Triumph Builds a 450cc Dirt Bike With the TF 450-RC

Triumph Motorcycles, following up on last year’s TF 250-X and its promise to build out a broader line of off-road bikes, has released details on its first-ever 450cc class motocross machine, the TF 450-RC. The model will be available starting in February of 2025 and will be priced at $10,995.

In order to come out of the gate swinging, Triumph got the help of the GOAT himself, Ricky Carmichael, to assist in the development of the bike. The “RC Edition” moniker, GOAT logo, No. 4 race plate, and additional aesthetic touches all celebrate the input Carmichael provided.

“At the end of 2023, Triumph revealed the long-awaited TF 250-X—the first in an all-new range of off-road motorcycles,” explained Steve Sargent, Triumph’s chief product officer, in a company release. “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. 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.”

This dirt bike is more than just a bunch of honorary aesthetics however. It’s designed to hold its own against the current crop of competition machines, if not surpass them. At its heart is a new SOHC 450cc single that was created to provide optimal performance throughout the rev range. To start, Triumph made the mill as slim and lightweight as possible, resulting in an engine that, in Triumph’s words, has a “power-to-weight ratio that leads the class.”

Inside you’ll find a Konig-forged aluminum piston and Del West titanium valves, DLC-coated rockers, an intake system that utilizes a Twin Air filter, and Dellorto throttle body. The combustion chamber is designed for optimal airflow and efficiency, and the intake system is designed to move high volumes of air. The standard edition comes with a stainless steel exhaust system with an integrated resonator, though riders can upgrade to an Akrapovič titanium system if higher performance is needed. The Athena engine management system gives riders a range of parameter adjustments. Riders can make tweaks to the engine character through the MX Tune Pro app.

The bike has a quickshifter that allows for clutchless upshifts from second to fifth gear. It has a high-capacity clutch with steel basket and plates, along with hydraulic clutch actuation. It also has selectable engine maps, with one designed by Carmichael himself, and an Xtrig holeshot device that helps make race starts more effective.

The chassis utilizes a twin-cradle aluminum frame that was designed with race conditions and demands in mind. It’s lightweight and optimized for lateral, longitudinal, and torsional stiffness. KYB AOS coil suspension kit front and rear aims to provide ideal handling and bump absorption across a wide variety of terrain. Brembo calipers and Galfer discs bring the TF 450-RC Edition to a stop. The bike is also equipped with D.I.D DirtStar rims and Dunlop Geomax MX34 tires.

As for the looks, for now the bike is only available in the black-and-white color with Triumph Performance Yellow accents.