What's Special About The Triumph Scrambler 400X?

The Scrambler packs the same 398cc engine as the Speed 400

• It makes 40PS and 37.5Nm
• At 185kg, the bike is 6kg more than the Speed 400
• With its 835mm seat height, shorter riders might have a slight issue in flat footing their feet

Triumph Scramblers have historically been special motorcycles. It all started with the Scrambler 1200 and then came the Scrambler 900. The reason why the 1200 was very special was that the engine was an absolute torque monster and the bike was equipped with a lot of off-road prowess…so much so that it was nearly as much as the Tiger 800. All of these capabilities came on a bike that was drop-dead gorgeous to look at. 

These things said, its primary issue was that all of that needed an experienced hand to extract everything from. The Scrambler 1200 wasn’t the easiest bike to extract capabilities from and in fact, it could be intimidating for beginners. So when Triumph launched the Scrambler 400X, we all stood up and got excited, for it meant that all that off-roading prowess could now be had at a much more affordable price point. 

If these things have piqued your interest, here are five things about the Scrambler 400X that you absolutely must know: 

The Scrambler 400X rivals the KTM 390 Adventure, Royal Enfield Himalayan, and Bajaj Dominar 400. 

Design

The Triumph Scrambler 400X embraces the classic scrambler design with distinctive elements like a braced handlebar featuring knuckle guards, side plates, and vertically stacked twin-exit upswept exhausts. The overall aesthetics are complemented by premium fit and finish levels, including the switchgear.

Engine

Powering the Scrambler 400X is a brand new 398.15cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that delivers 40PS at 8000rpm and 37.5Nm at 6500rpm. This engine is paired with a 6-speed transmission featuring a slip-and-assist clutch. Notably, the service interval for this motorcycle is an impressive 16,000km. The Scrambler 400 X boasts a claimed mileage of 28.3kmpl.

Triumph highlights that a significant portion of the total torque, specifically more than 30Nm out of the 37.5Nm, becomes accessible from a low 3000rpm. This feature becomes evident while riding the motorcycle, as it delivers a remarkable surge in speed once it crosses the 3000rpm mark, thanks to the ample torque.

During testing at Bajaj's Chakan test track, our rider managed to achieve a speed of 160kmph according to the speedometer. At this velocity, the Speed 400 exhibited impressive smoothness and stability. If provided with a sufficiently long straight road, the bike has the potential to reach a top speed of 175kmph, placing it in the same category as the KTM 390 Duke. While it may not be as aggressively tuned, the Speed 400 unquestionably offers an exhilarating and involving riding experience, thanks to its agility and dynamic handling.

Underpinnings

This bike is built on a hybrid spine/perimeter tubular steel frame with a bolt-on rear subframe. It's equipped with a 43mm inverted Big Piston Fork in the front and a gas-charged mono-shock with a remote reservoir in the rear, both providing 150mm of wheel travel. The Scrambler 400X features a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, both made of aluminum alloy and fitted with Metzeler 

Karoo Street tyres in the international model, and MRF Zapper Kurve block-pattern units in the India-specific version. Braking is handled by a 300mm front disc with a radial caliper and a 230mm rear disc, both manufactured by ByBre. The bike retains the 13-litre fuel tank capacity of the Speed 400 but offers a taller seat at 835mm. With a kerb weight of 185kg, it's 6kg heavier than the international-spec model.

Along with these things, Triumph has stiffened up the suspension on the Scrambler 400 X to account for the extra weight that the bike has to lug around. And that has made the bike a lot firmer than the Speed 400. While the Speed was known for its plush ride quality, the Scrambler definitely feels a lot more bumpy. Lighter riders especially, will get tossed around a fair bit on roads that are really broken. 

Features

The Scrambler 400X features a semi-digital instrument cluster that provides essential information, such as remaining range, gear position, speed, and fuel level, along with tell-tale lights. Triumph has integrated all-LED lighting, switchable traction control, and a Bosch dual-channel ABS system, exclusive to the Scrambler 400X. Additionally, it comes with an engine immobilizer and a standard USB-C port. Triumph offers a variety of luggage options, windshields, and accessories, all backed by a two-year warranty.

Price

Triumph recently launched the Scrambler 400 X for Rs 2.63 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. That makes it just Rs 30,000 more expensive than the Speed 400. 

Given the off-road kit that it packs over the Speed 400, it sounds like the premium over the Speed 400 is very much justified. For those looking to do even a bit of off-road on their bikes or even take them the long way and tour on them, buying the Scrambler 400 X over the Speed 400 is a bit of a no-brainer.