Gone are the days of British bike manufacturers chasing ever-increasing engine capacity. Satisfying the American market’s insatiable appetite for a larger engine no longer matters – it’s smaller bikes that matter today for the ‘new’ world. And, if Triumph have got it right, the 400cc segment is a huge sales market worldwide for the UK company to benefit from. Should they hit the mark, it could take the Hinckley company to another level – but if it misses, it could be a disaster. So, no pressure then…
If you are interested in the new Triumph 400 ‘T-range’, then the facts have been out for a while. The Speed 400 is the road bike and comes in from £5995, the Scrambler 400 X its off-road-styled sibling at £5695. The platform has been in development for five years in conjunction with Bajaj from the start, utilising their small bike, large manufacturing capability skills. Both models have a brand-new 400cc, four-stroke, 4v, liquid-cooled single cylinder, with six gears giving at just under 40bhp. But despite the looks, the similarities get less from there. The frame is different for less compromise of geometry, suspension, wheel, exhaust, brakes, tyres, seat, even the electronics are slightly tailored to suit the two applications. Wet weight is a lithe-like 170kg for the Speed 400 and 179kg for the Scrambler X. So far, it’s really quite impressive.
