SHORT KINGS
Size doesn’t really matter. Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 411 proved it, finding favour with riders small and large, old and young. And now Triumph’s after a bit of that, with a pair of new 400cc machines that won’t break the bank.
If you are interested in the new Triumph 400 ‘T-range’, then the facts have been out for a while. The Speed 400 is the road bike and comes in from £5995, the Scrambler 400 X it’s off-road-styled sibling at £5695. The platform has been in development for five years in conjunction with Bajaj from the start, utilising their small bike, large manufacturing capability skills.
Both models have a brand-new 400cc, four-stroke, 4v, liquid-cooled single cylinder, with six gears giving at just under 40bhp. But despite the looks, the similarities get less from there. The frame is different for less compromise of geometry, suspension, wheel, exhaust, brakes, tyres, seat, and even the electronics are slightly tailored to suit the two applications. Wet weight is a lithe-like 170kg for the Speed 400 and 179kg for the Scrambler X. So far, it’s really quite impressive.
The clever peeps have been playing with their calculators to get both models to feel as similar as possible, yet still stick to their chosen discipline: road or road/faux off-road. The Scrambler may have longer suspension and a bigger front wheel, but the frame has different geometry to accommodate the taller stance. You may also notice the Scrambler has a longer wheelbase (just from the chain adjusters) and the tyres are narrower than the Speed for its combined uses and height, again showing the attention to detail given to the riding manners.
Jumping on to the Scrambler first, everything falls to hand. A good start, though it is tall – 835mm compared to 790mm of the Speed. However, the preload and narrow nose of the seat aids getting back down to the floor comfortably. The wide handlebars give a great feeling of being in control and able to push the bike into a corner – but for those who whizz through traffic, the Speed 400 has ’bars that are more than three inches (85mm) narrower. These are brand-new bikes, run-in but production models off the line, not preproduction, yet from first moving off (in front of all the mechanics and Triumph suits) the clutch feels smooth and predictable. Phew. And we head straight into rushhour traffic. In this environment it feels no different to a
Scrambler 900 in size, quality or feel. In fact, I’m having more fun as the 400 is lighter and I may even say has more character.
Riding through town is lovely and easy, and the Scrambler 400X feels at home. Gear changes are slightly jerky as it feels low geared and a single always needs smoother control than a twin, but you quickly compensate. Spanish roads are notoriously shiny and slippery, so care is the aim of the game.
We have to negotiate a six-lane roundabout to get out of Valencia, which, with faded lines and Spanish drivers, is like something from Squid games. But the bike is nimble and quick, and yet feels large enough to have a presence others will (hopefully) see. As the day goes on the Speed has just as much time to impress me. Lower to sit on, less suspension travel and a firmer brake give more confidence when riding on Tarmac and getting quicker, and in my eyes, the Speed has the edge in looks. Anyway, out of the city we go.
Taking the speed up has no issues. With 39bhp @ 8000rpm and 28lb-ft @ 6000rpm it feels different at first;
I’m not used to a potent single, but the bike pulls nicely from low down in the lower gears, though does need the revs to keep accelerating as the speed grows. 60mph is easily achieved, with the bike sitting nicely on a constant throttle whether on the flat or heading uphill.
Take it up to 70mph and things get louder, feel busier, yet the engine doesn’t vibrate. Only after 70mph does the engine balance start to make its presence felt. 80mph is viable as is more, but not without feeling strained and buzzy.
The gearbox isn’t as slick for changes as a ’box can be (though on a five grand, single-cylinder bike, maybe it is). No false neutrals, it just likes a firmer foot than I would like. There’s no slipper clutch and you cannot bang down the gears like you would on a four-cylinder bike. It’s no bad thing, using the clutch sorts all these elements, but to keep the ride smooth requires more attention. Having said that, the damn thing is so good in general, you find yourself comparing it with bikes it really shouldn’t be!
The Speed and Scrambler X will genuinely cruise and can even be used to tour, or at least to commute decent distances everyday. But it’s in the back roads that these bikes excel. Both can hustle the twisties with aplomb. The tighter the corners, the more these 400s feel at home. Instant pick-up; excellent feel from the brakes; predictability from the 43mm Big Piston Fork forks; good Metzeler tyres; and plenty of ground clearance mean either model will stick with any sportsbike like a limpet. If I had to choose a bike for back roads, the Speed 400 would be it. It must be noted, these bikes on a set of twisty back roads where the lightweight and quick steering are a must, these are a hoot.
Off-road is a similar story. We’re talking mild off-road, like finding a green lane and wondering where it goes, not Motocross here. The Scrambler X is obviously more suitable; the ABS can be switched off easily but it’s the riding position that helps the most. The longer travel suspension will help, as will the 175kg weight and those Karoo tyres with wide handlebars and bark busters. Leave climbing mountains to MX bikes but enjoy the back lanes you have always wanted to seek out.