I've been hearing about the issues people are having with Triumphs lately but I wanted to make a thread about real world reviews of the bike and any setup tips people might want to share.
I'm up to 16hrs on my TF450 and really loving the bike now. It's definitely not perfect but after some small changes I am gelling with it and it's now my favourite 450 I've ever owned by far. Previous 450's were a 23 yz450 and 24 kx450.
Changes I have made are very minimal but have made a big difference. I got rid of the RC bend odi bars for my favourite renthal 839 fatbar. I changed the gearing from 13/48 to 13/52, it sounds like a big change but it allows me run 3rd/4th gear on all the tracks I ride. Along with this I added 2 links to the chain and put the axle right back. I'm running the deep sand map. I've gone up 2 spring rates in the rear with stock valving. Forks have gone up 1 rate with a revalve. Running 102 to 104 sag with forks 2.5mm through the clamps. I weigh around 95kg and vet B speed, purely motocross.
These changes have made this the most fun toy like 450 I've ever ridden. It's a very comfortable chassis with a good mix of stability and cornering. It doesn't do anything crazy well but does nothing bad, this is a good recipe in my books. The engine is very smooth off the bottom but with plenty of torque in the mid range, which allows it to be ridden aggressively if you want. This is what I think makes it so fun.
The negatives. Mapping is good but not great, it has a slight rich stutter off the bottom in certain situations. And the biggest negative is the shifting, it is very very stiff to up shift. I haven't had any major issues with it yet but I will say I do not trust the gearbox 100%.
If Triumph can fix a few small issues with there next model they are definitely onto a winner.
Would love to hear any feedback or setup tips from anyone else willing to share.
Sorry for the long post 🤦♂️
Great insight and worth the post.
17.2 hours on mine, 13/50 gearing and 116L chain (stock is 114L and 13/48). Also prefer the 'Sand - Wet' map, with 'Expert' and 'RC Signature' (standard second map, blue light on) being quality options to try as well.
Relatively stock on the suspension side (just clickers: C15/R14; HS 7/8, LS14, R11), even at 185lbs and SoCal 30A speed. 2.5mm fork height. 100-102mm sag. 26mm free sag tells me I need to bump up the spring rate, but this is a long-term test bike so that's not in the cards at the moment.
LOVE the handling, lightweight, front end accuracy, ergos, KYB suspension, and Brembo brakes. New owners - Keep an eye on the spokes: Have a 6.5mm tip handy and stay on top of them multiple times the first 10-hours. Only odd issues encountered were randomly losing the rear brake pedal spring at the 8-hour mark (luckily had a 2T pipe spring in the tool box to make do). Tore the seat cover on one side, as I'm a knee brace wearer and aggressive with the grip (happens on basically every bike, this one lasted 14-hours). Love the camber offset designed in the foot pegs (ergos-wise), but it tore up the outside soles of my Gaerne SG12's. I have a feeling most other boots (Astars, Fox, Sidi) with smaller foot beds won't encounter said wear.
Replaced the MX34 front with my favorite MX3S (made the front end input even better), kept the rear sizing at 110/90-19 as she doesn't pull a 120/80 or 120/90 with the same handling character. On 4th oil change now with 10w50 Maxima Pro+ oil, has been clear of production debris since first screen/filter change. Shifting is good, but I'm smoother/easier than most on transmissions/clutches. Also to note, I do not run QS or TC. PS: Those who abuse the clutch, are heavier, ride deep tracks should call Hinson and inquire about their fix.
Overall, this bike has impressed the heck out of me! Sincerely hoping others share the same experience and that Triumph's 450 effort can advance as quickly as their 250 program - They're on the right track.
How nimble does it feel compared to your Kawi and Yamaha?
Now I'm used to the bike i would say alot more nimble than the Kawi and still slightly more nimble than the Yamaha.
I've been a long time lover of 350's and always had one in the shed. I've always lent towards preferring the 350 over 450's because for me I prefer handling over power. I recently sold my 23 350sxf thinking I was definitely going to get another one, now with the TF450 and don't think I'm going to.
Its definitely not as nimble as the 350 but it's as close to as any 450 I've ever ridden. The chassis comfort and overall handling almost makes me forget about getting another 350.
Have you ridden a 24+ KX? I am curious as to your opinion of comparison with the KX thrown in there. I had 350 and loved it for the same reasons. I since then have loved the smooth character of the kawi but it still is a 450 "heavy" feeling compared to the 350.
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Yeah my previous 450 was a 24 kx450 and i really liked it, very smooth easy to ride 450. But i actually got bored with it, the power just didn't have any excitement to it. The triumph is similar to the kx right off the bottom, very smooth and easy to control but builds alot quicker and stronger into the midrange which makes it alot more fun to ride.
