All-new Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X singles revealed

Meet the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X – the latest additions to the firm’s modern retro range, powered by a new liquid-cooled 398cc single and built in collaboration with Indian manufacturing giants Bajaj Auto.

• We’ve ridden it: Read our Triumph Speed 400 review
• Latest news: Triumph Thruxton 400 spied in testing

The sub 47bhp singles class is big business globally – with key rival Royal Enfield shifting 3830 bikes of this kind across the UK alone during 2022.

Triumph, understandably, fancy a slice of the cake – with both new bikes producing a claimed 39.5bhp at 8000rpm. Available from December 2023, there’s no word on pricing just yet, but we’re told it will be in line with the rest of the class.

Both the Speed and Scrambler were created and designed in Hinckley, with production carried out by Bajaj in India, as well as in Triumph’s own Indian and Thai plants. The motor found in both bikes is part of a new ‘TR-Series’ which is said to celebrate Triumph’s single-cylinder Trophy heritage which can be traced back to the early twentieth century.

Said to be characterful and paired with a distinctive single-cylinder engine note, the motor features a finger-follower valvetrain with a low reciprocating mass, plus DLC coatings to reduce friction. There’s a six-speed gearbox, 10,000-mile service intervals and a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Coupled with a finned cylinder head, a discreet front radiator and an upswept exhaust silencer, the shared engine is housed in a tubular steel chassis with a bolt-on rear subframe also found on both models. There’s also a torque-assist clutch to reduce the effort required to squeeze the lever in traffic and reduce the risk of locking up the back wheel on a downshift.

From here, the pair begin to differ, with the Speed following a road-orientated path and the Scrambler showing an appetite for the occasional dusty green lane.

Focusing in on the Speed, which joins the Triumph Speed Twin 900 and Triumph Speed Twin 1200 family, the new 400 roadster is claimed to tip the scales at just 170kg wet – around 6kg more than a single-cylinder BMW G310R carrying 90% of its fuel – and features a seat height of 790mm.

Being road biased, it rolls on a pair of 17in rims dressed in quality Metzeler Sportec M9RR tyres, with suspension coming courtesy of a set of 43mm big-piston upside-down front forks with 140mm of travel, and a single shock with remote preload adjustment.

Plonking the rider in a neutral and natural riding position, braking is then catered for via a four-piston radial caliper up front biting onto a 300mm disc. There’s a 230mm disc at the back, with ABS at both ends to satisfy Euro5 homologation rules.

Being a modern Triumph, there’s also a whole host of electronic aids to be found on both models, including a ride-by-wire throttle supplied by Bosch, plus switchable traction control to provide an additional safety blanket. Producing a fraction under 40bhp though, it could be argued that it’s unlikely to ever actually be called upon.

You also get full LED lighting, plus a neat part LCD dash complete with an analogue speedometer reading to an ambitious 110mph. This unit also displays the fuel gauge, gear indicator, and more – with a scroll bar located on the handlebars and a USB-C socket on board for charging mobile devices such as a phone or satnav system.

If you fancy one, the Speed 400 will be available in a choice of ‘Carnival Red’, ‘Caspian Blue’ and ‘Phantom Black.’

Whether we’ll see more models make use of this new fuel-injected, DOHC 398cc Euro5 unit remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely Triumph would go to such trouble for just two designs – both of which share the same quality and styling as the firm’s existing premium range. Watch this space. 

Triumph Scrambler 400 X

The Triumph Scrambler 400 X may share the same engine and main chassis components as the Speed 400, but there are a number of differences that set it apart. 

Drawing inspiration from the larger Triumph Scrambler 1200, which landed in 2019 and has since sold in excess of 15,000 units, the new 400 X gets a different electronics package and suspension set-up designed to help it feel more at home off the beaten track. 

Tipping the scales at 179kg – nine kilos more than the Speed – there’s a taller 835mm seat height, plus a 19in front wheel for better off-road prowess. This is aided further by the inclusion of Metzeler Karoo Street tyres, which offer a happy medium between on- and off-road.

The extra weight comes for a number of reasons – including longer suspension travel and a 37mm longer wheelbase for increased stability. The forks have an additional 10mm of travel, with an extra 20mm at the rear – plus a slightly wider set of bars.

The front brakes are also different, with the single front disc climbing by 20mm to 320mm. The ABS can be deactivated for greater control off the beaten track – as can the traction control.

Also assisting with the control of the machine is a larger cast steel brake pedal and high-grip foot pegs. A subtle bash plate also protects the underside of the engine, however much of the exhaust routing remains exposed.