I had the opportunity to take the Triumph Scrambler 400X out for a spin in the outskirts of Mumbai. And, the first ride experience was awesome.
How was the Scrambler 400X born?
Before we move to the detailed review of the motorcycle, let me enlighten you in brief about how the Triumph Scrambler 400X came into existence. Well, it was more than three years back in 2020, when Bajaj and Triumph joined hands and decided to roll out multiple new mid-sized motorcycles (350-450cc), aimed specifically at the Indian market. The first product emerging out of this partnership was Triumph Speed 400 – a roadster – which debuted earlier this year in July. Now, it’s the turn of the Scrambler in the form of the 400X which is all set to go on sale shortly and enthrall the Indian buyers.
Triumph Scrambler 400 X Video Review
What is a Scrambler, actually?
Scramblers are not uncommon or new to India as brands like Jawa, Yezdi, Royal Enfield, Ducati etc to name a few,have been offering these for quite some years in the domestic market. Still for the unversed, Scrambler motorcycles are meant to give you the comfort of a tourer motorcycle during long rides while at the same time enabling you to conquer unconventional and uneven terrains, i.e. off-roading. In simpler words, these are aimed at offering the best of the both worlds to a buyer.
Contrary to the previous paragraph, certain people and sections of the media are putting the Scrambler 400X against the mighty Royal Enfield Himalayan, which is due for a generational change in the next few days, I feel that the comparison is not entirely relevant. The former is a Scrambler motorcycle made for all-road purposes, which includes long comfortable rides and a bit of off-roading while the latter is an out-and-out adventure motorcycle, aimed squarely at off-roading.
Now, coming back to the 400X, is it a proper Scrambler and how does it perform on the road and off the road? These are some of the questions that we will try to answer in our detailed review.
Triumph Scrambler 400X Ride and Handling
Despite being based on the same platform as the Speed 400, the Scrambler 400X is different and gets multiple distinct elements. First things first, it tips the scale at 185 kg which is nearly 9 kg more than the Speed 400. The extra weight is contributed by the steel tubular handlebar, extra metal on the frame and increased wheelbase. However, being heavier doesn’t deter the agility and stability of the motorcycle. In fact, when you rev it up, it probably feels one of the lightest machines out there.
Triumph Scrambler 400X Seat Height and Ground Clearance
Coming to the saddle height, it measures 835 mm and things can be a bit difficult for short heighted individuals. For instance, my height is 5 feet and 8 inches, yet I was not fully comfortable while grounding my feet during the ride. While the Speed 400 with seat height of 790 mm was perfect for riders with smaller height, this one is not everyone’s cup of tea. Another thing that makes it harder for folks with smaller height is the ground clearance which is a thumping 195mm as compared to the Speed 400’s 158mm. However, Royal Enfield Himalayan has even higher ground clearance at 220mm and word is that the new-gen model could be even higher. As for the seat comfort, it passes out with flying colors as one doesn’t feel tired even one bit during the ride due to the optimum cushioning and premium quality of the single-seat setup. Not to forget, the new adjustable handlebar is wider, upright and easy to hold as it further accentuates the overall ride quality.
How well do the suspensions work?
Speaking of the suspension system, Triumph Scrambler 400X is equipped with 43mm upside down (USD) forks with 150mm wheel travel at the front and monoshock unit with pre-load adjustment and 150mm wheel travel at the rear. Now, if you compare it with the Speed 400, the suspension diameter is kept the same but the wheel travel at both the front and rear has been increased by 10mm and 20mm, respectively. And, needless to state the reason behind this enhancement in the suspension travel as it is solely carried out to enable off-roading more convincingly. During my ride, I had to pass through an uneven road, full of stones and potholes, but the suspension unit worked impeccably and absorbed most of the impact. The suspension is on the softer side for better balance and stability.
What wheels are used in the Scrambler 400X?
As far as the tyres are concerned, the Scrambler 400X gets 19-inch at front and 17-inch at the rear. These tyres deliver superior grip and performance even on the rocky terrains. If we compare it with the Speed 400, the front wheel size has grown up by 2 inches and needless to state, it has been done to suit the Scrambler-ish nature of the motorcycle and to instill confidence in the rider during off-roading. As for the rear tyre, the size is identical to the Speed 400, but it is wider (140/80-17), and no prizes here for guessing, it has been done only to offer better stability.
How effective is the braking system of Triumph Scrambler 400X?
