Triumph TF450 transmission updates.

mooch
Posts
1753
Joined
2/16/2008
Location
OH US
Fantasy
3/27/2026 2:59pm
Dirtdemon wrote:

Dear PH and ML, any news according this ?
Possible to ask the factory teams ? 
 

Don't know if Keefer has any kind of role with Triumph but I thought it was pretty lame how he got folk's hopes up when he popped his head in at the beginning of this thread back in July saying he'd look into it.  I tagged him a few months later to see if he'd respond with anything. LOL....He did a Homer and went back into the bushes and hasn't been seen again. 

1
cwtoyota
Posts
2373
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA US
3/27/2026 3:38pm
Dirtdemon wrote:

Dear PH and ML, any news according this ?
Possible to ask the factory teams ? 
 

mooch wrote:
Don't know if Keefer has any kind of role with Triumph but I thought it was pretty lame how he got folk's hopes up when he...

Don't know if Keefer has any kind of role with Triumph but I thought it was pretty lame how he got folk's hopes up when he popped his head in at the beginning of this thread back in July saying he'd look into it.  I tagged him a few months later to see if he'd respond with anything. LOL....He did a Homer and went back into the bushes and hasn't been seen again. 

Keefer has a testing relationship with Triumph and he's been very clear about that.
He tried to race their bike last year at Lorettas and he was getting false neutral and (wisely in my opinion) chose not to race that bike.

Kris isn't going to come onto the forum and say negative things about a brand that he has a business relationship with.
He probably wanted to bring some good news from the brand and either forgot, or decided to steer clear of the conversation because he's got a conflict of interest.

Yamaha YZ250s have had gearbox design flaws since the 1999 model and Yamaha has done nothing to address the issue.
@lowmass  has described a bunch of great observations that match some things I've learned about motocross transmissions and how to improve them. I don't own a Triumph and I don't see myself buying one soon, but I'm interested in the technical side of the sport so I have been following this thread and the investigation into the problems / solutions for the Triumph gearbox.

1
OFalk280
Posts
310
Joined
6/27/2012
Location
Elwood, IL US
3/27/2026 6:21pm
Dirtdemon wrote:

Dear PH and ML, any news according this ?
Possible to ask the factory teams ? 
 

mooch wrote:
Don't know if Keefer has any kind of role with Triumph but I thought it was pretty lame how he got folk's hopes up when he...

Don't know if Keefer has any kind of role with Triumph but I thought it was pretty lame how he got folk's hopes up when he popped his head in at the beginning of this thread back in July saying he'd look into it.  I tagged him a few months later to see if he'd respond with anything. LOL....He did a Homer and went back into the bushes and hasn't been seen again. 

cwtoyota wrote:
Keefer has a testing relationship with Triumph and he's been very clear about that.He tried to race their bike last year at Lorettas and he was...

Keefer has a testing relationship with Triumph and he's been very clear about that.
He tried to race their bike last year at Lorettas and he was getting false neutral and (wisely in my opinion) chose not to race that bike.

Kris isn't going to come onto the forum and say negative things about a brand that he has a business relationship with.
He probably wanted to bring some good news from the brand and either forgot, or decided to steer clear of the conversation because he's got a conflict of interest.

Yamaha YZ250s have had gearbox design flaws since the 1999 model and Yamaha has done nothing to address the issue.
@lowmass  has described a bunch of great observations that match some things I've learned about motocross transmissions and how to improve them. I don't own a Triumph and I don't see myself buying one soon, but I'm interested in the technical side of the sport so I have been following this thread and the investigation into the problems / solutions for the Triumph gearbox.

Keefer also mentioned Triumph 450 QC issues in his “East coast 450 non-shootout” podcast. He hasn’t been completely silent on it. My understanding is that he was going to look into the initial claim of warranty work being denied, which was proven to be on the dealer anyway

1
2
Andrew696
Posts
3
Joined
3/22/2026
Location
Acqualagna, PU IT
4/14/2026 10:46am Edited Date/Time 4/14/2026 2:26pm
Andrew696 wrote:

Just got a fresh TF450 RC 2026 yesterday.

Are there any things or precautions to consider? I've read something about the clutch and transmission.

Thanks in advance

1ST RIDE

Did about 2 hrs on track and I can confirm that clutch and transmission (actually) sucks.
 
  • the clutch does not work properly, bike just pull while approaching tight corners and sometimes engine turns off, this with the oil pump register full closed. The clutch lever also “pulse” when activated… I’ve tried to change engine oil with Motul 10/50 on track, little bit better but issues persist
  • transmission: I’ve put a yzf shifter but nothing changed, bike just don’t upshift under heavy loads, like uphills… and neutral difficult to find with engine off.
I’ve tried to lookup recalls with VIN on Triump’s website but nothing appears: maybe the dealer already upgraded or what?
 
FOLLOW UP AFTER FEW HOURS (4.5)/TEST ON TRACK

I've tried to add a 2nd washer (1mm) to push rod in order to add preload, but nothing changed, bike still pull on corners.
Dealer opened two separate tickets, Triumph replied only for clutch atm, they asked to provide plates's height, mine is 30.36 mm (1,19 in)

It's enough for me, I will ask to bring it back.

 UPDATE:

Dealer replied about transmission issues: "Hi Andrea - Perhaps the question is superfluous because you've certainly already checked. Triumph is telling me this so far: "80% of the time the problem is caused by the selector shaft.
You should try removing the clutch and checking if you notice anything unusual in the movement of the daisy when you move the pedal.
Some people have had the selector fork come unsoldered from the shaft." - Can I say it's fine? Can you confirm this? Thanks again."

The Shop

Kenny Banyan
Posts
3034
Joined
6/2/2024
Location
Seattle, WA US
4/14/2026 11:05am

I haven’t been following this thread much, but these bikes sound like a complete piece of crap. Triumph should be ashamed for the way they have handled this situation. 

2
4/14/2026 1:00pm
I haven’t been following this thread much, but these bikes sound like a complete piece of crap. Triumph should be ashamed for the way they have...

I haven’t been following this thread much, but these bikes sound like a complete piece of crap. Triumph should be ashamed for the way they have handled this situation. 

I will be the forst to say when you get a good one or the fixes work and hold up their great bikes. Ive got to put a couple hours on a 250 and 450(450 i did the bottom end on for a guy)

Their great bikes just sucks they are still having these issues. So far as ive heard everyone that I know that has had a rebuild and repair done to them have held up. But there does seem to be a few new ones popping up still. Idk but once they get this ironed out it will be a hell of a bike.

2
1
Kenny Banyan
Posts
3034
Joined
6/2/2024
Location
Seattle, WA US
4/14/2026 1:38pm
I haven’t been following this thread much, but these bikes sound like a complete piece of crap. Triumph should be ashamed for the way they have...

I haven’t been following this thread much, but these bikes sound like a complete piece of crap. Triumph should be ashamed for the way they have handled this situation. 

I will be the forst to say when you get a good one or the fixes work and hold up their great bikes. Ive got to...

I will be the forst to say when you get a good one or the fixes work and hold up their great bikes. Ive got to put a couple hours on a 250 and 450(450 i did the bottom end on for a guy)

Their great bikes just sucks they are still having these issues. So far as ive heard everyone that I know that has had a rebuild and repair done to them have held up. But there does seem to be a few new ones popping up still. Idk but once they get this ironed out it will be a hell of a bike.

That’s good to hear….💯

Post a reply to: Triumph TF450 transmission updates.

The Latest