’ m really not going to lie … as a life-long Triumph guy I was super excited when the word got out that the iconic brand was jumping with both feet back into the offroad scene. I waited with baited breath for them to arrive, and, after my first sting on the TF250-X, I was even more excited for the enduro range to drop. I mean, if the moto version was anything to go by, we were in for a real treat when the enduro bikes hit the dirt.

ALIEN TECHNOLOGY Triumph has really done the hard work here, the enduro range isn’ t simply an MX machine with an 18-inch rear wheel and some softer suspension valving. No, these things are ground up builds to suit enduro riding; things like the swing arm( 10mm longer), larger fuel capacity, 18-inch wheel, heavier crank and revised

timing make this very much‘ fit for purpose’. These bikes really do have it all, LED headlight, hydraulic clutch, easy to use display( featuring timers, speedo, odo and hours) and a switch cluster that boasts launch control, traction control, quick-shifter and two map settings( which with a WiFi module gives you more scope for much more tuning ability). What’ s it like to ride? Well, the power is silky smooth and broad at the same time. How they’ ve managed this I’ m not really sure, some say it’ s alien technology, while others put it down to magical dust found deep in the heart of the UK, or, perhaps, it’ s just a really well thought-out set up … you decide. The comment has been made that I have been riding faster than I have in a long time on this bike, and, to be honest, I feel very comfortable every

KIWI RIDER 53