Words by: Phil West
Published on 7 August 2023 | 0 min read
Leading British bike manufacturer Triumph has just unveiled two all-new 400cc machines – its first sub-600cc ‘entry-level’ bikes in a move which could be its most significant in years.
The Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are based on the same, all-new, 398cc single cylinder engine which produces 39.5bhp so making it A2 compatible. As such they are Triumph’s first ‘smaller’, entry-level offerings and could prove hugely significant to the brand’s future. Both are retro-inspired additions to Triumph’s successful ‘Modern Classics’ family, as characterized by its hugely popular Bonneville. The Speed 400 roadster is a junior alternative to the Speed Twin 900 and 1200 while the Scrambler 400 X takes its design cues from the Scrambler 900 and 1200, with a genuine off-road pedigree Triumph says goes back to its factory Scramblers of the 1950s. Although retro-inspired, the two new 400s are bang up to date and bristle with modern technology. The all-new ‘TR’ engine, although having retro, finned styling cues, is a modern liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single which, with double overhead cams and four-valves is claimed to deliver class-beating performance. And, with 39bhp compared to, say, Royal Enfield’s recent 20bhp 350 HNTR, it looks set to do just that. The two bikes’ chassis are equally high tech, with monoshock rear suspension, ‘Big Piston’ 43mm upside down forks and four-piston, radial caliper front brakes. The Speed 400 features lightweight 17-inch wheels, roadster-specific geometry and wheelbase and has a seat height of just 790mm and a dry weight of 170kg. The Scrambler 400 X features a longer wheelbase, longer travel suspension, larger 19-inch front wheel and wide handlebars for greater stability and control when riding on loose surfaces. It also has a larger front disc, 835mm seat height and 179kg dry weight. Both share ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control, dual channel ABS, new analogue/LCD digital instruments and LED lighting. Traditional touches, like the distinctive finned cylinder head and traditional exhaust header clamps combine with contemporary details like the upswept silencer, bold graphics and sensitively incorporated technology, Finishes comprise Triumph’s traditional black powder-coated engine casings, gold anodised forks and high-quality paint and logo detailing. The Speed 400 has two-tone paint schemes in Carnival Red, Caspian Blue and Phantom Black. The Scrambler 400 X also features protectors for the headlight, radiator and sump, as well as handguards, a handlebar brace with pad and a longer front mudguard. It’s also available in three colour schemes: Matt Khaki Green and Fusion White, Carnival Red and Phantom Black, plus Phantom Black and Silver Ice options. The two also come with class-leading 10,000-mile service intervals and a two-year warranty. Prices have yet to be released but Triumph claim they will be ‘class competitive’ and both are due to go on sale in early 2024. The new engine’s ‘TR’ name, incidentally, has been chosen to celebrate the historic Triumph ‘Trophy’ bloodline, whose roots can be traced back to the racing singles of the early twentieth century, and in particular Six Day Trial offroad competition machines such as the TR6, as most famously ridden by Steve McQueen in the iconic movie ‘The Great Escape’.
The Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are based on the same, all-new, 398cc single cylinder engine which produces 39.5bhp so making it A2 compatible. As such they are Triumph’s first ‘smaller’, entry-level offerings and could prove hugely significant to the brand’s future. Both are retro-inspired additions to Triumph’s successful ‘Modern Classics’ family, as characterized by its hugely popular Bonneville. The Speed 400 roadster is a junior alternative to the Speed Twin 900 and 1200 while the Scrambler 400 X takes its design cues from the Scrambler 900 and 1200, with a genuine off-road pedigree Triumph says goes back to its factory Scramblers of the 1950s. Although retro-inspired, the two new 400s are bang up to date and bristle with modern technology. The all-new ‘TR’ engine, although having retro, finned styling cues, is a modern liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single which, with double overhead cams and four-valves is claimed to deliver class-beating performance. And, with 39bhp compared to, say, Royal Enfield’s recent 20bhp 350 HNTR, it looks set to do just that. The two bikes’ chassis are equally high tech, with monoshock rear suspension, ‘Big Piston’ 43mm upside down forks and four-piston, radial caliper front brakes. The Speed 400 features lightweight 17-inch wheels, roadster-specific geometry and wheelbase and has a seat height of just 790mm and a dry weight of 170kg. The Scrambler 400 X features a longer wheelbase, longer travel suspension, larger 19-inch front wheel and wide handlebars for greater stability and control when riding on loose surfaces. It also has a larger front disc, 835mm seat height and 179kg dry weight. Both share ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control, dual channel ABS, new analogue/LCD digital instruments and LED lighting. Traditional touches, like the distinctive finned cylinder head and traditional exhaust header clamps combine with contemporary details like the upswept silencer, bold graphics and sensitively incorporated technology, Finishes comprise Triumph’s traditional black powder-coated engine casings, gold anodised forks and high-quality paint and logo detailing. The Speed 400 has two-tone paint schemes in Carnival Red, Caspian Blue and Phantom Black. The Scrambler 400 X also features protectors for the headlight, radiator and sump, as well as handguards, a handlebar brace with pad and a longer front mudguard. It’s also available in three colour schemes: Matt Khaki Green and Fusion White, Carnival Red and Phantom Black, plus Phantom Black and Silver Ice options. The two also come with class-leading 10,000-mile service intervals and a two-year warranty. Prices have yet to be released but Triumph claim they will be ‘class competitive’ and both are due to go on sale in early 2024. The new engine’s ‘TR’ name, incidentally, has been chosen to celebrate the historic Triumph ‘Trophy’ bloodline, whose roots can be traced back to the racing singles of the early twentieth century, and in particular Six Day Trial offroad competition machines such as the TR6, as most famously ridden by Steve McQueen in the iconic movie ‘The Great Escape’.
