Triumph Thruxton 400 review: Small Thruxton, big style – Introduction

Following the success of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, Triumph has now introduced yet another model in its Bajaj-made 400cc portfolio and this time it’s a cafe racer. With its recognisable silhouette and design that pays tribute to the now-discontinued Thruxton 1200, does this new Thruxton 400 go beyond surface-level charm?

Triumph Thruxton 400 design and features – 8/10

It gets a redesigned fuel tank while the fuel capacity remains 13 litres

This is the most visually distinctive of Triumph’s new 400s. In comparison with other Triumph 400 models, the Thruxton 400 gets a slimmer redesigned tank and tail, a small front fairing with a raked windscreen, bar-end mirrors and a removable rear cowl.

All of these come together to contribute to design that’s quite delectable. The Thruxton 400 is available in 4 colours and regardless of which one you pick, this motorcycle is sure to turn heads. 

And the quality? Very much up to the standard we’ve come to expect from the Bajaj-built Triumphs. Panel gaps are tight, paint finish is lustrous, and the switchgear feels sturdy and tactile. While the rest of the motorcycles felt well put together, some test units did have some vibrations from the fairing past 6,000rpm. 

The Thruxton shares its instrument cluster with the other Triumph 400s and it’s a combination of an analogue speedometer and a digital tachometer. Though, as with the previous 400s and especially in this cafe racer application, we wish Triumph had flipped that layout. Nevertheless, the display is clear, legible in sunlight, and packs all the essentials.

What surprises me is the lack of adjustable levers, especially since they’re already available on the Speed 400 and would have been a worthy addition at this price. Overall, the motorcycle is a lot more slender than its siblings and even has a slimmer rear subframe which has allowed Triumph to redesign the taillight.

The Thruxton 400’s rear design will divide opinions and it doesn’t have a unique look or light signature like its siblings. The rear cowl is sold as standard and sits over the pillion seat. It is removable but will require a screwdriver. 

Triumph Thruxton 400 riding position and comfort – 7/10

The Thruxton is the most committed of the Triumph 400s when it comes to rider posture. 

In terms of ergonomics, the clip-ons are lower, the foot pegs are further back, and the riding triangle leans you forward into a purposeful stance. There is plenty of room to move around and the narrower dimensions make this motorcycle quite manageable.

At 795mm, the seat height is the lowest among Triumph’s 400s, which when paired with the slim fuel tank make this motorcycle quite accessible for shorter riders. The single-piece seat is firm yet supportive, and while it’s fine for short to medium rides, anything more ambitious will have you stretching at every fuel stop. Triumph will sell you an accessory quilted seat that promises to offer better cushioning and will cost you Rs 7,000. 

Triumph Thruxton 400 engine and performance – 8/10

This 398cc motor produces 2hp more than the Speed 400, while torque remains the same. 

Powering the Thruxton 400 is the same 398cc liquid-cooled single as the Speed 400, but it’s a little more spicy here— with 2hp more which now peaks at 42hp at 9,000rpm, while torque remains at 37.5Nm but comes in 1,000rpm later. These tweaks make it feel a bit livelier at the top end, and less like it’s gasping for air near the redline.

What complements this change is the slightly taller final drive, courtesy of a smaller rear sprocket with two less teeth than the Speed 400. There’s even the occasional pop and bang from the exhaust on deceleration, which adds a dash of drama. It all makes the bike feel noticeably more engaging — and dare I say, more characterful — than the Speed or Scrambler.

The motorcycle has plenty of grunt and will happily pop a wheelie if you provoke it. During our ride we didn’t encounter any excessive heat in traffic and the motor is quite well behaved at low speeds. Triumph also claims a much higher 161kph top-speed for the Thruxton which is considerably higher than the Speed 400’s 148kph.

The company also claims a quicker 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds which is a whole second quicker than the claimed acceleration of the Speed. While the motor definitely feels like a step up over its roadster sibling, a quickshifter, at least as an accessory, would’ve really completed the package here.

Triumph Thruxton 400 ride comfort and handling – 8/10

The Thruxton 400 is the sportiest handler in Triumph’s 400 family.

Despite the aggressive ergonomics and racer-boy looks, the Thruxton is actually running  a softer suspension setup than expected. With 10mm more travel than the Speed 400 at both ends, it does a commendable job of ironing out potholes and bumps—especially on city roads and bad tarmac. 

Ride comfort is surprisingly decent and I faced no issues over poor roads, despite the lower 158mm ground clearance. In terms of handling, that softer setup means it lacks the sharp handling that the café racer image might suggest.

Triumph has given it a steeper rake which has also shortened the wheelbase to improve agility. However, this has come at the cost of stability which can be felt around high speed uneven corners. Cornering feel is good at moderate speeds, with the front end offering decent feedback and stability. But pick up the pace, especially on bumpy backroads, and you’ll begin to feel the chassis reaching the limits of its composure. 

Brakes, meanwhile, are up to the task. Lever feel is reassuring, progression is linear, and the dual-channel ABS doesn’t interfere prematurely. This motorcycle is available with either the Apollo Alpha H1 or MRF Steel Brace tyres. It largely depends on supply and which set you get depends on your luck. However, Triumph claims both these tyres have been benchmarked with similar performance and handling. Our test bike was fitted with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres, which performed acceptably well, though more serious riders may want to upgrade rubber for even better confidence. 

Triumph Thruxton 400 price and verdict – 8/10

This is the second most expensive model in Triumph’s 400cc lineup. 

At Rs 2.74 lakh (ex-showroom), the Thruxton 400 is priced Rs 50,000 lower than the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, its closest café-style rival. And while it can’t match the 650 for sheer size, displacement or twin-cylinder charm, it undercuts it significantly on price and weight.

What you’re really paying for here is the styling and a relatively sportier ride. In that regard, Bajaj and Triumph have nailed the brief.

While it’s not the sportiest handler, nor the best all-rounder, there is no denying it is a handsome and evocative motorcycle that delivers everyday usability with a big helping of café racer cool.

Also see: Triumph Scrambler 400 XC review: Form over function