Photo source: www.thehindu.com
The Triumph Thruxton name has deep roots in motorcycle history, tracing back to the 1960s when Triumph created a race-ready Bonneville variant for the famous Thruxton 500 endurance race in the UK. These bikes quickly proved their worth on the track, cementing the Thruxton as a symbol of café-racer speed and style. Over the decades, Triumph revived the name with models like the Thruxton 900 in the mid-2000s and the high-performance Thruxton 1200 and Thruxton R in the modern era. Now, the legacy continues with the all-new Thruxton 400, a smaller-capacity model designed to make the brand’s iconic style and spirit more accessible to a wider audience.
Classic Styling with Modern Technology
The Thruxton 400 captures the essence of the café-racer look with its sculpted tank, bar-end mirrors, clip-on handlebars, tail cowl, and bubble-style windscreen. The riding position encourages a sporty tuck-in stance, while details like the analogue-digital instrument cluster and USB charging port keep it practical for everyday use. It’s available in bold colors such as Lava Red Gloss, Pearl Metallic White, Phantom Black, and Metallic Racing Yellow, giving riders a mix of heritage and personalization. The chassis has been purpose-built for sharp handling, with inverted front forks, a preload-adjustable rear mono-shock, and upgraded braking hardware.
Engine, Performance, and Price
Underneath the retro bodywork is a thoroughly modern 398 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC engine producing around 42 PS and 37.5 Nm of torque. It’s tuned for lively performance, especially in city and short-touring conditions, and features ride-by-wire throttle, a slipper clutch, traction control, and dual-channel ABS for rider safety. The Thruxton 400 is priced at ₹2.74 lakh (ex-showroom, India), making it one of the most accessible true café-racers in the country. With long service intervals and a solid warranty, Triumph has also aimed for low ownership costs.
Impact on the Motorcycle Industry
The launch of the Thruxton 400 marks an important shift in Triumph’s strategy. By introducing a café-racer in the mid-capacity 400 cc class, Triumph has opened the doors for younger and newer riders to own a piece of its racing heritage without the high price or intimidating size of its larger models. It also broadens Triumph’s 400 cc lineup, which now includes the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, giving customers more variety in style and purpose. In the Indian market, where café-racers have mostly been dominated by heavier bikes like the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, the Thruxton 400’s lighter build, modern tech, and competitive pricing could set a new benchmark for the segment.
