First came the Speed 400. Then the Scrambler 400 X. Then the Speed T4 and now… Triumph has rolled out its fourth 400cc offering from the Bajaj-built family, and it’s wearing its Sunday best. Meet the Thruxton 400 — a pint-sized café racer that tips its helmet to the legendary Name. But is this just a pretty face with some retro flair, or is there more brewing under that cute little fairing? Let’s find out.
Design & Features – James Bond’s Summer Daily.
If the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are jeans-and-t-shirt types, the Thruxton 400 is the one who shows up in a tailored leather jacket… but still manages to look ready for a bar fight. The redesigned, slimmer fuel tank still holds 13 litres, the tail section is trimmer, and you get that mini front fairing with a raked windscreen — perfect for slicing through wind or just looking fast in the parking lot. Clip-on bar-end mirrors? Check. A rear cowl over the pillion seat? Yup (though you’ll need a screwdriver to remove it, so no impromptu “two-up” rides without some prep). Quality? Very much on-brand for Bajaj-built Triumphs: tight panel gaps, glossy paint, sturdy switchgear. Though, we did notice that on some test units, the fairing developed a little “angry bee” buzz over 6,000rpm.
Instrumentation is a familiar combo from other Triumph 400s — analogue speedo, digital tacho. We still think they should swap that layout, especially for a café racer where revs matter more than speed in the eyes of the rider. But hey, it’s bright, clear, and tells you all the essentials. Oh, and strangely… no adjustable levers. Considering the Speed 400 gets them, it feels like Triumph left this detail off the guest list by mistake.
Riding Position & Comfort – Lean In, Buddy
This is, without doubt, the sportiest riding position in Triumph’s 400cc family. Clip-ons are lower, footpegs further back, and the riding triangle says, “No slouching in this house.” You get a forward lean that feels ready for an impromptu dash between café stops.
At 795mm, the seat height is the lowest of the bunch — shorter riders will love it. The seat is firm but supportive, good for short-to-medium rides. Push past that, though, and you’ll be stretching like you’re mid-yoga at every fuel stop. Triumph will happily sell you a quilted seat with more cushioning for ₹7,000… because comfort is apparently an accessory.
Engine & Performance – More Zing, More Character
Under that retro skin beats the same 398cc liquid-cooled single as the Speed 400, but with a twist — 2 more horses, now peaking at 42hp at 9,000rpm, and the same 37.5Nm of torque… just arriving 1,000rpm later. Translation: it’s happier to scream towards redline without feeling breathless.
A smaller rear sprocket means slightly taller gearing, and there’s even the occasional exhaust pop and bang on deceleration — very race-boy, very addictive. Triumph also claims a higher top speed (161kph vs the Speed’s 148kph) and a quicker 0-100 time (6.7 seconds vs 7.7). In practice? It feels livelier, more playful, and yes — more characterful. And if you’re cheeky with the throttle, it’ll wheelie. Would a quickshifter make it perfect? Absolutely. Sadly, it’s not even an accessory… yet.
Ride & Handling – Softer Than You’d Expect
Here’s the plot twist: despite its sporty looks, the Thruxton 400 runs softer suspension than we anticipated. With 10mm more travel than the Speed 400, it actually soaks up potholes and bad roads like a champ. Ground clearance is 158mm; enough for city duties without too much drama.
Handling? Agile at city and moderate speeds, thanks to a steeper rake and shorter wheelbase. But at high speeds over bumpy roads, stability takes a hit — it’s more “dancer” than “marathon runner.” Brakes are solid in the front, with good lever feel and progressive stopping power… the rear felt a little absent. Tyres are either Apollo Alpha H1s or MRF Steel Braces depending on luck of the draw. Our bike had the Apollos, which were fine for spirited riding, but serious riders might want stickier rubber.
Price & Verdict – Style Points for Days
At ₹2.74 lakh (ex-showroom), the Thruxton 400 sits just below the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 by ₹50,000. Sure, it can’t match the GT for sheer engine size or twin-cylinder charisma, but it weighs less, costs less, and still nails the café racer fantasy. It’s not the sharpest handler in its class, nor the best all-rounder, but if you want everyday usability wrapped in a package that turns heads and makes you feel cooler than you probably are — this little Thruxton delivers.
Final verdict: The Thruxton 400 isn’t just a scaled-down retro. It’s a stylish, accessible, and charming daily café racer that blends form and function — even if that function sometimes prioritises looking good over going fastest. And let’s be honest, in the café racer world… isn’t that the point?
