Triumph Scrambler 400X 2024: Should You Buy One? | View

Summary

The Triumph Scrambler 400x impresses with its smooth performance, great suspension, and comfortable ride, making it an excellent city bike and a solid option for light off-roading. While it excels in urban areas and highway cruising, its off-road abilities are limited due to suspension and ground clearance constraints. Despite being more polished than its rivals, the Scrambler is a better motorcycle than the Speed 400, offering a more refined and enjoyable riding experience. Although some may miss the high rev range, the 400x makes a strong case as a versatile, stylish, and capable bike for various riding conditions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Triumph Scrambler 400x is one of the best motorcycles Triumph offers in India, balancing performance, comfort, and style.
• 😀 The 400x excels in city riding with smooth, quick acceleration and effortless gear shifts, making it easy to pass traffic.
• 😀 The bike offers excellent comfort with its upright ergonomics, great seat, and plush suspension, which makes longer rides more enjoyable.
• 😀 On highways, the Scrambler 400x can cruise smoothly at 105-110 km/h, though it lacks wind protection for long-distance touring.
• 😀 The Scrambler 400x is good for light off-road use but shouldn't be considered a hardcore off-roader, with limitations in suspension travel and ground clearance.
• 😀 While the 400x performs well on moderate terrain, it doesn't have the same off-road capabilities as the Royal Enfield Himalayan or Hero XPulse.
• 😀 The Scrambler 400x offers great usability on both urban and off-road terrain, but riders should be aware of its hardware limitations when riding in more technical conditions.
• 😀 The engine's smoothness below 5,000 RPM is a key highlight, but above that, vibrations and noise can detract from the overall riding experience.
• 😀 The 400x's design stands out with a retro-inspired aesthetic that blends classic scrambler elements with modern performance, making it visually appealing.
• 😀 Although the 400x's build quality is not drastically superior to its competitors, the attention to detail and polished finish give it a sophisticated look and feel.
• 😀 Overall, the Triumph Scrambler 400x is an excellent all-rounder, offering a great balance of comfort, style, and performance for most riders, though it's not ideal for long-distance touring or serious off-roading.

Q & A

What is the main strength of the Triumph Scrambler 400x?

The main strength of the Triumph Scrambler 400x is its versatility. It performs exceptionally well in urban commuting, offers a smooth highway ride, and provides reasonable off-road capabilities, making it a great all-around motorcycle.

How does the Scrambler 400x perform on highways?

On highways, the Scrambler 400x is smooth and quick, reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h. It maintains a comfortable ride, but lacks wind protection, which can be felt on longer rides.

What are the limitations of the Scrambler 400x's off-road abilities?

While the 400x performs decently off-road, it has limitations in more technical terrain. Its suspension travel and ground clearance are not as extensive as bikes like the Royal Enfield Himalayan or the XPulse, meaning it’s better suited for casual off-roading rather than tough, challenging conditions.

How does the Scrambler 400x handle rough patches of road?

The Scrambler 400x handles rough roads excellently thanks to its suspension and large 19-inch front wheel. It absorbs bumps effectively, making it comfortable to ride even on poorly maintained roads.

What is the ride quality like for a skilled off-road rider on the 400x?

For skilled off-road riders, the 400x's hardware limitations become more apparent. The bike excels at basic off-roading but struggles when the terrain becomes more technical, requiring better suspension travel and clearance to keep up.

How does the 400x compare to the Speed 400 in terms of engine refinement?

The Scrambler 400x offers better engine refinement compared to the Speed 400, especially in terms of torque and gearing. However, the 400x’s engine becomes noisy and vibrates above 6,000 RPM, which affects the smoothness of the ride.

What makes the Scrambler 400x comfortable for long rides?

The Scrambler 400x is comfortable for long rides due to its plush seat, upright ergonomics, and smooth handling at highway speeds. The bike also absorbs road imperfections well, contributing to a relaxed riding experience.

What kind of maintenance is required for the Scrambler 400x?

The Scrambler 400x requires annual maintenance, with oil changes every 16,000 km. The cost of the annual service is around ₹5,000 to ₹6,000. The bike comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty, though the exhaust and battery are only covered for one year.

How does the build quality of the Scrambler 400x compare to its competitors?

The build quality of the Scrambler 400x is very good, with a polished finish and sophisticated design. While it may not be noticeably superior to some competitors, it stands out for its attention to detail and overall refinement.

Would the Scrambler 400x be a suitable choice for a solo touring bike?

Yes, the Scrambler 400x is a great choice for solo touring. It provides enough luggage space, a comfortable seat, and adequate performance for long trips. The only addition needed would be auxiliary lights for better nighttime visibility.