Triumph’s New Cafe-Racer Might Be A First-Time Rider’s Dream Come True

Rumors of Triumph whipping up another entry-level motorcycle started doing the rounds in 2023. Then, we were all treated with repeated spy shots of the test mule–both from India and Britain–last year. Now, the cat is finally out of the bag. Triumph has debuted the Thruxton 400 in India, serving as one of the few budget-friendly cafe racer-type bikes in the market. Here’s a lowdown.

The New Triumph Thruxton 400 Boasts A Sporty Fairing

The design is what truly sets the Thruxton 400 apart from its two 400cc siblings. Up top, the round headlight is now nestled inside a sporty semi-fairing. This fairing mimics the now-discontinued Speed Triple 1200 RR, courtesy of its curvy shape and swept-back windscreen. It extends further back, though. Other than this, you get some bespoke design elements to amp up things. These include a pillion seat cowl, new under-seat panels, a brushed aluminum fuel cap, and a new LED tail lamp. Finally, new color options round off the aesthetics.

Triumph Thruxton 400 Color Options

• Lava Red Gloss
• Phantom Black
• Metallic Racing Yellow
• Pearl Metallic White

Sporty Ergonomics Ensure The Thruxton 400 Offers A Heightened Cafe Racer Experience

Like the design, the ergonomics follow the cafe racer theme. Out go the tubular straight bars from the Speed 400, and in come a new clip-on-type setup. This is topped with repositioned footpegs that now sit further back than the Speed. Both these changes, along with the new split seat, should help the Thruxton offer an aggressive riding triangle for peppier riding dynamics.

Speaking of riding dynamics, the underpinnings come from the Speed 400. You get 43 mm USD forks and a monoshock, attached to a unique steel tubular perimeter chassis. 17-inch wheels with disc brakes round off things. While none of this is a deal-breaker, we think Triumph could’ve thrown in a bigger disc here. That would’ve helped offset the extra heft here.

Triumph Thruxton 400 Underpinnings

Triumph’s 398cc, Single-Cylinder Engine Powers The Thruxton 400

It’s the same story in the engine department. You get the same 398cc, single-cylinder engine as the Speed and Scrambler 400. It’s a liquid-cooled mill, firing at a 12:1 compression ratio, which helps it churn out 39.5 horsepower and 27.7 pound-feet. That is a respectable figure, not just by entry-level segment standards, but also when you consider the much bigger Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is just seven ponies away.

Triumph has also thrown in a decent safety package. You get a semi-digital instrument cluster that lets you enjoy:

• Traction control
• Dual-channel ABS
• Slipper clutch
• Ride-by-wire

The Thruxton 400 Has Yet To Enter America

Yes, you read that right. Just like the Scrambler 400 XC, Triumph has only announced the Thruxton 400 in India as of now. The global debut will take some time later, along with an American launch. Once here, the baby cafe racer will sit in a league of one, since such entry-level bikes are few and far between. The closest direct rival is the RE Continental GT 650, but we expect the Triumph to undercut the GT by a sizable margin. Stay tuned to TopSpeed to know more.