Triumph Thruxton 400 (2026 – ) review

While the platform and engine are shared with others in the single-cylinder Modern Classics range the Thruxton 400 is by far the most dramatic and distinctive twist with its retro half-fairing, clip-on bars, rear-set pegs and sharper steering geometry. As such it brings a touch of the previous Thruxton 1200’s café racer vibe to a much more accessible price and performance level, Triumph’s typical attention to detail meaning superb finish, clean lines with hoses and cables hidden away and sympathetic integration of modern tech like upside-down forks and liquid cooling. It shares the slightly more powerful 42 horsepower version of the 398cc single with the Tracker 400, the modest on-paper gains translating to a more significant shift in character out on the road. While more focused than anything else in Triumph’s single-cylinder family it’s a welcome addition and provocative reinvention of the Thruxton’s legacy for a new and younger audience.

You don’t need to know the measurements to realise the riding position of the Thruxton is a lot more extreme and focused than anything else in the 400 family, the distinctive stance achieved with narrower and lower clip-on bars and pegs set higher and further back than before. It’s perhaps not the most extreme interpretation of the café ricer vibe on a mainstream production bike bit it’s, inevitably, compromised against the flat bar Speed, Scrambler or Tracker 400s. For all that the Thruxton is still usefully slim and compact, and the seat is actually lower than the Tracker’s and easy enough for riders of all shapes and sizes to handle. You inevitably put more weight on your wrists which, combined with a bit of single-cylinder buzz through the bars, can get tiring. But your trade-off is a more intimate connection to the front tyre’s contact patch and a riding position tucked out of the worst of the wind at higher speeds.

The Thruxton is, perhaps, simultaneously both the coolest and least practical of all the single-cylinder Modern Classics line-up. Pays your money on that, and if you want something more upright and usable there are other options within Triumph’s A2 family. There are the necessaries for carrying a pillion, though they probably won’t thank you for the ride. Luggage options are similarly limited, and nor are there options for comforts like cruise control or heated grips.

The modest five per cent increase in power over the Speed and Scrambler 400s doesn’t sound a lot but this uprated 398cc single gets some proper tuning through its revised exhaust cam profile and resulting higher rev limit. As such the peak 42 horsepower now comes at 9,000rpm, maximum torque also 1,000rpm higher than before but still delivered in a nice, flat line on the graphs. As such it responds keenly to the throttle whichever of the six gears you’re in, matching this with an enthusiasm for revving out to the throttle stop at every opportunity. Which you’ll be wanting to do. But, combined with a relatively light build, makes the Thruxton huge fun on a twisty road. The single front ByBre caliper is more than up to the job as well, basic ABS keeping you safe while the chunky, non-adjustable lever is one of the few cheap-feeling parts reminding you of the pricepoint the bike has been built to.

This is the Thruxton’s payback on the compromises in comfort and practicality, the sportier riding position helping you load up the front wheel through the turns while the slim frame makes it easy to throw your weight around for a more dynamic and engaged riding style. The modest performance suits tighter, twistier roads where the slightly sharper front-end geometry complements the increased all-round agility. The lack of grunt can have it feeling a little breathless on more open roads, though the support from the (admittedly basic) suspension and decent Pirelli tyres encourage you to hold on to every last bit of momentum through the turns to carry what you can you down the straights. True, these capabilities are somewhat lost at town speeds. But reflections in shop windows are your friend and you can at least bathe in the glory of being seen on one of the coolest bikes around.

At the time of writing the Thruxton is one of the more expensive bikes in the single-cylinder Modern Classics line-up, but the starting price is still pretty reasonable given the looks, fit and finish. The relatively modest engine capacity and power should also help the younger riders it’s aimed at with regular costs like insurance and servicing.

Designed and built in partnership with Indian firm Bajaj, the 398cc engine powering all the 400s was a fresh design created to give Triumph a foothold in markets where smaller bikes sell in huge numbers. Suffice to say, with this much riding on it a lot of effort has gone into the engineering and we’d take some confidence in that. The rest of the bike is also simple, and while the cycle parts are relatively budget they’re all from respected suppliers. We have few worries.

Like most in the industry Triumph offers a standard two-year manufacturer warranty, but if you want to extend cover to up to four years you can do so at relatively modest cost. Like all Triumphs, the Thruxton also benefits from the firm’s 10,000-mile service intervals, meaning trips to the dealership shouldn’t be more frequent than just the once a year.

There are few frills on the Thruxton 400 but you can see where the money has been spent in terms of the design and important things like quality Pirelli rubber. Rider aids and electronics are, meanwhile, relatively basic, with switchable traction control and ABS as standard. The analogue speedo suits the bike, additional info presented on a small LCD screen within it. Sure, there are equivalent bikes with screens, modes and greater connectivity but this simplicity fits the stripped-back café racer ethos. There are many and various ways to spend a bit more on your Thruxton as well, colours other than the basic black costing another hundred quid. Which we’d happily pay for the stunning Carnival Red with the silver stripe on the tank. A pity there’s no option for heated grips, the accessories range more about dress-up options like bullet indicators and a quilted seat, a basic tail pack your only possibility when it comes to luggage. Not that you’d be putting a topbox on a bike like this!

The Thruxton 400 is a single-minded bike for single-minded riders, who don’t mind putting style first and practicality second. Which is just fine, because if you like the idea but need something more daily useful the Tracker 400 has the same souped-up engine and more aggressive peg position but in a flat-bar format. But the Thruxton remains the sexier choice, and a genuine head-turner that really stands out in the A2 licence class with substance to match the style. The hipsters have never had it so good!