Triumph Scrambler 400 XC

Triumph has hiked the prices of all of its 400cc bikes in India.

The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC is the more off-road focused version of the Scrambler 400 X. It comes equipped with tubeless spoked wheels, new colour schemes, additional accessory parts and is priced around Rs 27,000 more than the 400 X. So, is it worth paying the premium for the XC over the X? We recently spent a while with the bike to bring you details about its performance in different conditions.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Design

The Scrambler 400 X was always a gorgeous looking motorcycle and the XC has enhanced its appeal with the addition of tubeless spoked wheels. It gets the accessory windscreen and off-road front fender which are colour matched with the body. Additionally, the seat, taillight cowl, and subframe are all black compared to the grey colour which we see on the X. It also gets more engine protection in the form of an extra crash bar and sports adjustable brake and clutch levers. All of the changes have made the bike 5kg heavier than the 400 X.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Colours

There are three unique colour schemes available for the XC to distinguish it from the X model. Racing Yellow, Vanilla White, and Storm Grey are the options to choose from. While the Storm Grey does not look great in pictures, it was surely my favourite after spending a day with it. The paint finish is really good and this colour has a unique glitter to it. The Yellow colour scheme is loud, but will be appreciated by many as it turns heads wherever it goes.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Build Quality

For the price point, the build quality of the motorcycle is exceptional. It does feel like a more expensive bike than it really is. The quality of plastics, paint, and the overall fit-and-finish give the bike a premium look and feel.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Convenience Features

The bike gets a digi-analogue console where the speedometer is an analogue unit that has a small LCD attached to it. This unit is straightforward to read, except for the tachometer which is tiny and difficult to read on the go. And finally, it gets a USB Type-C charging port. It unfortunately misses out on Bluetooth connectivity which might be a dealbreaker for many. I, personally, love the simplistic approach that the bike takes. I only wish that it had got a twin-pod instrument console as it would have made it look even classier. Listening to customers feedback from the X, the XC now gets adjustable brake and clutch levers as standard.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Safety Features

The bike gets dual-channel ABS with an off-road mode where the rear ABS can be disabled. Additionally, it also gets a switchable traction control system, which you do not really need but it is a good safety net that does work quite well when it kicks in. A switch on the left can be used to toggle through the screens and switch off the Traction Control or rear ABS.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Rider Comfort

The footpegs are not too far ahead or behind giving them a neutral riding position. The seat height stands at 835 mm, making it 40 mm taller than the Speed 400. With my 5 '7 stature, the bike is tall and I was not able to flat foot to the ground. Shorter riders should keep this in mind as it might get a little difficult in stop-go traffic and while taking U-turns. With a kerb weight of 190 kg, the Scrambler 400 XC becomes 5kg heavier than the 400 X but this weight is hardly felt. The handlebar is wide and raised which gives good leverage and standing up on the pegs to tackle trails feels natural and comfortable. Taller riders might need handlebar risers, but for my height, the setup is perfect off-road. 

The seat itself is flat, wide, and supportive so longer rides are possible. While this model gets a tiny windscreen, it is more form than function and does not really provide adequate wind protection.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Pillion Comfort

There’s no backrest or cowl, so longer distances might require added cushioning or a tail rack for storage. In this case, considering that the XC gets accessory parts as standard, Triumph should have thought of offering the tail rack as well.  In the city, a pillion will find the decent-sized seat and grab rails comfortable for short commutes.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Engine

The bike makes use of a 398.15-cc, liquid-cooled motor putting out 40PS at 8,000 rpm, a peak torque of 37.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm, and is paired with a six-speed gearbox. Just like the 400 X, this gets a smaller 14-tooth front sprocket compared to the 15-tooth sprocket on the Speed 400, and the rear remains the same with a 43-tooth sprocket. Additionally, it gets an upswept, twin-tip exhaust unit that has a raspier exhaust note to suit its Scrambler character. 

Triumph Scrambler 400X: City Performance

This engine is really good for city riding where the throttle response is crisp, the clutch action is really light and the gearbox is slick. With the smaller sprocket, the bike delivers great low-end torque, making it zip through traffic very easily and it surely feels like a more lively motorcycle. The engine is also very tractable so cruising in the city at 40kmph in 5th gear is possible. It feels in its element when in the mid-range rpms and with all of the low-end performance on tap, it is also quite the wheelie-friendly hooligan when you want it to be. 

