An ideal small-displacement bike that looks good and won’t break the bank.
Triumph has introduced two all-new 400 models that are highly desirable, not only for their attractive retro styling, but also because of their refreshingly low prices. After spending a day riding these new lightweight singles on busy urban Spanish streets and along winding mountain roads, we also discovered that you don’t need a lot of displacement to have a lot of fun.
The two newest members of the Triumph family are the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 X. These bikes are based around the all-new TR-series engine; a 398 cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve single that claims 39.5 hp and 27.7 lb.-ft. of torque. Aside from the single exhaust header, it would be hard to visually distinguish the single from the company’s bigger parallel-twins. The twin-cam engine is fed fuel by a Bosch ride-by-wire EFI system, and despite its modest output, it is equipped with switchable traction control. Maintenance intervals are set at 16,000 km, and its finger-follower valve train can go 32,000 km between adjustments.
Two Distinct Bikes
While the two bikes share many parts, including engines, electrics and hardware, the Scrambler’s frame has a steering neck that extends about 25 mm farther forward to clear its 19-inch front wheel (17-inch on the Speed). This combines with a leading axle fork, and a longer drive chain that allows the rear wheel to pull back in the swingarm, thus contributing to a 40-mm longer wheelbase.
Both bikes have a 43 mm inverted fork and single rear shock, though the Scrambler boasts more wheel travel (150/150 mm vs. 140/130 front/rear for the Speed); adjustment is limited to rear preload.
Similarities
Both bikes have an attractive, large round analog speedometer, with an LCD screen to the right that displays a large gear indicator, a small bar tachometer, a fuel gauge, time, as well as trip meter or fuel consumption info. Both bikes have full LED lighting, and both have a USB-C port at the lower right side of the instrument cluster.
The switchgear is simple and intuitive, and some concessions have been made in the cockpit to keep the cost down; neither of the levers are adjustable for reach — some riders might find the reach a bit far — and unlike many other Triumph models, neither bike has self-cancelling turn signals. Neither bike has any true ride…
