, and dispel some long-running ‘new-bike’ myths along the way.

Subject to a rigorous five-year development program assisted by the likes of Ricky Carmichael and Ivan Cervantes, the new Triumph TF250-X arrives in Australia with seemingly every box ticked.

It features premium components throughout and comes with a company boasting a rich history in not only building quality motorcycles, but providing components to some of the world’s most gruelling motorsport, including the role of Moto2 engine supplier.

The TF250-X is the first in a line of promised motocross and off-road enduro models from Triumph – the next in line being the larger TF450-X at the end of the year.

Triumph is well aware that first impressions matter. So does the TF250-X do as intended, and shoot straight to the top of the 250 four-stroke ranks?

How much does the 2024 Triumph TF250-X cost?

The Triumph TF250-X is priced at $14,250 ride-away in Australia.

At that money it sits virtually line-ball with rivals from KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas, and comes just over the top of Japanese 250 four-stroke competitors from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.

The TF250-X will be sold throughout Triumph’s 30-strong dealer network in Australia, but there are plans to expand into more regional areas as part of the brand’s growing off-road and motocross portfolios.

Triumph dealers will offer sales, services, parts, and a whole range of apparel, with a mobile-optimized 24/7 online parts supply system allowing for express delivery or in-store pick-up.

What powers the 2024 Triumph TF250-X?

So here’s the rub: the Triumph TF250-X utilises an engine and frame that have been developed in-house by Triumph, as well as being manufactured and assembled at their Thai plant.

The 249.95cc liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine contains a forged aluminium piston and titanium valves with finger follower activation, as well as diamond-like carbon low-friction coatings, lightweight magnesium covers, and a Exedy Belleville clutch.

Most impressively, the 250 mill boasts a segment-leading 47 horsepower (35kW) and 28.6Nm, and is paired with a five-speed transmission incorporating a quickshifter.

It gets a stock exhaust system fitted with a resonator to help boost torque and help with harmonics to ensure a deep note, according to Triumph. Or you can pony up an additional $2100 for a full aftermarket Akropovic exhaust system.

In terms of other hardware, a Triumph-built aluminium spine frame chassis with twin cradles wraps around the engine and contributes to an equal best-in-class wet weight of 104kg.

In addition, every Triumph frame is hand-welded to ensure quality control.

What equipment does the Triumph TF250-X have?

Triumph is humble enough to admit it didn’t have the in-house expertise to properly execute the TF250-X completely independently. So the manufacturer brought in some help.

The 250’s blistering engine is harnessed by an Athena Engine Management System (EMS) that can be tuned or tailored via the MX Tune Pro app, while launch control, switchable traction control and two map options can be configured via the handlebar switchblock.

Braking is handled by Brembo components, with a twin 24mm piston floating front caliper and a single 26mm piston floating rear caliper. The calipers are paired with 260mm and 220mm Galfer discs respectively.

KYB suspension is also included on the TF 250-X, with a 48mm AOS spring fork combined with a forged and machined 7075-T6 aluminium triple clamp and a three-way piggyback coil rear shock.

The TF 250-X is fitted with DirtStar 7000 Series aluminium rims and machined aluminium hubs, and are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-soft tyres. Rounding out the equipment list is a Pro Taper ACF carbon ‘bar and ODI half-waffle lock-on grips.

With all that said, taking full advantage of the TF250-X’s performance and technology does require some additional spend. The $321 WiFi module (which enable up to 10 different mapping mode compared with the standard two) is the most obvious one, while a Triumph holeshot device costs $131.

What is the Triumph TF250-X like to ride?

If you were to describe the Triumph TF250-X in one word, it would be that of ‘light’.

Everything about its handling characteristics centres on lightness, from the way the engine percolates and spins so freely through the rev range, to the flex and agility of the chassis.

It is an excellent, confidence-inspiring bike, and we salute Triumph on executing its brief of ‘the most complete package at every riding level’.

In terms of the cockpit layout, we found it a relatively straight-forward match for your correspondent’s 176cm frame, with the Pro Taper ‘bars offering ample sweep and the flat seat and rider triangle conducive to both standing up and sitting down.

The seat itself is gently tapered at the outer edges, enabling riders to switch weight around without a second thought. Likewise, the open cockpit and flat seat make weight transfers from front to rear a cinch.