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Highway Performance

Out on the highway, the bike is easily able to maintain 110kmph without feeling stressed. Pushing to 120kmph is when a few vibrations will be felt at the bars and the footpegs but it does feel really stable at high speeds. I did not find it to be an issue but some riders might find the lack of wind protection a deal breaker. Even while riding at higher speeds, what impressed me was the stability that it offers.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Mileage

The bike displayed a mileage of around 25kmpl with a mix of riding in different conditions. With a 13-litre tank, it has a range of approximately 250 kms. This makes it ideal for daily commuting, weekend getaways, and mild trail rides.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Handling

Compared to the 400 X, the XC takes slightly more effort to be tipped into tight corners. Once it is in a corner, it feels stable and feels natural and light while powering out. In traffic, it is quick on its feet and allowed me to get through gaps confidently because of the tall stance. Overall, the handling is good but it all depends on what a rider is going to use the bike for. Alloy wheels perform better on road while these spoked wheels do a better job off the road.

Triumph Scrambler 400X: Brakes

The brakes work decently but I would have liked a sharper response. Just like the X, the XC makes use of organic brake pads and from my experience, they wear out in 3000kms. Swapping these out for sintered brake pads from the Speed 400 will drastically improve the front brake feel. The bike also gets switchable ABS so the rear wheel can be locked, which is a nice addition for experienced riders. 

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Tyres

The tubeless spoked wheels are wrapped in dual-purpose MRF tyres which are the same ones we see on the 400 X. They do a decent job on the road depending on the conditions but do not perform well when the roads are wet. Considering that the XC is a more dedicated off-road machine and priced higher, better rubber should have been offered as stock.

Ride Comfort (4/5)

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Ride Quality

The front end gets 43-mm, golden inverted forks, and at the rear is an offset monoshock unit. Both ends get 150 mm of travel and this has given the bike a fair amount of off-road capability. The setup worked well to provide me with a plush feel through bad sections of roads. The rear does feel a bit stiff when hitting potholes at higher speeds, but I find that it overall, strikes a good balance between spirited cornering and riding through bad roads. Compared to the X, the XC feels like it steers slightly slower on road, but provides more confidence while bashing through unknown terrain.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Verdict

Back when I first saw the Scrambler 400 X, I thought to myself, this would look great with spoked wheels and I was surely right. It did take its time to come to the market but it is finally here and gives interested customers yet another motorcycle to choose from. 

Existing customers were waiting for this announcement in the hopes that they can get their wheels swapped out from alloys to spoked units but it is unfortunately going to cost them an arm and a leg. While the model is just Rs 27,000 more than the 400 X, buying the wheels separately will cost a rider a total of almost Rs 72,000, which is crazy expensive for a 400cc bike under the Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. And to make things worse, even if you do finally save up and pay for these wheels for your 400 X, Triumph will not give you any kind of warranty if they end up getting bent, or the spokes damaged. 

If this was going to be such a complicated process, we would rather see Triumph launch the wheels as an official accessory with an affordable price tag and give customers the choice of customization instead of calling the XC a whole new model.

Price Analysis

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Price 

The 400 XC is priced at Rs 2,94,147 (ex-showroom), making it Rs 26,940 more expensive than the 400 X. For this price, enthusiasts who really want to explore unknown terrain are getting a really good deal. Riders who are going to spend most of their time on the road will be happy with the 400 X.

Variants

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Variants

There is only one variant of the Triumph Scrambler 400 XC priced at Rs 2.94 lakh (ex-showroom). It can technically be considered as a variant of the X model but Triumph have listed it as a fully different model.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Competition

The Triumph Scrambler 400 XC goes up against the likes of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure X, and the Yezdi Scrambler. The Himalayan 450 is more off-road focused, gets better tech features (TFT, maps), but is heavier and slightly more expensive. The KTM 390 Adventure X offers more performance and features, but it is priced similarly and not as well finished as the Scrambler 400 X. And finally, the Yezdi is less refined and not as powerful, but priced much cheaper. Here is how the prices of these bikes stack up against each other: