After attending the international launch in Italy, we take a look at what's new on the 2024 TM MX range!
Here’s what’s new on the 2024 TM MX range. It’s a long list starting with new graphics and plastic colours, non-slip seat cover, “Circuit” soft grips, carbon look “Circuit” hand guards, improved two-stroke cylinder designs, improved crankshaft bearing lubrication on 250/300 two-stroke models and updated ECU maps for all models. Added to that is a new electric start gear system with integrated flexible coupling in all four-strokes, updated exhaust valve calibration on all two-strokes, new suspension settings and frame forging, new “Galfer” brake discs on all models, a new rear subframe on four-stroke models with silent-block in the exhaust fastening with new exhaust silencers to reduce noise on all four-strokes.
TM Frame
The current generation TM frame was introduced for the first time in 2022. TM’s design brief was to come up with a frame with improvements to handling characteristics, a reduction in weight for every model and with a better riding position and improved freedom of movement for the rider. The changes from 2022 remain unchanged across each capacity although it does need to be mentioned that each model gets its own tailored frame. This is certainly not the case of one frame fits all.
The TM frame is not unique in the way that it is made up from forged, cast and CNC parts. What is unique however is that each separate part of the frame is made in house at TM and is bolted together in a jig that holds each part in place while an incredibly talented Italian gentleman sits there and welds each piece by hand with a TIG welder. Each weld looks like art and is done with precision under the eye of a master welder.
These are not robot welds that are mass produced, these are welds done by a man with over fifty years of experience who takes the utmost pride in every weld. Then once the frame is welded together it goes to be polished and cleaned and placed on a work bench ready for a mechanic to begin assembling it into a motorcycle.
TM has done a fantastic job of making the frame stiff where it needs to be and flex where it needs to. This can be a very fine line that often we see the biggest manufacturers in the world mess up. The hard part here for the manufacturers is what a professional racer wants in a frame is not what the general public need.
The general public need a frame that flexes more where a professional needs a frame that flexes much less and gives a lot more direct feedback through the foot pegs and handlebars to the rider. This is the exact reason why many bikes come with cast triple clamps and alloy engine mounts because it allows for more flex and a softer ride. Under the pressure and speed that a professional rider will place the bike these parts will flex too much and be replaced with CNC triple clamps and titanium engine mounts. This even extends to linkage systems where professionals will often run CNC machined linkages for more feel through the rear tyre with many teams even adding extra welds to the swingarm for more rigidity.
The reason I mention all this is because the TM frame gives a feel much like a factory race bike. There is loads of feedback through the pegs and handlebars that give a rather rigid feel but you need to remember this bike was designed for racing and the harder it is pushed the better this chassis performs. It’s like an F1 car, driving an F1 car to work would be absolutely terrible but there is no better designed car in the world when it comes to going fast.
WHAT’S NEW AT A GLANCE:
- New graphics
- New plastic colours
- New non-slip seat cover
- New “Circuit” soft grips
- New carbon look “Circuit” hand guards
- Updated ECU maps for all models
- New suspension settings
- New frame forging
- New “Galfer” brake discs on all models
- New electric start gear system with integrated flexible coupling in all four-stroke models
- New rear subframe on four-stroke models with silent-block in the exhausts fastening
- New exhaust silencers to reduce noise on all four-stroke models
- Improved two-stroke cylinder designs
- Improved crankshaft bearing lubrication on 250/300 two-stroke models
- Updated exhaust valve calibration on all two-stroke models
For the full feature, check out issue #530 of ADB.
WORDS MAT BOYD || PHOTOS TM OFFICIAL