Triumph’s new entry-level machines – the 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X – are powered by a liquid-cooled 398cc Single with a 4-valve DOHC cylinder head and have claimed wet weights below 400 lb, making them the smallest and least expensive Triumphs we’ve seen in decades. Similarities between these two Modern Classics are the swingarm, switchgear, display, and 3.4-gallon fuel tank; however, beyond that, the Speed 400 follows in the footsteps of the Speed Twin 900 and 1200 with a roadster aesthetic, while the Scrambler offers the potential for light off-roading with longer suspension, off-road-capable tires, a wider and taller handlebar, and other extras.
To test the bikes, we headed to Spain to attend Triumph’s press launch, swapping between the bikes throughout the day as we rode through city traffic and up into the mountains north of Valencia, even tackling a short gravel section. Watch the video below to see the 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X in action, and read our full review here.
The 2024 Triumph Speed 400 features a new 398cc Single, a wet weight of 375 lb, and an MSRP of $4,995, making it a smart and attainable choice for newer riders.
Prospective Triumph motorcycle owners need no longer pay their dues by wrestling large-displacement bikes until they build their riding skills. Instead, they can save their skin and wallets by honing their skills on Triumph’s new entry-level machines. Powered by 398cc Singles and with claimed wet weights below 400 lb, the new Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are the smallest and least expensive Triumphs we’ve seen in decades, paving the way for newer riders looking for an affordable and manageable first or second bike.
The Scrambler features a larger 19-inch front wheel and longer suspension travel than the Speed.
While these two Modern Classics share engines, they have different chassis and ergonomics and offer different riding experiences, giving riders two options to choose the bike that best fits their needs. The Speed 400 follows in the footsteps of the Speed Twin 900 and 1200 with a roadster aesthetic, while the Scrambler offers the potential for light off-roading with longer suspension, off-road-capable tires, a wider and taller handlebar, and other extras.
Newer riders will enjoy the Triumph Speed 400’s easy nature, upright riding position, and nimble handling.
When crafting small-displacement machines meant to draw in new riders, Triumph assessed what new riders value most. Beginner-friendly models need to draw the eye with an attractive attitude, they need to feel forgiving and easy to ride, and they need to have a pricetag that isn’t out of reach for the target customer. Triumph has struck this balance, offering the Speed 400 for $4,495 and the Scrambler 400 X for $5,595.
The engine powering both models is the new TR-Series liquid-cooled 398cc Single with a 4-valve DOHC cylinder head. Triumph claims 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 27.7 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. Other similarities between the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are the swingarm, switchgear, display, and 3.4-gallon fuel tank.
All new for these two models, the 398cc Single proved to be a capable engine for a fun ride through Spanish mountains.
The differences between the two models begin in the chassis. They both have a tubular-steel frame with a bolt-on rear subframe, but the Scrambler 400 X features a longer wheelbase of 55.8 inches (compared to the Speed’s 54.2 inches) thanks to a different headstock. Both feature a 43mm inverted fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock, but the 400 X has longer suspension travel, with 5.9 inches front and rear compared to the Speed’s 5.5 inches front and 5.1 inches in the rear.
The Speed 400 strikes the balance of being inviting and forgiving while also being fun and engaging.
The Speed gets 17-inch wheels while the Scrambler has a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear. The Scrambler’s front brake disc is larger than the Speed’s at 320mm compared to 300mm, both pinched by a 4-piston caliper. Both bikes get a 230mm rear disc paired with a 1-piston caliper.
The seat of the Scrambler 400 X is comfortable and provides plenty of space to move around.
These differences between the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are noticeable as soon as you swing a leg over them. The Speed 400’s 31.1-inch seat height is an easier reach for those of us with short inseams, and it also features an upright and comfortable riding position but allows the rider to more easily tuck into a sporty position when the speed picks up.
In contrast, the Scrambler uses a wider and taller handlebar, a taller seat height (32.9 inches), and lower pegs, resulting in an overall roomier feel. The Speed 400 has a claimed wet weight of 375 lb, while the Scrambler 400 X has a wet weight of 395 lb.
