Cafe Racer Spotlight: Pivotal Points about the Triumph Thruston 400
The Triumph Thruxton 400 is a mid-capacity motorcycle that stands out in the crowd with its distinctive cafe racer aesthetics and impressive performance.
Design and Styling
The Thruxton 400 boasts a visually classic design that draws heavily from 1960s cafe racers. It features a half fairing, circular headlamp, bar-end mirrors, clip-on handlebars, a redesigned fuel tank with side indents, a single-seat setup with an optional rear cowl, and blacked-out upside-down (USD) front forks. The tail light and subframe are also redesigned to enhance the retro cafe racer look.
Performance
Under the hood, the Thruxton 400 houses a 398cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 41 bhp and 37.5 Nm of torque. While it shares the same engine platform with the Triumph Speed 400, the Thruxton 400 has revised internals, including an intake, camshaft, and exhaust, which result in about 2 PS more power at a higher RPM and a slightly different torque curve. This makes the Thruxton 400 sportier, with a faster 0-100 km/h time and a higher top speed.
Chassis and Handling
The Thruxton 400 also has a slightly sharper steering geometry with a half-degree decrease in rake and a 10 mm shorter wheelbase (1376 mm), providing a sportier and more responsive feel compared to the Speed 400. It is also about 4 kg heavier and has 6 mm less ground clearance.
Additional Features
The Thruxton 400 comes with modern safety and comfort features such as switchable traction control, dual-channel ABS, a torque-assist clutch, and a USB-C charging point. Its dashboard combines an analogue speedometer with a digital display to maintain a vintage vibe while offering all necessary information at a glance. The suspension setup includes upside-down front forks and a stiffer rear mono-shock for sharper feedback and improved control.
Riding Posture
The Thruxton 400 offers a more aggressive riding posture compared to its sibling, the Speed 400. The handlebars are mounted lower and closer, while the footpegs are further back and higher, providing a more sporty riding position.
Warranty and Service
The Thruxton 400 comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and long service intervals of 16,000 kilometres.
In summary, the Thruxton 400 offers a sportier ride and classic cafe racer styling with performance tweaks, while the Speed 400 is more of a naked roadster with a simpler design and slightly softer handling. The Thruxton 400 is priced higher, reflecting its premium cafe racer styling and tuning.
[1] Triumph Motorcycles Official Website
[2] Motorcycle.com
[3] Visordown
[4] BikeSocial
Despite its premium cafe racer styling and sportier ride, the Thruxton 400 can still complement your home-and-garden with its classic design, making it a stylish addition to any garage or display. Embracing modern features such as electric vehicles, you could even opt for a matching electric car to enliven your lifestyle with an touch of vintage charm, blending the elegance of the past with the innovation of the future.