Last but certainly not the least, Triumph Scrambler 400X is equipped with a 320mm fixed disc at the front and 230mm fixed disc at the rear. It won’t be an exaggeration to term it one of the best braking systems that I have experienced in modern day motorcycles. During the ride, I did sudden braking and was highly impressed by the braking distance, which is probably the shortest. Also, it never feels as if the motorcycle is losing stability and will eventually fall during instant braking, and the credit for that goes to the dual-channel ABS which is switchable. However, I couldn’t locate the switch from where one can turn it on and off despite trying multiple times through the LCD instrument panel.
Triumph Scrambler 400X Engine and Performance
The Scrambler 400X borrows the same 398.15 cc single-cylinder fuel-injected liquid-cooled petrol engine from the Speed 400. The power output and torque delivery is also identical at 39.5 bhp and 37.5 Nm, respectively. However, the best thing here is that the rider gets 80% of the torque right from 3000 rpm which results in exhilarating performance. The power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios are also one of the best in the segment and they further amplify the overall performance. The motorcycle has a 48:50 front/rear weight distribution ratio which again helps a lot in ensuring a smoother riding experience.
This engine has been paired with a 6-speed gearbox which is again a direct lift-off from the Speed 400. The gear ratios are longer and the shifting is effortless. I was in awe when in no time I could touch the triple digit mark on the speedometer without even engaging the top gear. The 5th gear has probably the longest ratio as you can ride in it at speeds as low as 30kmph and take it to even 120kmph, which helps greatly during off-roading as you are not required to shuffle gears constantly. As far as the top speed is concerned, it can comfortably clock around 145kmph. However, I am sure this is not something that the buyer would be much interested in. Generally, we feel vibrations around the footpegs and handlebar at higher speeds, but I didn’t feel anything of this sort during my brief ride. But again, I am sure one could feel such a phenomenon beyond 150kmph. A special mention goes to the Slip and assist clutch is another value addition that works perfectly in tandem with the gearbox.
What is the real-world mileage of Triumph Scrambler 400X?
Triumph officials claimed that the Scrambler 400X returns a mileage of 28kmpl. During my brief ride, I could achieve somewhere around 25-26kmpl. With a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres, you can go on an uninterrupted ride for around 300 km, without requiring refueling. I think I haven’t spoken about the upswept twin exhaust pipe yet, so here we go! It growls and growls like no other! The exhaust music will thrill you as it is louder and typical Triumph sound.
Triumph Scrambler 400X Design and Features
If the Speed 400 was a headturner for you, then I am pretty sure that the Scrambler 400X would impress you even more with its rugged appearance. The motorcycle looks raw and features a lot of Scrambler elements such as black grille on the round headlamp, knuckle guards, longer mudguard, sump guard, exquisite logo detailing etc. to name a few. The trademark black powder-coated engine casings takes the ruggedness quotient to a next level. The overall design, for me, is exemplary and far better than any other motorcycles in the same segment. However, it is debatable and you might differ here with me. As for colors, it will be rolled out in three dual-tone schemes namely Matt Khaki Green/ Fusion White, Carnival Red/ Phantom Black, and Phantom Black/ Silver Ice. I rode the one in Red shade and ongoers were having a good gaze at it.
As for features, the Scrambler 400X gets a lot of bells and whistles from the Speed 400 in the form of Ride-by-wire throttle with switchable traction control, Analogue speedometer with integrated full-feature LCD display, Anti-theft immobiliser, All-LED with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Soft road mode and USB type C charging socket. It misses out on the turn-by-turn navigation feature which the Speed 400 was also devoid of but I am pretty sure that Triumph could introduce it in a new variant of this motorcycle in future. So, in all, the feature list is fairly decent and the buyers will not feel disappointed.
Triumph Scrambler 400X Pros and Cons
Pros
Exuberant Appearance
Supreme Performance
Cons
Only 3 Colors
Navigation Missing
Triumph Scrambler 400X Review – Verdict
The Scrambler 400X has been priced at Rs 2.63 lakh (ex-showroom) in the Indian market. It would be locally developed at Bajaj’s factory in Chakan. The brand has played immensely well with the pricing of the motorcycle and I think this will go in its favor as we saw with the Speed 400 when in no time, Triumph had amassed a huge booking order. The Scrambler 400X has a service interval of 16,000 km which is truly commendable from a buyer’s point of view as the hassle of taking it to the service center every now and then is eliminated and ownership experience is further enriched. Moreover, the customers get a plethora of Triumph accessories with the motorcycle to personalize and customize as per their taste. So, combining these factors with incredible ride quality, exceptional handling, avant-garde performance and striking looks, I can confidently vouch that the Triumph Scrambler 400X will go a long way in the Indian market and buyers should give it a shot if they are hunting for something chic and fresh. Lastly, as you can see in the title, I have termed it as ‘Best of Both Worlds’ and yes, it does complete justice to this by delivering unblemished performance on the road as well as off the road.