Upswept twin pipes add to the Scrambler’s off-road-ready styling.
To get a taste for how the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X perform, and to be able to compare them back-to-back, we hopped on a flight to Spain to attend Triumph’s press launch. During the riding day, we swapped between the bikes as we rode through city traffic and up into the mountains north of Valencia, even tackling a short gravel section.
With short gearing and easy maneuverability, the Speed 400 would make a convenient bike for around-town errands.
I started on the Speed 400, drawn to its shorter seat height and more classic appearance. As we rolled down Valencia’s streets, I found the Speed 400 to be an adept city bike. Short gearing allows for reasonably quick acceleration, and the brakes were capable of shedding speed quickly when approaching a stop. The Speed is also quite nimble, aiding in low-speed maneuverability.
We then headed north into the mountains. The 398cc Single ran like a champ, eating up miles of curvy roads. Power was available for a spirited ride, but the delivery was smooth and even, perhaps making things a little less thrilling for veteran journalists but allowing for a controllable ride for newer riders. The Speed 400 was easy to flick into curves, and tucking down delivered a more engaging experience.
The Triumph Speed 400 was our pick for curvy sections of road.
After a quick stop for a cup of café con leche, we were ready to continue farther into the mountains. The Speed 400’s suspension was pleasantly plush for soaking up any inconsistencies in the road, although it allowed the front end to dive when braking at speed. If a curve turned out to be tighter than expected, smooth and even braking was called for to slow the bike without pitching too far into the curve. Past 75 mph or so, the engine gets a little buzzy, but the power is still there, and we didn’t reach max speed during the ride. The engine’s sweet spot is around 4,000-7,000 rpm, and the exhaust has a pleasing note.
Before we knew it, our stomachs were signaling lunch, and we parked the bikes in front of a family-owned restaurant in a small hillside town. We enjoyed some paella, had another cup of coffee, and then headed out on the Scrambler 400 X.
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X in Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White.
The first thing I noticed while mounting the Scrambler was that the 32.9-inch seat height was quite a stretch for my 5-foot-1 height. Newer riders who are closer to my size will struggle with this taller seat height, but it seemed to be quite manageable for the other journalists who were a few inches taller than I am. The Scrambler 400 X offers a roomier cockpit with its taller and wider handlebar and lower footpegs. Even though I had a long stretch to the ground, I found the seating position of the Scrambler more comfortable for all-day riding than its Speed sibling.
The seat height on the Scrambler was a stretch for my inseam, but the seating position is more comfortable than the Speed’s thanks to the taller and wider handlebar and lower footpegs.
The engine hasn’t been changed for use in either model, although the X has slightly taller gearing. While the Speed encourages spirited riding, the Scrambler prioritizes comfort. The Scrambler’s larger front wheel meant it didn’t lean into curves quite as gracefully as the Speed, but the wider handlebar helped provide the needed leverage to keep pace with the riders aboard Speeds.
The Scrambler 400 X is a capable machine for light off-road use.
Both models feature ABS and switchable traction control, and the Scrambler adds an off-road mode and the ability to disable ABS. We only got a brief off-road experience with the Scrambler, but it proved capable of being up for some light off-roading. It wouldn’t be our first pick to tackle serious trails, but Scrambler owners need not worry about taking a dirt or gravel shortcut should the need arise.
The headlight grille and handguards come standard on the Scrambler and are available as accessories for the Speed.
Aside from the off-road riding mode, the Scrambler 400 X offers a few other upgrades not present on the Speed 400. Adding to the bike’s scrambler styling and capabilities are protection for the headlight and radiator, handguards, a handlebar brace with pad, and a longer rear fender, all of which provide a little more peace-of-mind for those looking to venture off the pavement.
The Scrambler 400 X enjoys a curvy section of asphalt.
Instrumentation is the same on both models and consists of a round analog speedometer with an integrated LCD screen that shows a tachometer, fuel level, and a gear indicator. On the right side of the instrumentation is a USB-C charging port, a convenient feature if you like to ride with your phone mounted on the handlebar. The display is also set up to show heated grip info for those who add that accessory. The instrumentation is simple yet intuitive.
