The coolest entry-level motorcycle that promises to turn heads on a budget

Until last year, if you were thinking of capable entry-level bikes, Triumph certainly wouldn’t have come to mind. That has now changed, thanks to the brand’s new range of 400cc motorcycles. This now includes the Speed ​​400, Scrambler 400 and Scrambler 400XC, all of which have a strong position in the market.

Given the success, it is only fair that Triumph continues to expand the line-up. That’s exactly what’s happening, as we now have two new entry-level motorcycles from the brand in the US. One of them is a café racer like no other, while the other is a ‘tracker’. Let’s dive in.

The Speed ​​400 and Scrambler 400 These bikes have brought more younger riders and more women into the Triumph family than ever before, proving the appeal of a premium brand in this market. This success reflects Triumph’s unique position in the segment, combining high-quality workmanship, modern performance and beautiful retro style. With the Tracker 400 and Thruxton 400, we are now building on that momentum with two brand new models offering customers even more choice.

– Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles

The Triumph Thruxton 400 has a beautiful neo-retro design

The name Thruxton is almost sacred in the motorcycle world. So Triumph had a tall order to justify this with its new café racer. Fortunately, the baby bike does not disappoint. At the front there is a sporty semi-fairing with a round LED headlight. This is inspired by the now discontinued Speed ​​Triple 1200 RR, thanks to its rounded shape and swept-back windshield.

At the rear, you get a passenger seat cover and new panels under the seat. This is complemented by intrinsic details such as a brushed aluminum fuel cap and a new LED tail light to create a sympathetic design. Now that we’ve seen this in person, we can confirm that this is a real eye-catcher.

The Triumph Tracker 400 also features an attractive design

The Tracker distinguishes itself by drawing inspiration from flat-track bicycles. While the front end reminds us of the Speed ​​400, a closer look reveals some special design touches. This consists of a seat cover, a number plate, a large fuel tank, a fly screen and newly designed wheels. The Pirelli MT60 tires add even more oomph to the package, as does the Scrambler 400-style dual-tip exhaust.

Nice electronic features add to the modern charm of the Thruxton and Tracker 400

Features have become an integral part of entry-level bikes and Triumph have made sure you have all the basics covered here. It’s a similar package to the Speed ​​400, complete with the same semi-digital instrument cluster. The list of standard inclusions consists of:

• Traction control

• Dual-channel ABS

• Slipper clutch

• Ride by wire

• Fully LED lighting

• USB port

• Bar end mirrors (Thruxton 400)

The Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400 are equipped with Triumph’s new single-cylinder engine

From afar, these two bikes may seem like a design exercise. But the engine tells you that this is not the case. Unlike the Speed ​​and Scrambler, you get a different tone on the Thruxton and Tracker. So the 398cc single-cylinder engine here produces 41 horsepower, two ponies more than the other two. Torque, meanwhile, stands at 27.7 pound-feet.

How was this achieved, you ask? Well, Triumph is keeping things a bit vague by claiming “a combination of new mechanical parts, including a revised camshaft profile, along with a new engine tune”. Yet all the power continues to reach the steering wheel via a six-speed gearbox, equipped with a slipper clutch.

Triumph has reworked the ergonomics of the Thruxton and Tracker 400

Looking like a cafe racer is half the battle won. The other half comes from ergonomics. So the British motorcycle manufacturer has ditched the tubular straight bars of the Speed ​​400 and fitted new clip-on type bars. These not only look cool, but also go together with the relocated footpegs to ensure a truly sporty driving triangle. The new split seat also adds to the package.

As for the Tracker, Triumph claims that ‘upright and elbows out’ was the order. There is a wider handlebar, set 23mm wider and 134mm lower than the Speed ​​400. Likewise, the footpegs have been moved 86mm further back and 27mm higher to justify the name. This is complemented by a saddle height of 31.7 inches, 0.6 higher than the Speed.

Both new Triumph 400s have a simple suspension

What about the substantiation, you ask? Well, not much has changed on this front. You get 43mm USD forks and a monoshock, mated to a tubular steel chassis. 17-inch wheels are fitted to both bikes, with the same single disc brake setup as the existing Triumph 400s. Expect less stopping power here, though, as both the Thruxton (388 pounds) and Tracker (381 pounds) are heavier than the Speed ​​(374 pounds).

2026 Triumph Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400 specification