Scrambling for success: Prototype ride reveals Triumph's 400 X retro is set to be a smash

Triumph’s incoming range of small capacity single retro motorbikes have been an instant hit across the globe. Following their early July reveal, Indian buyers alone put down 12,000 pre-orders, with the firm keen to cash in on the huge pool of riders in emerging markets. 

• We’ve ridden the production version: Read our Triumph Scrambler 400 X full review or our more in-depth Triumph Scrambler 400 X deep dive

MCN was given access to a pre-production version of the all-new £5595 Scrambler 400 X for an exclusive first impression – and the new retro certainly looks set to shake up the competition.

Using Triumph’s new 398cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder TR platform, the Scrambler 400 X (and its retro-roadster range-mate the Speed 400) has been developed and built in collaboration with Triumph’s Indian partners, Bajaj, and the two models represent the British brand’s first entry-level, A2-compliant bikes. 

At first glance, it’d be easy to mistake the new Scrambler 400 X for its Scrambler 900 big brother, and it’s only really the lower-level, one-into-two exhaust and monoshock rear that give the game away. Everything else in terms of styling, quality, fit and finish is consistent with the larger, more expensive, Scrambler. 

Intended as a direct competitor for the £4699, 24bhp Royal Enfield Scram 411, potential Scrambler 900 owners could also have a dilemma on their hands when the 400 arrives in dealers early next year; is the parallel-twin 900’s 24.5bhp power advantage and fatter torque curve worth the £4200 premium over the new Scrambler 400 X, especially when it turns out the smaller (and 44kg lighter) bike’s single-cylinder lump is both punchy and fun?

It may only be 39.5bhp but the new TR-series motor has been tuned so that it maintains a great slug of its 27.7lb.ft torque across most of its rev range, making the motor feel as though it’s sneakily packing a few extra ccs than the 398 it claims. 

Allowing it to accelerate keenly from a standstill, Triumph have lowered the gearing by fitting a one-tooth smaller front sprocket compared to that of the Speed 400, mostly to compensate for the slightly taller rear tyre (140/80×17 compared to the Speed’s 160/50×17), but it also makes for a slightly more relaxed experience when on the gas. 

The TR-series engine is wonderfully smooth, thanks to the counter-rotating balance shaft inside the cases. It thrums along without hint of vibration, and feels extra silky within the Scrambler’s steel frame tubes.

On the road this translates into effortlessly keeping up with and passing traffic on National Speed Limit roads, as well as calm cruising on dual carriageways, where the digital tacho shows just under 6000rpm at 70mph in sixth gear. 

The Scrambler 400 is a small capacity bike that feels very grown up, both in terms of the quality of its parts, and in its ergonomics too. 

Although still very accessible for most riders thanks its narrow standover, the Scrambler’s two-piece seat perches 45mm higher than that of the Speed 400 which allows a roomier riding position via lower pegs as well as wider-set off-road style bars.

The 400 X feels much more spacious than the roadster, and combined with the relaxed, torquey power delivery – as well as the availability of a fair selection of ride-enhancing extras (heated grips, screen, luggage) – you could happily and comfortably go the distance on it. 

Triumph are yet to publish mpg figures, but during a previous test of a pre-production Speed 400 the bike’s LCD dash reported 90mpg meaning that the 13-litre tank (which is one litre larger than that of the Scrambler 900) could deliver over 200 miles between fill ups. 

Ride quality from the 43mm big-piston fork is superb and the steering light and agile, aided by tweaks to the fork offset and its knock-on effect on steering geometry and wheelbase (the Scrambler is 41mm longer than its stablemate). Although, as the Scrambler has a 19in front wheel and longer travel suspension than the Speed 400, it does feel less connected to the road – but this is something you’d only really notice riding them back-to-back.

The Triumph sets itself apart from the competition with quality Metzeler Karoo Street tyres and you also get handguards, headlamp grille, wide bars with Triumph bar pad, twin-skin one-into-two mid-level exhaust, bashplate, longer travel suspension (150mm front and rear), high grip lower-mounted footpegs, wide brake pedal, two-piece seat, switchable ABS and traction control.

With its larger front wheel and smattering of extra bits, the Scrambler is 9kg heavier than the Speed – but at 179kg it’s still a lightweight bike and the extra kilos aren’t at all noticeable on the move. 

In any case, Triumph have seen fit to upgrade the front brake disc by 20mm. On the subject of braking, the Scrambler’s Bosch ABS dual-channel system can be turned off, whereas the Speed 400’s cannot. Both models feature switchable on/off traction control and ride-by-wire throttle.