Our circa two-hour stint on the bike at launch also reflected the thoroughness of Triumph’s development program for other reasons. There are no ergonomic idiosyncrasies or shortcuts: everything is as it should be, and it all works very harmoniously.

Each bike on test is set-up with valving to suit an 80kg rider, with sag set at 104mm.

First, the driveline.

With peak power reached from 13,500rpm – just shy of the 14,000rpm cut-out – and peak torque materialising from 9000rpm, the 250cc engine is clearly happiest in the upper reaches of the rev range – perfectly in keeping with the segment.

The engine is impressively punchy when in the peak of its rev range. In soft, thick conditions on the morning of the launch, it did not hesitate whatsoever in any situation, with the engine offering crisp throttle response and assisted by excellent modulation of its electronic aids – namely, the engine mapping and traction control (which is virtually imperceptible so far as power cutting goes).

Off the bottom, the engine isn’t as enthusiastic, but it sure is smooth; work it into the mid-range and you’ll discover a broad band of power. The engine spins so freely it never feels unwieldy approaching redline either. In fact, it almost asks you for more.

Engine braking is a nice middle ground, but one element of the TF250-X we’d like to spend more time with is the gearbox. By comparison, the shift feels a little notchy and the ratios are a bit inconsistent on the relatively tight test track at the launch.

We reckon some familiarity with the gearbox on a track closer to home will be the perfect gauge. With or without the quickshifter button engaged, the gearbox isn’t as nice as it could be: on face value, we wouldn’t be surprised if owners tend to play with the Triumph’s 13/48 sprocket ratio too.

The Brembo hydraulic clutch is lightly weighted and consistent in its take-up, and for what it’s worth the engine sounds great even without an aftermarket exhaust. It is constantly underlined by a mild whirr or whistle, which we believe to be induction noise.

Equally, the TF250-X impresses with its stability and rideability too.

The front end offers excellent feeling and connection to the earth underneath through corners. It means you can lean on the chassis through deep ruts and looser surfaces with confidence, knowing the front end isn’t going to push wide.

There’s a decisiveness to the chassis, without it feeling nervous. It flexes at all the right moments to impart feeling and response, but also offers rigidity when it needs too; Triumph has nailed the balance in our eyes.

Higher speed stability is also assured with the excellent KYB suspension, which offers great control through the stroke, as well as excellent feedback: a great gauge of what’s happening underneath without any deflections or unwanted vibration.

Should I buy a Triumph TF250-X?

It totally depends on what you want from your 250 four-stroke.

If the answer is ‘something new’, ‘something different’ or ‘something fast’, the Triumph TF250-X should definitely be on your radar because it identifies with all three criteria.

It’s too early to say whether the TF250-X is the new front-runner of the 250 establishment – some upcoming tests ought to give us an answer – but Triumph has definitely achieved what it set out to do. This bike is fun, it’s punchy and it’s perfectly rideable at all levels.

Perhaps the biggest challenge will be convincing the MX cohort that there’s no need to wait for a second invitation. This first effort is that impressive.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Type: Single cylinder liquid-cooled 4-Stroke DOHC
Capacity: 249.95 cc
Bore x stroke: 78mm x 52.3mm
Compression: 14.4
Fuel system: 48mm Dellorto Throttle Body, Athena EMS

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 47 horsepower (35kW) at13,500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 28.6Nm at 9000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: 5 Speed with quick shifter
Clutch: Wet multi-plate Belleville spring
Final Drive: 13/48, chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Aluminium, Spine
Swingarm: Aluminium-Fabricaton
Front Suspension: KYB 48mm Coil Spring Fork, Compression/Rebound Adjustment, 310mm Travel
Rear Suspension: KYB Coil, Compression Adjustment (H and L Speed), Rebound Adjustment, 305mm Travel
Front Brakes: Brembo Twin 24mm (0.94in) Piston, 260mm (10.23in) Disc
Rear Brakes: Brembo Single 26mm (1.02in) Piston, 220mm (8.66in) Disc
Instrument Display and Functions Hour Meter, Multifunction Switch Cubes
Front Tyre: 80/100 – 21 Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-soft
Rear Tyre: 100/90 – 19 Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-soft

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Handlebar width: 836mm
Height: 1270mm
Seat Height: 960mm
Wheelbase: 1492mm
Rake: 27.4 º
Trail: 116mm
Fuel capacity: 7 litres
Claimed wet weight: 104kg

OTHER STUFF
Price: $14,250 ride away
Colours: Black and white with yellow accenting