Baby Thruxton is set to join the Triumph 400 model line-up
Known as the Thruxton 400, a cafe racer that reminds of a shrunken Thruxton 1200 RS, it is currently an Indian market exclusive.
But those in the know reckon it is only a matter of time before it shows up in export markets. Expect it to launch in Europe at the upcoming Milan ICMA show.
The Thruxton 400 brings café racer coolness to the wee LAMS bike space, with clip-ons, a sculpted tank, a seat cowl and a frame-mounted half fairing. Other items include 43mm USD forks, a monoshock rear end, and 17inch cast wheels. A single front radial-mount disc brake handles stopping duties.
Read our review of the Triumph Speed 400.
It uses the same TR-series 398cc single that has proven so very popular across the globe. This model features a few more horses developed at the top of the rev range. That's from a likely mix of ECU remapping and airbox and/or exhaust mods.
It's evidently 4kg heavier than the naked Speed 400 at 183kg, most of it from the extra bodywork.
Expect to pay a small price premium for the Thruxton if it makes it to export markets, which it assuredly will. Commentators reckon it will cost much the same as the upcoming Scrambler 400 XC. There will be four different two-tone colour schemes available, and likely a whole mess of accessory bits and bobs as well.
Built with Indian partner, Bajaj, Triumph says over 60,000 units of its small-capacity range have sold worldwide. A retro cafe racer 400 will likely add significantly to that. Those in the industry suggest a global rollout of the Thruxton 400 will begin before year end. The two existing models cost $7999 and $8999 here so the Thruxton will likely go for $9999, or perhaps a shade less.
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NZ Autocar
12-08-2025
- NZ Autocar
Baby Thruxton is set to join the Triumph 400 model line-up
Triumph has another distinct model based on its Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X platform. Known as the Thruxton 400, a cafe racer that reminds of a shrunken Thruxton 1200 RS, it is currently an Indian market exclusive. But those in the know reckon it is only a matter of time before it shows up in export markets. Expect it to launch in Europe at the upcoming Milan ICMA show. The Thruxton 400 brings café racer coolness to the wee LAMS bike space, with clip-ons, a sculpted tank, a seat cowl and a frame-mounted half fairing. Other items include 43mm USD forks, a monoshock rear end, and 17inch cast wheels. A single front radial-mount disc brake handles stopping duties. Read our review of the Triumph Speed 400. It uses the same TR-series 398cc single that has proven so very popular across the globe. This model features a few more horses developed at the top of the rev range. That's from a likely mix of ECU remapping and airbox and/or exhaust mods. It's evidently 4kg heavier than the naked Speed 400 at 183kg, most of it from the extra bodywork. Expect to pay a small price premium for the Thruxton if it makes it to export markets, which it assuredly will. Commentators reckon it will cost much the same as the upcoming Scrambler 400 XC. There will be four different two-tone colour schemes available, and likely a whole mess of accessory bits and bobs as well. Built with Indian partner, Bajaj, Triumph says over 60,000 units of its small-capacity range have sold worldwide. A retro cafe racer 400 will likely add significantly to that. Those in the industry suggest a global rollout of the Thruxton 400 will begin before year end. The two existing models cost $7999 and $8999 here so the Thruxton will likely go for $9999, or perhaps a shade less.
Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Lawson records two top tens in British GP practice
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has finished in the middle of the pack in the opening two practice sessions for Monday's British Grand Prix. He finished eighth fastest in his Racing Bulls car in the first session, 0.459 seconds behind the fastest driver, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, and then 10th fastest in the second session, 0.808s behind McLaren driver Lando Norris. Hamilton, 40 and on a career-low run of 13 races without a podium finish but a record nine-time home race winner, lapped a sunny Silverstone with a best effort of one minute 26.892s on a bright but gusty afternoon. It was the first time this season the seven-time world champion led a practice session, although he was fastest in Chinese sprint qualifying. McLaren's Lando Norris, favourite for his first home triumph after winning in Austria last weekend, was 0.023s slower but ahead of championship-leading teammate Oscar Piastri in third and 0.150s off the pace. Piastri leads Norris by 15 points after 11 of 24 races, with Silverstone marking the season's midpoint. Champions McLaren have a dominant 207 points advantage over Ferrari in the constructors' standings. Hamilton's teammate Charles Leclerc was fourth with Mercedes's George Russell fifth. It was Hamilton's first time at a Grand Prix on home soil in Ferrari's red colours. The team has yet to win this season, the only top-four outfit yet to do so. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, replacing Yuki Tsunoda for the session only to satisfy young driver testing requirements, ended up 14th fastest with a time only half a second behind that of teammate and reigning champion Max Verstappen, who was 10th. Red Bull had to seek special dispensation from the governing FIA for the Anglo-Swedish driver with Indian heritage to be allowed to drive while under the age limit of 18, and team boss Christian Horner was pleased with what he saw. "I thought he acquitted himself very well, his feedback was clear and concise," he said of the Formula Two driver tipped for an eventual seat at Racing Bulls. "He's definitely a prospect for the future." Only one other driver had debuted so young at a Grand Prix weekend, and that was Verstappen in Japanese Grand Prix practice in 2014, three days after his 17th birthday. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto spun his Sauber full circle at speed but without mishap. Estonian Paul Aron lapped for Sauber, replacing Nico Hulkenberg for the session, and was 17th. The final practice session is at 10.30pm on Saturday, with qualifying starting at 2am on Sunday. - Additional reporting RNZ
NZ Autocar
10-06-2025
- NZ Autocar
Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review
