Triumph Thruxton 400: The Cafe Racer Reborn for Indian Roads
Find the brand-new Triumph Thruxton 400 in India—a contemporary cafe racer that combines classic appeal with innovative tech. Read this informative review on styling, performance, safety, features, price, and more.
Intro:
Once in a twisty lane, halfway between Legacy and next-generation tech, Triumph pulled the covers off a bike that whispers in the ear of every true blue motorcycling enthusiast: the Thruxton 400. It’s more than a motorbike. It’s a time machine with clip-ons.
And lastly, it’s in India, where chai mixes with chain-lube, and iconic brands such as Triumph have ready waiting audiences clamoring to rev their hearts out. But will this 400cc cafe racer deliver the kick it promises? You bet it will.
The Heritage: The History of the Thruxton Legacy
The Thruxton name has deep motorcycle racing heritage. It originated in the 1960s when Triumph built race-ready machines to dominate British racing circuits. They were named after the Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire, England, and soon became the byword for speed, durability, and café culture.
Young British motorcycle riders would strip their bikes, reconfiguring them for swift sprints between cafes, thus the “café racer” name. The original Thruxton was a cult favorite—raced, admired, and deified by followers who saw motorcycles as an extension of themselves.
The contemporary Thruxton 400 is not merely an homage to that age. It rekindles the essence, yet also provides real-world practicality, safety, and contemporary thrills for a price that puts a grin on today’s Indian rider’s face.
Styling and Build Quality: Form Crafted with Purpose
Each line, curve, and contour on the Thruxton 400 is testament to deliberate design. It does not merely appear to go fast. It appears to go fast from a standstill.
The knee recessed fuel tank is sculpted to provide a tucked-in racing position. Clip-on handlebars swoop low to provide you with an attacking posture, and the seat cowl turns the rear silhouette into a single-seat racer look.
The half fairing is an obvious tip of the hat to classic endurance racers, but it’s not strictly a styling gesture. It provides a minor aerodynamic advantage while exuding some serious retro mojo.
As far as making goes, Triumph and Bajaj have spared no outlay. The frame is a hybrid spine perimeter frame, finely tuned for weight balance and rigidity. The paint is rich and glossy, the welding is sleek, and the feel of each switch and control reassures. This is a motorcycle that has the feel of being cut from stone, rather than bolted together.
Techno advancements such as ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, and LED illumination augment levels of refinement under the retro façade.
Performance: Soulful, Spirited, and Surprisingly Sporty
The Thruxton 400 is powered by a 398.15cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder motor, producing a respectable 41.4 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm. This motor is not a twin downscaled; it’s a dedicated motor designed for the 400 platform used by the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X.
But on the Thruxton, Triumph has remapped it. Throttle maps are crisper. Midrange power delivery is more linear, which makes it absolutely delightful on urban dashes and canyon slicing both.
The 6-speed box is slick, with a well-balanced clutch lever assisted by a slip-and-assist system. With or without blipping downshifts, or carrying gears through a tight turn, the drivetrain responds with elegance.
Interestingly, weight distribution is just right. The kerb weight of about 170 kg provides agility in turns without sacrificing highway stability.
It’s a ride that hugs restraint, and aggression too. Rev it furiously, or cruise lazily—the Thruxton does both in style.
Safety Features: Advanced Tech in a Classic Coat
Today’s riders expect more from Triumph than mere aesthetics. Here’s how the Thruxton 400 keeps them safe:
Dual-channel ABS developed with Bosch ensures precise braking in all conditions. Whether it’s a dusty village road or a rainy city street, the brakes inspire confidence.
Switchable Traction Control intervenes subtly, allowing spirited riding without sacrificing control. It’s ideal for Indian roads that offer every texture in a single stretch.
All-LED lighting enhances visibility and aesthetics. The headlamp in particular has a sharp beam and high spread.
Large radial tyres (110/70 R17 front and 150/60 R17 rear) provide great grip and handling.
Safety is not an afterthought with this bike. It’s built into the very essence of the motorbike.
Real-World Capability: Designed for More Than Café Runs
In spite of its retro look, the Thruxton 400 is highly practical and versatile:
Commuting: The upright ergonomic (for a café bike) and compact size make it an easy city handle.
Touring: With a 13-litre tank and fuel-efficient engine, 300+ km on one tank is more than possible.
Twisty roads: That chassis eats lean angles for breakfast. With tight geometry and finely tuned suspension, it bite up corners for fun.
Heat management: Liquid cooling and finely tuned fueling mean it won’t char your legs in traffic.
This is a motorcycle that adjusts. It's as happy commuting to work as it is tearing up hills.
Price and Availability: Luxury Meets Affordability
Triumph has hit the jackpot with the pricing. The Thruxton 400 retails at 2.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is one of the most affordable premium bikes in the country.
It’s now available through Triumph-Bajaj showrooms across India, with simple EMI and finance. It also comes with:
2-year unlimited mileage warranty
16,000 km service intervals
24×7 roadside assistance (limited locations)
Having a Triumph has never been more within reach.
Pros and Cons: The Breakdown
What You’ll Love:
Dramatic retro appearances with genuine attention to detail
Smooth, punchy engine well-suited to Indian roads
Top-drawer build and safety specs
Real-world useability despite aesthetics
Low cost of ownership for a premium bike
What You Might Miss:
Rear seat useability is cosmetic at best
Lack of ride modes and smartphone integration
Wind protection is minimal on speeds above 120 km/h
Final Verdict: A Love Letter to Motorcycling
The Triumph Thruxton 400 isn’t just a motorcycle; it’s a feeling, a mood, a fantasy. It captures the essence of the 1960s with the wisdom of 2025. For Indian riders wanting a motorcycle that is different from mass-produced sports motorcycles or cruisers, this is your pass to surprise.
It’s the kind of bike that makes fuel stops longer because strangers want photos. The kind of bike that turns every mundane ride into a cinematic experience.
And most importantly, it’s the kind of bike you’ll remember years from now, long after you’ve moved on.
FAQs
Q: Is Triumph Thruxton 400 suitable for new riders?
Yes, even though it has a sporty attitude, the power output is smooth and progressive, perfect for beginners and mature riders alike.
Q: What are colour options on Thruxton 400?
Available in traditional Triumph colours: Jet Black, Carnival Red, and Racing Yellow (subject to availability).
Q: How does it stack up against Royal Enfield Continental GT 650?
It is lighter, more suitable for the city, and more technologically sophisticated. The RE GT is grunter but less refined.
Q: Does maintenance cost a lot?
Not at all. Due to local manufacturing and long service intervals, it’s one of the cheapest Triumphs to maintain.
Q: Can it navigate bad roads?
To a reasonable degree, yes. It’s not an off-roader, but the suspension and frame are strong enough for usual Indian road abuse.
