After attending the New Zealand launch of the Triumph TF250-X back in February, I gave the bike a rave review. Four months later and I’ ve had the opportunity to get to know the new British MX machine a little better, riding the Riwi Rider long term test bike on some of my more regular local tracks. These tracks are a combination of slippery grass paddock, natural terrain motocross and deep sand berm blasting. Being on more familiar terrain was a great opportunity to see if my comments from the launch were accurate across the variety of conditions we get here in New Zealand. To find out more from the launch review, hit the link above.
GRASS TRACK First off, the TF250-X is a grass track weapon. The neutral balance and comfy cockpit of the bike is perfect for drifting through those speedwaystyle, flat grass corners. Slippery wet green grass usually induces a lot of fear in my soul but on the TF250-X I found that the front end has a lot of bite, especially under braking and inspires confidence to lean in on corner entry, very
predictably even in slick conditions. The broad spread of power allows for good smooth roll-on of the throttle during corner exit, the bike gets amazing traction, and it powers forward rapidly out of the corners. The chassis and suspension feel very compliant on the square edge type of bumps that tend to develop in natural terrain MX. The KYB suspension has a nice top layer that is plush on the chop and allows the brakes / tyres to grip nicely. And it still has enough hold up for the bigger, high-speed hits and doesn’ t dive under braking, not compromising on one characteristic or the other, rather a nice blend of both.
SAND In deep sand the Triumph loves to be revved and is happy being ridden hanging off the back with plenty of throttle. Moving my weight back from the centre of the bike in the sand, the Triumph doesn’ t have any issues steering with the rear and hanging it out a bit more. It still tracks as straight as an arrow in the deep sand ruts with no moving around or twitching under straight line deceleration.
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