2025 Triumph TF 450-RC Edition – First Look
100% GOAT approved
After debuting the TF 250-X late last year, Triumph has followed it up with its first 450cc motocross bike with the TF 450-RC Edition. Named for the GOAT, Ricky Carmichael, who helped design the bike and played a pivotal role in developing Triumph’s motocross program, the 2025 Triumph TF 450-RC will arrive in dealerships in February for $10,995.
“At the end of 2023, Triumph revealed the long-awaited TF 250-X – the first in an all-new range of off-road motorcycles. We now have a brand new 450cc competition motocross powertrain, which Ricky Carmichael, who is without doubt the very best in the business, has worked with us to develop” says Steve Sargent, Triumph’s chief product officer. “The TF 450-RC Edition offers a balance of power, precision and durability that sets a new standard in the 450cc motocross class. It seems only right that the first edition should have Ricky’s name on it.”
The TF 450-RC is powered by a SOHC 449.5cc Single, with a 95.0 mm bore, 63.4 mm stroke, and 13.1:1 compression ratio. Interestingly, those figures are identical to the bore, stroke, and compression ratio of the KTM 450 SX-F, and its Husqvarna and GasGas equivalents.
Triumph’s engine features a combustion chamber machined for optimal airflow and efficiency. The DelWest titanium valves are likewise designed for optimal airflow and fast actuation, and the rockers are treated with a diamond-like carbon coating for reduced friction. The König-forged aluminum piston is also designed for strength and durability. No performance figures were released, but Triumph claims the TF 450-RC offers a class-leading power-to-weight ratio.
The airbox and intake are designed to supply a consistent, high volume of air. The filter is accessible without tools, making for easier maintenance.
The TF 450-RC offers selectable maps, including a unique map customized by Carmichael for his exact needs. An engine management system from Athena manages fuel delivery and throttle response, while traction control and launch control systems are tunable via a smartphone app.
A stainless steel exhaust with integrated resonator comes standard, but Triumph will also offer an Akrapovič titanium exhaust, which comes with a dedicated engine map. The engine is matched with a hydraulic clutch with a Brembo master cylinder, and a five-speed gearbox with a quickshifter offering clutchless upshifts for second through fifth gears.
Overall, the engine is designed to have a narrow profile. Carmichael hand picked the top engine mounts to maintain optimal control and stability, improving handling under heavy front-end loads. The engine is mounted to an aluminum frame optimized for longitudinal, lateral, and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight.
KYB provides the 48mm inverted fork with adjustable compression and rebound, and 12.2 inches of travel. The fork is paired with a fully-adjustable KYB piggyback rear shock.offering 12.0 inches of travel.
Brembo supplies the dual-piston front caliper, single piston rear caliper, and levers, while Galfer provides the 260 mm front and 220 mm rear rotors. The D.I.D. DirtStar rims come clad in Dunlop Geomax MX34 tires
Other features include an XTrig holeshot device, a Triumph Racing HInson clutch cover, a front disc guard, and a grippy seat design.
2025 Triumph TF 450-RC Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Single-cylinder 4-stroke SOHC |
Capacity | 449.5cc |
Bore x Stroke | 95 mm x 63.4 mm |
Compression | 13.1:1 |
Fuel System | Dell'Orto throttle body, Athena EMS |
Exhaust | Single Silencer |
Final Drive | Chain, 13/48 |
Clutch | Steel wet multi-plate Belleville spring, hydraulic actuation |
Gearbox | 5 speed |
Frame | Aluminum spine |
Swingarm | Aluminum fabrication |
Front Wheel | 21" x 1.6" |
Rear Wheel | 19" x 2.15" |
Front Tyre | 80/100 - 21 |
Rear Tyre | 110/90 - 19 |
Front Suspension | KYB 48mm coil spring fork, compression/rebound adjustment, 12.2 inches |
Rear Suspension | KYB coil, compression adjustment (H and L speed), rebound adjustment, 12.0 inches of travel |
Front Brakes | Brembo twin 24mm Piston, 260mm disc |
Rear Brakes | Brembo single 26mm piston, 220mm disc |
Instruments | Hour meter, multifunction switch cubes |
Width (Handlebars) | 32.9 inches |
Height | 50.0 inches |
Seat Height | 37.8 inches |
Wheelbase | 58.7 inches |
Rake / Trail | 27.4° / 4.6 inches |
Wet Weight | 239 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 1.8 gallons |
2025 Triumph TF 450-RC Edition Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
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This looks nice. Triumph also partnered with great companies like KYB, Brembo, etc. They should sell more than a few of the off road version when that comes out.
As luck would have it for Triumph, lots of folks are disillusioned with KTM due to reliability issues across many of their models both on road and off, particularly since Covid. Glad the KTM 300 in my sig pic is an '18 😄
With it's increased reliability issues in combo with that company's widely known to be poor customer service, KTM has left the door wide open. Go get it Triumph!
Triumph has a great looking bike. Can't wait to see it on the track with Ducati and the Japanese.