The new Triumph Thruxton 400 has landed and we spent a day with it. It’s a real head-turner for anyone who loves the classic café racer vibe but wants modern ease and punch. Here’s a detailed look, with everything you need to know before making that buying decision.
When you hear that name Thruxton, there are immediate images, thoughts and expectations in your head. The challenge for Triumph/Bajaj was always on how they can evoke the same emotions for their new offering.
The Thruxton 400 for me, comes quite close. Looks are on point and weirdly photos don’t do it justice. Would I have liked bigger propositions? Sure! But then that would just be meaningless. In typical Triumph style, the build quality is good, no rattles, no plasticky feel, it feels solid.
The performance feels different enough from the Speed 400. The rear 43 tooth sprocket and the increase in power doing its thing. It’s peppy, alive and wants to be ridden fast. This means it’s a bit buzzy at higher revs than expected, but in no way a problem.
Probably one place, I would have loved a bit more character is the cockpit feel. The same speedo from the other Triumph 400s and the empty look on its sides, dulls the premium feel a bit. Also a slightly different exhaust note, something a bit more raspy to go with the Cafe Racer feel would have been a cherry on the top.
Either way, coming to the question of whether this is a “true” Thruxton. The answer is a YES and it not just looks like it, but feels like it.
What’s Different from the Speed 400?
While the Thruxton 400 shares its core frame and basic engine with its sibling, the Speed 400, the Thruxton carves out its own identity with a sharper, sportier approach:
- Looks: The Thruxton 400 rocks a semi-faired design, clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors, and a seat with a removable cowl for that authentic café racer look. Chrome touches, a flyscreen, more chiselled tank, blacked-out USD forks (instead of the Speed’s gold), and rear-set pegs round out the classic styling.
- Ergonomics: It puts you in a proper aggressive riding posture. The clip-ons are 40mm narrower and 246mm lower, while the new footpegs are 87mm further back and 27mm higher than the Speed 400. All of this makes the Thruxton feel racier, while the Speed is more upright and relaxed.
- Chassis & Geometry: The Thruxton 400 features different steering geometry, a shorter wheelbase (1376mm, 10mm less), a redesigned subframe, and slightly softer, 10 mm longer-travel suspension—giving it a unique ride within the Triumph 400 lineup.
- Tyres & Weight: It comes with Apollo Alpha H1 or MRF tyres and is 4kg heavier (183kg kerb) than the Speed 400. Ground clearance is a bit lower, but both bikes are still practical for city riding.
Engine, Handling & Performance
- Engine Feel: Both bikes use a 398cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. The Thruxton 400, however, gets a slightly different tune: 42hp at 9,000rpm (up from Speed’s 40hp at 8,000rpm), and 37.5Nm at 7,500rpm delivered a bit higher up the rev range. It revs higher too, and has a 10,300 rpm limits (up 1000 revs).
- Power Delivery: The engine feels punchy, especially post-4,000rpm, with a smooth, linear surge that rewards pushing it to the redline. It’s quick—0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds—and thanks to revised gearing, it’s actually a bit quicker at the top end than the Speed 400. Faster to the 100 by one second and a claimed 161 top speed. We never got the roads to test it though, but we did do a easy 150 without crouching.
- Handling: Everything about the chassis and ergonomics pushes you into a sporty, involved riding experience. Steering is agile; the shorter wheelbase and steeper rake let you flick the Thruxton through traffic or canyon roads with ease.
- Riding Position: The committed, forward-leaning stance is unmistakably “café racer.” It looks cool and feels special, but it’s less forgiving than the upright Speed 400, especially if you’re in slow-moving traffic or spending hours in the saddle.
City, Highway, and Touring
- City Riding: In traffic, the Thruxton handles well thanks to its nimble chassis, but aggressive ergonomics and stiff ride mean it’s not the comfiest for daily stop-start commutes. The engine’s flexible nature helps, allowing low-speed pottering in higher gears.
- Highway Cruising: On the highway, Thruxton 400 comes into its own. Tall gearing means 100km/h is a relaxed cruise, and wind protection from the mini-fairing actually works. Overtakes are easy, and the bike feels stable at speed.
- Touring?: Occasional weekend touring is realistic, especially given Triumph’s comfort tweaks and balanced suspension. But the aggressive stance will get tiring on long hauls compared to genuine touring bikes, or even the Speed 400.
Build Quality & Fit-Finish
Triumph has a great rep for quality, and the Thruxton 400 doesn’t disappoint. Paint, chrome, switchgear, and all touch points have a solid, premium feel. Bar-end mirrors, the seat cowl, and the clip-ons give the bike a bigger-bike look, and everything feels well-assembled with no notable rattles or cheap plastics.
Is the Thruxton 400 a Worthy Buy?
If you crave a genuine café racer that turns heads, feels engaging, and gives you a taste of classic motorcycling with zero reliability worries, the Triumph Thruxton 400 is a compelling choice. It’s not as practical as the Speed 400—but that’s the point. It rewards style and spirited solo riding, blending modern engineering with old-school cool. Perfect for Sunday coffee runs, short blasts, and anyone wanting to stand out—just know what you’re getting: a sportier, less commuter-friendly Triumph made for fun, not just function.
Triumph Thruxton 400 HD wallpapers