Instrumentation comes in the form of a round analog speedometer with an inset LCD screen. On the right side of the LCD screen is a USB-C charging port.
Triumph has a reputation for quality and sophistication, so seeing models that are priced several thousand dollars below any other on-road model in the Triumph lineup led us to wonder if the lower price would reveal itself in lower quality components or poorer fit and finish. We’re happy to report that these two models look and feel like quality products that we’d expect from Triumph.
The Scrambler 400 X includes a handlebar brace with pad.
They were created in a partnership with Bajaj Auto in India, and Triumph told us that the bikes are selling well in India for those who want something more premium than the 125-150cc bikes often seen on Indian streets. The bikes are manufactured by Bajaj, as well as in Triumph factories in Thailand and Brazil.
It’s hard not to become dismayed when prices seem to be increasing everywhere you look, and motorcycles are no exception. Many bikes are becoming bigger with more technology and more features, which is exciting for customers with deep pockets, but they are receding farther out of reach for many buyers, especially younger riders.
2024 Speed 400 in Carnival Red
On U.S. shores, these models will arrive in dealerships in early March. The Speed 400 has an MSRP of $4,995, and the Scrambler 400 X is priced at $5,595. Color options for the Speed 400 are Phantom Black, Carnival Red, or Caspian Blue. Colors for the Scrambler 400 X are Phantom Black and Silver Ice, Carnival Red and Phantom Black, or Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White.
It’s refreshing to see Triumph providing more accessible options that are affordable and inviting while still delivering the quality and riding experience of a premium brand. We’ll see how they catch on in the U.S. once they start arriving at dealers, but we expect them to draw serious attention and bring in a new customer base for Triumph.
The 2024 Triumph Speed 400 in Carnival Red and 2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X in Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White
Triumph has announced that two all-new models featuring a single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid-cooled engine will join the company’s Modern Classics lineup for 2024. The 2024 Triumph Speed 400 joins the larger Speed Twin 900 and Speed Twin 1200, while the 2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X takes its design cues from the Scrambler 900 and Scrambler 1200, with an off-road pedigree that goes back to the first factory scramblers of the 1950s.
Triumph says the new bikes are designed to deliver a “fun, agile, and confidence-inspiring ride for riders of all ages and experience levels.”
James Wood, Triumph’s global product marketing manager, said when unveiling the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X that the company’s ambition with creating the small-bore bikes was to give a “whole new generation of riders the opportunity to own a Triumph.”
“This means that the brief we stepped out to deliver on was all about creating a new 400cc capacity choice for our iconic Speed and Scrambler lineups,” he said. “These would, of course, need to be genuine Triumphs but even more accessible.”
The New TR-Series Engine
The new TR-Series engine is a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 398cc single-cylinder engine making a claimed 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 27.7 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm and mated to a 6-speed gearbox, a slip/assist clutch, and chain final drive.
2024 Triumph Speed 400 in Carnival Red
Wood said the “TR-Series” name was chosen to celebrate Triumph racing singles of the early 20th century: “Six Day Trial-winning machines that went on to inspire the TR-trophy racing bloodline of Singles and Twins that followed.”
Technical highlights include a 4-valve, DOHC cylinder head and a crankshaft that has been weighted and balanced to optimize inertia for low-speed rideability, as well as a finger-follower valvetrain with a low reciprocating mass and DLC coatings that reduce friction.
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X in Carnival Red and Phantom Black
Triumph says the new engine delivers “responsive, fun, and characterful power delivery along with an evocative, rich, and distinctive exhaust note.”
2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X
2024 Triumph Speed 400
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X
Wood said a key part of the company’s planning with the new range was to “really understand what riders want and value in this world.”
“What riders have told us is that style matters a great deal to them, thereby it must be beautiful, but it also must be authentic,” he said. “They want something that’s very easy to maneuver, with a height that they feel comfortable on and in control of, and to have a ride that is unintimidating and fun but that also comes with a responsive, usable plan for power delivery, plus a great sound. On top of all that, they demand a very high level of quality and reliability, preferably from a brand with credibility and desirability, and of course, all for a price that represents genuine value for money.”
