Kiwi Rider October 2024 Vol.1 | Page 31

Triumph ’ s Scrambler 400X appeals to new and old riders alike , looking for a lighter weight commuting and gravel-venture machine .

Triumph ’ s much awaited 400s are here . And British brand ’ s Scrambler 400X is a rather personable looking and feeling machine . With sleek black finishing with classy , brassy highlights it ’ s the taller , more comfortable , and more capable brother of Triumph ’ s other lightweight , the Speed 400 . Everything coalesces into a bike that suits as a highway commuter for the rider who wants that little bit extra capability from their bike . Although , I would contend that it is not quite the off-road demon the marketing would like to suggest .

TRIUMPH HAS CRACKED IT At this point , nobody is denying Triumph ’ s ability to make a good-looking motorcycle . They have certainly mastered the old-fashioned style that offers all of the benefits that modern materials provide , and the Scrambler X is no exception . Brightly coloured forks meld beautifully into largely dark finishing , with only the tank changing colours between models . The attention to detail is clear , and the craftsmanship is similarly clear : nothing feels plasticky or cheap . This , in my experience , is unequivocally Triumph . As is , to nobody ’ s surprise , the 398cc single cylinder motor . My second experience with this motor , it is wholly capable across the rev range , and delivers pretty consistent throttle response , with enough sass to enjoy yourself . Socks aren ’ t being blown off at 39.5hp , however for what the bike is , it is capable of a solid performance . The LCD screen , with a manual speedometer ,
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