Triumph’s Scrambler 400 X is a marvel in the world of motorcycles, setting a new standard in the industry and pushing beyond the boundaries defined by its predecessor, the Speed 400. This striking ride is not just about speed; it’s a combination of style, power, and performance. Its unique design exudes a rugged charm that is reminiscent of classic off-road bikes, while its cutting-edge engineering ensures a smooth and powerful ride on any terrain. The Scrambler 400 X is not merely an upgrade, it’s a total transformation, offering riders a thrilling and adventurous biking experience.
A Firsthand Experience with Triumph’s Scrambler 400 X: From the Speed 400 to Beyond
This July, Cycle World had the privilege of getting behind the handlebars of Triumph’s modern classic entry-level motorcycle – the new Speed 400. Building on that experience, we’re excited to share an exclusive first ride review of Triumph’s latest offering for the US market – the Scrambler 400 X. Based on the same single-cylinder platform as the Speed 400, the Scrambler 400 X is far from a simple retrofit with a few retro-inspired parts. The Scrambler 400 X is a distinct beast with its own frame, wheelbase, and chassis geometry. It commands attention with its 19-inch off-road biased front wheel wrapped in Metzeler Karoo tires. It’s a bike that marries style, substance, and performance, offering a whole new perspective on the riding experience.
Triumph Scrambler 400 X: More Than Just a Renovated Speed 400
While it’s true that the Scrambler 400 X shares the TR Series 398cc single-cylinder engine of the Speed 400, delivering a claimed 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,500 rpm, this is no mere facelift of the roadster. It retains certain components from the Speed 400, such as its clocks, switch gear, and gas tank, but the resemblance ends there. The Scrambler 400 X stands out with its unique wheel measurements (100/90-19 front and 140/80-17 rear in contrast to the Speed 400’s conventional 110/70-17 front, 150/60-17 rear), riding posture, and suspension set-up, all of which are entirely distinctive. These disparities are mirrored in the price tags; the Speed 400 comes at $4,995 while the Scrambler 400 X is priced at $5,595. The most prominent distinguishing factor lies in the aesthetics. The Scrambler 400 X boasts twin exhausts exuding the classic scrambler allure, a two-section ribbed bench seat invoking a sense of nostalgia, and hand guards complemented by wider and taller bars for off-road ventures. Its larger-diameter front wheel shod in dirt-oriented rubber adds to its imposing presence, making it a formidable contender in the 400cc segment. Despite its premium finish, the Scrambler 400 X is priced affordably, presenting an appealing choice for adventure enthusiasts.
Experiencing the Triumph Scrambler 400 X: A Rider’s Perspective
Once on board the Scrambler 400 X, you immediately sense the differences. The 32.9-inch seat stands noticeably higher than the 31.1-inch seat on the Speed 400. As a rider who stands just under 5 feet, 7 inches, I wouldn’t classify the new 400 X as intimidating, but its height is surprising for a motorcycle that targets beginners in the 400cc category. It’s worth noting that both Ducati’s next-generation Scrambler Icon, with a seat height of 31.3 inches, and Honda’s new CL500 Scrambler, at 31.1 inches, offer lower seats despite being larger-capacity machines.
A Balance of Comfort and Control
The Scrambler 400 X adopts a classic scrambler-style handlebar, setting the rider’s hands high and wide, contributing to the sensation of maneuvering a larger bike. The design is spacious, with ample room between the seat and footpegs to accommodate tall riders comfortably, fostering a poised and purposeful riding stance. Once in motion, the bike’s 43mm Big Piston fork and monoshock rear suspension unit, softly damped, absorb the worst impacts of uneven road surfaces, demonstrating the truecharacteristics of a scrambler. With 5.9 inches (150mm) of travel at both the front and rear — that’s an additional 0.4 inch (10mm) up front and 0.8 inch (20mm) at the rear compared to the Speed 400 — the Scrambler 400 X is capable of tackling the most challenging surfaces without compromising stability.
A Motorcycle That’s Simply Fun to Ride
The Scrambler 400 X is more than a motorcycle; it’s an exhilarating ride packed with fun and excitement. The suspension is finely tuned, striking a balance between compliance and control that is perfectly suited for daily riding. With the 400 X, you’ll experience the joy of riding with ease, thanks to the smooth suspension movement that keeps the bike flowing nicely. The fork features no damping adjustment, with only preload adjustment available on the rear, but this does not compromise the ride quality.
The Scrambler 400 X boasts a longer wheelbase than the Speed 400 and weighs in at a slightly heavier 395 pounds, up from the 375 pounds of the Speed 400. The front wheel is larger in diameter, adding to the weight, but this doesn’t make the bike feel heavy. In fact, the wide handlebars provide the rider with sufficient leverage to compensate for this. On twisty asphalt, the Scrambler 400 X performs like a mini supermoto, with its composed and forgiving front end. You can easily guide it into a late, safe apex using the handlebars.
This motorcycle shines in city traffic, smoothly carving through congestion with natural ease. The taller stance and wide bars give the Scrambler 400 X a commanding presence that’s sure to turn heads. Despite being a 39.5 hp machine, the Scrambler 400 X is incredibly fun to ride, especially when navigating the urban jungle. Triumph has not compromised on grip levels, equipping the Scrambler 400 X with quality Metzeler Karoo tires that perform brilliantly in both wet and dry conditions.
Braking and Engine Performance
Despite the larger disc, the stoppers on the Scrambler 400 X don’t feel as strong as the ones on the Speed, possibly due to a combination of different pad material and more weight to slow down. Day-to-day, they’re perfectly adequate, but they lack sharpness and have more lever travel when you start to fool around, and the longer-travel suspension poses a few more challenges. Triumph hasn’t tweaked the TR Series engine for the 400 X, but there is a slight change in the gearing. On the road, the X is just as spirited as the Speed. Sure, there are only around 40 horses available, but it drives smartly from 4,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm, and the twin-exit exhaust complements the action with a decent bark. The fueling is easygoing and suitably soft for the bike’s entry-level positioning, but there’s a nice little snap of power available when you need to jump ahead of traffic at the lights.
The Thrill of the Ride
Stretching the Scrambler’s legs on some empty familiar country roads in the Cotswolds, in the heart of England, was highly enjoyable, and overtaking slower traffic was relatively fuss-free. Acceleration between 50 and 70 mph is sharp enough to manage most scenarios, and despite the wind-catching aerodynamics created by the upright riding position and wide bars, it still showed an indicated 100 mph, just. Not bad for this type of bike. As the revs increase, however, so do the vibrations, but at a UK motorway cruising speed of 70 mph plus a little more, the X feels anything but fraught.
Our ride was only a quick spin (on a preproduction bike), so we didn’t get to fully test the Scrambler on dirt. The traction control and ABS can be deactivated for those who want some fun, and there’s just enough power to get the rear sliding on loose gravel. For first-timers off-road, the Scrambler offers easy handling with manageable power, though tackling jumps, mud, and rocks wouldn’t be recommended.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X stands as a testament to Triumph’s ability to combine style, comfort, and performance in a bike that is accessible to both novice and experienced riders. Its classic design, balanced handling, and exciting riding experience set it apart in the 400cc category. Although its seat height may appear daunting to some, its ergonomics and handling make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a versatile motorcycle, capable of tackling city streets and the occasional dirt road. With its reasonable engine performance, enjoyable ride, and manageable off-road capabilities, the Scrambler 400 X is not just a motorcycle; it’s a ride that offers pure joy and excitement. Despite minor drawbacks in braking strength and vibration at high revs, the overall quality and experience Triumph offers with this motorcycle make it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for an entry-level scrambler-style bike.
