I remember when we heard the news that Triumph would be re-entering the under 650cc market. We waited to see what would happen in the storm of controversy surrounding Triumph's decision. Would they still be Triumph motorcycles when they were being engineered with Bajaj, away from Hinckley in the UK? Could they keep their iconic Triumph DNA in a smaller motorcycle?
Historically, Triumph built motorcycles below 650cc almost from the beginning: its first production motorcycle went on sale in 1902, and many early Triumphs were 250cc, 350cc, 500cc and 550cc models. In more recent history, Triumph re-entered the under-650cc market in 2023 with the 398cc Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, developed with Bajaj. Customer deliveries reached markets such as New Zealand in 2024.
So lets hve look at the 400 range from the 2024 model year onward. When compared to the others at the smaller end of the scale their numbers stack up well due to high-performance parts and features.
The key difference is the riding style of the Speed 400 compared to the more upright power positioning of the Scrambler 400. They also differ in height, spoked vs aluminium wheels, exhaust system and tyres for their different environments and capabilities.
When it comes to safety and performance, it is a winner and to all the doubters way back in 2022, you can tell from the styling that it is a Triumph motorcycle. They are constructed with similar care and precision to their iconic larger counterparts.
When it comes to day-to-day riding they are light and nimble. Part of the smaller is smarter family.