If yo
u follow the motorcycle industry, it’s not exactly a secret that most manufacturers are looking for new customers. The average age of an American rider these days is around 54 years old and the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) are looking to attract more youthful riders who will be active on two wheels for decades to come. many of these so-called entry-level riders aren’t exactly interested in the sorts of large-displacement machines that we older, more experienced riders prefer. They want easy-to-operate, lightweight machines that are affordable, fun to ride and not intimidating. That pretty much describes the two newest Triumphs to roll out of the British manufacturer’s HQ this week. The venerable brand has launched a Scrambler 400 and a Speed 400, both propelled by a high-tech, water-cooled 400cc engine. Triumph have a stellar reputation for designing and producing large-capacity streetbikes so the emergence of a series of machines aimed at what the company describes as “younger, newer riders” and experienced motorcycle enthusiasts looking for fun, second bike is pretty significant.
Triumph hasn’t denied the new bikes any of the top-flight quality and modern technology known throughout their current line-up as the Scrambler 400 and Speed 400 both are equipped with anti-lock brakes, six-speed gearboxes and an very learner-friendly 31″ seat height. The new engines were engineered from the crank up and feature double overhead cams, electronic fuel injection and produce a very impressive 39 horsepower. The four-valve per cylinder design churns out 27 foot-pounds of torque which should be enough to keep things interesting on backroads and in traffic. Having ridden quite a few smaller displacement bikes in recent months, including Royal Enfield’s Scram 411 and the all-new 350 Hunter, I’ve re-learned that putting a mid0sized machine through its paces and wresting all the performance available from such a bike is far more fun that struggling to make the most of an overwhelming, over-powered superbike.
The finishes, as you can see here, also are typical Triumph with the Speed 400 featuring two-tone paint and a classic Bonneville profile fuel tank while the Scrambler follows in the dualsport tracks of the very popular 1200cc version.
We’re rather impatiently awaiting an invite to the global press launch for these groundbreaking pieces of British motorcycle history and you can read more specs and first impressions i the August/September issue of Cafe Racer magazine.