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A few weeks ago Zack Courts and I found ourselves on a motorcycle trip riding across the More Plains, a beautiful, but barren stretch of land perched at an altitude of 15,000 feet in the Himalayan Mountains. As the miles rolled under our wheels, we passed the time doing what most of you out there might expect, talking about motorcycles.
If you, dear reader, could have been linked in to our Bluetooth signal, you might have mistaken our friendly bickering and playful ribbing as just another episode of our Highside/Lowside motorcycle podcast. But alas, our art is a true imitation of life and this is what Zack and I do whether or not the cameras are rolling: We argue about motorcycles.
In this particular case, we were debating what Triumph would charge in the United States for its two new 398 cc single-cylinder motorcycles, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, which are being built in partnership with Bajaj Auto in India. At the time of our little discussion, Indian pricing for the Speed 400 had just been announced at what worked out to be roughly $2,800 in U.S. greenbacks, given a pretty favorable exchange rate. We knew that number wouldn’t accurately foreshadow American pricing, because it doesn't account for shipping, assembly, import duties, etc., but it gave us a starting point for our discussion. The next logical step was a breakdown of the existing bikes that are competing in the same sphere as these two new thumpers. Here’s how our logic worked out.
If you’re considering the Scrambler 400 X, you might also be considering a new parallel-twin-powered Honda SCL500, which was just announced with a base MSRP $6,799. If you’re set on a single, you’ve probably admired the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 at $5,649. If you prefer more of an ADV aesthetic, you could also argue a case for either the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 ABS at $6,199, the BMW G 310 GS for $5,890, or the KTM Adventure at $7,399. But riding across India, Zack and I both agreed that Triumph’s biggest local competitor would be the Royal Enfield Himalayan, priced at $5,449 in the United States.
The Speed 400 was a little harder to draw a comparison for, as its loveable retro lines are usually reserved for more expensive models. We agreed that the Honda CB300R at $5,149 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 at $4,699 were similar enough to deserve cross shopping. But what about more aggressive-looking naked sport bikes like a Kawasaki Z400 ($5,399) or a KTM 390 Duke ($5,899)? In the end, I think we agreed that when it came to value and aesthetics, the new Royal Enfield Hunter 350 with an MSRP starting at $3,999 would be hard to beat.
Ultimately, I forget exactly where Zack and I settled our debate. But I remember we both expected the Scrambler 400 X to be priced high and the Speed 400 not too far behind. After all, fewer than a handful of the bikes currently in Triumph's U.S. lineup come in under $10,000.
Finally, our debate is moot. Triumph has announced that the Speed 400 will be offered in all colors at an MSRP of $4,995 and the Scrambler 400 X at $5,595. Zack and I were pleasantly surprised. That places these models within reach of beginner riders looking for their first bike, as well as seasoned riders who are looking for an affordable second (or third) bike to add to the stable.
As for Zack and I riding across the Himalayan Mountains? We were filming an upcoming episode of Common Tread XP, a show about having fun experiences on motorcycles. Zack’s normal wingman, Ari Henning, was tending to family obligations on the home front, so I got an invitation to join Zack for the adventure. We'll have a preview of that CTXP episode later this month and you'll be able to see it in full in November.
| 2024 Triumph Speed 400 | 2024 Triumph Scrambler 400 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $4,995 | $5,595 |
| Engine | TR Series 398 cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder | |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Six-speed, chain | |
| Claimed horsepower | 39.5 @ 8,000 rpm | |
| Claimed torque | 27.7 foot-pounds @ 6,500 rpm | |
| Frame | Tubular steel, bolt-on subframe | |
| Front suspension | 43 mm fork; 5.51 inches (140 mm) of travel | 43 mm fork; 5.91 inches (150 mm) of travel |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock; 5.11 (130 mm) of travel | Monoshock; 5.91 inches (150 mm) of travel |
| Front brake | Radial-mounted four-piston caliper, 300 mm (11.8-inch) disc with ABS | Radial-mounted four-piston caliper, 320 mm (12.6-inch) disc with ABS |
| Rear brake | Floating caliper, 230 mm (9.1-inch) disc with ABS | |
| Rake, trail | 24.6 degrees, 4.01 inches (102 mm) | 23.2 degrees, 4.25 inches (108 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 54.21 inches (1,377 mm) | 55.82 inches (1,418 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.10 inches (790 mm) unladen | 32.87 inches (835 mm) unladen |
| Fuel capacity | 3.43 gallons (13 liters) | |
| Tires | Metzeler Sportec M9RR 110/70R17 front, 150/60R17 rear | Metzeler Karoo Street 100/90R19 front, 140/80R17 rear |
| Claimed weight | 374.78 pounds (170 kilograms) wet | 394.63 pounds (179 kilograms) wet |
| Available | December 2023 | |
| Warranty | 24 months | |
| More info | triumphmotorcycles.com | |
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