Now I have the TF fairly dialed it feels more fun and nimble than the kx but is definitely still a 450. The TF still feels closer in handling to the kx than it does my 23 350sxf. But I think it's playful enough that I'll pick it over the 350 now. This is taking into account that I ride alot of deep sand tracks and im 95kg. I think if I was lighter and rode mainly harder tracks I might lean towards the 350 still.
And I've heard rumours that the 26 TF450 may have some updates to the transmission so if true that is some very good news.
You had stated that you had a KX in your original post. My bad 🙃 Thanks for the articulate response as well! I would like to try one some day. They definitely have peaked my interest.
I was between Triumph 450 and another KTM 450 but this about Triumph still not taking responsibility for the gearbox is a big red flag. This won't be the only problem and if this is how they handle it its to big of a risk.
Was hoping they made some kind of announcement after seeing this shit blowing up.
I really wouldn't let that put you off getting the triumph. I'm not saying they don't have any issues but the internet is not the greatest place to get the true story sometimes. I'm 20hrs on mine now and I'm sure there's plenty more out there that are running just fine, you just don't hear about the good the ones.
Also I do believe the 26 will have a few updated parts which will hopefully fix any of these issues.
I would take the TF450 over a ktm450 even if I had to rebuild the gearbox every 20hrs 🤣
Triumph has taken care of all the odd problems I’ve seen including my bike. I’m not aware of one bike that has not been taken care of when the dealer actually exhausts all options of communication with Triumph corporate. The current claims that they’re not being taken care of sounds more like a dealer not willing to move beyond the standard warranty claim, which gets denied because they’re past 30 days. There’s avenue beyond standard warranty claim that dealers can utilize (my dealer did for my bike that was 11 months owned and 20 hours).
Ok, I have 2 at home that have issues with rough shifting but no failures that is also why I'm very reluctant because I just see it as a pre-phase for a failure.
I have seen 3 separate posts. 2 on Facebook and one here (thread) about the same issue with gearbox/shiftdrum.
See below
I'm not saying there are not issues with the bike, but people will always come to the internet to post negative or bad stories. It's very rare people post good stuff, they are too busy enjoying what they have.
And i do find it hard to believe that triumph, if pushed by dealers would tell there customer to piss off if they had a major failure. I'm not saying you won't find cases where this might happen but I believe it would be very rare. And also the internet is full of stories just like this from many other manufacturers.
How has the 450 been treating you? I am tossing around the idea of picking one up. Ive been on their 250 for two seasons now and love it but would love some more power. 350 seems like a great option however, I love the chassis and have parts stockpiled for the Triumphs so it would be hard to do a complete brand switch.
Anyone got their hands on the 450x yet? Seen some pictures, and reviews of them in the wild but no price on the sight or delivery dates. People Ive talked to who've gotten the transmission updates to their 2025 450RCs have said its fixed lots of issues.
It's still my favourite 450 for sure but the itch to test it back to back against a 350 got me so I have bought a 25 350sxf.
And im sad to say the 450 doesn't really get ridden anymore. I've had many 350's and just keep coming back to them. I prefer handling over power and I don't care what anyone says, no 450 will ever handle as well as a 350. Back to back the 350 feels like a toy to ride compared to the 450. The motor on the 23+ 350's is also amazing, quick revving, very torquey (for a 350) and revs to the moon. I ride 90% for fun now and no bike makes me smile and want to keep riding like the 350.
Pricing announced for the 26 TF-250X and TF-450X
250X: 9,795
450X: 10,695
Little higher than your average japanese 450 but cheaper than KTM group.
Double posting
Going to pick up my TF-450X next tuesday. Looking for some parts info.
Does anyone know if the 450 needs the oil pump rotor and oil pump gear upgrades from plastic to steel? I know the TF250 runs a plastic oil pump rotor and gears but not if the 450 does. I ordered the KTM steel rotor upgrade cause it was cheap regardless.
Also does anyone know what arc levers can transfer over if any from a KTM? Arcs website is being worked on at the moment and I can only find the brake lever on RMATV.
I also ordered a set of springs for forks and shock and while the shock is pretty straightforward for me, I'm getting some inconsistent fork spring rates across RideJBI, K tech, O springs, and Race Tech. Ranging from .55s fronts all the way down to .52s. I eventually went with. 52s as they are the same on my Yamaha. Unfortunately I am not a small man and have to spring the bike. Does anyone know the typical ranging of spring rates?
Not sure on the oils pump gears sorry, mine are all stock and been fine.
Any levers that fit a ktm should fit the triumph.
