Doing The Unthinkable
Story and Photos by Trevor Hunter
From a dead-last start to the top step of the podium, taking the overall victory at the 10 Hours of Glen Helen on the new Triumph TF450-E was a statement win for the bike—and a brutal test of endurance for the team. This year’s Pro team consisted of Gary Sutherlin, Sean Lipanovich, and myself (Trevor Hunter) and aside from a little bit of suspension testing I did myself with TCS Powersports in the week leading up to the race, no one else on the team had even sat on the bike until the morning of the race.
When the green flag dropped, the British enduro machine refused to fire instantly, leaving us buried in the dust at the back of the line. But once it kicked to life, the charge was on. Halfway through a chaotic first lap, we had miraculously carved through the entire field to take the lead.
From there, it was a 10-hour chess match against a rapidly deteriorating track. Glen Helen threw its absolute worst at us: square-edged chop, endless silt beds, and deep, physical ruts that hammered both the riders and the equipment. Through it all, the TF450-E proved to be a weapon. Its predictable chassis and smooth, manageable power delivery kept rider fatigue at bay during long, punishing stints, while the engine took absolute redline abuse for ten straight hours without missing a beat.
Aside from standard pit stops for fuel and quick rider swaps, the near-stock Triumph ran flawlessly. Crossing the finish line to secure the overall win proved that Triumph’s new 450 platform is a legitimate, ultra-durable contender straight out of the box — even if it’s not purpose built for racing and a “bike you can’t win on” according to some other media outlets.
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The limits of this bike are seemingly endless for an off-road bike. From fast desert to mountain single track to hare scramble, or even as a dual-sport bike, the 450-E is so capable in so many arenas and it truly does appeal to riders of all skill levels. Gary Sutherlin, a former NHHA and WORCS Pro champion, has nothing but good things to say about this bike. So does a novice-intermediate level 50+ rider – that’s very rare to find a bike that is so appealing to both crowds but Triumph has done it with this machine.
