that I liked the TF a lot . I found lots of frontend grip and am stoked that Triumph went with the spring fork option . The engine gives off a nice throaty sound through the exhaust , while also giving a little ‘ whistling ’ noise from the engine – kinda different and cool . This bike ( and the 450- RC ) have both passed the new FIM sound regulations that all other manufactures will need to comply with very soon . And sticking with the engine , it has a very broad power delivery and revs out to around 13,000rpm , meaning it can really hold onto those gears for a long time . However , I preferred to shift shorter and stay in the midrange , and found it could hold third gear where perhaps other bikes would have needed second gear . It probably doesn ’ t quite have the bottom end of the Yamaha , although it ’ s very close , but it revs out much further than any other bike , including the KTM . This is a fast engine – no two ways about it . I ’ ve been a 450 guy for the past 20 years , and it ’ s only in the last six months or so I ’ ve been enjoying the benefits of a 250cc four-stroke .
After riding the older model Honda , the new Yamaha , and now the Triumph , I ’ m all-in on 250s , with the TF being in the conversation as my favourite so far . A small gripe for me is the bike is littered with Torx bolts , where most other bikes have that common 8mm bolt . So , should you invest in the Triumph brand , you are going to need to invest in some Torx T-Bars for the tool-box . A positive is that the muffler is easy to re-pack with screws rather than rivets – good work guys . Triumph told us the TF 250-X was designed for comfort and performance … I think I can say that ’ s mission accomplished .
KIWI RIDER 67