How much do you weigh? I'm 95kg and run 5.2nm springs, B grade motocross.
Im 240, and working down to 220. Im C class on an MX track and B/A class in desert. I ended up going with .52s in the front, but might have to swap up to .54s.
Pit Row
Any updates from anyone? How is everyone liking their bikes? I'm a fan of the bike and kinda surprised it didn't do better in the magazine shootouts.
I sold mine, not because it was a bad bike but because I realised I definitely like 350's better.
I will say it was a hard bike to sell and i took alot bigger loss than I normally do with other brands.
I got to spend a solid day riding one and trying to get it set up with a buddy. It wasn't bad, but had some unpredictable handling characteristics I wasn't a fan of. I normally ride a kx450, which I thought was the far better bike stock. The triumph motor pulled harder, but the Kawi is just so easy to ride fast for a long period of time.
What handling characteristics did you notice?
I disagree, I parked my 24 KX that I fully built for the Triumph. For us average (Non Pro) riders, I think the Triumph is a very forgiving bike and is way easier to ride longer than my KX. I loved my KX before I spent time on the Triumph.
As for setup, heavier and faster riders, add 10cc to 15cc in the fork and run the compression from 8-10 clicks out. Go up one or two teeth on the rear sprocket to shorten the 2-3 gap and be able to ride third in more turns. I liked the 50tooth with a two link (can't just take one out) chain. I also removed one of the screens in the muffler and pinched back the baffle in the end cap. Change the map to the Wet/Sand map or the Expert map or the Wet/Sand ignition with the Expert Fuel. The Hinson clutch plates, and stiffer spring kit helps the feel of the clutch.
All of these mods cost a few hundred bucks.
From there I would go to fork springs if you are still blowing through the stoke in certain conditions and G-Outs.
Imo, It would feel good then suddenly have an erratic response to something on the track. Almost like their was to much flex in the bike and it would occasionally load up weird or something. It was easy to get on and feel comfortable on though The ergos were good. I thought the power was fine. The clutch was stiff feeling compared to the Kawi, but not bad. I didn't notice issues shifting but I'm not much or a revver either. The triumph was fine until I started pushing it more on a pretty rough track. That's when it felt like it would just want to bite me once in awhile compared to the Kawi.
But again, I rode it one day. My opinion might change with more time on it and setup and everyone is different in what they want in a bike and handling.
Are you riding a 2025 RC or a 2016 X model? If you are riding the 2026, its the upper engine mounts that are causing this sensation. I just tested both back to back and yes, the straight line bump feel is slightly better with the 26 mounts on square edged hits, but when the bike is leaning and under a load not straight up, you can feel what you are talking about in some conditions. If you do, just pick up a pair of 2025 upper engine mounts or talk to some of the engine mount dudes.
Loving mine. It took some work, initially the bike was terrible when I set it up similar to my YZ450F, we softened it and it was great until the suspension it broke in and it was absolutely terrible again. A little bit of time on the clickers fixed it right up.
I'm still running a 110/90 rear on it but updated to the new Pirelli MX32s. The old ones had better edge grip but it like to skate around on decel, hooked up hard on throttle though.
I notice the bike isnt a fan of square edge chop or hits on a lean. We had a single into some square edge at my local track, and the bike would feel like it would crumble underneath me almost. Also a square edge at the bottom of a jump face coming out a corner would make me lose the rear everytime. However its predictable. I'm sure this is fixable with some better valving, it can be pretty harsh and blow through the top of the stroke.
Compared to my YZ450f that's all nicely set up. My YZ450 jumps a lot better IMO, it seems to take less speed to hit the same jumps the TF450X does but the TF450X likes to hit inside lines way better and I generally have better corner speed with it. Basically Yamaha =point and shoot, Triumph = Flow and momentum.
Bikes brakes and clutch are absolutely amazing.
My biggest gripes with the TF450X is the oil sight glass is absolutely terrible. It being behind the brake pedal is one thing but the fact its also dark, tinted in color is absolutely foolish. You can barely tell where your oil level is at.
-Another gripe is the 450x decals fly off easy when pressure washing, even if you're carefully passing over it.
-It vibrates a lot, not like a 2 stroke but definitely vibrates more than my 24 KX450 did.
-Not a fan of the KTM triples but that's more of a minor complaint.
-If I can't modify the maps on the ECU Id at least like the option to download some. Id like the 450RC map, but I'm currently using the dry sand map. It made the bike overall more aggressive. Im gonna dry the expert map soon cause my local track here is a bit tighter.
Beyond some further nitpicks, I really like the bike. It has a lot of potential, could use some more waking up especially here at altitude.
Any updates?What’s the best exhaust for more bottom end?
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