Triumph wants to challenge the competition with the new TF 250-C and TF 450-C designed specifically for cross country racing.
For most riders, the name Triumph sparks images of cafe racers, classic roadsters, and adventure bikes like the Tiger. It’s a brand that helped define motorcycling in the UK and the rest of the world, and one that’s carried legends like Steve McQueen to the modern-day scrambler crowd.
But in recent years, Triumph has been charting new territory. Its entry into off-road competition, once unthinkable, is now a reality. And it’s proving that Hinckley isn’t just here to play catch-up.
The shift started with adventure racing. Triumph’s Tiger 900 showed its teeth in rally raids like Baja Aragón, surprising skeptics and securing stage wins against established rivals. That success was more than a PR stunt. It set the foundation for Triumph to dive headfirst into pure off-road, culminating in the launch of its first motocross machine, the TF 250-X. Purpose-built and tested with elite riders, the TF 250-X marked Triumph’s intent to enter a space traditionally dominated by the Japanese Big Four and the likes of KTM and Husqvarna.
And now, Triumph is expanding that program with two new weapons for cross country: the TF 250-C and TF 450-C.
Cross country racing is a different animal compared to motocross. Instead of short, explosive sprints around man-made tracks, it demands endurance, adaptability, and a machine that can go the distance over miles of natural terrain. That’s exactly where the new Triumphs come in.
The TF 250-C uses a high-revving 250cc single that makes 46.7 horsepower at 13,250 rpm and 20.9 pound-feet at 9,250 rpm. It’s the agile choice, built for riders who thrive on technical singletrack and quick transitions. The TF 450-C steps up the punch with a 450cc single producing 61.6 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 36.8 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm, giving racers the muscle to dominate high-speed straights and steep climbs. Both engines feature forged aluminum pistons, DelWest titanium valves, and diamond-like carbon coatings for durability, along with magnesium covers and advanced cooling to keep performance steady under pressure.
A lightweight aluminum spine frame, developed specifically for cross country, ties it all together. KYB’s AOS coil suspension with oil-air separation provides consistent damping over long stages, while Brembo brakes with Galfer discs and a five-speed quickshifter gearbox deliver precise control. A translucent 8.3L-liter fuel tank, enduro hand guards, and side stand round out the practical details for longer races.
Technology is another area where Triumph is pushing the envelope. Riders get selectable engine maps, traction control, launch assist, and app-based tuning via the MX Tune Pro Module. That means you can fine-tune power delivery for slick woods sections or open fire roads, giving you an edge where conditions change fast.
Add in ProTaper Evo handlebars, ODI lock-on grips, Dunlop Geomax AT82 tires, and an Exedy clutch, and you’ve got a serious race-ready package out of the crate.
It should go without saying that Triumph entering this space is a big deal. It’s not just another motocrosser or enduro bike—it’s proof that one of the most historic names in motorcycling is serious about off-road. And zooming out to the bigger picture, it’s proof that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks. For riders in countries where cross-country racing has deep roots, the TF 250-C and TF 450-C offer something new: a blend of British engineering and modern competition focus that could shake up the starting line.
Triumph has been around long enough to know that reputations aren’t built overnight. But with the Tiger’s rally success, the TF 250-X’s motocross debut, and now these two cross-country machines, the brand is showing it has both the patience and the ambition to make its mark off-road. And if history is any guide, it won’t be long before we start seeing those familiar logos on podiums all over the world.
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Source: Triumph
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