Rennie Scaysbrook | October 5, 2023
Triumph has today taken the wraps off two new motorcycles in a brand new segment for them in the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X.
Teaming with renowned junior motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj out of India, the new Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are designed in the Triumph head office in Hinckley in the UK and channel the company’s instantly recognizable modern classic design lines.
The Scrambler 400 X can take its cues firmly from the Scrambler 1200, a bike we’ve grown very fond of over the years here at Cycle News, with its headlight protector, radiator, and sump guards, as well as handguards, a handlebar brace with pad, and a longer front fender. The new Triumph Scrambler 400 has a suggested retail price of $5,595 in the U.S.
Triumph’s new Speed 400 is a cute little number.
The Speed 400, on the other hand, takes its design lines firmly from the café racer/neo-naked Speed Twin with its black powder-coated engine casings, gold anodized forks, and gloss paint.
Both bikes are powered by an all-new 398cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with finger-follower valvetrain for a low reciprocating mass and DLC coatings that reduce friction.
Power is claimed at 39.5 hp and 27.7 lb-ft of torque, accessed via a six-speed gearbox.
The Speed 400 has a slightly lower seat height at 31 in. versus the Scrambler 400 X’s 32.9 in., while claimed weight is 375 lb for the Speed and 395 lb for the Scrambler, although whether this is wet or dry, we don’t know.
The Speed 400 runs 17-inch wheels with 43mm inverted forks, four-piston caliper with braided lines and a 300mm brake disc up front, whereas the Scrambler runs on a larger 19-inch front wheel, wider handlebar for off-road stability, and a larger 320mm front brake disc, again, with a four-piston caliper and braided brake lines.
The new Scrambler 400 X look just like dad’s 1200.
Both machines come with a ride-by-wire throttle, ABS and traction control, LCD screen, USB-C charging port, LED lighting, and an anti-theft immobilizer.
Price and availability hasn’t yet been released by Triumph America, but they will be on sale in Q1 of 2024.
Expect to see the new Scrambler 400 X go up against the BMW G 310 GS, KTM’s 390 Adventure, and the Kawasaki Versus-X 300.
The Sprint 400 is almost in a class of its own with its main competition coming in the form of Royal Enfield’s Hunter 350.
