Motocross legend and 15-time AMA champ, Ricky Carmichael opens up about the Triumph TF 450 RC

Published: Today 11:55

Ricky Carmichael with the Triumph TF 450 RC

Triumph chose this year’s Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin in Hampshire to launch their long-awaited four-stroke 450 MX bike.

Called the TF 450 RC (RC for Ricky Carmichael) Edition, the £10,695 mud plugger was closely developed and critiqued by Carmichael himself, who is the most successful motocross racer of all time.

The RC edition will be on sale from February 2025 and features a number of details and top-spec components chosen by Carmichael. MCN was on hand at the Matterley Basin gathering to find out how it all came about.

“It is an ambitious project, but it just shows you the strength of the market and the state of where supercross and motocross racing are right now,” Carmichael said. “There’s a lot of potential growth.

“What’s nice about it is you’re starting from a clean slate; you’re not trying to polish anything.

“We got to start from the ground up and develop.”

Prior to the 450, Triumph launched the TF 250-X for 2024, which has since put in a strong performance on the world stage in its first competitive year, with Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup securing fifth overall in the MX2 class of MXGP.

“As far as competition goes our 250 programme both in the US and MXGP have been doing really well,” the former racer, and now Triumph ambassador continued.

“Of course we want to do better, we’re going to continue to focus on that and then when we do come out with the 450 as far as racing it at the professional level we just need to make sure that we have everything in place. It would be great if it would be in 2025 but realistically, I would hope for the 2026 season to be locked and loaded.”

Top-spec equipment

The 250 has had a strong influence on the new 450, sharing the same swingarm and aluminium frame that now houses the single-cylinder SOHC 450cc engine with a König-forged aluminium piston and Del West titanium valves.

A quickshifter comes as standard and the bike sits on top-quality KYB suspension, while Brembo calipers and levers are paired with Galfer discs which should give riders plenty of confidence.

Owners can also adjust the traction control and launch control via the MX Tune smartphone app, with RC model also including some further unique touches.

“It has a customised Hinson clutch cover case, and it comes with Dunlop tyres which are different to production,” Carmichael added. “I’ve been a Dunlop guy forever. It has special mapping which I prefer, the engine hangers are a little bit different from the production bike and it has a holeshot device.”

Needless to say, Carmichael had fun developing it, further telling MCN: “I raced so many years on a 450 that I felt like I was at home.

“When I was doing all the 250 testing and we were trying to get the 250 TF out on production I was thinking ‘damn I wish I was riding this chassis with a 450 engine.’ It’s a blast to ride, it’s something that I created, it’s so enjoyable.”