2024 Triumph Speed 400
Beyond the new TR-Series engine, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X share some of the latest rider-focused technology tailored to suit each model, including throttle-by-wire, switchable traction control, and Bosch dual-channel ABS, which can be deactivated on the Scrambler 400 X when riding off-road.
Dual format instruments feature a large analog speedometer and an integrated LCD screen that includes a digital tachometer, fuel range remaining, and a gear indicator. The display is also pre-enabled to show the status of accessory heated grips, if fitted, and there is a USB-C charging port.
Both the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X benefit from a slim standover with an accessible seat height of 31 inches on the Speed 400 and 32.9 inches on the Scrambler 400 X and low weights of 375 lb and 395 lb, respectively. Both models also have their own model-specific chassis, with a new frame, bolt-on rear subframe, and cast-aluminum swingarm paired with suspension set-ups tailored to each use.
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X
The Speed 400 features a 43mm inverted fork offering 5.5 inches of travel, a monoshock rear suspension unit giving 5.1 inches of travel, lightweight 17-inch wheels, and roadster-specific geometry and wheelbase, all of which Triumph says offer “an engaging and intuitive ride along with a comfortable, neutral riding position that inspires confidence for riders of all sizes and skill levels.” Stopping power comes from a 4-piston radial front brake caliper with a 300mm front disc and braided lines and a floating caliper and 230mm disc in the rear.
2024 Triumph Speed 400
The Scrambler 400 X features a longer wheelbase than the Speed 400 (55.8 inches vs. 54.2 inches), longer travel suspension (5.9 inches front and rear), and a larger 320mm front brake disc. A larger 19-inch front wheel and a wide handlebar provide greater stability and control when riding on loose surfaces. It also has a more upright riding position, and the larger cast steel brake pedal and high-grip footpegs are positioned lower and wider for a more natural standing riding position when riding off-road.
Stuart Wood, Triumph’s chief engineer, said at the unveiling that it was more than just the specifications. “We’ve put our heart and soul into setting these bikes up to give you all the character and performance you expect from us,” he said. “So they’re really fun bikes, really great response, a little bit more power than the others as well. They really are fun to ride.”
However, Triumph says that both bikes are still “instantly recognizable.” Traditional touches, like the distinctive finned cylinder head and traditional exhaust header clamps, combine with contemporary details like the upswept silencer, graphics, and “sensitively incorporated technology,” such as concealed liquid-cooling and a flowing exhaust with a hidden primary silencer. They also feature the trademark black powder-coated engine casings, tough gold anodized forks, and high-quality paint and logo detailing.
2024 Triumph Speed 400 in Caspian Blue
The Scrambler 400 X’s all-road attitude is accentuated by protection for the headlight, radiator, and sump, as well as handguards, a handlebar brace with pad, and a longer front fender.
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X in Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White
The 2024 Triumph Speed 400 will be offered with three two-tone paint schemes – Carnival Red, Caspian Blue, and Phantom Black – each featuring a prominent Triumph tank graphic.
2024 Triumph Speed 400 in Phantom Black
The Scrambler 400 X is also available in three color schemes, each featuring Triumph’s distinctive Scrambler tank stripe and triangle badge: Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White, Carnival Red and Phantom Black, and Phantom Black and Silver Ice options.
2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X in Phantom Black and Silver Ice
While pricing has not yet been announced, Triumph says both the 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X will be attractively priced versus the key competitors in each market.
James Wood said the bikes are the result of a “major five-year collaboration” with Bajaj Auto in India.
“Based on Triumph’s concept and design, Bajaj has worked hand-in-hand with our engineering team here in Italy to add that expertise in large-scale efficient and cost-effective manufacturing to our leading engineering and design capabilities.”
Wood added that the bikes will be built by Triumph factories in Thailand and Brazil, as well as Bajaj Auto in India, where both models will launch starting in July 2023. They will be on sale in all other markets in early 2024, when prices for these markets will be announced.
