Triumph Scrambler 400X (350cc engine) review

The 2026 Triumph Scrambler 400 X is the result of a swift and clever engineering pivot. Driven by India’s not so great “GST 2.0” regulations—which heavily tax bikes over 350cc—Triumph, Bajaj and soon KTM have downsized their engines to 349cc. There is also a small but significant price cut as well, the new Triumph Scrambler 400X has been priced at ₹2,59,241 ex-showroom.

Surprisingly, they’ve kept the “400 X” branding, but the heart of the bike is now a leaner, high-revving 350. Here is how it feels on the road.

The Engine: What’s Changed?

The engineering team didn’t just slap on a new cylinder; they shortened the stroke (down to 56.1mm) while keeping the wide 89mm bore. This makes the engine “over-square,” allowing it to rev more freely than before.

• The Output: It now produces 37 PS at 8,500 rpm and 32 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. This is a drop of about 3 PS and 5 Nm from the original 400cc unit.
• Refinement: This is the biggest “hidden” win. The smaller displacement and optimized balancer shaft have significantly reduced the vibrations that used to creep into the pegs and handlebars at high revs on the old 400. It feels noticeably smoother at highway speeds. However it has not completely been eliminated it, you will notice it at RPMs above 5000.

Ride & Performance

• City Slugging: I was expecting a loss in low-end grunt, but has Triumph has aggressively re-tuned the fuelling. In city traffic, the bike still feels peppy and tractable. You can still hold a higher gear at low speeds without the engine lugging. There has also been no change in sprocket sizes.
• Highway Cruising: While it still reaches a top speed of 144 km/h, the 0–100 km/h sprint is now roughly 8.8 seconds (up from 7.4s). It’s slightly more relaxed and takes a beat longer to execute high-speed overtakes.
• Off-Road: The “Scrambler” DNA remains untouched. With the 19-inch front wheel, 150mm suspension travel, and switchable rear ABS, it still handles gravel trails and broken roads with better composure than almost anything in its price bracket.
• You really feel the difference from the earlier 400, only if you ride it back to back. As a standalone new motorcycle of 350 cc, it does its job well.
• One place that you will miss the torque coming on in earlier is out on a trail. With the TC off this one takes a little bit more revs to step out the rear.
• Surprisingly no change in the front braking, I expected Triumph to give a slightly sharper feel at the front as it was one of the most complained bits on the previous model.

Build & Ergonomics

The bike remains physically identical to the 400cc version, which is a good thing.

• Commanding Stance: The 835mm seat height gives you a great view over traffic, though shorter riders might still find it a bit of a stretch.
• Premium Finish: The gold-anodized USD forks, powder-coated engine casings, and “TR Series” engine badge maintain that “baby 1200” aesthetic that makes Triumph stand out.
• The Catch: To save costs alongside the engine change, Triumph has removed the engine immobilizer. You’ll need to be a bit more vigilant about security.

The Good

• Price Drop: The switch to 18% GST (down from 40% for >350cc) has shaved about ₹11,000 off the sticker price, making it approximately ₹2.59 Lakh (ex-showroom).
• Better NVH: It’s a smoother, more refined engine than the original 400.
• Agility: At 185kg, it remains easy to manhandle in the dirt or through tight gaps.
• There is a slight bump in fuel efficiency of about 3-5 kmpl.

The Bad

• Paper Figures: If you’re a spec-sheet warrior, the drop in power and torque might hurt your soul.
• Top-End Punch: It feels a bit breathless compared to the 400cc version when pushed past 110 km/h.

If you loved the Scrambler 400 X for its looks, suspension, and premium feel, the new 350cc version gives you 95% of the performance for less money and with better refinement. It’s less of a “downgrade” and more of a “strategic optimization” for the Indian market. Also it feels like a downgrade only if you compare it with the 400cc version. From a new 350cc motorcycle point of view, it does everything quite well.