TRIUMPH Scrambler 400 X

Cosmetically, the Scrambler 400 X does share quite a bit of parts with the Speed 400. The headlamp, fuel tank, switchgear, instrument cluster and tail lamp have been carried forward. However, the Scrambler 400 X does get a new paint shade called Khaki Green which is not available on the Speed 400. The quality of the paint, welds, switchgear and attention to detail is top-notch. Triumph went a step ahead to make fake fins and a triangular casing on the engine. The road presence of the Scrambler 400 X is slightly better than the Speed 400 because it is taller, gets a dual-barrel exhaust and comes with few accessories as standard.

Triumph is offering more than 25 accessories for the Scrambler 400 X which include Bullet LED turn indicators, quilted seat, windscreen, mudguard extension and there are a few touring accessories on offer as well. Most of the accessories that are compatible with the Scrambler 400 X can also be fitted to the Speed 400.

Apart from the cosmetic differences, Triumph has also made changes to its ergonomics. The foot pegs are now slightly forward set and have more rubber padding. The handlebar is now wider, taller, and has a brace pad. Overall the rider now sits more upright which makes the riding posture more comfortable for touring as well as commuting. However, the seat height of the Scrambler 400 X has gone up to 835 mm which means that shorter riders will have to tip-toe and go through an adjustment period.

Then comes the features, Triumph offers traction control, dual-channel ABS and an off-road mode. When the off-road mode is engaged, the ABS on the rear wheel and the traction control are turned off. This can be done by using the button on the left switch gear but it is not very intuitive to use. There is an analogue speedometer with a digital display that houses a vertical tachometer that can be a bit hard to read because of its small size, gear position indicator, twin trip meters, odometer, average fuel economy and distance to empty. However, few people would have preferred an analogue tachometer and a digital speedometer instead of the other way around.

We noticed that the digital unit fogged up early in the morning while it was cold outside. Moving on, other features on offer are a Type C charging port to charge mobile devices and ride-by-wire. There is no Bluetooth connectivity on offer.

The Scrambler 400 X shares its engine with the Speed 400. It is a 398.15 cc, liquid-cooled unit that produces 39.5 bhp and a peak torque output of 37.5 Nm Triumph says that the engine has been retuned to provide more engine braking. which should help the rider while riding on the trails. The engine has a strong low and mid-range and the power is delivered in a very linear fashion. In fact, 30 Nm of torque is available from as low as 3,000 rpm and it will pull from low speeds at higher gears without creating any major fuss.

(Also read: Triumph Speed 400 First Ride Review: New segment disruptor is here!)

Yes, the Scrambler 400 X weighs more than the Speed 400 and to compensate for that, Triumph has changed the sprocket sizes in the front and the rear. It has a 14-tooth sprocket as compared to the 15-tooth unit found on the Speed 400. At the rear, the sprocket size is 43. The motorcycle can cruise at 100 kmph doing just around 5,000 rpm. However, after 5,000 rpm the vibrations start to creep in from the footpegs and the handlebar which might leave the rider with a tingling sensation.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch. The gearbox is smooth and the clutch action is also light. The Scrambler 400 X gets a different exhaust when compared to the Speed 400. It is a twin-barrel unit and it does sound better. I did hear the fan kick in quite a few times but didn't face any heating issues. However, the weather was also quite cold and we rode the motorcycle on nice winding ghats. So, we will have to test this when we get the motorcycle for a city test. Triumph says that the fuel efficiency of the Scrambler 400X should be around 28 kmpl which means in day-to-day usage the figure could be around 25 kmpl.

The highlight of the Scrambler 400 X is the way it rides and inspires confidence. It dips into the corners nicely while sticking to the lines that the rider chooses, surprisingly the tyres also performed quite well. Speaking of tyres, the front one measures 100/90 while the rear one measures 140/80. The suspension now has 10 mm more travel in the front and 20 mm more travel at the rear when compared to the Speed 400. The suspension travel stands at 150 mm at both ends. It absorbs potholes and bad patches and remains composed on smooth roads. The rear monoshock also gets pre-load adjustment whereas there is no adjustment in the front.

Then there are the brakes, the Scrambler 400 X gets a larger 320 mm disc in the front while the rear one is the same. The bite from the front brake is not as sharp as the Speed 400 and the reason behind this is the use of non-sintered brake pads. Triumph says this has been done intentionally so that the bite is more progressive instead of sharp on off-road trails. The dual-channel ABS and the traction control have been well-calibrated and do not feel intrusive.