Triumph’s all-new Scrambler 400 X has been worth the wait...
When you look at the worldwide success that Royal Enfield have been enjoying with their unassuming middleweights, you have to wonder why it has taken Triumph so long to join the fray. But for 2024 they have, through the launch of two new models – the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X.
The two ground-up new 400s are based around an all-new 398cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. As well as helping Triumph establish a stronger position in the lucrative (and rapidly expanding) Asian market, the new 400s are targeted at European riders who want an easy-going A2-legal bike that looks smart and has a well-established name on its tank. And with a price of just £5595 for the Scrambler, or £4995 for the Speed, both are remarkably appealing. But does this fresh-faced family of bikes live up to its potential? Time to find out as we put the new Triumph Scrambler 400 X through its paces on the road and on the dyno.
It’s a budget bike, but does it look like one?
No, absolutely not. Both of the 400 models are built in India by Bajaj in a joint operation between the two firms, but that’s not an issue; remember the bulk of Triumph’s range is built in Thailand and not Hinckley anyway, so even with its more expensive models you aren’t buying a ‘British bike’. What matters far more than its origin is the level of quality, design and craftsmanship that goes into the final product. And on this front, the Scrambler 400 X is impressive.
Visually, the new bike is neat and stylish with some lovely touches such as the twin upswept pipes, finned cylinder barrel, stylish stripe on the tank and rubber knee pads. And the additions the Scrambler gets over the Speed, which include brush guards, a headlight protector and a Triumph-branded handlebar brace pad, all add to its air of quality and elegance. You could roll into any car park on the Scrambler 400 X and not feel embarrassed. It’s a great-looking machine that hides its affordable price point incredibly well. That said, our test bike’s immobiliser system did throw up a warning light (it never failed) and the fuel gauge suffered a brief moment of indecision, before recovering and working perfectly.
But can you fit on the thing?
Despite its small capacity, Triumph have ensured the Scrambler is physically quite a large bike. With its tall bars you sit very upright and there is enough leg room, so that even those over 6ft tall will feel instantly at home. On pap
