Triumph’s New MX Bike Wants To Beat Honda And KTM At Their Own Game

The world of motocross is dominated by the likes of Yamaha, Honda, and KTM. So it seems impossible for a newbie to crack through. However, Triumph Motorcycles proved otherwise with its then-new TF 250-X dirt bike in 2023. This “entry-level” dirt bike was built with input from riders like motocross icon Ricky Carmichael and World Enduro champion Ivan Cervantes. So, the competitive spirit is through the roof here.

For 2026, Triumph has further refined its winning formula with incremental updates. While the engine internals and other key components remain unchanged, the 2026 TF 250-X receives a range of hardware updates to enhance the riding experience. It also gets a visual refresh to complete the package. The new Triumph TF 250-X continues to lock horns with the Yamaha YZ250F, the Honda CRF250R, and the KTM 250 SX-F.

The major updates on the 2026 TF 250-X focus on making it even more aggressive in the motocross racing world. Pushing it harder are features like a new airbox and exhaust to maximize airflow. It is coupled with a new engine mapping that claims to improve power delivery and throttle response. The new ECU mapping is said to “enable quicker launches and sharper corner exits.” Elevating the package further is a new Exedy clutch that offers “more direct engagement, enhanced durability under extreme conditions, and a lot more torque tolerance.”

Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Product Officer, Steve Sargent, states:

Notable Performance-Enhancing Updates

• FIM and AMA race sound-regulated airbox and exhaust
• Updated ECU to deliver crisper throttle response and enhanced power
• New high-performance Exedy clutch

Updated Suspension And A Visual Refresh Round Off The Package

The aluminum spine chassis remains unchanged, but the new TF 250-X does get an updated suspension setup. Triumph claims that this package provides “improved mid-stroke control, better chassis balance, and enhanced cornering stability.” The hardware is retained with fully adjustable KYB 48 mm forks up front and a KYB monoshock at the rear. The tweaks are courtesy of adjustments to the internals, such as the viscosity of the suspension fluid and the spring rates. A visual refresh with a new graphics scheme that includes vibrant in-mold decals in a bright Performance Yellow shade is present, too.

When Is The 2026 Triumph TF 250-X Launching In America?

The new Triumph TF 250-X is launching this summer in the UK, for a starting price of £9,395.00 (~$12,600). This pricing shouldn’t scare you, because that’s just the conversion rates at play. If it follows the same pricing trend as the UK-spec model (the 2025 UK-spec model was priced at £9,795), then we might even see the 2026 MY getting cheaper when compared to the 2025 US-spec model’s MSRP of $9,495. It is still an assumption that we would love to see come true. Regarding the launch date, the new Triumph TF 250-X is expected to arrive at American dealerships in December 2025.

2026 Triumph TF 250-X Specs