New Bike Review: 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X

All New, But Retaining Triumph’s DNA

The Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are brand new, very affordable, and smaller displacement offerings from the British manufacturer. It aims to attract a new generation of riders to the iconic brand. I have to say … it is right on the mark!

Descendants of their 900 and 1200 namesakes, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are smaller versions of Triumph’s classic on-road and all-road models. They harken classic Triumph styling while offering a great ride at an unbelievable price. Both bikes are approachable in terms of ridability and cost for a newer rider. Yet, they are definitely not boring for someone with more miles under their belt. And with more than 25 customization options, riders can make their bike look and feel highly personalized.

I personally love the classic styling and two-toned paint schemes on both the Speed and the Scrambler X.

Power and Style

Triumph Speed 400 woman rider Erin Sills

The 398cc has plenty of power to make the twisties a blast. Shifting and braking is smooth even under heavy downshifting. While the bike is affordable at under $5,000, Triumph did not skimp on road feel in developing it.

Both bikes sport iconic gold front forks which complement the black engine and frame.

The slim fuel tank, striped paint detail, and triangle logo on the Speed 400 is decidedly Triumph.

The optional seat stitching for both the Speed and the Scrambler X gives them that classic, almost retro look.

The 400’s dashboard is simple yet provides all the information you need—gear indicator, speedo, tach, fuel, odometer, etc.

Twin exhaust cans on the Scrambler X (left) add to its bada$$ rugged look, while the Speed (right) sports a more streamlined single version. Both sound great when winding up to middle and high rpm range, though a bit quiet for my taste in lower rev ranges.

One Engine, Two Platforms

The Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X share a brand new single-cylinder 398cc engine. Yet, the two models serve different purposes, and thus feature different chassis and other key design elements. The Speed is made for city streets and weekend twisties while the Scrambler X has modifications for gravel roads, two-track, and basic off-road rides. Both provide ABS and traction control as standard on the bikes; something not always available on an entry-level motorcycle.

I love how comfortable and lightweight the Speed feels ripping through the city streets of Valencia, Spain. The bike plants well in the turns and has plenty of power despite its single-cylinder engine.

The Scrambler 400 X’s wheelbase is longer than the Speed (55.8 inches vs. 54.2 inches) and the front wheel is larger (19 inches vs. 17 inches) to provide better clearance for obstacles off-road. The mirrors are placed for easy visibility while sitting or standing and the riding position is more upright than on the Speed.

Erin Sills woman rider on Triumph Scrambler X 400

For the more frequent off-road rider, Triumph offers a higher front fender, engine crash bars, a protective skid plate, and larger kickstand footplate as options for the Scrambler X.

The footpegs on the Scrambler are lower to give that added bit of comfort while standing.

Approachable, But Definitely Not Boring

Complementing their 900cc and 1200cc older siblings, the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X also offer entry-level rideability. Both models provide a relatively low seat height and come in at less than 400 pounds which make them feel quite maneuverable at low speeds.

Despite being a smaller displacement than I’m used to, I find the 6-speed engine's 39.5 horsepower at 8,000 rpm has plenty of pep to make the ride enjoyable on both bikes. While neither bike has a quick-shifter per se, I’m easily able to speed shift the bike (shift without using the clutch), which adds to the ride’s character under rapid acceleration.

Erin Sills woman rider sitting on Triumph Street 400

The combination of the Triumph Street 400’s lower seat height (31.1 inches) and thin seat enables me, at 5 feet 7 inches and 30.5-inch inseam, to easily flat foot the bike.

Erin Sills sitting on Triumph Scrambler X 400

The Scrambler X is slightly taller (32.9 inches) but still uses the thin seat and is manageable on any terrain.

With limited time on the bike in dirt, I still had a blast. The bike feels stable and easy to maneuver, even on unpredictable terrain.

Make It Your Own: Customization Galore

Many of today’s riders want to customize their bike, and that fact isn’t lost on Triumph. The company is offering more than 25 ways to accessorize the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, all of which are covered under the bikes’ factory warranty. Options include selections for windshields, mirrors, seats, protection, turn signals, luggage, and tank pads.

Similar to BMW’s R nineT, the Speed and Scrambler X invite bike builders to bring their imaginations to life on the road and in the dirt. These two were customized by K-Speed. Photo by BikeEXIF

Specs At A Glance

2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X
Engine Size: 398cc
Seat Height: 31.1 inches (Speed) and 32.9 inches (Scrambler X)
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons
Wet Weight: 395 pounds
Colors: Carnival Red, Caspian Blue and Phantom Black (Speed) and Matte Khaki Green and Fusion White, Carnival Red and Phantom Black, plus Phantom Black and Silver Ice (Scrambler X)
MSRP: $4,995 (Speed) and $5,595 (Scrambler X)

WRN Recommendation

Both the Triumph Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 X are great bikes for newer riders who are looking for a small, light, customizable, affordable and fun motorcycle for road (Speed) or road and light dirt (Scrambler X.) It’s really great to see high quality and stylish offerings at entry-level prices.

Visit TriumphMotorcycles.com for more info.

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New Bike Review: 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X

Classic Triumph styling meets modern-day performance at less than $5,000