[TusharK]

According to a media report, Bajaj Auto is set to launch two new 400cc Triumph bikes this year. It is said that the new “street bikes” are likely to be introduced before the festive season.



Triumph’s affordable 400cc range currently includes the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. The new models will be based on the same platform, but are expected to feature an updated design.

Triumph has been working on a café racer-style bike based on the 400cc platform. Likely to be called the Thruxton 400, it could be one of the models lined up for the Indian market.

The Thruxton 400 will feature a retro design with a bubble-type fairing like the Thruxton big bike. It could be powered by the familiar 398.15cc single-cylinder engine that puts out 39.5 BHP and 37.5 Nm and will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

The identity of the second 400cc model though, is still a mystery.

Source: CNBCTV18

Link to Team-BHP News

[anshumandun]

Just a guess: Tiger 400? It could be an off-road focussed adventure motorcycle. The space is dominated by the Himalayan and given the decent popularity of the Triumph 400 twins, they might be eyeing a piece of the pie.

The 400cc engine is tractable enough to justify an off-road focused machine. More travel suspension, tubeless spoked wheels and high perceivable quality could make it a success.

[TheStoryweaver]

Originally Posted by anshumandun

Just a guess: Tiger 400? It could be an off-road focussed adventure motorcycle. The space is dominated by the Himalayan and given the decent popularity of the Triumph 400 twins, they might be eyeing a piece of the pie.

The 400cc engine is tractable enough to justify an off-road focused machine. More travel suspension, tubeless spoked wheels and high perceivable quality could make it a success.

If that happens. We have a winner then

[R-Six]

It looks like Triumph is really cashing in on the success and popularity of the 400 family. With the Street and the Scrambler seeing a lot of takers, it certainly looks like a smart move.

While I'm not too keen on the Thruxton 400, if they are planning to launch a baby tiger with the same 400cc engine, that has the possibility to disrupt the middleweight adventure tourer segment. I'm sure a lot of Himalayan 450 prospects would tilt towards the Tiger. The name itself has enough fan following that makes it difficult to resist.

Fingers crossed.

Ride safe,
R-Six

[anshumandun]

The idea of a baby Tiger is really getting me excited! They need to:

1. Match the suspension prowess of the Himalayan.

2. Give Tubeless Spoked Wheel because the Himalayan lacks that and its a deal breaker for many. No one wants instant punctures during off-roads.

3. Instrument cluster with proper maps integration unlike Himalayan where you need to keep your phone screen on to see the maps on the cluster!

4. Tune the engine for a little bit more low-end grunt. The Himalayan lacks that.

5. Give it cruise control. First in segment, a big differentiator and also quite useful on long rides.

6. Make it look like a Tiger 900 (not like the Tiger 660), atleast the front end.

7. Call it the "Tiger 400".

If Triump is able to do these things, they can really challenge the Himalayan 450.

[deetee]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Triumph has been working on a café racer-style bike based on the 400cc platform. Likely to be called the Thruxton 400, it could be one of the models lined up for the Indian market.

The Thruxton 400 will feature a retro design with a bubble-type fairing like the Thruxton big bike. It could be powered by the familiar 398.15cc single-cylinder engine that puts out 39.5 BHP and 37.5 Nm and will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

They found success with 400 twins and now trying to milk the platform. Good business strategy.
But the 'Thruxton' name, what a mouthful it is!!
Repacking the same wine in different bottles - could sell well as long as the packaging is not bad.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by deetee

But the 'Thruxton' name, what a mouthful it is!!

Frankly they need a KTM engine to do that name justice. The current Speed/Scrambler unit is too "friendly"

Cheers, Doc

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Frankly they need a KTM engine to do that name justice. The current Speed/Scrambler unit is too "friendly"

Cheers, Doc

Not necessarily, actually, maybe a sprocket job would do that with a retune. One of my superiors at work had a rented Thruxton based on the T100 Bonneville during a UK stint, and he said it wasn't all that different. RPM had to be kept a touch higher, and the torque came in a bit lower, but it's still all the same engine. Only the Street Triple is really something properly sporty.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

Not necessarily, actually, maybe a sprocket job would do that with a retune. One of my superiors at work had a rented Thruxton based on the T100 Bonneville during a UK stint, and he said it wasn't all that different. RPM had to be kept a touch higher, and the torque came in a bit lower, but it's still all the same engine. Only the Street Triple is really something properly sporty.

Yes, but this baby Thruxton will be based on the Speed 400 engine. Which is not the same as the KTM 390 engine at all. If anything, it is already short geared. And there are videos of people trying to make it more top end friendly for highway use. Obviously then losing what poke it has lower down. Which as it is will not be termed as anything more than "friendly". So maybe they can recreate the look of a cafe racer, but really the engine is not very racy at all. In my opinion.

Cheers, Doc

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Yes, but this baby Thruxton will be based on the Speed 400 engine. Which is not the same as the KTM 390 engine at all. If anything, it is already short geared. And there are videos of people trying to make it more top end friendly for highway use. Obviously then losing what poke it has lower down. Which as it is will not be termed as anything more than "friendly". So maybe they can recreate the look of a cafe racer, but really the engine is not very racy at all. In my opinion.

Cheers, Doc

You're completely right, Doc, I meant that they can't really go for much of a sporty machine at all. The Duke rules the roost there. So they'll go for what's sort of comparable to the Continental GT, but even less sporty in engine character. Just a fairing and rear-set footpegs do not a sportsbike make. The thing is that the Thruxton was close enough to the Bonneville that it doesn't really set much of a high bar.

[7000plusrpm]

I anticipate that one of the models will be a 'Tiger 400'. If Triumph can launch it with a fuel tank capacity of 15L or more and a tubeless tire configuration, it will undoubtedly succeed.

The timeline for the RE Himalayan's tubeless spoke setup remains uncertain. Should Triumph introduce the Tiger soon, it could significantly impact the Himalayan's sales.

[kedar3223]

The scrambler 400x with the current frame and 150/150mm suspension provides 195mm of GC. The frame is clearly built as a street frame and the tall seat height of the scrambler shows that. They come with the preload at the softest as stock in order to increase the reach to the ground and provide a supple suspension experience. Now an adv with reasonably long travel suspension will jack up the saddle height to unreasonable levels.

In this regard, i think RE with the Guerilla/Himalayan and hopefully KTM with the duke/next gen adv have got it right.

[PatienceWins]

Hope one of them will be Tiger 400. Doubt if they would do it as it will affect their brand, KTM 390 Adv, sales.

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

Hope one of them will be Tiger 400. Doubt if they would do it as it will affect their brand, KTM 390 Adv, sales.

I don't think Bajaj has a major say in Triumph's product plans. Unlike KTM which they part-own, Triumph is an independent entity. They handle manufacturing, local sales and service and work together on r&d. Triumph has an international market to cater to and an ADV in the sub 500 category is the hot commodity now.

[Piston_head]

I was about to book the scrambler 400x this week. Now it looks like I need to wait and see what triumph is cooking