Triumph Goes Big on Small Bikes with New 400 Models

Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X bring big-bike technology to the entry level.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

June 28, 2023

8 Slides
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The 2024 Scrambler 400 X (left) and Triumph Speed 400 (right).Triumph Motorcycles

As Triumph’s signature nostalgia models have grown in size, power, and cost, they’ve left a spot at the low end of the market for the company to introduce a pair of new single-cylinder, 400cc starter models that incorporate the finish and amenities of the brand’s costlier bikes.

This means that the bikes will not only appeal to beginners but also to experienced riders who appreciate the merits of light weight and maneuverability, as Triumph is reviving single-cylinder models after decades of producing the brand's signature Twin and Triple bikes.

Triumph is doing this in partnership with India's Bajaj Auto, which has extensive experience building lightweight motorcycles in India. Bajaj will build the Triumph bikes for the Indian market and for export. Triumph will build them at its factory in Thailand for that country's huge motorcycle market and also for export. Triumph will also build the bikes at its Brazillian plant exclusively for that market. Triumph 400s sold in the U.S. will come from both India and Thailand when the bikes go on sale here next year.

The bikes' TR-Series 398cc single-cylinder engine is rated at 39.5 horsepower and employs a four-valve head and liquid cooling. The transmission is a six-speed.

Each model gets its own specific frame design, so the Scrambler isn't just a redecorated Speed. They both use a bolt-on rear subframe and a cast aluminum swingarm.

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Both bikes roll on 17-inch rear wheels, but the Scrambler has a larger 19-inch front wheel while the Speed's front wheel is 17 inches. They employ cast aluminum wheels with premium Metzler tires.

A key aspect of premium motorcycles is their safety equipment, and in keeping with the positioning of these bikes, Triumph is including both anti-lock brakes and Bosch traction control as standard equipment in both models.

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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