The fine folks over at Motorcycle.com recently had the chance to check out the new Triumph Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400.
The video below outlines what they thought about the bike, and I’ll take a stab at providing my own opinion on these two unique models in the post below.
Motorcycle.com’s Review of the Triumph Thruxton 400 and Tracker
Core Specifications
Both bikes share a common heart but are tuned for different riding personalities:
- Engine: 398cc single-cylinder engine producing 41.4 horsepower [00:00:32].
- Transmission: Smooth six-speed gearbox with a tall sixth gear for highway comfort [00:02:24].
- Suspension: 43mm inverted non-adjustable front forks and preload-adjustable rear shocks [00:02:59].
- Brakes: Four-piston dual caliper ByBre brakes in the front and single-piston in the rear [00:03:45].
The Comparison: Thruxton vs. Tracker
| Feature | Thruxton 400 | Tracker 400 |
| Styling | Classic Cafe Racer [00:00:21] | Flat Track Inspired [00:00:21] |
| Ergonomics | Aggressive, crouched, rear-set pegs [00:05:09] | Upright, comfortable, wide bars [00:04:37] |
| Handling | Stiffer suspension, slightly slower steering [00:05:31] | Plush suspension, extremely flickable [00:05:02] |
| Tires | Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV (Street/Sport) [00:05:59] | Pirelli MT60 RS (Scrambler/Street) [00:05:59] |
| Price | Starting at $6,295 [00:06:58] | Starting at $5,995 [00:06:51] |
Riding Impressions
In the video, Sylvia noted that while the engines are technically identical, the Tracker 400 felt “peppier” in the low-to-mid range [00:01:00], likely due to the upright leverage of the bars and lighter feel. The Thruxton 400 provided a more stable, planted feel for aggressive canyon carving but required more physical input to turn in [00:05:38].
The brakes were described as having a good initial bite, making them beginner-friendly, though aggressive riders might find them lacking in ultimate power [00:04:18].
My Thoughts on the Triumph Thruxton 400 and Tracker
The “Entry-Level” Label is a Lie.
Everyone is calling these “beginner bikes” because of the 400cc displacement and the sub-$7k price tag, but here’s the hot take: The Thruxton 400 is actually for the “Bored Expert.”
If you’ve spent a decade wrestling a 200hp superbike that you can only use 10% of on public roads, these bikes are the antidote. The Thruxton specifically mimics the ergonomics of a “big” bike but lets you pin the throttle to the stop without losing your license.
It’s not just a “starter” bike; it’s a “purist” bike. By the time you add the $100 fancy paint and inevitably upgrade those ByBre brakes to something with more bite, you aren’t looking at a budget commuter anymore—you’re looking at a surgical canyon tool that happens to be small.
Prediction: We’re going to see more 20-year riding veterans trading in their heavy liter-bikes for these than we will see actual teenagers buying them as their first ride.