So when I went to pick up the Royal Enfield Bear 650, the chap tasked with the handover commented, 'I've done 80km over the weekend and fell in love with it.' Which of course you take with a grain of salt, given the guys sells these. But remove the hyperbole and it's clear he liked it. Then really doesn't surprise either because from the outset when the Interceptor (great name) and Continental dotted down six years ago, they kicked off an uptick, a surge even, in Royal Enfield sales. Why? Because they're good and great value. And with their popularity they've just been adding to the 650 twin line-up ever since. There's now a Cruiser, a Classic, the natty looking Shotgun 650 and this, the Bear 650. There's even talk of another coming, in the form of the Himalayan 650, the adventure bike of the range. They've been so successful for the brand that Royal Enfield is now selling over a million bikes per annum. Not that it is all down to the 650s; their single-cylinder offerings are even more important for overall numbers. The Indian brand, which has seen a lift in quality as well as numbers, is now a serious force to be reckoned with. It claims global leadership in the middleweight sector. So now there's this 650 beastie as well, another sharp looker that's as happy doing soft-road stuff as it is plying sealed thoroughfares or commuting. Plus it has the retro look to match, with round lights at each end, a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear, and spoked rims for that authentic Scrambler look. The one you see here is the 249 model, the most expensive in the line-up (price differs according to paint jobs which is the usual RE way). And the number refers to a famous desert race that took place 65 years ago. For roughly 40 years the Big Bear race was run in the California desert. And the last was won by a 16-year-old, 'Fast Eddie' Mulder who beat over 700 others to the finish line after 240km of hard-out racing. He, of course, was riding a Royal Enfield. So the Bear – in miniature on the tank – was the logical name for the latest addition to the 650 twin line-up. With its Scrambler styling it has the look that just seems to stop people in their tracks. Or maybe it's the 249 race plate that does that. With white bodywork and green frame, it really does look tasty. The one I picked up was brand spankers. And I couldn't for the life of me work out how to change the dash layout. It was pretty much blacked out initially, with no numbers for the rev counter and just a digital readout of speed. Eventually, after mussing with the left bar set-up lever, I discovered that pushing it up led to the main menu where we could then select the classic screen with a proper rev counter, and a few other trip data on offer. Like instantaneous fuel use that suggested around 20-25km per litre on the open road ( 4.2L/100km overall). Not bad for a bike that wasn't run in and features no air protection. Range is around 250km from its 13.7L fuel tank. The engine is LAMS legal, and has undergone a bit of a rejig for the Bear application, with no less power (35kW) but a bit more torque, up by 8Nm to 57 in total, thanks mainly to its two-into-one exhaust. Gearing is a shade shorter too, so 100 uses around 4300rpm in sixth. Put another way, 4000 is 90km/h, 4500 is 108 and 5000rpm is 120. Throughout this rev band, which is the one you use primarily out of town, the engine is virtually vibe free. And with the added torque it will pull cleanly from 2000rpm, which is 50km/h in top, handy for urban work. Best power is above about 4500rpm but good torque is on tap from 3000rpm. Compared with the last RE we rode with this engine, the Shotgun 650, the Bear 650 is noticeably quicker. That's because it carries rather less bulk (214 vs 240kg) and has shorter gearing and more torque. That makes it almost a second quicker on both performance criteria, and managed an ABS stop from 100 in 38.46m, pretty nifty for something with a single two-piston disc up front and dual purpose rubber. The front brake, caliper by Bybre works okay on its own but adding the rear, this genuinely slows well. ABS is switchable (back wheel) for off-road riding. A few other points. Unlike some tall off-road ready bikes, the seat height on this is 830mm, and it's no effort to swing a leg over. The riding position is easy with high and wide bars, and midmounted pegs. While the seat looks good, the comfort wanes some after an hour or so of riding but there's generous room for two. For learner riders and those more experienced, the handling on road is a gas. There's oodles of ground clearance and this tips into corners virtually by just weighting the pegs. Suspension is extended travel – for GC of 184mm – and fixed up front, with Showa forks while the preload adjustable long travel rear springs seem set just a bit firm at their softest, no doubt optimised for off-road work. So best to avoid the big hits on road or weight the pegs in anticipation where possible, as they can be jarring. For off-road work primarily, you'd probably want to check out the Himalayan 450 but for a mix of the two and mainly road work, the twin will be a better overall option. Bear 650 is around $2k more expensive. The dash features a tripper unit for navigation, all within the main screen, and nav is possible via Bluetoothing your smartphone. There's a USB outlet up front for device charging too. The dual-tone horn is strong, and lights are LEDs all round. We appreciated the span-adjustable levers, lightweight and positive six-speed gearbox and clear instruments, once we'd found the classic layout. Each RE we ride just seems to be better in build quality too. Our particular 249 model goes for $11,890. However, the start price is $11,490. So love at first ride? It will be for some. Gotta love the price point too. For us, after a few hundred kays, love is perhaps a big call but it's certainly a great LAMS machine (that never feels nobbled like some do), and a competent all-rounder. Royal Enfield Bear 650$11,890 0-100 km/h 5.93s 80-120 km/h 4.79s (138.4m) 100-0 km/h 38.46m Speedo error 98 at an indicated 100km/h Engine Capacity 648cc Format Air-cooled / fuel-injected / IL2 Max power 35kW@7150rpm Max torque 58Nm@5150rpm Cylinder head SOHC / 8v Gearbox 6-speed Drivetrain Chain final drive Suspension front 43mm USD forks, unadjustable Suspension rear Twin shocks, preload adjustable Brakes front Twin-piston calipers, 320mm discs Brakes rear Single-piston, 270mm disc Safety systems ABS Tyre size f-100/90B19, r-140/80B17 Tyre type MRF Nylorex Wheelbase 1460mm Seat height 830mm Rake/trail 26.1° / 117mm Fuel capacity 13.6L Measured weight 214kg Weight distribution f-103kg / r-111kg
