OPINION: Why Bajaj Couldn’t Price The 350cc Triumph Bikes Lower
While the price drops don’t look substantial on paper, that’s not the whole story
The recent shift from 398cc to 349cc across the Triumph 400 lineup may look like it should have brought in a big price cut. But the smaller-than-expected drop has more to do with timing than the engine change itself.
The GST Factor
Back in September 2025, when the new GST 2.0 rules increased from 31% to 40% for bikes above 350cc – Triumph (Bajaj) did not raise prices. Instead, it absorbed the impact. This meant buyers did not feel the price hike at that time, but the companies took a hit on margins.
|
Triumph Bike |
Old Price |
New Price |
Difference |
|
Speed T4 |
Rs 1,95,000 |
Rs 1,95,000 |
- |
|
Speed 400 |
Rs 2,39,000 |
Rs 2,31,890 |
Rs 7,110 |
|
Tracker 400 |
- |
Rs 2,46,225 |
- |
|
Scrambler 400 X |
Rs 2,69,977 |
Rs 2,59,241 |
Rs 10,736 |
|
Thruxton 400 |
Rs 2,76,383 |
Rs 2,65,538 |
Rs 10,845 |
|
Scrambler 400 XC |
Rs 2,96,916 |
Rs 2,89,534 |
Rs 7,382 |
In fact, soon after the 2025 festive season, prices were reduced further to stay competitive. So, a part of the “benefit” buyers expected now had already been passed on earlier. So, what we are seeing now is not a full price correction. It is only a smaller adjustment after previous reductions. If prices had gone up earlier, today’s drop would have appeared much larger, closer to the tune of Rs 45,000-Rs 50,000 on the on-road pricing of the bikes.
Engine Change Isn’t a Simple Downgrade
The move to 349cc comes from a shorter stroke, not a smaller bore. This means internal changes to the engine, including a heavier crankshaft – which means marginal loss of low-end torque. It is a relatively simple but not a cheap modification, and it cannot be easily reversed. The necessary engine internals, like the con-rod, valves and intake system, had to be modified.
On paper, power and torque figures are lower. But changes like the heavier flywheel and more aggressive fuelling maps mask the capacity loss well. In daily riding conditions, the difference is likely to be small for most users.
|
Specifications |
Old |
New |
Difference |
|
Engine |
398cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
349cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
-49cc |
|
Power |
31PS at 7,000rpm |
29PS at 7,500rpm (T4) |
-2PS |
|
40PS at 8,000rpm |
37PS at 8,500rpm (Speed and Scrambler) |
-3PS |
|
|
42PS at 9,000rpm |
40PS at 8,750rpm (Thruxton and Tracker) |
-2PS |
|
|
Torque |
36Nm at 5,000rpm |
31Nm at 5,500rpm (T4) |
-5Nm |
|
37.5Nm at 6,500rpm |
32Nm at 7,000rpm (Speed and Scrambler) |
-5.5Nm |
|
|
37.5Nm at 7,500rpm |
32Nm at 7,500rpm (Thruxton and Tracker) |
-5.5Nm |
|
|
Gearbox |
6-speed with slip-and-assist clutch |
||
These 350cc versions of these Triumph bikes are only going to be sold in India. International markets will continue with the 398cc engines. This means the brand still has to manage two setups, which limits how much cost can be saved overall.
BikeDekho Says
The limited price drop is not just about the new engine. Much of the adjustment already happened earlier through absorbed costs and festive discounts. What buyers are seeing now is only the final step, not the full picture.
User Reviews
- Thanks for making a this good and affordable bike.This is a nice machine for long rides and touring. This bike is now at the top of my list of favourite bikes. I like its pickup, and it is a good choice for me within my budget. It is also suitable for shorter riders.Read More
- Perfect bike for youngesterLooks like beauty with power. You will feel power when you ride this bike. Vibrations are very low and riding position is also very comfortable. You can easily go for a long drives because of comfortable sitting position. Suspension works very well. I have driven this bike from Patna to new Delhi and felt really comfortable but one minus point I felt is less capacity fuel tank capacity. As the mileage I get is 30 kmpl so If I full the fuel tank then I can go upto 400 kms so to go to Delhi, I had to refuel it for 3 time. I recommend this bike because of its looks the graphics of this bike, the posture of sitting position, the power of this bike, the premium feel of triumph, the quality of triumph, handling of this bike for city as well as long routes.Read More
- a true scrambler!I’ve the original 398cc displacement yellow XC what a great bike. Around the city, it is easy to manoeuvre and so tractable. Overtakes are buttery smooth in any gear. Being a single cylinder, highway performance when you’re cruising over 110kmph is a little buzzy especially if you sit at over 7000-7500 rpm. But this is as good as a single cylinder bike gets. Suspension gives you feedback but never lacks absorption. For riders with a short inseam, the saddle height may trouble them but riding tall bikes is a skill which anyone can learn and it just looks so so so pretty.Read More